2025-05-19 21:44:03The moment Hunch Man hit the ground, an echo of disbelief surged through the arena like a wave. Not a soul spoke. Not even the council.
The battle was supposed to be a public execution. And yet, the so-called Trash-Tier had stood tall. The high councillor spoke with disappointment in his eyes… ‘How does he keep winning?’ He echoed within himself. “The subject, Kai Draven, is acquitted of further punishment and he is reinstated as a student of Ironspire Academy.” He declared with an unhappy and harsh glare. High Councilor Vantros’s face formed with anger as he glared at Kai was where he was seated. He slammed his gavel after declaration. “This tribunal is adjourned. Kai Draven is released from prison.” He gave the final declaration. In the Ironspire Academy Grounds whispers floated like pollen in the wind as the students wouldn't stop talking about Kai's battle with Hunch Man. “Did you hear? Kai took down Hunch Man with one punch.” “I watched it on the SkyFeed and he didn’t get hit once.” “Trash-tier? No. That’s a Tyrant Core, I’m telling you.” Kai, who had always been ignored his whole life started getting people to talk about him throughout the halls. Kai’s name now sparked multiple reactions among the nobles, students and elites and among them was awe and deep hatred. Among the most bitter was Andrew Stain who had been hearing and seeing how Kai kept defeating high ranking students. Kai is at Level 5. He is arrogant and also a sadist. He is a noble-born tyrant in his own right. He had humiliated Kai in public months ago. He remembered how he made him crawl through sewage during punishment. And now? Now this trash has become an uncontrollable fire… Andrew couldn't believe it and he couldn’t stand it. Kai was returning from the academic grounds when he heard the voice he would never forget. His memories spiralled to how that voice had made him panic, crawl and beg for mercy. “Well, well, well. Look who thinks he’s grown a spine.” Andrew echoed with hate in his belly. He intended to bully Kai once more so that he could nullify the news going around the academy. Kai stopped and he turned around. The hall fell silent while Kai's eyes peered into Andrews. Andrew stood at the center of the courtyard with his squad of cronies. His arms were crossed and a hateful smile dripping venom. “I heard you cheated. Paid off the Council to let you win.” He echoed coldly. Kai smirked although he was calm. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Andrew.” Kai finally spoke. When Kai spoke back, Andrew was angered, ‘That’s enough.’ He echoed within himself and decided he was going to teach Kai a lesson again. Andrew stepped forward and shoved Kai in the throat. But for some reason, Kai wasn't moved. “Talk back to me again, and I’ll grind you under my boot like old times.” Andrew spoke with anger. But this time, Kai didn’t flinch like how he used to panic in the past. He was not ready to back down but rather, face his fear. He simply said, “Try it and this time, you will have yourself to blame for it.” Kai's imposing aura… The courtyard erupted into a frenzy as Andrew roared in anger. “Then let’s settle this. Duel in the arena tonight.” Andrew lanced out those words. “I accept.” Kai expressed and he slammed Andrew's hand off his body. Just then, echo erupted through the microphone that was close to where they were standing. It was the voice of the council. “Duel request Logged. Andrew Stain in level 5 challenges Kai Draven in level 2 to a duel in the arena tonight. The duel is approved by the council and the location for this duel is arena 2 in the West Wing.” The council's voice faded after his declaration. Andrew shot a deadly glare at Kai before he finally took his leave. The same day in the evening. Kai was in the duel grounds to baffle Andrew. Lights lit up the