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LEVELING UP WITH MY A-RANKED PARTNER
Chapter 3: The First Combat Test
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[Scene 1: Into the Arena]
The arena was massive—an endless circle of obsidian tiles under a dome of swirling clouds. Recruits stood clustered in groups, their system screens hovering like restless spirits.
Nicole Sonya's heels echoed as she strode to the center, her silver robe rippling like liquid steel.
"Listen well," her voice boomed, amplified by the hall's magic. "This is not a game. This is survival. Each of you will face a Tier-1 creature alone. Victory earns you points and experience. Failure…"
Her golden eyes glinted coldly.
"…means you learn pain."
Jason's stomach twisted.
Alone? I can't even punch straight…
Nicole's hand sliced the air, and dark portals bloomed across the arena floor like ink stains. Low growls reverberated as shapes emerged—beasts with glistening black hides, wolf-like but with jagged horns and ember-red eyes.
> [Enemy Identified: Ashfang Beast – Tier 1]
HP: 200 | STR: 25 | AGI: 18
Jason's blood ran cold. His stats were barely 10.
Nicole's voice snapped like a whip:
"First candidate—Jason Walter."
The crowd murmured as Jason stumbled forward. His screen flickered:
[Combat Mode Engaged]
Opponent: Ashfang Beast
Warning: Danger Level – Severe
The beast lunged before Jason could even blink.
"Gah—!" He rolled instinctively, claws ripping the ground where he'd stood. His lungs burned as he scrambled back, heart hammering.
I can't win this. I have no skills, no weapons—!
The beast roared, charging again. Jason froze, paralyzed by terror.
Then—flames erupted.
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[Scene 2: Lucy Steps In]
A crimson arc sliced through the air, engulfing the beast in a torrent of fire. It shrieked, thrashing violently before collapsing into charred ash.
Jason blinked through the smoke to see her—Lucy Shiba, standing like a goddess of war, her crimson hair blazing in the firelight. Her expression was calm, almost bored, as she lowered her hand.
> [Combat Complete]
Player: Lucy Shiba
Reward: +200 EXP | +30 System Points
Level Up! Current Level: 3
Jason's jaw clenched as his screen remained blank. No EXP. No points. Nothing.
Nicole's voice sliced through his shame:
"Lucy Shiba—interference unauthorized. However… commendable precision."
Lucy didn't flinch, her eyes locked on Jason.
"You'd be dead if I hadn't stepped in."
Jason looked away, fists trembling.
Saved by a girl. And not just any girl—someone who's already Level 3… while I'm stuck at zero.
The humiliation burned hotter than the beast's flames.
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[Scene 3: Waiting in the Arcane Library]
Hours later, the recruits gathered in the Arcane Library—a towering cathedral of glass and runed shelves glowing with knowledge. Jason slumped in one of the crystal seats, staring blankly at his system interface.
> Points: 20 | Level: 1
Every number mocked him.
"Brooding won't fix your stats," a voice teased.
Jason glanced up. Lucy slid into the seat across from him, setting a cup of steaming herbal tea on the table. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes—those sharp, ember-bright eyes—seemed to pierce him.
"You've got that look," she said softly.
Jason forced a smile. "What look?"
"The one that says, 'I hate being weak.'"
Jason laughed dryly, scratching his neck. "You read minds now?"
"Don't need to," she replied. "It's written all over your face."
He tried to deflect, changing the subject. "So… you're Level 3 already. Must feel nice."
She raised a brow. "Envious?"
Jason chuckled without humor. "Something like that."
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[Scene 4: The Conversation]
After a pause, Lucy leaned back.
"How'd you end up here? What was your life before NIVA?"
Jason stared at his reflection in the tea's surface. "Normal. Boring. I worked, paid bills… dreamed of doing something big. Then a plane crash gave me the ultimate career change."
He looked up, forcing a grin. "What about you? Got any goals? Someone waiting for you? Maybe… a guy?"
The question slipped out before he could stop it.
Lucy froze mid-sip, her crimson eyes narrowing dangerously. Jason swore the air temperature dropped.
"…What did you just say?"
Jason gulped. "N-Nothing! Just curious—"
Her hand shot out, gripping his collar. She leaned close, her voice a low whisper that sent chills down his spine.
"Ask that again… and I'll burn the question into your soul."
Jason nodded furiously. "Got it! No more questions!"
Lucy released him, smirking faintly before sipping her tea.
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[Scene 5: Nicole's Announcement]
Before Jason could recover, a system chime echoed across the library.
> [System Notice: NIVA Mechanics Update Pending…]
Nicole entered, her presence cutting through the chatter like a blade.
"Silence."
The recruits obeyed instantly. Nicole's golden gaze swept across them like judgment incarnate.
"Today's test revealed much… and little. Most of you barely survived. Some of you excelled. But this is only the beginning."
Her voice sharpened.
"You do not graduate this phase until you reach Level 5. Only then will you be granted full access to NIVA's true functions. Until then… consider yourselves infants crawling in a battlefield."
A wave of tension rippled through the hall.
Nicole's robe flared as she turned.
"Dismissed. Train, fight, and level up—or be erased."
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[Scene 6: Jason's Resolve]
Back at House 629, Jason collapsed on his bed, staring at the glowing system interface hovering above him.
Points: 20
Level: 1
Skills: None
Shop Access: Limited
He scrolled through the shop list, eyes scanning:
Common Skills: 10 points
Rare Skills: 50 points
Epic Skills: ???
Twenty points. Enough for two basics… or one weak active skill.
His fist clenched.
"No. I can't stay like this."
Images of Lucy's firestorm burned in his mind—the ease with which she saved him. The smirk in her eyes.
"I'll catch up. No matter what it takes."
His gaze hardened as the shop interface glowed brighter, filling his room with ethereal light.
Tomorrow… he would fight for real.
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Chapter End Hook:
"Level up… or die trying."
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✅ This chapter delivers:
✔ A tense combat scene highlighting Jason's weakness and Lucy's dominance.
✔ Emotional conflict (shame, frustration, determination).
✔ World-building: Arcane Library + NIVA mechanics teaser.
✔ Character chemistry with a mix of humor and intensity (Lucy choking him).
✔ Nicole raising the stakes: Level 5 = real game begins.
✔ Ends on Jason's resolve and foreshadowing tomorrow's battle