The battle arena felt heavier than usual, its stone floor echoing faintly under the feet of two figures facing each other. Lan Zhen and Zhao Xiong stood on opposite ends, their gazes locked, neither flinching. The faint hum of spirit energy filled the air as tension rippled across the arena. In the corners, the students of both Class 1 and Class 2 held their breath, waiting for the clash.
"This bastard Zhao Xiong has been trying to hurt us since the academy entrance trials," Bing Xueer spat bitterly, her blue hair glinting faintly under the sunlight.
Shi Feng's eyes narrowed. Lei Wei gave a grim nod. Gu Naer clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles whitened, her violet eyes burning with suppressed fury. Even Yu Xiatao, usually calm, looked unsettled. The Class 2 students exchanged anxious glances, remembering every arrogant smirk and cruel word from Zhao Xiong.
Fan Lin's nervous voice broke the silence, trembling as he asked, "Will Lan Zhen… be fine?"
Immediately, his classmates turned toward him, and though fear tugged at them too, they forced smiles. Naer, Xueer, Feng, Xiatao, and Wei all answered as one: "Don't worry. Believe in our Zhen."
Out on the battlefield, Zhao Xiong straightened his back with a proud smirk. "Rank 15 Spirit Forged Master, Bond – Fire Lion." His body glowed faintly with a fiery aura, the image of a roaring lion spirit flickering behind him.
Lan Zhen stepped forward, his voice calm, unwavering. "Rank 16 Spirit Forged Master, Bond – Dark Dragon."
Gasps echoed from the crowd. The words sent ripples of disbelief through the students. Even Head Teacher Hong Li's eyes widened. Zhao Xiong faltered for half a second, though he quickly covered it with a sneer. So he's a rank above me… No wonder he volunteered. His lips curled arrogantly. "So what if you're higher than me? You'll still be crushed." He thrust his thumb downward in mockery.
The crowd grew restless. Whispers spread like wildfire. The two bonds stood in sharp contrast—fire lion against dark dragon.
Hong Li raised his hand, his voice carrying authority. "Battle begin!"
Zhao Xiong roared, charging first. "Flame King Roar!" His spirit power surged, and from the Fire Lion's maw burst a torrent of blazing flames, twisting like a living dragon of fire.
Zhen immediately darted to the side, but Zhao Xiong's grin widened. "Do you think you can escape? My flames will follow you!"
Zhen's eyes widened as he saw the fiery torrent curve unnaturally, still locked onto him. The heat licked at his back, scorching the air.
Shi Feng shouted from the corner, "Why isn't it stopping?!"
Lei Wei's face turned grim. "The Zhao Clan's first skill is usually Flame Roar. It's unique—it never stops until it reaches its target."
Gasps spread across both classes. Xiatao bit his lip nervously. "Then… then will those flames actually hurt Zhen?"
"Yes," Lei Wei said with weight in his voice. "The Zhao Clan carries the bloodline of the Fire Lion King. Their flames are not ordinary—they can burn through even the strongest defenses. It will be difficult for Zhen to endure."
Panic stirred among Class 2 students. Naer pressed her trembling hands against her chest, whispering almost like a prayer, "Zhen… please don't get hurt. Please…"
On the battlefield, Zhen's breaths grew heavy. The heat of the flames pressed against him with every dodge, every step. The air distorted, scorching the ground wherever the fire passed. His calm face showed a flicker of strain. Zhao Xiong's laughter echoed, cruel and arrogant.
"Run all you like, Lan Zhen!" Zhao Xiong sneered, rushing closer, his fists wreathed in flames while the roaring fire pursued Zhen. "Once I defeat you, you'll be suspended for a year! Then I'll tear through Class 2, one by one. And that includes your precious friends." His eyes gleamed wickedly. "Especially that silver-haired, purple-eyed girl—Gu Naer. I'll make sure she suffers the most. Hahaha!"
The words froze Zhen in his tracks. His mind blanked for a heartbeat. Then, unbidden, Naer's face appeared in his heart. Her gentle voice echoed like a whisper in the storm: Zhen… I will always be with you.
Something inside him snapped.
A surge of fury boiled through his veins, hotter than Zhao Xiong's flames. His eyes narrowed, dark power stirring in his body. "You dare… threaten Naer?!"
The pursuing flames crashed against him, and Zhao Xiong's blazing fist slammed forward. The explosion rocked the arena, dust and fire clouding everything in thick smoke. Students screamed, shielding their eyes. Even the teachers flinched from the impact.
Hong Li smirked, already satisfied. So, my student wins. Lan Zhen is finished.
But as the smoke began to clear, a stunned silence fell. Through the haze, a figure stood tall. Zhen's uniform was untouched, his body unscathed, his eyes burning with darkness rage.
Zhao Xiong's grin faltered. "What?!"
The students of both classes gaped in disbelief. Not even the combined force of the flame roar and Zhao Xiong's fist had harmed him. Hong Li's smirk froze. Guan Fang's lips curled into the faintest smile.
Zhen's voice cut through the silence, cold and sharp as a blade. "You dare to threaten Naer… and my friends?"
Dark power erupted. "Dark Dragon Claw!"
His eyes glowed with a blood-red light. His arms twisted into monstrous claws, dark scales covering his skin, emanating a violent aura that sent chills down every spine in the arena. The oppressive weight of a dragon's wrath descended.
Zhao Xiong's body trembled. The fiery arrogance in his eyes flickered into fear. His spirit faltered under the suffocating presence.
Zhen roared, lunging forward. His dragon claw slashed across the air, the pressure alone shaking the arena floor. The strike landed with crushing force, sending Zhao Xiong flying like a broken doll. He crashed into the far corner of the arena with a bone-snapping crack.
"MY HAND! MY HAND!!" Zhao Xiong screamed, writhing in pain, his arm bent unnaturally. His followers rushed to his side, panic flooding their faces. Even Hong Li darted toward him, his expression no longer smug but tight with alarm.
In the opposite corner, cheers erupted. Class 2 shouted, clapped, and jumped in relief, their voices echoing with triumph. Bing Xueer laughed, eyes gleaming. Shi Feng pumped his fist in the air. Lei Wei exhaled, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Xiatao whooped loudly, unable to contain his excitement.
Naer's hands trembled, her heart pounding. Tears pricked her eyes, but her lips curved into a smile. "Zhen…" she whispered softly.
Head Teacher Guan Fang strode across the arena, his eyes gleaming with approval. He placed a hand on Zhen's shoulder. "You won, Lan Zhen. You fought not just with strength, but with heart."
Zhen exhaled, his dark aura fading, the dragon claws dissolving into nothingness. Relief washed over him, but his eyes remained sharp, his heart steady. This victory… is for Naer. For all my friends. And for the path I must keep walking.