training stadium as student's eyes from Ironspire watched. Rumors had spread like wildfire earlier in the day. The match was being broadcast to noble houses. And among the viewers were even Black Instructors. They are the elite mentors of Ironspire. Kai stepped into the arena. He was silent and his eyes were centered on his opponent. Andrew cracked his knuckles, grinning. “I’ll break your teeth one by one.” Andrew swore. Suddenly, Kai heard the voice of the system in his head. “Ding!!! System Mission: Phantom Dodge Initiated Objective: Dodge 30 consecutive enemy attacks in a single combat. Reward: +1 Reflex Tier, Bonus Experience Points. Penalty: None. Status: Active.” Kai grunted silently after hearing the system mission. ‘I must dodge 30 attacks…’ He echoed within himself without flinching or fear. Even though he knew it was a tough mission. The duel started. Andrew charged in with his fists blazing with bruiser energy. He threw one and then two and then three punches at Kai. Due to the system mission, Kai had to duck, swerve, and slid under a sweeping elbow. Andrew threw more punches just to cut him down, six and seven then ten. Kai spun and he let a punch pass mere centimeters from his nose. ‘Fourteen. Eighteen.’ Kai continued counting. Andrew grunted in anger after Kai was easily dodging his punches. His face turned red. “You coward! Fight me!” He growled fiercely. Kai's lips curved with a dark smile. Andrew didn't know what was coming for him. “Why rush? You’re doing fine missing.” Kai echoed with pride. “Twenty-five. Twenty-eight.” Kai continued with the count inaudibly. The crowd couldn’t believe their eyes. “How is he dodging his punches easily?” They whispered one to another. Andrew was practically dancing with air, because he was trying so hard to hit Kai. But Kai stood strong as the wind. He never stopped moving and dodging Andrew's attack. “Thirty.” Andrew echoed the last count inaudibly. And the system within him echoed aloud… “Ding!!! System Mission Completed +1 Reflex Tier Unlocked +400 XP Earned.” After Kai had heard the echo of the system. It's time. Then Kai struck with a determined attack after calculating it. A single palm thrust to Andrew’s sternum sent him flying back and rolling across the arena with a thud. Andrew couldn't get back up even though he tried. The system echoed, ‘Victory Confirmed – Duel Complete ‘New Skill Branch Option Available: Wind Echo Counter – Pending Confirmation Fame +300 Reputation Tier: Emerging Threat.’ Kai was proud of himself for defeating Andrew, that devil that had made him beg and crawl some months back. Later that night. Kai was in his room in the academy Kai stood at the window and he gazed at the lit towers of Ironspire. Whispers from the arena still echoed in his mind and a flashback of how his parents died was still in his head. His belly dropped with hate and he wanted more revenge. Kai didn’t fight for fame. He fought because he had no choice. The academy wanted to eliminate him just like they executed his parents and that wasn't going to happen. But then… Kai heard the faint voice of the system in his head, ‘System Alert: A new mission is available Classified Objective: Enter into the Forbidden Zone Title of mission: The Caged Flame Target: Xira Wren, a rejected fire mage The Location: The forbidden zone cell in block 7, Tower D Details: she was expelled for injuring a noble during exam trials and Imprisoned unjustly. Mission: Free Xira Wren and recruit her as an ally. Reward: Access to Fire Affinity Nodes, Alliance Link Bonus Status: ACTIVE.’ Kai’s eyes narrowed while he puffed out some breath from his nostrils. “A mage in chains…” Kai echoed within himself. And he was disgusted by the cruelty of the academy. He turned from the window and his fists clenched. “I’m coming for her.” Kai echoed in determination.
