Chapter 236: Chapter 236 : Duel (1)

After running away from Reynard, Alex was now sprinting across the glimmering corridors of Zenith Academy, his breath steady despite his hurried pace. The towering glass walls of the academy reflected the twilight sky—soft blue merging into gold as the day transitioned.

He finally slowed as he approached the Virtual Combat Testing Zone, the massive dome-shaped facility that shimmered with layered mana fields. The same place where he had once given his entrance exam—the memories of that day still faintly clear in his mind.

’So this is where it’s all going to happen again,’ he thought, his expression calm yet sharp.

Just then, the familiar monotone voice of his system echoed inside his mind.

[ Host, you do realize that you’ve already spent all of your Cosmic Essence when you fought Lilith earlier, correct? ]

Alex’s footsteps froze mid-stride. A faint twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.

’You’re telling me… it hasn’t recovered even a bit since then? Even five percent would be nice!’ he mentally yelled in frustration.

[ Forget five percent. It hasn’t even recovered one percent. I’ve already informed you that Cosmic Essence recovery takes a long time. ]

Alex sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.

“So that means I can’t use my greatest weapon and will have to make do with what affinities I have, huh?”

[ Exactly. You’ll have to rely solely on mana for now. ]

“Fine,” Alex muttered under his breath. “Then let’s see how much progress I’ve made since the last time. Show me my status window. The last time I checked, I was still at Expert Rank.”

At that command, golden lines of energy appeared in front of him, forming a massive holographic panel.

—–

[STATUS WINDOW]

Name: Alex Dragonheart

Age: 17

Rank: Master (Mid)

Class: True Genesis

Talent: Dual-Soul Resonance (Enhanced learning speed, intuition, and adaptability)

—

[Title: The Throneless One]

A being destined to stand above kings, gods, and celestial thrones—yet bound to none because none are worthy of you.

You rise not through lineage or legacy, but through struggle, adaptation, and unshackled evolution.

You are an anomaly in the cosmic order—unclaimed, unchained, and unchallenged.

Effect: No god, divine law, or fate can exert dominion over you.

Any attempt to enslave, bind, or control you through divine contracts, prophecies, or soul seals automatically fails.

—

[Attributes]

Strength: S+

Agility: S

Endurance: SS

Mana: S

Mana Capacity: SS

Will: S+

Charm: S+

Intelligence: S

Luck: ???

[Affinities]

Lightning

Darkness

—-

[Traits]

1. Abyssborne Sovereignty:

“He who embraced the Abyss shall now walk the line between ruling it—or erasing it from existence. The path is yours to carve.”

Having fully adapted to the most vile corruption known to existence, you are no longer a victim of the Abyss.

The corruption that once sought to consume you now bows before you.

[Physique: Primordial Genesis of Creation and Destruction]

Status: Partially Awakened

Curse 1 of 3: Broken

A primordial vessel forged from the ashes of beginnings and ends—embodying both creation and entropy.

It is the ultimate vessel of duality: capable of creation through destruction and rebirth through death.

Abilities (Unlocked):

1. Supreme Physique of Adaptation

2. Perfect Cellular Reconstruction

Locked Abilities:

3. Cosmic Muscle Density (Locked)

4. Destructive Creation Pulse (Locked)

——

[Bloodline: Stellar Genesis]

Status: Partially Awakened

Curse 1 of 3: Broken

A True Genesis bloodline—not inherited, but chosen by the cosmos itself.

It holds the essence of starbirth, creation, and celestial evolution.

Abilities:

1. Astral Dominion of Creation (Locked)

2. Heart of the Supernova (Evolving)

3. Living Constellation Manifestation (Locked)

——

[Sword Art: Astral Void Rend (??? Rank)]

Status: 6 / 12 Forms Unlocked

First Four Forms – Foundation of Speed & Combat Flow

1. Void Step – Unlocked

2. Phantom Rend – Unlocked

3. Celestial Flow – Unlocked

4. Bladestorm Mirage – Unlocked

Middle Four Forms – Bending Reality

5. Dimensional Sever – Unlocked

6. Temporal Echo – Unlocked

7. Event Horizon Slash – Locked

8. Aetheral Rift – Locked

Final Four Forms – The Forbidden Arts

9. Fatebreaker Severance – Locked

10. Chrono Rend – Locked

11. Oblivion Edge – Locked

12. Transcendent Annihilation – Locked

——

[Skills]

1. Mind’s Eye (S) – Growth Type (Active)

An evolved perception ability that reads movement, intent, and mana flow in perfect clarity.

Greatly enhances spatial awareness and reaction speed.

Predicts incoming attacks through emotions and mana resonance.

Temporarily slows perception of time, enabling precision countering.

2. Force Control (C) – Growth Type (Passive/Active)

Allows manipulation, redirection, and compression of force.

Increases strike efficiency and mana output stability.

3. Shadow Step (B) – Growth Type (Active)

Teleportation through shadows up to 5 km.

4. Titan’s Resilience (A) – Growth Type (Passive).

Increases durability, resistance, and regeneration rate.

Grants enhanced recovery rate and pain suppression.

5. Heavy Strike (B) – Growth Type (Active)

Greatly boosts physical and mana-infused attack power.

Damage scales with willpower and emotional intensity.

Can be imbued with elemental affinities.

6. Basic Swordsmanship (F) – Passive

Enhances sword techniques.

7. Basic Mana Control (F) – Passive

Enhances basic mana flow.

8. Phantom Shift (B) – Growth Type (Active)

Creates afterimage echoes capable of simultaneous actions.

