The arena was nothing like before.
It had been expanded, restructured, and surrounded by rising walls lined with observation decks. Crystal projectors hovered in the air like silent sentinels, transmitting the event live to every screen across Ironvale Fort Academy. Students filled the stands—honor students, elite club representatives, faculty members, and even those from the disciplinary bureau. This wasn't just a duel.
It was a message.
Aeris stood at the far end of the arena. Or rather—Alina, the S.T.A.R. club's lone fighter, the dark horse who had shocked the academy with her last-minute registration and raw performance. Her black gloves tightened. Her newly modified SKS rifle hung over her back, a blade attached to the front of the barrel, the bayonet gleaming. Small wires ran along her gauntlet to a pressure trigger hidden in her palm—a makeshift detonator for the modified ammunition she had crafted just days ago.
She was calm. But not steady.
Across the arena, Viora emerged. Her entrance was silent, regal, and unnervingly confident. The crowd erupted—not just in awe, but reverence. Viora was not simply a student. She was the President of Orbital Crown, and in their eyes, the rightful queen of Ironvale.
She wore her pristine white combat uniform, lined with silver fractal symbols that shimmered subtly as if charged with some unseen force. Her weapon floated beside her—a twin-edged glaive, thin but sharp, suspended in the air with gravitational control. Her violet eyes settled on Alina with a curious, playful coldness.
"Again, you face me," Viora said softly as she stopped across from her. "Tell me... are you still chasing shadows, little sister?"
Aeris didn't answer. But the look in her eyes said everything.
The Signal
Headmaster Elyse raised her hand from the overseer's box.
"This exhibition match will determine the relative standing of the independent clubs. No interference. No second chances. Begin on my mark."
The academy held its breath.
"Three..."
Viora raised her glaive, gently rotating it midair with a flick of her wrist.
"Two..."
Aeris lowered her stance and reached behind her, one hand on the rifle, the other brushing over her knife holster. Her muscles tensed.
"One."
"Begin."
First Clash
Aeris moved first. In a flash, she drew her SKS and fired—three rounds in succession. The bullets whistled through the air, faster and louder than before thanks to the modifications.
Viora's glaive spun on its own, slicing each bullet with ease. Sparks flew.
But Aeris was already moving, using the shots as distraction to close the gap. She slid beneath the last explosion, appearing on Viora's left side with her bayonet drawn to stab.
Clang!
Viora blocked with her kinetic barrier, her expression unchanged. With a quick pulse of gravity, she pushed Aeris back, flipping the girl into the air—but Aeris twisted mid-air and landed in a crouch.
Cheers and gasps echoed in the stands.
"You've improved," Viora murmured. "But you're still playing a losing game."
Aeris didn't waste time responding. She triggered a switch on her rifle—airburst mode. The next shot she fired erupted in mid-air just before reaching Viora, showering her with shrapnel.
But again, a blue dome appeared—Viora's kinetic shield held.
The moment Aeris tried to reload, a pulse wave hit her in the chest—unseen until it struck. She staggered back, coughing, skidding across the arena floor.
Rising Pressure
Viora floated above ground now, gently moving with her glaive orbiting her like a moon. She looked like a divine judge descending upon a criminal.
"Is this all, Aeris? That spark in you… has it dimmed?"
Aeris wiped the blood from her lip. The pain was manageable. The fear? Less so.
"I'm not done yet," she said through gritted teeth.
Her foot slid forward again, slower now. The explosions had done nothing. Her blade hadn't scratched the surface. But still—she couldn't give up.
Not here.
Not in front of Rin.Not in front of Gallagher.Not when every step she'd taken led to this moment.
Final Exchange (For Chapter 22)
Aeris surged again, this time faster than before—no tricks, just raw force and timing. Her knife slashed toward Viora's side while her other hand threw a blinding flash capsule.
Viora's eye flinched—but too late. Aeris cut through the barrier, grazing Viora's shoulder.
Blood hit the ground.
The crowd gasped.
And Viora smiled.
"There it is. The spark again. Good... I was beginning to think you'd faded entirely."
She raised her hand. Gravity collapsed inward, creating a localized sphere of crushing force.
CRACK—!
Aeris's body bent unnaturally as she was thrown backwards into the arena wall, crashing into the stone with a thud.
She slumped to the floor, unmoving.
The buzzer didn't sound.
But her fingers twitched.
She wasn't done.
Not yet.