Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 3: Tyrant’s First Strike

The underground dorm was a cage. Even though Kai doesn't feel convenient. He thought of the idea of getting himself trained since he now has a system.

That thought made him turn the dorm into something incredible...

There were no training weapons, no manuals and no mentors. Kai only had Hex, the flickering system AI which was bound to his neural core pattern. Kai's body slowly adapted to the protocols which were now rewiring his core.

Each morning, before the academy lights activated, Kai trained in silence - From shadow punches to elbow strikes and controlled footwork. As Kai trained, Hex calibrated Kai’s form with every repetition.

“Targeting instability is reduced. Strike correction is now at 6.3%. Your muscle latency is decreasing.”

At night, which was supposed to be Kai's sleeping period. Kai felt he needed more than just training in the afternoon. So, he meditated, which allowed the Presence of Command passive to sharpen.

Kai’s system wasn’t just a buff. It was psychological dominance. A pressure field which was subtle and primal.

‘Dominance wasn’t granted. It was imposed.’ Hex echoed in Kai's head.

Kai opened his eyes, he let out a yawn. Just like every other day, Kai started  training by simulating a sparring session with a glowing dummy Hex projected on the wall.  The door suddenly opened.

Three Enforcers stepped in with fierce eyes. Kai cornered his eyes, ‘What is the problem this time around?’ As he thought in his head. He beheld a short, broad-shouldered teen with sunburnt skin and a sharp-toothed smirk.

His name is Ray Smith and he is ranked Level 3.  His weapon specialization was the Graviton Axe. Ray happened to be the son of a weapon contractor with deep ties to the noble combat divisions.

“I challenged you, system freak,” Ray echoed with hate in his voice.

“Approved!” There was a loud echo from the councilor.

Kai signed. “The Council approved it. I am heading to the Public arena right away.’ ‘He wants a fight, I will give him one.’ Kai decided within himself that he was going to teach Ray a big lesson. But his face was mixed with confusion. Even though he wanted the fight, he didn't know what was happening.

Kai wiped sweat from his chin. “What for?” Kai asked with a sharp glare. 

Ray pointed a desperate finger at him. “You humiliated Varyn. He’s my cousin. I’m gonna show the school what happens when trash pretends to be royalty.” He echoed with a fierce voice.

Kai saw his anger as the veins of his neck were visible.

Kai looked at the Enforcers for a second. They nodded. “This duel is sanctioned. Declining will result in expulsion and seizure of protocol.” One of the Enforcers echoed.

Kai smirked, ‘Who told you I was gonna reject? I am definitely going for this challenge.’ Kai turned his eyes.

Hex whispered faintly in his mind. “Your command field is maturing. Use this moment. Display only what you choose. And nothing more.” 

Kai’s gaze hardened after hearing the echo of Hex. 

“I accept.” Kai declared without fear. Even though he knew that Ray's level was higher than his. 

‘QUEST UPDATE: Path of the Rejected.

New Objective: Win a sanctioned duel with a combatant two levels higher

Reward: Tier 2 Skill Access, Academy Recognition +10%, Authority Field Upgrade

Time Limit: 1 Hour.’ Hex whispered in Kai's mind with details.

The duel was announced less than twenty minutes before it began but by the time Kai stepped into the circular arena, half the academy had gathered. It was as if this was the moment they were waiting for. 

The pit was open-air this time around and floating platforms projected the arena across various towers.

As Kai viewed the arena, he started hearing the murmurs of the students who had come to watch.

“Why’s he here again?”

“Didn’t they lock him up?”

“I heard he hacked a system interface.”

“No way. He just glitched into a fluke win.” Those whispers came into Kai's hearings but he ignored them. 

Before Kai was the fierce Ray who stood tall while he spinnec his axe casually. The weapon vibrated with kinetic pulses, because it was a high-tier tech which was woven with energy-conductive alloy.

“Last chance to kneel,” he called out by pointing his fingers. He thought Kai was going to be afraid and submit to him. 

But Kai stretched his fingers. His black academy shirt clung to his sweat-dried frame. Kai wore no armor and no enhancements. He just had the faint glow of a Level 1 system.

A few nobles laughed in the stands as they watched.

“Level 3 against a barely Level 1? This isn’t a duel. It’s a purge.”

“I can't believe he would be so foolish to stand against someone ten times stronger than him.”

“He is definitely going to die.” The nobles whispered those words amongst themselves.

“Combat Countdown in 3... 2... 1… Begin.”

Ray lunged with a roar and his Graviton Axe spinned like a turbine engine. The ground cracked beneath him from the sheer force of his strength.

Kai stepped forward without fear. He had this deep belief that he was going to defeat him. 

The audience gasped when they saw Kai move forward. They never expected that from him. Some of the students had thought Kai would run away from the duel. But the reverse was the case. 

Kai raised a single hand and his level 1 aura flickered faintly.

‘Skill Activated: Iron Fist Technique Tier I

Enhancement: +25% impact force for 2 seconds

Modifier Applied: Tyrant Core. Strike converts to a Shockwave effect against Level ≤ 3 enemies.’ Hex echoed in Kai's mind. 

As Ray’s axe arced downward, Kai’s fist slammed upward. It was not into Ray, but into the arena floor.

A blast of compressed force exploded outward and the watcher's eyes widened with surprise.

The earth cracked. Dust blinded half the audience and a ripple of energy surged forward.

Ray’s entire body was thrown backwards and was lifted into the mid-air. Ray crashed into the wall of the arena with bone-jarring force.

The students and nobles that were watching went silent.

As the dust  cleared, Kai stood strong while steam drifted from his knuckles.

Ray groaned in pain as he was pinned under the rubble. His eyes widened in disbelief. ‘T-This can't be possible.’ he stuttered.

Everyone stared at what happened with disbelief.

“He just defeated a Level 3…With a basic Level 1 skill. And didn’t even hit him directly. This is unbelievable.” One of the students in the crowd echoed with shock. 

On the highest balcony was Councilor Vane who had watched what happened. He was disappointed as his eyes went cold. Next to him was Instructor Mordas who tightened his grip on the railing.

Below, Kai turned to the audience and his gaze was like steel.

Then the system chimed softly.

 ‘LEVEL UP: 2 → 3

New Skill Tree Unlocked: Tyrant Core, Suppression Field

You have earned a Title: The Rulebreaker.’

Directly lurking in the shadows of the crowd was Raid who had watched… and his face formed with a bitter smile. In his belly was hate and anger. 

“Now he’s worth killing.” Raid echoed inaudibly.