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Chapter 128: Torrin’s Trap
The sound of iron against iron rang across the Vanguard base’s training field. Rows of recruits were lined up under the bright lights. The weapons in their hands were glinting under the gaze of instructors. Today was not just an ordinary drill. It was the Weapons proficiency trial, where each soldier demonstrated accuracy, speed, and composure under simulated battle condition. Scores would be posted for all to see and it would be forever etched into their record.For Kai, every eye was already watching. Not with respect yet but with expectation. Expectation that the so-called “scholar boy” would finally stumble.Torrin Blayk saw to that.The tall recruit leaned against the rack of firearms. A smirk tugged at his lips. His voice cut through the clamor with sharp mockery.“Don’t trip over your pen, Kai. This isn’t about your pretty notes, this is about real weapons. Tools for real soldiers.”Laughter rippled through the ranks.Another chimed in, emboldened by Torrin’s tone. “What’s t
Chapter 127: The Silent Blade
The simulation chamber sounded like a living beast. Its walls shift to mimic rough cliffs, ruined shacks that stretched through the barren field. It wasn’t how it all looked, the Vanguard base’s engineers had designed every inch to trap, break, and humiliate the overconfident. A single mistake meant lights blaring across the control deck and failure would be stamped in real time for everyone to see.Kai stepped through the reinforced gate with a calm that only invited more jeers.“Scholar-boy going to doodle his way past the enemy?” someone called.“Better keep your neat handwriting ready for when they write FAIL across your record!” another shouted, laughter rolling through the crowd.Kai didn’t flinch. His eyes, sharp beneath the dim chamber lights, focused on the terrain ahead. He flexed his fingers once with an almost imperceptible gesture.“DING!System Notification: Mission Active – “Survive infiltration undetected.”Bonus: Subdue Leader without alert raised. Reward: Stealth S
Chapter 126: Shadow Assignment
The victory over Harlen Drex still hung in the air like smoke after a fire. The recruits at Vanguard base hadn’t stopped talking about it since Kai had dismantled the tall brawler in the front of the entire barracks.But instead of basking in the triumph, Kai stood silently in the commander’s chamber with a rigid posture and he maintained a steady gaze.Commander Draegon’s office walls were made of steel. Visible holographic maps flickering with zones of red and blue. Veteran officers surrounded the commander with unreadable expressions, as though Kai was another item on their endless list of calculations.“You showed adaptability in the duel,” Draegon said at last. His gravel voice cut through the low sound of the machinery. “But fighting one brute in front of recruits is different from surviving what lies beyond these walls. You will undergo a trial.”“A trial, sir?” Kai kept his voice neutral even though he was surprised. “Reconnaissance,” another officer spoke, adjusting his data
Chapter 125: The Duel Without Shadows
The training hall’s mats were stripped bare and they left only two figures under the harsh white lights. The recruits had crowded the railings. They had pressed shoulder to shoulder with whispers and jeers as anticipation thickened the atmosphere.On one side stood Harlen Drex. He was tall and whip-thin. His smirk was razor-sharp. He rolled his shoulder. He was full of the cocky swagger that had won him matches against slower recruits. On the other end stood Kai. He was silent and he maintained his dark and steady eyes. Just as stated, he made sure he didn't bring anyone along so they won't point his victory towards the direction.The instructors had permitted it. Duels like this in the vanguard base weren’t forbidden, and the commanders wanted to see how the scholar-boy would handle himself without his supposed crush.Harlen leaned forward. His eyes peered into the soul of Kai like a vulture. He parted his lips and his voice was carried across the hush. “Are you ready to show us
Chapter 124: The Unassisted Duel
The training chamber was still filled with the murmurs of other soldiers after Caz Brenner’s defeat. But the noise had shifted. Before, Kai was mocked, laughed at and scorned, but now, there was now murmuring, suspicion, and an uncomfortable weight about Kai since he had been knocking down even the most powerful among them. They kept wondering how he continued defeating each of them. Caz sat on the edge of the mat. He was rubbing his ribs with his face flushed red with humiliation. He glared at Kai but didn’t step forward again. All that was left within him was his pride that had been broken in front of everyone. He still flashed back to that moment of ridicule and despair. He then wondered how Kai managed to get him to keep silent in this manner.Then, he grinded his teeth. He thought Kai would fight him at that very moment. But Kai was ever silent. He grinded his teeth and clenched his fist even though he knew there was nothing he could do to fight Kai anymore. However, there wa
Chapter 123: Reversal
The training chamber at Vanguard Base was a cavern of sweat, noise, and anticipation. Steel beams arched overhead. They are lined with bright floodlights that bleached every drop of moisture gleaming on recruits’ bodies. The mats were slick from earlier rounds, and the air smelled of leather, chalk, and iron. This was where reputations were made.Kai looked at the loosed strap and then tightened the straps of his training gloves. He made sure he a strict expression that will be majorly understandable for any one else. In a distance from him was Caz Brenner. He rolled up his shoulders as he kept smirking like a predator circling prey. The humiliation attempt in the showers still hung between them like a blade. Caz believed he still had the upper hand and that Kai’s balance was just pure luck even though his eyes were harsh to behold but he believed that it was not his skill. And today, he meant to prove it to everyone. The recruits circled the mat. They were a sea of hungry eyes
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