To the south of the academy's main building stood an arena where students could duel. Since violence was strictly forbidden within the academy walls, students involved in altercations usually settled their affairs through formal duels held at this arena.
Now, the arena was overflowing with people. It seemed the news of the duel between me and the Student Council Secretary had spread throughout the entire academy.
While the Student Council did not necessarily consist of the strongest individuals in the academy, their power was certainly not something to be taken lightly.
"...."
I looked at the spectator stands, which were packed with students from the first to the third year. Even the main characters were there, watching.
As I scanned the crowd, my eyes landed on someone.
'Wait, isn't that...'
"Woahhh—!"
The cheers of the crowd suddenly thundered. I looked across the arena to see the cause of the uproar.
"Lord Cassius!" "Show us the prestige of a noble, Lord Cassius!!" "Kyaa! You're so handsome!!"
Hearing the cheers from Cassius's supporters made me feel nauseous.
'Bunch of sycophants.'
Cassius reached the center of the arena and stood before me. His condescending gaze was so irritating that I could hardly wait to punch his face.
"Fiuhh."
I exhaled deeply to calm my anger. Seeing me sigh, Cassius seemingly assumed I was nervous and regretted challenging him.
"I'm impressed you didn't run away from this duel. Rest assured, I will make you realize the true meaning of the gap between us."
I looked at him calmly and chuckled.
"What are you laughing at, bastard!?" "Nothing. It's just... why would I ever run away from someone like you?" "What did you say!?"
"Both of you, stop."
Ragna finally arrived to mediate the duel. He looked at us both alternately before finally settling his gaze on me.
"Shion, I know you are a talented student, but the Student Council is on a level far above yours. Are you sure you want to proceed with this?"
I didn't expect Ragna to be so worried about me. I gave him a smile to signal that he didn't need to worry. He understood my intent and nodded.
"Fine, if that is your decision..."
"I will now explain the rules of this duel. The fight will continue until one of you surrenders or I decide that one of you is no longer fit to fight."
"The use of lethal force and artifacts is strictly prohibited. If you violate these rules, severe punishment will fall upon you. Do you understand?"
We both nodded.
"Then, get ready—"
"Wait, Instructor."
I stopped Ragna before the duel could begin.
"What is it, Student Shion?"
I looked back at Cassius and spoke.
"Wouldn't it be boring if there wasn't a wager?"
"A wager?"
"Yes, a wager."
Cassius burst into laughter at my suggestion.
"HAHAHA! Hey, did you all hear that? He dares to make a bet with me? HAHAHA!"
"Fine, let's make a wager. What will you put on the line if I win?"
"My life."
The atmosphere turned deathly silent at my words.
"HAHAHA! Very well. If you win, I will grant any wish you desire."
"That is, if you can actually win against me."
"It's a deal."
I smiled. Cassius was incredibly easy to provoke.
"Both sides, ready."
Cassius and I drew our swords and took our stances.
"Begin!"
...
In the spectator seats, Elise sat with the other main characters, watching the duel. Although she maintained a calm exterior, her mind was filled with various thoughts.
'Is Leon truly the person mentioned in that prophecy?'
The reason Elise had come to this academy was her mother's request to find the child of the prophecy.
"Hahh... since no physical traits were mentioned, it's quite difficult to search for them."
Initially, she thought Leon was the one, because when they met, Elise felt something about him that drew her attention.
"Sylphia."
[Hmm, what is it, Elise?]
A voice like that of a mature woman, audible only to Elise, responded. A woman appeared beside her, possessing beautiful green hair and eyes that reflected the essence of nature.
The High Wind Spirit, Sylphia.
"What do you think of that man?"
Elise pointed toward Shion, who was currently facing Cassius.
[Hmm, that boy has quite rare hair, doesn't he?]
"That's not what I'm asking."
[Aww, our cute Elise is so impatient!]
"C-cute?"
Elise blushed. Despite her cold appearance, she was actually a kind-hearted and innocent girl.
"Don't tease me!"
[Fufu, alright then. Let's see what we can find out about that boy.]
!!!
[T-this is...!]
"Sylphia, what's wrong—"
!!
