Nathaniel's hands tightened around his bow as he stared down Kaelen, his mind consumed by a single, unyielding vow
'I'll make you pay for taking Lila away from me'
He recalled the countless days he had watched her, hoping she would notice his feelings, only to see her gravitate toward Kaelen. That memory fueled him, a fire burning hot beneath his calm exterior.
As Sylvester gave the signal, Nathaniel launched his first arrow, a streak of silver that whistled through the air with precision and deadly speed. He wasn't just any archer; he was the Fierce Arrow of Pacesetters, known for his unyielding accuracy and raw potential. Each shot came faster than the last, turning into a rapid storm of arrows aimed to force Kaelen back. Yet Kaelen moved with fluid grace, his blade weaving an intricate pattern that deflected or dodged each strike, advancing steadily.
Nathaniel's eyes narrowed in frustration. Summoning all his power, he drew his bow to its limit, channeling his mana into one powerful, glowing shot aimed directly at Kaelen's chest. The arrow flew, glowing with fierce energy.
Kaelen's expression remained calm. In one swift motion, he sidestepped and slashed forward, his sword glowing faintly. In the next moment, the arena filled with a blinding cascade of strikes- his trademark move the Thousand-slash. The force of the attack overwhelmed Nathaniel, his aura shattering under the onslaught. With a final concussive blow, the energy propelled Nathaniel backward, sending him sprawling off the platform. Thıs content belongs to n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
He lay on the ground below, dazed and defeated, as Kaelen sheathed his sword, barely winded. Kaelen's gaze lingered briefly on him before he looked away while spurting out three words with a face that is as calm as ever, while the crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs.
Nathaniel lay there, Kaelen's words — "know your place" — echoing through his mind like a biting frost. His fists clenched as a wave of embarrassment and anger surged within him. He glanced over at Lila, hoping for the smallest flicker of concern or acknowledgment, but she hadn't even glanced in his direction. Her focus was entirely on Kaelen, her expression calm but undeniably intrigued by Kaelen's unyielding strength.
The realization settled like a weight on Nathaniel's shoulders, and a dull ache spread through him as the final shred of hope vanished. His defeat wasn't just a loss in battle; it was a stark reminder of his place in her eyes. With a defeated sigh, he lowered his head and slipped away, blending into the crowd, hoping to disappear from everyone's sight.
Above, Sylvester watched Nathaniel's retreat with a trace of sadness. He knew Nathaniel's skill as an archer was exceptional and had hoped the young man's fierce potential would propel him into becoming a formidable guardian for the academy. But this reckless act born of envy risked pulling him down a darker path. Sylvester sighed, wiping the thought from his mind. There are lessons only time can teach, he thought, as he raised a hand and called for the next challenger to step forward. The arena stilled as all eyes shifted to the platform, anticipation building once more.
But not long after Sylvester signaled for the next challenger, the crowd stirred in surprise as Charlotte stepped forward, eyes blazing with determination. She held a shield far more imposing than her previous one, a fortified symbol of her unwavering resolve. Then, she called out her challenge directly to the Fleeting Spear, the Academy's formidable fifth-ranked warrior.
The Fleeting Spear, known for his robust build and raw power, raised an eyebrow at the unexpected challenger, clearly intrigued. Kaelen, Sylvester, and many in the crowd exchanged surprised glances, wondering what had changed in Charlotte since her last public duel.
'Seems like she isn't here to play around' Morris thought with a taken aback expression on his face as he observed Charlotte.
But while being stared at from practically everyone in the area, she didn't even flinch as she set her stance, planting her shield into the ground with a resounding thud, and met the Fleeting Spear's gaze, her expression a testament to the fierce training she'd undergone since their last encounter.
Charlotte's grip tightened on her shield, her gaze steely as flashes of her brutal training filled her mind. She remembered the relentless sessions, sweat dripping into her eyes as she was pushed to her limits by her instructor, who was unyielding in his demand for strength, resilience, and fearlessness. The blisters, bruises, and countless falls had all led to this moment.
With the memory fresh in her mind, Charlotte raised her voice, looking directly at the Fleeting Spear. "This time, I'm not the same fighter you all once knew," she declared, her voice echoing across the platform. "I've come here to prove that my shield can stand against even the strongest spear in this Academy."
The Fleeting Spear's eyes narrowed, his smirk fading as he sensed her resolve. The crowd fell silent, captivated by her words, and even Sylvester leaned in with interest, sensing the weight behind her bold statement.
But while Charlotte was making her bold statement, among the spectators, a girl with strikingly similar features to the Fleeting Spear—his younger sister, Callista—stood with a spear resting across her shoulder, her expression darkening as Charlotte's voice echoed through the arena. Her grip tightened on her weapon, and her gaze turned sharp, filled with a quiet but fierce intensity.
As she watched Charlotte's determined stance and heard the murmurs of excitement ripple through the crowd, her thoughts turned venomous. "You will pay dearly for overstepping your boundaries," she seethed internally, eyes narrowing. "No one challenges my brother without facing me next."
Even as the duel was about to begin, Callista's thoughts simmered with a hidden resolve. To her, this was more than just a battle between Charlotte and her brother—it was an offense to their family name and pride.
Right after both Charlotte and the Fleeting Spear got themselves ready for the duel, Sylvester finally announced as he swinged his hand downwards.