Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 7: The Caged Flame and the Return of Shame

Night fell like a heavy curtain over Ironspire Academy. Kai stood in the dark, his eyesight focused and his body ready for action.

Beyond the academy's controlled zones is the Forbidden Sector. It was a region even elite students dared not tread.

But that was where Kai had to go. He didn't flinch neither was he scared. The system echoed in his head,

‘Mission Active: The Caged Flame

‘Objective: Infiltrate Forbidden Cell Block 7 and Rescue Fire Mage, Xira Wren.

Difficulty: S-Rank

Reward: Alliance Bonus, Fire Affinity Unlock, Bonus XP

Status: High Risk Council Surveillance Active’ 

Kai puffed out a heavy breath from his nostrils. He knew the mission wasn't going to be easy. Kai sneaked out from his room in the dead of the night and he went into the depths of the academy.

Kai moved through the sewers beneath the northern wall. He was guided by his system-enhanced minimap and upgraded reflex tier. The air reeked of chemicals, rust, and blood. “Gosh!” Kai echoed in disgust, his voice was a little above a whisper. 

The path was riddled with defenses like barbed traps, motion darts, pressure seals. Kai sneered as he gazed at each obstacle. He spotted where to disarm each. Quickly, Kai disarmed them all with precision. Each evasion increased his system agility slightly although his body was getting tired.

Then came the rogue enforcers. They were discarded by the academy for disobedience, these men now operated as violent outcasts, loyal to no one.

Three of them blocked Kai’s path. Their spears hummed with corrupted essence as they glared directly into Kai's eyes.

“You’re not leaving here, trash,” the leader snarled. His voice filled with hunger for destruction.

Kai cracked his knuckles. “Then I’m not here to leave.” Kai echoed, ready to take all of them down.

They attacked him immediately. But Kai was faster due to his reflexes. His shadow step activated.

And in five swift movements, he had disarmed two and cracked the skull of the third with a roundhouse enhanced by Iron Fist level 2 technique.

The system echoed at once, 

‘Combat Victory: +180 XP

Trap Mastery: +30 XP

Level Up: 3.0 

Skill Gained: Trap Sense Lv. 1

Mission Update: Cell Block Accessed.’ 

Kai breathed intensely after hearing the system. He moved forward.

Until he got to cell block 7.

Inside Cell Block 7, the walls were scorched. Kai spotted glass and broken restraints littered the floor.

Kai lifted his gaze and there she was, Xira Wren, the fire mage. She had red hair like wildfire and chains infused with runes wrapped around her wrists so that she wouldn't be able to escape.

“You’re not one of them,” she growled as Kai approached. Her eyes glowed like an amber. But as Kai got closer, she felt uncomfortable and thought he might also be one of them. 

“Get away or burn.” She echoed aggressively.

Kai halted, “I’m not here to hurt you. I came to get you out.” He spoke innocently and he wore he concerned glare.

She spat at his feet. “That’s what the last one said before he tried to break me.” Xiren widened her eyes.

Kai raised his hands and showed the system seal on his palm. “I'm not like them. And you're not staying here.” Kai echoed with determination.

Xiren went silent and she became calm. Kai moved swiftly. One by one, he crushed the rune seals.

Moments later, her chains shattered. Xiren felt like it was a dream. She gazed at him in disbelief.

For a moment, she was silent. She doesn't know what to say.

Then finally, Xiren whispered, “...Why?” She arched her eyebrows.

Kai didn’t answer. He just turned and motioned for her to follow.

Xiren and Kai successfully returned home. Even though Kai did it secretly, it was soon noticed that Xiren wasn't in the forbidden zone any longer.

It was discovered that Kai saved her. In anger, the council summons Kai by sending out enforcers to capture him.  

They didn’t even wait until morning.

Kai was dragged before the Council. This time he was with chains on his own wrists even though it wasn't necessary. But just to paint him as a criminal, they did that to him.

High Chancellor Vantros glared down at him with hate in his belly.

“You broke into a restricted zone. You released a criminal. Do you deny it?” His voice echoed aggressively. 

“No,” Kai said calmly. “I did it. But not for rebellion. But for justice.” Kai echoed without fear.

That got High chancellor Vantros pissed and he said hit his hand on the table in anger. “What justice are you talking about?” He shot a deadly glare at him.

Kai stepped forward and his eyes locked with the council as he spoke boldly. 

“She was locked up because she embarrassed a noble who was cheating during a test. You call that justice? She was abandoned and tortured because your politics fear power without pedigree.” He echoed loudly

Silence fell in the council. 

Then murmurs echoed.

The youngest Councilor, a woman named Lurienne, finally spoke. “We will investigate further. For now, the charges are dismissed. Return to your quarters.” She echoed. 

Back at his room, Xira sat at the edge of a bunk. She was still tense and her eyes flickered with distrust.

“I didn’t ask for help.” Xira echoed. 

“I know,” Kai said. “But we all get locked up by someone eventually. Doesn’t mean we have to stay there.” Kai expressed warmly. 

Xira didn’t reply, but she stayed calm. She didn’t leave his room.

However, later that day, the battle bells rang again.

And the name on the roster sent murmurs through the academy. Kai went to check it too and he was taken when he saw it wss

“VARYN CALDERON vs. KAI Draven.”

‘I bet he didn't learn the last time.’ Kai echoed inaudibly.

Varyn the once-proud heir of House Calderon had been in hiding since his embarrassing defeat.

Now he was back and his pride was seething for revenge.

In the Grand Arena, students packed the stands. Even instructors lined the private booths.

Varyn wore a cold face and his eyes were pale.  Standing across from him was Kai.

“You think this is over?” he sneered. “You humiliated me once. That was a mistake. I will break you before everyone and restore what you stole.” He echoed in desperation 

Kai said nothing while his eyes blinked. The system echoed within him,

‘The System Update: The combat passive skill focus in Tier 1 is Activated

Skill Equipped: The Shadow Step Level 2

Status: Active.’ After that echo from the system, Kai breathed intensely.

The duel commenced. Varyn’s strikes were elegant, swift, and infused with his family's signature art, Void Echo Spear. Even the students watching murmured amidst themselves.

But Kai was no longer the weakling he once mocked.

Kai dodged the attacks with his system grace and he teleported behind Varyn with Shadow Step while his presence flickered like smoke.

Then, in one brutal move, Kai landed Iron Fist piercing core on Varyn. He decked Varyn to the floor.

Varyn couldn't stand on his feet any more because the attack was extremely brutal.

Kai's system echoed within his head,

‘The duel is over and victory is confirmed....

Reward: XP Earned, Fame is Increased. Your reputation tier is a Contender

Unlocked: You are now granted access to level 3 tier combat.

After that echo… Kai decided to take his leave.

But just as Kai turned to leave, Varyn staggered up. His face was bloody with a shattered pride.

His voice trembled with fury.

“This... isn’t over.” He pointed at Kai while his fingers were shaking.

“I challenge you to a Death Match. Three days from now. There are no rules and no mercy.”

Gasps rang out amongst the students because that wasn't expected.

The crowd fell into silence.

Kai looked back at him with a brutal face.