Upon noticing the sudden change in Sylphia's tone, Elise immediately asked what happened. She was shocked to see Sylphia wearing an expression of pure terror.
"Sylphia, what is it!?"
[T-that boy... how can he have such a dense darkness within his soul!?]
!!
"Is he... perhaps a demon in disguise!?"
[No. If he were a demon, I would have detected it. The soul within that child is human, but there is something strange about it.]
After calming down slightly, Sylphia explained the anomaly she had witnessed.
"So you mean... you can't see his soul's existence clearly because it's being blocked by something?"
[Yes. And that 'something' is something even I don't recognize. It is total darkness. But that power is somehow protecting him and even granting him strength.]
Elise could only stare blankly at Sylphia's explanation.
'If he really is that strong, why come to this academy? And if he has such a dense darkness, why did no one notice during the entrance exam?'
"Kuhh!!"
Suddenly, a sharp pain flared in Elise's head as she tried to recall the entrance exam.
[Elise, what's wrong!?]
"Hahh... Hahh... I'm fine."
'Why can't I remember anything about him at all? If he was in the top 10, I should know him, but there are no memories of him whatsoever.'
"Begin!"
A voice broke Elise's reverie as she turned her attention back to the arena where the duel had started.
'Shion... I'd better keep an eye on him from now on.'
...
Clang—!
Cassius lunged forward the moment the match began. It seemed he intended to end it instantly with a single strike to secure an overwhelming victory.
"Tch."
He clicked his tongue when I parried the attack and immediately moved to maintain distance.
"I intended to end this with one strike, but I didn't expect you to actually hold your own."
"...."
"It seems I underestimated you. After all, you are still one of the best students, even if you are only rank 10."
"Are you finished rambling?"
"What did you say!?"
"You've been talking non-stop. I'll let you attack first, so hurry up. You're starting to make me sleepy."
Veins bulged on his face. Dealing with someone with a high sense of pride is easy.
'I just have to shatter his ego.'
Wossshh—!
A fierce red magical energy erupted from Cassius. He moved again, but this time his speed had drastically increased.
Swoshh— Swooshh!
An attack came from behind. I evaded it with a single step to the side; his blade cut only empty air.
"Tch—!"
Cassius spun his body and continued with a flurry of consecutive slashes without pause. His swings were fast, brutal, and full of pressure—but they were too linear.
Clang!
I parried him lightly. My palms vibrated slightly from the impact as I retreated half a step.
Swish—!
The next attack came from the side. I lowered my body slightly, and the sword passed right over my head.
"Stop running! Face me!"
"...."
I didn't answer and simply watched him.
My steps remained calm, my breathing steady. Every time Cassius attacked, I was already somewhere else.
Swoshh! Clang! Swoshh—Clang!
Clash after clash rang out, yet not a single one of his attacks actually reached me. Cassius's face began to show signs of impatience.
"Stop dodging, you bastard!"
"Is that all?"
"What did you say—!"
The red magical energy in his body surged again, more wild than before. The pressure in the surroundings grew heavy, making the arena sand vibrate.
Wossshh—!
He charged straight forward, forcing both speed and power simultaneously. I twisted my wrist and parried him at just the right angle, causing him to lose his balance slightly.
Clang!
Cassius staggered one step forward.
"Your speed is dropping."
"Shut up!"
Swoshh! Swooshh!
He attacked again, faster—or at least he was trying to appear fast. His movements began to widen, his swings no longer as efficient as before.
I stepped to the side.
Swish—
I spun my body.
Clang!
I blocked every single one of his attacks with the bare minimum effort, just enough to neutralize them and fuel his frustration.
'The veins in his neck are straining... his breathing is getting heavy.'
Cassius backed away half a step, his chest heaving faster than before.
"Haa… haa…"
Yet he continued to force himself.
Wosshh—!
He unleashed a massive attack, full of power, as if wanting to end everything with one final swing.
I parried it.
Clang!
The impact this time was louder, and Cassius was forced to retreat several steps. His knees trembled slightly when he stopped.
"Are you… are you mocking me…?"
His breathing was increasingly chaotic. The red magical energy in his body was still active, but it was clearly no longer stable.
"Haa… haa…"
I remained standing where I was, my posture completely unchanged. At that moment, murmurs could be heard from the watching students.
