The sun rose blood-orange over the Ascension Arena, casting long shadows across the floating rings.
Drums thundered.
Banners flared with elemental light.
And the student body of Ascension Academy poured in, climbing into the arcane bleachers, whispering with anticipation.
"Who's fighting today?"
"I heard the Duskblood kid is up."
"Wait—that guy? The blood-slap weirdo?"
Damn right.
System Notification: Event Start
[Interdisciplinary Sparring Exhibition – Round One]
Matchups randomized. Duels are public. Matches end by knockout, surrender, or complete humiliation.
Your Opponent:Brayden Coilworth – Lightning Affinity (Rank D+)
Unique Power:Static Pulse (Stuns on contact)
Reputation:Top 15. Local celebrity. Has a fan club.
System Comment:Very punchable. Be careful — but not too careful.
I stepped onto the floating dueling platform, wind in my cloak, villain glow set to MAX.
Brayden stood across from me. Tall. Blonde. Muscles like he practiced flexing as a warm-up. Eyes full of righteousness.
Ugh. One of those.
He smirked. "Theo Duskblood. The dramatic disappointment. Didn't know they were letting clowns duel."
I smiled calmly.
"Clowns are terrifying, Brayden. But don't worry—you're safe. You're not even the main act."
Villainy +3
Rival Humiliation Bonus: Ready
The Match Begins
Instructor Zephyrn's voice rang out from the floating platform above.
"BEGIN!"
Brayden struck first—lightning crackling around his fists. The air sizzled as he darted forward, fast, cocky, full of spark.
System Warning: Incoming Arcane Contact – Impact in 0.7 seconds
I dodged. Just barely.
A crackling fist grazed my shoulder, pain flaring sharp. I tumbled. Recovered. Flicked my hand behind me.
[Crimson Thread – Passive: Activated]
Invisible blood filament connected.
I grinned.
Brayden circled me, lightning still arcing.
"You're fast," I said. "But how's your balance?"
He lunged again—faster this time.
I didn't dodge.
I stepped aside and yanked nothing—except to me, it was a thread.
Brayden's foot snapped back.
He tripped. Full sprint.
And faceplanted into the stone.
Hard.
Crowd: Audible gasp.
System Notification: Audience Shock +2
Minor Reputation Boost: "Did he just… trip a lightning mage?"
He scrambled up, growling. "You—cheated!"
I adjusted my collar.
"I improvised."
He came in slower this time, eyes narrowed.
Lightning surged down both arms.
System Scan: Static Pulse Active. Next strike = stun risk: High
Time to gamble.
I let him hit me.
His palm slammed against my side, and my muscles locked. Everything stung. My arm twitched. Lightning flickered in my teeth.
But in that instant — I grabbed his wrist.
My blood pulsed out.
[Crimson Thread – Overcharge: Enabled]
Effect: Wraps around the limb. Disrupts elemental focus. Creepy as hell.
Side effect: You are now bleeding. Great job.
A thread of red wrapped his wrist, unseen.
Brayden tried to pull away.
Too late.
His lightning backfired, sparking off his own body.
He screamed.
Tried to fire another bolt—
—and his feet slid out from under him.
I pushed. Barely.
He tumbled.
Again.
The Finishing Blow (Sort Of)
He tried to rise. I walked over. One step. Another.
He threw a wild punch.
I dodged—barely—and slapped him in the back of the head.
Not a fatal blow.
Not even a strong blow.
But humiliating? Yes.
Disorienting? Also yes.
Brayden wobbled… then dropped to one knee.
Panting. Buzzing with static. Eyes wide.
I stood over him.
"Pro tip," I whispered. "Next time, don't let your lightning meet someone with blood control."
Match End
[DING – Winner: Theo Duskblood]
Victory Achieved: "Through Highly Questionable Means"
Reward: +100 System Points
Bonus Objective Complete: "Humiliate a Top-15 Student" (+50 Points)
New Title Unlocked: "Menace in Velvet"
[System Points: 275]
The arena exploded in noise.
Half the crowd cheered.
Half were too stunned to process what they'd seen.
And one noble girl on a balcony — Elaris — simply folded her arms and nodded slightly.
System Tag: "Elaris – Intrigue Level: Raised"
Aftermath – Backstage
Brayden stormed past me, still buzzing faintly with residual static.
"You cheated."
I shrugged. "I strategized creatively under duress."
Camden Vale, standing nearby, scowled harder than anyone had ever scowled in history.
Perfect.
New Rival Tag: Camden Vale – Hatred Level: Increasing
Side Note: This may eventually be a problem. Or an opportunity.
Final Scene – Theo's Dorm, Late Night
I flopped onto my throne-sized bed, half-grinning, half-bruised.
System Window Opened.
Strength: E+
Agility: E
Endurance: E-
Intelligence: E+
Arcane Power: F+
Air Affinity: Still Untrained
Crimson Resonance: F- → F (Upgrade Available Soon)
System Points: 275
Shop Unlocked:
Minor Arcane Booster – 150 Points
Air Technique: Gale Palm (Push Attack) – 200 Points
Skill Upgrade: Crimson Resonance → F – 250 Points
I stared at the screen.
Laughed.
And tapped.
[Purchase Confirmed: Crimson Resonance Upgrade – F Tier]
Effect: Threads can now be fired short-range. Contact no longer required. Damage still low, but creep factor: increased.
Excellent.
Power was rising.
My enemies were seething.
And best of all?
I still hadn't technically broken a rule.