Day 52 in the secret realm — 7:23 AM
The chime came early.
Nova's eyes opened before the sound finished. Beside him, Priscilla stirred but didn't wake. He slipped out of bed carefully, pulling on his uniform while watching her sleep.
He left a note on the pillow:
Arena again today. Meet me for dinner? — N
The corridors were already active. Students hurried past, their conversations a constant hum. Nova caught fragments:
"—heard about the Class C freak? Six wins in two days—"
"—must be cheating—"
He ignored them.
Arena — Early in the Morning
The morning crowd was smaller than yesterday's, but word had spread. When Nova approached the registration desk, dozens of eyes followed him.
The attendant straightened. "Nova Almond. Back for more?"
"Yes."
"Rank 57 just finished. Rank 56 is available—Elena Cross, Class B, 2nd Order, 6th Rank. She's willing."
"Accept."
"Platform 3. Twenty minutes."
Platform 3 — 8:47 AM
Elena Cross was tall, lean, with sharp features and colder eyes. Frost gathered around her hands as she settled into a stance.
"You're the one everyone's talking about," she said.
Nova drew his blades. "Begin."
She attacked first—ice shards flying toward his chest. He teleported left, but she anticipated, more shards already flying toward his landing point.
She learns fast.
He changed tactics. Instead of evading, he charged—Wind Step carrying him forward. A wall of ice rose between them.
CRACK.
His blade shattered it.
He appeared before her, blade extended. She tried to dodge—but she was too slow. The flat of his blade caught her shoulder.
WHAM.
His fist connected with her stomach. She doubled over, gasping. His blade rested against her throat.
"Match," the referee called. "Winner: Nova Almond."
Elena stared up at him, disbelief in her eyes.
He walked off the platform without looking back.
Ranking Update — 9:03 AM
56 Nova Almond Class C 2nd Order, 7th Rank 6,347
*Fifty-sixth. Four more to top 50.*
One Hour Later — 10:15 AM
"Rank 54 is Gabriel Vance—Class B, 2nd Order, 7th Rank. He's confident he can beat you."
Nova smiled—thin, cold. "Tell him I'm happy to prove him wrong."
Platform 5 — 10:47 AM
Gabriel Vance was arrogant, loud, convinced of his superiority. Lightning crackled around his fists.
"Class C," he called out. "I've watched your fights. You're good—but I'aint different."
"Begin."
Gabriel attacked fast—lightning arcing toward Nova's chest. Nova dodged left—Gabriel followed. Dodged right—Gabriel anticipated.
ZZZAP.
Electricity traveled up his blade, jolting his arm. Pain flared.
Gabriel grinned. "Hurts, doesn't it?"
Nova said nothing. He was already moving—Wind Step behind Gabriel, blade extended. Gabriel spun, lightning flaring, blocking.
They exchanged blows—fast, furious.
CLANG. ZZZAP. WHOOSH.
Two minutes. Three. Four.
Gabriel was good. His lightning made him unpredictable, his speed dangerous.
But Nova had something Gabriel didn't.
Forty-seven percent bloodline activation. Two lifetimes of combat. The All-Seeing Eye.
There.
A gap in Gabriel's defense—tiny, invisible to normal sight. Nova attacked.
SCHING.
His blade sliced across Gabriel's forearm. Lightning flickered, faltered.
WHAM. Fist to stomach.
CRACK. Elbow to jaw.
SLAM. Gabriel hit the platform.
"Winner: Nova Almond."
The crowd erupted.
Ranking Update
54 Nova Almond Class C 2nd Order, 7th Rank 6,847
Fifty-fourth. Two more.
Platform 7
Charles Vance was clearly Gabriel's brother—same build, same arrogance. Lightning lashing everywhere.
"You beat my brother. But I'm stonger."
"Begin."
Charles attacked with fury—lightning in every direction, leaving nowhere safe. Nova teleported, dodged, weaved—but the lightning followed.
ZZZAP. A bolt caught his shoulder.
Pain exploded. He stumbled.
Charles grinned. "Hurts, doesn't it?"
Nova's eyes narrowed.
Enough.
He stopped dodging. Moved straight through the lightning, blades extended.
CLANG. Blade met lightning-enhanced fist. Shock traveled up his arm, but his other blade swung—
SCHING. Across Charles's chest.
Charles stumbled. Nova pressed—relentless.
WHAM. CRACK. SLAM.
Charles hit the platform and stayed down.
"Winner: Nova Almond."
Ranking Update
52 Nova Almond Class C 2nd Order, 7th Rank 7,347
Fifty-second. One more.
Platform 3
Marcus Webb stood calmly across the platform—no arrogance, just patience. His cultivation matched Nova's: 2nd Order, 7th Rank.
"You've had six matches in two days. You're exhausted. You should withdraw."
"I'm fine."
"Begin."
Marcus attacked with earth—the platform rising to trap him. Nova teleported, but Marcus anticipated, ground shifting beneath his landing.
He's different, Nova realized. Methodical. Patient.
His mana was dropping. His body slowing. The electricity damage made his movements slightly off.
End this quickly.
He attacked directly—recklessly. Teleported inside Marcus's guard, blades swinging.
CRACK. Staff blocked. Force drove Marcus back.
WHAM. CRACK. SLAM.
Each strike pushed Marcus closer to the edge.
SLAM. Marcus hit the platform boundary showing the gap between Nova and his peers.
"Winner: Nova Almond."
Ranking Update — 2:47 PM
51 Nova Almond Class C 2nd Order, 7th Rank 7,847
Fifty-first. One more.
Nova turned to the attendant. "Rank 50. Who?"
"Charles Vance—Class B, 2nd Order, 8th Rank. He'll fight you tomorrow at 10 AM."
"Accept."
Nova's Room
Priscilla slept in his bed. Nova sat at his desk, studying Nora's journal by the Moonlace's silver light.
GODLESS SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
ARENA VICTORIES: 6
RANKS GAINED: 34
CURRENT RANK: 51
BLOODLINE ACTIVATION: 49%
NEXT MATCH: Rank 50 — Tomorrow, 10 AM
Forty-nine percent, he thought. Almost halfway.
Outside, the artificial sky darkened toward night.
Tomorrow, he would climb into the top 50.