Chapter 122
A duel (2)
After several minutes of silent anticipation, the mini car finally came to a smooth stop. The journey from the dorms to the combat grounds hadn't been long in distance, but with the expectations hanging over them, it had felt stretched and drawn out. IAM and the others stepped out one by one, blinking as they took in their surroundings.
Ahead stood the entrance to the combat grounds—a towering structure shaped like a cathedral of steel, its wide arched mouth swallowing up the wave of students who flowed toward it. IAM joined the tide, following the massive group as they passed beneath the archway and stepped into a different world entirely.
The passageway gave way to a space so vast that it was hard to process at first. It was more than a single arena—it was a sprawling training complex, a world within the academy devoted solely to combat. The air carried the scent of sand, metal, and the faint buzz of machinery under the layers of steel. Their shoes tapped against metal as they walked, and the ceilings above, though open in parts, were supported by intricate beams that provided partial cover from the elements.
To their left and right were various training environments, each tailored for a different aspect of combat. Some arenas were wide pits filled with coarse sand, echoing with the sounds of barehanded sparring and controlled aggression.
Others were shaped from molded concrete, rough and jagged like the ruins of some old city, built to simulate urban warfare. A few were constructed to mimic natural terrain—forested corners, rocky inclines, even a synthetic river flowing with a gentle, filtered stream. There were enclosed chambers lined with shock-absorbing walls for refining high level path methods.
Elevated observation decks dotted the perimeter, allowing instructors to watch from above, removed from the intensity below yet never distant.
There were so many options for training it felt overwhelming.
Yet, none of that mattered to the students today. Their interest was drawn elsewhere—to the open-air dueling arenas. Several were spread across the grounds, but the one designated for today's duel was ahead. It wasn't the largest by far, but it was still massive—roughly the size of a football pitch. And despite its relative modesty compared to some of the grander combat stages, it had everything needed for a proper bout.
IAM's eyes swept the space as they approached. Towering screens hovered at the corners of the arena, suspended by thick metal beams and enforced supports. The screens were crystal-clear, displaying the arena from multiple angles, ensuring that no matter where you sat, you'd see every blow.
Stadium-style seating curled around the arena in an oval, and there were more than enough seats to accommodate the entire class. The staff, clad in their official academy uniforms, stood waiting at regular intervals along the staircases. As the students arrived, they were guided with efficiency and split into small groups and waved toward the sections.
IAM, Yohan, and Reuel moved together, following the direction of a short, broad-shouldered staff member who waved them toward the lower stands. They found themselves seated near the front row, close enough to feel the tension rolling off the stage. IAM took a seat at the edge of the bench-style seating, his elbows on his knees and leaning forward. Yohan dropped down beside him with a huff, and Reuel took the other side, silently watching the stage.
The combat platform itself was a marvel— it was raised slightly above ground level, its edges lined with a faint glowing path formation. The path formation shimmered, its translucent shield pulsing quietly as it activated. It served two purposes: to reinforce the stage and to protect the audience from any stray attacks. It was an elegant yet practical display of the academy's resources.
Higher up, seated far from the students, the fifteen instructors occupied a private platform, elevated above the regular stands. Their platform wasn't just for viewing; it came with embedded display screens that projected real-time analysis of the duel. Each instructor had access to the profiles of the two combatants, which they pulled up as they settled into their seats. Their expressions varied—some intrigued, others mildly bored, though all maintained a professional demeanor.
One of the instructors broke the silence with a quiet murmur, the voice picked up faintly by nearby listeners.
"Oh, one of them hasn't even formed an avien yet— they only received their manual a week ago after it was confirmed they were accepted into the academy," the instructor said, eyes narrowing slightly as they scanned the data. "The other has had theirs for six months, following one of the more popular paths... the Justice Path."
Another instructor leaned back in their chair, arms folded. "Hopefully they can give us a good showing."
Down on the arena floor, the duel was moments away from starting.
The two participants were already in position—one with curly hair and a focused gaze, the other with neat blonde hair and a sharp jaw. They stood at opposite ends of the stage, their wooden batons already in hand. The weapons were identical: meant to test skill and foundation rather than raw strength.
A staff member stepped onto the edge of the platform, acting as the referee. Their voice rang out across the arena.
"For fairness, both of you are using wooden batons," they announced, speaking clearly. "You're only allowed to use base methods—and only the weakest. You stop when the other says, 'I surrender.' If you understand, say: I will abide by your rules."
There was no hesitation.
"I will abide by your rules," both combatants said in unison, their voices steady and loud enough to echo slightly under the silence that followed.
The staff member gave a curt nod, then motioned with their hand for the two to put some distance between them. They stepped back several paces, eyes locked, feet adjusting slightly for balance. The air between them grew still.
Each gripped their baton tighter, breath slowing as they settled into their stance. Neither smiled.
The referee lifted a hand.
"3..."
IAM leaned forward slightly.
"2..."
Reuel's expression showed massive interest.
"1..."
Yohan's fingers flexed once as he stared at the arena.
"...Go!"
The moment the word left the staff member's mouth, the two clashed. Their batons struck with a loud, heavy crack, the echo bouncing across the arena.
The duel had begun.