"This can't be real, right?" "Even Lord Cassius can't land a single strike on him." "Lord Cassius must be holding back, right!?" "Yeah, Lord Cassius is definitely holding back!"
Cassius spat through gritted teeth, his sword-hand trembling. Sweat dripped from his chin onto the arena floor.
'What on earth is this guy!? How is it possible that I can't land even a single strike on him!?'
"Don't screw with me, you bastard!!"
Magic power surged from Cassius once more, even greater than before. The energy condensed and formed a red sword coursing with powerful electrical energy.
"Stormbringer."
The battle was not over yet.
A terrifyingly powerful magical energy radiated from the duel arena, making everyone present feel pressured.
"Isn't that an artifact?" "That is the Halvorn family artifact, Stormbringer."
Stormbringer. One of the SSS-rank artifacts. In the game, it was said that every swing left trails of bluish-white flashes that rent space itself, producing a roar that could be felt in one's bones.
I didn't expect him to pull out that artifact. This was becoming dangerous.
"Student Cassius, stop this right now!"
"Shut up!"
Cassius swung the sword toward Ragna.
'Shit!'
I immediately sprinted toward Ragna and shoved him out of the line of the slash.
Shing—! Boom—!!
"Instructor, are you alright?"
!!
"I'm fine... but since when were you here?"
"That's not important. Right now, it looks like he can't control that power."
Cassius swung Stormbringer in every direction, destroying the surroundings. Fortunately, a barrier was installed in the center of the arena, keeping the impact from reaching the spectators, but that barrier wouldn't last long against an SSS-rank artifact.
"Everyone, get out of here!!" "It's dangerous here!!"
Luckily, the Student Council was quick to act and helped with the evacuation.
"Shut up, all of you!!"
The magical energy surged again, and Cassius finally shattered the barrier.
"Good grief!!" Ragna exclaimed.
"Die, all of you!!"
Having lost his mind, Cassius continued to swing the sword wildly.
At that moment—
"Protection."
A new barrier formed, replacing the one that had been destroyed.
Clang—!
Sensing someone's presence, Cassius immediately directed his sword toward them, but it was blocked by another blade.
At that moment, a group of people appeared, standing to block Cassius.
They were the main characters. Lysandra, who had come along with them, stepped forward.
"Cassius, before you hurt any students, stop this behavior right now."
"Ahahaha! President—Lysandra, are you looking down on me too!?" "Just because you're the Student Council President, don't think you're stronger than me, damn it!!"
Cassius swung Stormbringer again.
"Everyone, evade his line of attack!!"
At Lysandra's shout, everyone immediately dodged. The attack, which hit no one, eventually slammed into the barrier, causing it to shatter once more.
"Tch! A single slash and the barrier I made is already destroyed? What on earth is that sword!?" Riana cried out.
"Stop grumbling. A weak barrier like that won't be able to stop a top-tier artifact," Elise answered.
"W-weak!?"
Riana, feeling insulted, looked at Elise with annoyance.
"This is not the time to be fighting! The next attack is coming!"
Narea scolded them for bickering. At that moment, Cassius raised his sword, and his body was suddenly enveloped in an electrical aura.
Then, in an instant, he vanished—
"He's coming!!"
Clang!! "Kuhhh!!"
Cassius appeared behind Narea. Leon, who noticed first, immediately blocked him, but the power was too great to hold, causing him to falter. Cassius took that opportunity to kick Leon in the stomach.
"Kuhakk!"
Leon was sent flying quite far, clutching his side. Then, Isaac suddenly appeared behind Cassius and prepared to attack, but—
Clang!
It was blocked effortlessly by Cassius. Lysandra immediately joined the attack while Cassius was occupied with Isaac.
"Cassius!!"
Cassius leapt backward, his body spinning lightly in the air before landing again. Stormbringer vibrated in his hand, and flashes of lightning struck the ground around him.
"You've got guts..."
His gaze swept over everyone in front of him.
"Coming at me all together like this... but it's still meaningless."
"Don't underestimate us!" Isaac shouted.
The air around Isaac immediately froze. A layer of ice encased his sword, and a chilling cold spread rapidly through the arena.
