The Central Arena was alive.
Thousands of spectators packed the marble stands—nobles from the five empires, kings from distant kingdoms, academy instructors, merchants, emissaries, and students both old and new.
Hovering crystal screens shimmered above the crowd, showing names, ranks, and projections.
In the middle of it all, the circular stone arena waited in silence. Smooth. Wide. Ancient.
> [Event Beginning: Opening Duel]
[Student: Aelric Vaelion | Bronze Tier – Rank 3 | Cultivation: 2nd Grade]
[Opponent: Kalen Dros | Bronze Tier – Rank 5 | Cultivation: 3rd Grade]
[Win Condition: Incapacitate, Disarm, or Force to Yield]
"Begin!"
A flash of light.
Aelric and his opponent stepped forward, each facing the other with the sun at their backs.
Kalen Dros was a broad-shouldered young man with a crescent axe strapped across his back. His skin glistened with mana, and a smug grin curled his lips.
"You're the noble runt," Kalen said. "Thought you'd be taller."
Aelric didn't respond. He shifted his weight, keeping one hand loose at his hip.
The wind blew softly.
Kalen cracked his neck. "Don't worry. I'll only break one arm."
> [Passive: Sharp Will Activated – Focus Enhanced]
[Mana: 110 / 110]
Then the ground shook.
Kalen charged like a war beast, axe raised, mana flaring gold around his limbs.
Aelric didn't move until the last moment—then Phantom Step.
He vanished.
The axe slammed into empty air.
Aelric reappeared at Kalen's flank, sword flashing.
Clang!
Kalen twisted in time, blocking with his axe's haft. But the force sent him staggering.
> [Phantom Step Mastery: 39%]
[Sword Intent +2]
"Fast," Kalen growled. "But not strong enough."
He roared and unleashed a flurry of blows—each strike heavier than the last, his axe gleaming with mana enhancement.
Aelric danced around them. Phantom Step. Bladeborn Form. Slides, flickers, sidesteps, cuts.
The crowd leaned forward. Even the instructors narrowed their eyes.
He's weaving it all together, one of them whispered. His movement technique is syncing with his sword form.
Then Kalen overcommitted—too wide, too slow.
Aelric saw the opening and struck.
His blade snapped forward, not for the body—but for the axe's shaft.
Crack!
The weapon split at the middle. Kalen's eyes widened in disbelief.
Before he could react—
Phantom Step.
Aelric appeared behind him and gently tapped his neck with the flat of his sword.
"Yield."
Silence.
Then—
"I…" Kalen's voice cracked. "I yield."
> [Victory Achieved – Opening Duel Complete]
[Reward: +15 System Points | Promotion to Bronze Tier – Rank 5]
[New Quest Unlocked: "Climb the Blade Rankings"]
The arena erupted.
Some cheered. Some grumbled. Some simply stared.
From the high balcony, Master Dorn, the Sword Instructor of the Academy, watched with a deep frown.
"That boy… he carries sword intent already?" he murmured. "At Second Grade?"
Another elder beside him stroked his beard. "House Vaelion has always been martial. But this… this one carries more than talent. He carries purpose."
In the audience, Lyria Caelwyn crossed her arms, smirking.
"Well, well," she whispered. "Maybe this won't be a boring year after all."
Back in the preparation chambers, Aelric sat alone.
His breath was steady. His hands calm.
But inside, he felt it—a slow, steady rising. A hunger. A heat.
I'm not here to win duels, he reminded himself. I'm here to become the strongest.
The System shimmered before his eyes.
> [New Blade Seed Growth Option Available]
[Unlocked: Blade Memory Fragment – "Falling Star Slash" (1%) Detected]
He stared.
"Show me everything," he said.