The Bully’s Reincarnation

Chapter 12: The Red Duel

Arcadia Academy – Duel Grounds, Noon

The sun beat down hard, hot and heavy, like it was watching.

A crowd was already gathering, voices low and full of tension.

Kai pulled at the sleeve of his training tunic and stepped into the ring.

Across from him stood Cyrus—Class A’s star student, his hair tied neatly, his green eyes sharp and steady.

Just before Kai could move away, Lina grabbed his arm.

“You don’t have to do this,” she said softly.

He looked at her. Calm and quiet. “He called me out”…“It’s a trap.”

He smirked faintly. “I know.”

⸻

Earlier that Morning – Class E Hall

Cyrus had arrived unannounced. Calm, elegant, and deeply unsettling.

“Trial matches are open this week,” he’d said, voice smooth as silk over a knife’s edge. “I’m requesting a public duel. With Kai.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

“You sure you want that?” someone muttered.

Cyrus tilted his head. “Absolutely.”

Kai had stood slowly. “What’s your angle?”

Cyrus smiled. “You’ll find out.”

⸻

Back to the Duel Grounds

The judge—a sour-faced enchanter named Durn raised his hand.

“Standard rules. No killing. No curses. First to fall or forfeit. Begin on my mark.”

Cyrus stretched his arms, loose and lazy.

“You’re trembling,” he said.

“I’m focused,” Kai replied.

Durn’s hand dropped. “Begin!”

Cyrus was on him instantly—no warm-up, no hesitation.

A blast of red fire screamed across the arena.

Kai rolled aside, feeling the heat skim his back.

“You’re slow,” Cyrus called, launching another barrage.

Kai blocked it with a crude barrier—barely in time.

The crowd gasped.

Lina clutched the rail. “He’s holding back.”

Mae, beside her, frowned. “Cyrus?”

“No—Kai.”

Kai gritted his teeth………The grimoire’s memory danced in his head—Spell #27: Flame Shear Counter—a half-forgotten move from Rafe’s old logs.

But if he used it…

Another flare came at him, bright and fast.

He muttered under his breath, “To hell with it”.

As the fireball hit, Kai twisted into a low stance, angled his palm, and deflected the blow—not with force, but redirection. Flame bent sideways, slicing the earth in a sharp arc.

The crowd gasped.

Cyrus blinked.

“That move…”

A murmur rippled through the stands.

“That was—”

“Rafe’s technique.”

Cyrus’s smile dropped. “You remember that?”

Kai’s breath came heavy. “No. But my body does.”

Cyrus stepped back. “So it’s true.”

“What is?”

“You’re waking up.”

⸻

Edge of the Arena

Professor Voren leaned toward Halden. “Did you see that?”

Halden nodded slowly. “He didn’t just remember. He modified it.”

Voren’s eyes narrowed. “Then we’ve passed the tipping point.”

⸻

Back in the ring, Kai felt the weight of the world pressing down.He was on the edge of collapse.

Cyrus stood tall, breathing steady, but his hands weren’t glowing anymore.

“You’ve improved,” he said. “I didn’t expect that.”

Kai coughed. “You’re welcome.”

“But you’re not him. Not yet.”

“I’m not trying to be.”

Cyrus’s eyes darkened. “That’s the problem.”

He lunged.

Kai braced—but Cyrus stopped just short of contact.

Instead, he whispered, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

Kai froze. “What?”

“Your greatest regret wore my face.”

Then Cyrus raised his hand.

“I forfeit.”Gasps echoed.

“What the hell?” someone shouted.

The judge frowned. “Match is over. Winner by forfeit:

Kai of Class E.”

————-

Later – Near the Training Hall

Kai was sitting on a bench, wiping blood from a cut on his shoulder.

Cyrus appeared beside him like a ghost.

“You didn’t win,” Cyrus said.

Kai didn’t look up. “I didn’t need to.”

“You still don’t remember?”

Kai shook his head.

Cyrus sighed. “Maybe that’s mercy.”

Kai turned. “Why challenge me? Why put on a show?”

“Because you needed the push. You’ve been walking around afraid of yourself. That won’t work anymore.”

Kai stood. “Why do you care?”

Cyrus gave him a long, unreadable look. “Because last time… I followed you.”“And?”……“I want to see if I was wrong.”

Then he walked away, leaving Kai staring after him

⸻

Dormitory Rooftop – Night

Lina joined Kai without a word, sitting beside him under the stars.

“So…” she said.

He nodded. “Yeah.”

“You copied the Tyrant’s move.”

He winced. “It wasn’t on purpose.”

“Doesn’t matter. Everyone saw it.”

He looked at his hands. “Maybe I’m just a reflection of him.”

“You’re not.”…..“I used his spell.”

“But you didn’t break the rules. You didn’t lose control. You didn’t burn the arena to ash. You just… stood your ground.”

Kai closed his eyes. “Why does it still feel wrong?”

Lina shrugged. “Because you’re trying to be good.”

He looked at her. “Do you think I was evil?”

“I think… you were powerful. And alone. That’s dangerous.”

“And now?”

She smiled. “Now you have me.”