"Ice Sword—Frost Fang!"
Isaac lunged first, his slashes fast and sharp. At the same time, Elise raised her hand.
"Wind Art—Tempest Bind!"
Fierce winds swirled, forming a vortex that attempted to restrain Cassius's movements.
Riana did not stay idle.
"Fire and Ice—Dual Construct!"
Magic circles appeared on both her hands. Spears of fire and shards of ice shot out simultaneously, aimed directly at Cassius.
Narea closed her eyes for a moment.
"Light Blessing—Sanctuary!"
A soft light enveloped their group, strengthening their bodies and powers.
Cassius snorted.
"Just cheap tricks!"
Clang—!!
Stormbringer swung.
A single swing was enough to rip through Elise's wind vortex. The wind was split apart, dissipating instantly.
"What—!?"
Clang!
Isaac's attack was swatted away without effort. The ice on his blade cracked and shattered, sending Isaac flying backward.
"Kuhh—!"
Boom!
Riana's spears of fire and ice exploded in the air before they could even get close.
"What is this…!?"
Cassius moved. Lightning struck. In an instant, he was already in front of Riana.
"Dangerous—!!"
Leon, who had just managed to stand, forced his body to move.
"Get away from her!"
Clang!!
Leon parried with his sword, but the impact left his arms numb. His body was pushed back several steps.
Cassius wore a twisted smile.
"You again."
A powerful kick slammed into Leon's stomach.
"Kuhakk!!"
Leon was sent flying and crashed hard onto the ground, his breath hitching.
"Leon!!" Elise screamed.
Elise immediately released a barrage of wind blades, but Cassius simply cut right through them.
"These weak attacks won't stop me!"
Clang!
Isaac attacked again from the side, but Cassius spun Stormbringer and struck his sword. Cracks spread across Isaac's ice blade.
"No—!"
Crash!
Isaac was thrown and hit the ground, his body partially frozen due to his own unstable energy.
Lysandra gritted her teeth.
"Cassius… stop this!"
She stepped forward, a sharp aura radiating from her body.
"If you continue like this—"
"Shut up!!"
Cassius swung Stormbringer toward her.
Clang—!!
The massive impact forced Lysandra backward. Her feet dug into the ground to keep her from falling.
"President!" Ravena shouted from a distance.
Narea tried to approach.
"Light Art—Purification!"
Light shone forth, attempting to suppress the wild aura of Stormbringer.
However—
The light shattered.
"What!?"
Cassius turned with blood-red eyes.
"Light… disgusting."
One swing.
Narea was sent flying, her body rolling several times before finally coming to a stop.
"Uhuk…"
Elise watched the scene with trembling eyes.
"Everyone…"
They were completely cornered.
Cassius stood in the center of the arena, his breath getting heavy, yet a satisfied smile was etched on his face.
"Hahaha… how about that? This is the difference between us!"
"Haa… haa…"
Leon tried to get up, his knees shaking violently.
'Move… my body…!'
He gripped his sword tightly.
'No… I can't fall here…!'
Something pulsed inside him. Heat. Light. Leon raised his sword unconsciously.
"What…?"
A different aura appeared, momentarily enveloping his body.
"Leon…?" Narea murmured.
Leon screamed.
"AARRRGHH!!"
A single slash was released. An explosion of light mixed with fire hit Cassius directly.
BOOOM—!!
"Ugh—!!"
For the first time, Cassius was pushed far back. His body hit the ground, and Stormbringer stabbed into the arena floor to slow his momentum.
Dust billowed. Everyone fell silent.
"He… he managed to push him back…?" someone whispered.
Leon panted heavily.
"Haa… haa…"
However, his body could not sustain that power.
"Ku—"
His legs gave way. Leon fell to his knees, then collapsed to the side, unconscious.
"Leon!!"
The dust slowly cleared. Cassius stood up again. His body was covered in minor wounds, his breath was heavy, but his eyes still burned with pure rage.
Cassius stood staggering in the center of the arena.
"Haa… haa…"
His breath was ragged, his chest heaving irregularly. Stormbringer was still held tight, but the blade vibrated violently as if refusing to be controlled.
Flashes of lightning struck without a pattern.
Crack—!
