The moonlight spilled over the Crimson Sky Sect's courtyard, casting long shadows across the broken stone tiles. The air was dense with tension, thick with mana and quiet anticipation. Disciples stood in a wide circle, breath held, eyes locked on the two figures at its center.
On one side, clad in a training uniform torn at the sleeves, stood Serian. Blood still stained his collar, but his posture was upright—calm, composed, and terrifying. On the other, trembling slightly beneath her calm exterior, was Rina. Her hands glowed with spelllight, fingers coiled in preparation.
They weren't just two students anymore.
This was war.
"Rina, stop," a voice cried from the sidelines. It was Master Elrin, but no one moved to intervene. Not even the elders.
This was beyond authority now.
This was a challenge.
Rina's voice came out low, edged with heartbreak. "You knew what would happen if you humiliated Zione in public."
Serian's eyes were cold. "He started it. I finished it."
"You brought shame to the family. You—"
"I'm not part of your family," Serian snapped, stepping forward. "I never was."
Silence.
Rina's jaw clenched. The spell in her hand flared.
"I'll make you regret those words."
In a blink, the first spell was loosed—an arc of crackling blue lightning hurled toward Serian. He stepped aside, barely shifting his weight. The ground behind him exploded in a flash of heat and sparks.
The crowd gasped.
Serian lifted a single hand. The air shimmered.
> [System Notice: Spell Sequence Deployed – Windstep: Triple Layered Shift] [Bonus Effect Triggered – "Phantom Image"]
Serian vanished.
Rina spun. "Behind me—?"
Too late.
Serian appeared just beyond her reach, hand already extended. He struck her in the shoulder with a flat palm, sending her skidding back across the courtyard. Her boots scraped against the stone, but she stayed upright.
He didn't press the attack.
He waited.
"Don't hold back," Rina spat, wiping blood from her lips. "I'm not weak."
"I know," Serian replied, low. "But I'm not the boy you remember either."
She screamed and summoned three flame circles around her. The temperature surged. The wind howled.
Serian narrowed his eyes.
"Crimson Lotus Style—Third Verse!"
Three fireballs launched at once, spinning in a spiraling orbit. The ground beneath them cracked with heat. Serian twisted, drawing his short sword from the back of his belt. It glowed with a cold silver sheen.
> [System Sync Activated – Weapon: Silent Fang Lv. 3] [Special Trait: Nullify Flame Mana (30%)]
He moved like a blur, slicing through the fireballs one by one. The explosions lit up the night sky, sending shockwaves in every direction. The watching disciples stumbled back, shielding their faces.
Serian stepped out of the smoke, barely touched.
But Rina had already prepared her next move.
From the sky, glowing chains of light descended—Binding Array: Sacred Seal of the Four Moons. A forbidden-level technique, something that should've taken weeks to cast.
But Rina had been preparing it long before tonight.
Serian looked up.
The chains slammed down.
BOOM!
The ground cracked beneath the impact. Dust rose. For a moment, all was silent.
"…Got him," Rina whispered, panting.
But as the dust cleared—Serian was still standing. His shirt was torn, his brow bleeding—but he stood. In his hand, the chain shattered like glass.
Rina's eyes widened.
"How—?"
> [System Alert: Hidden Skill Activated – "System Override: Reversal"] [Targeted Seal Technique Unlocked Temporarily]
Serian raised his palm.
Rina felt it then. Her own magic turned against her. The chains still hovering in the air reversed—shooting back down, this time aimed at her.
She threw up a barrier, but it wasn't enough.
The ground beneath her cracked. She dropped to one knee, gasping.
"You… learned to counter sacred arts?"
"I dissected your family's techniques," Serian said, calm. "You always used them around me. Did you think I wasn't watching?"
Her lips trembled. "…You were supposed to be our little brother."
"I never asked to be."
The words were cruel.
But true.
Rina's magic flickered. Her strength waned. She reached for another spell, but her hands shook.
The duel was over.
Still, Serian didn't deliver the final blow.
He turned away.
"I'm not your enemy," he said. "But I won't play a role in your twisted family's game."
"Then what are you, Serian?" she asked, voice cracking.
He paused.
"…I'm someone you'll regret underestimating."
With that, he walked past her, the crowd parting like waves. His figure disappeared into the night, moonlight following in his wake.
Rina remained on the ground, hand clenched over her chest.
Somewhere deep within, something cracked.
And across the courtyard, hidden behind a spell-cloaked balcony, Zione watched. His fists were clenched, blood running from his palm where his nails dug in.
"This isn't over," he whispered. "Serian… this isn't over."
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