The class finally ended.
Zephyr opened his eyes.
His short nap had done nothing to improve his mood — the class had been as dull as expected.
Who even needed theory when raw strength could break through anything?
He scoffed inwardly, stretching slightly as his gaze drifted to the other side of the room.
The black-haired boy sat in silence, calm as ever.
Zephyr had already made up his mind.
He stood, ignoring his lackeys' chatter and walked straight toward his target — swift, confident steps echoing against the quieting classroom.
Alden didn't even look at him.
"Alden." His voice was calm. "I want a duel."
No pleasantries. No bravado.
It wasn't a request. It was a challenge.
A moment passed before Alden finally looked up.
Zephyr couldn't read anything from his face. Just that ever-present confidence… and a faint, knowing smirk.
Zephyr never trusted words. He understood people through fists.
Let's see what you're really made of…
… Or are you just another disappointment?
Alden held his gaze, silent.
He studied Zephyr with mild curiosity — the battle maniac who picked fights like people picked snacks.
Still, he didn't hesitate.
"Sure." Alden leaned back slightly. "But I have some conditions."
Aziel and Cecilia's eyes widened in shock at how quickly he agreed.
Amyra and Nyx? They didn't even blink as if the outcome was already obvious.
Zephyr's smirk grew wider. "And what are those conditions?"
He had been planning to recruit Zephyr anyway — forming a club to gather potential allies.
This challenge? Perfect timing.
"Just fighting without stakes is kind of boring, don't you think?" Alden said casually.
Zephyr gave a short nod. "True. A spar without consequence rarely brings out the best."
"Exactly." Alden paused deliberately, letting the tension build. "So here's the deal… The loser becomes the winner's servant and calls him 'Big Brother' for the rest of the year."
Aziel beside Alden nearly choked on his laughter, listening to the condition.
Zephyr's smirk faltered.
Then a wide grin stretched across his face.
"You've got guts. I like it. Deal."
He didn't even consider the possibility of losing. Earning a former Draven as a servant? That was just a bonus.
"VR Room. One hour." Alden said, standing up.
Zephyr's brow twitched. "Why Virtual Reality?"
"That way we won't accidentally kill each other," Alden replied flatly.
He didn't like it. He believed in real battles — skin, blood and bruises.
But before he could object—
"That's one of the conditions," Alden added.
Then Zephyr nodded once. "Tch. Not real… but a win is still a win."
Word of the duel had already spread—students whispered and speculated about the duel.
Aziel walked next to Alden, nearly bouncing on his feet.
"Bro, why'd you accept so easily?"
Alden smirked faintly, but said nothing.
Amyra followed quietly behind, fingers brushing her sleeves.
"Don't get hurt," she said.
Her voice was soft, but it carried weight.
Alden nodded with a smile.
It's VR. How the hell am I supposed to get hurt?
Still, he appreciated the sentiment.
Nyx was missing — odd, given how invested she usually was.
Alden walked ahead, his mind focused on the duel.
He had sensed Zephyr's powers—Beginner Apprentice Rank.
A minor rank lower than Alden.
Alden had asked for a VR fight on purpose. To make battlefield fair.
He didn't want to fight with rank advantage
VR battles suppressed powers of both parties to the same level.
Alden didn't just accept the duel for recruiting Zephyr.
It was also to test himself against Zephyr.
He wanted to see how he could fare against the one who was called the true protagonist of the story.
And if… the thing Demon King said about other people awakening Supreme Ability like domino effect was true… Zephyr would have definitely awakened one.
This was perfect chance to test.
I hope the fight will be fun.
Zephyr ran a hand through his hair.
He didn't like fake fights—but he wasn't going to back down either.
Not after issuing a challenge.
Not after that smile.
He could still see it—Alden's quiet smirk. It wasn't arrogant. It was confident. Unshaken. Calculating.
Zephyr knew that smile. Because people with that smile… usually weren't bluffing.
His hands curled into fists.
My blood is already boiling with excitement.
The VR Training Hall was already packed.
Though it was built for combat simulations and spell training, students mostly used it for friendly spars or public ego matches, one.
The room was clean, sterile and quiet… except for the buzz of a hundred voices.
Access wasn't cheap. Most students had to grind weeks' worth of credits just to afford a single hour.
But Alden and Zephyr? Credits weren't a problem.
Multiple VR pods lined the sleek white walls, each connected to Nexus, the Academy's central AI.
A massive holographic screen hovered in the center of the room, flickering with the combat environment preview.
Broadcasting the duel was optional.
But with this many people crammed into the room?
Yeah, that ship had sailed.
Aziel leaned in, grinning like the devil. "Bro… I collected credits from everyone. Please don't disable the broadcast."
Alden turned slowly and stared.
The duel wasn't official, which meant Alden could cancel the stream at any moment—if he wanted to.
"Why would I do that?" he asked, smirking.
"Please, don't be that guy," Aziel begged. "I've already got the credits in hand. I'll give you half."
Of course he would try to monetize a death match.
Still… Alden wasn't planning to shut it off.
He wanted this fight to be seen.
Let them watch. Let them talk. Let them remember.
Let them know what it meant to challenge him.
As for becoming a target to stronger forces—
that ship had sailed, too.
He'd become one the moment he became Jeremy's disciple.
Alden stepped toward the pod, smirking to himself.
Better polish your shoes, Zephyr,
You're about to start calling me big brother.