The ground around his feet cracked.
"What… what is this…?"
Cassius looked at his own hands. Black veins began to spread from his palms, crawling up his arms like living roots.
"No… I— I am the one controlling you…!"
Stormbringer throbbed.
ZZZTT—!!
A flash of electricity struck Cassius's body from within. He screamed in pain and fell to his knees, but the sword actually forced him to stand back up.
"Aaaargh!!"
"T-the aura is changing…" Elise murmured, her face pale.
Riana spoke with a trembling voice. "He is being… swallowed."
Cassius laughed. But his laughter was discordant, broken, and full of madness.
"Hahaha… hahaha…!" "Why… why are you all still alive…?"
His eyes spun wildly, his focus no longer clear. Lightning struck the arena ceiling, and dark clouds swirled above them. Stormbringer now emitted an unstable red-blue light.
"Stop it, Cassius!!" Lysandra shouted while trying to stand. "You can't contain that power! You'll die!"
"Die…?"
Cassius turned slowly toward Lysandra. His smile was eerily split.
"If I die…" "…then all of you are coming with me!!"
BOOOM—!!
A wave of magical energy exploded from his body. The remains of the arena barrier were instantly shattered into pieces.
The students who hadn't fully evacuated screamed in panic.
"Aaargh!!" "This is insane!!"
Ragna tried to stand, his face pale.
"Damn… an SSS-rank artifact… he has completely lost control…!"
Stormbringer let out a cry. It wasn't the sound of metal, but a low-pitched scream, as if something inside it had awakened.
Cassius clutched his head.
"Quiet… quiet… QUIET!!!"
He swung Stormbringer aimlessly.
Clang—!! BOOOM—!!
An explosion hit the arena, leaving a large crater. Fortunately, the attack went wide, but the impact made the ground shake violently.
"All of you… are just insects…!"
Lightning struck his body repeatedly, burning his Student Council uniform, but Cassius no longer felt the pain. His eyes were now completely empty.
"He has been fully consumed," Narea whispered with a trembling voice.
Cassius raised Stormbringer high into the air. The sky responded. Clouds swirled, and lightning gathered at the tip of the blade.
"In that case…" "…let everything be destroyed!!"
A terrifying pressure bore down on the arena. The main characters were unable to move. Their bodies were too tired. Wounded. Desperate.
Finally, most of them fell unconscious, leaving only Lysandra.
"Cassi...us."
Though she remained conscious, she was at her limit. Yet, she did not give up; she tried to stand staggeringly, still clutching the hilt of her sword.
"I didn't expect you to endure in such a condition."
"Shut up... I will definitely stop you!"
"Hahaha, just try it, you bastard!"
As Cassius was about to raise his sword again—
At that moment—
Through the pouring rain, a footstep was heard.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The pressure in the air… changed slightly. Cassius stopped moving. His eyes trembled.
"What…?"
Even though he had been swallowed by madness, the human instinct for survival remained. When faced with something truly terrifying, the first emotion to emerge is—
Fear.
It wasn't just Cassius; Lysandra, who was still conscious, and Ragna felt it too. If they moved even slightly—they would die.
Tap—!
Someone now stood in the center of the destroyed arena.
"..."
Shion.
He stood there calmly, his gaze fixed straight ahead. The lightning of Stormbringer still flashed wildly, but Cassius was the one trembling.
"Ngh… haa… haa…"
His energy was completely drained. His hands shook violently, his breathing was frantic.
"What… what is this…"
Cassius tried to take a step—and his knees immediately slammed into the ground.
Everyone fell silent. Shion looked at him without emotion.
"I didn't expect things to turn out like this at all."
Shion's voice sounded cold and sharp, like the peak of an extreme freeze.
"But even so, this is still my responsibility for not settling this properly."
He stepped forward very slowly, but every step closer was pure terror for Cassius.
"N-no."
Tap.
"Don't come any closer!!"
Tap.
"No!!"
Tap—!
Finally, Shion stopped right in front of Cassius.
"I will give you two choices."
Shing—!
The sword that was in its scabbard finally came out.
"Stop now."
"Or—"
Cassius, seeing that, finally realized that—
"—I will be the one to stop you."
Death was staring him in the face.