Increases overall speed and perception during activation.

9. Unyielding Will (B) – Growth Type (Passive/ Active)

Grants High immunity to fear, domination, and illusion effects.

Temporarily boosts all stats when near death or under heavy duress.

10. Night Vision (F) – Active

Allows the user to see in the dark.

11. Veil of Faint Steps (E) – Active

Suppresses minor sounds, dims the user’s aura, and helps them blend into surroundings.

12. ??? (Sealed) – Unknown

——

[Masteries]

Swordsmanship: Master (95%)

Mana Control: Master (70%)

Dagger: Master (7%)

———

As the window faded away, Alex stared at it with a small, satisfied smirk.

’I’ve come far… really far. Most of my skills are upgraded too.’

[ You’ve had plenty of chances these last few months to gain new abilities and arts. They weren’t as great as what you already have, but still—wouldn’t it help to take them? ]

Alex chuckled lightly.

’You’re right to some extent, but most of those were just inferior versions of what I already possess. I’m already struggling to master my own sword art—why waste time learning more when I haven’t even mastered what’s mine?’

He crossed his arms, remembering a certain Black haired woman’s calm voice.

’Besides, Alyssa’s told me plenty of times that instead of accumulating new skills, I should focus on polishing what I already have.’

[ Well, she is right about that. ]

Before Alex could respond, a cheerful voice called out from behind him.

“Brother! Look over here!”

Alex turned around instantly, his expression softening as a smile appeared on his face.

Lily came running toward him, her silver hair fluttering in the wind, followed by Alyssa Vega walking gracefully behind her.

As Lily stopped in front of him, slightly panting, she asked, “So, are you ready for the duel?”

Alex smirked confidently. “This magnificent brother of yours is always ready for everything.”

Lily opened her mouth, ready to tease him—but her eyes suddenly widened.

Her gaze landed on the side of Alex’s neck—where a faint red mark and a few teeth imprints were visible.

“B-Brother,” she asked innocently, tilting her head, “what’s this mark on your neck? Did you get hurt?”

Alex froze on the spot.

’Oh crap. Alicia didn’t hold back, did she? Biting me like I was her personal snack…’

Before he could even come up with a reply, Alyssa stepped closer, her lips curling into a sly grin as she crossed her arms.

“My my,” she said teasingly, “looks like my boy has finally grown up.”

Alex’s expression stiffened immediately as if a lightning bolt had struck him.

Lily blinked in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

Alyssa turned to her with a mischievous glint in her eyes and said,

“It means, dear Lily, that some gir—”

Before Alyssa could complete her sentence, Alex instantly covered her mouth with both hands, his face turning red as a tomato.

“It’s nothing—nothing, Lily! Don’t worry, it’ll heal in time!” he said hurriedly, his words tumbling out as fast as possible.

Alyssa’s muffled chuckle vibrated against his palm, and Lily blinked, tilting her head slightly in confusion.

“Alright, alright,” she said softly, still not entirely convinced but deciding not to push further.

Alex let out a silent sigh of relief and smiled. “You two should head toward the auditorium. The duel’s being broadcast there.”

Lily nodded obediently. “Okay!”

Turning to Alyssa, Alex’s tone became a little more serious. “Take care of her, will you?”

Alyssa raised a brow, her usual teasing grin softening into a rare, calm smile. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

Alex chuckled lightly. “I know I don’t.”

The two women began walking down the corridor, their figures slowly fading into the light at the far end.

Just as they were about to disappear around the corner, Lily turned back one last time.

“Brother!” she called out, waving her hand energetically.

Alex paused mid-step and looked over his shoulder. “Now what?”

Lily grinned. “Best of luck!”

Alex smirked faintly beneath his breath. “Thanks.”

Then, as the hallway fell silent again, Alex turned forward, the familiar sharp glint returning to his eyes. The air around him grew colder, heavier.

’Alright,’ he thought, his voice calm yet edged with purpose. ’Time to see just how much those two have grown since the last time.’

By the time he reached the Virtual Combat Facility, the massive metal doors parted with a hydraulic hiss. The inside was vast and gleaming—filled with silver pods, holographic monitors, and mana conduits pulsing with soft blue light.

Selena Vega stood at the center of the room, her posture regal as ever. She was flanked by two familiar figures—Ethan Williams and Alden von Crestvale—both standing tall and confident.

A smirk formed beneath the black skeletal mask covering Alex’s face. ’So both of them are already here,’ he thought, stepping forward. ’Perfect.’

Alden was the first to notice him. His fiery eyes narrowed as he said, “Well, well, so you’re here after all. I thought you ran away in fear.”

Alex tilted his head slightly. “Fear? Why would I do that?”

He paused, his tone turning deliberately dramatic. “Don’t tell me your father will be the one fighting today instead—because you’re not strong enough on your own?”

Alden’s temple twitched as a visible vein appeared on his forehead. His hand immediately went for his sword.

“You arrogant bastard,” he growled. “Let me show you just how capable I am!”

Before Alden could step forward, a stifled laugh came from Ethan.

Alex’s head turned toward him slowly. “And what are you laughing at? Don’t tell me you’re planning to send your sister in your place too. I heard she’s the one who fixes most of your problems anyway.”

The color drained from Ethan’s face as his laughter vanished instantly. His jaw clenched, and his eyes turned cold.

“Don’t you dare bring my sister into this,” he warned darkly. “I’ll only say this once.”

Alex’s smirk deepened under the mask. “Oh? And if I do? What will you do about it?”

The tension between the three of them became suffocating—mana rippled faintly across the air as sparks danced at Alden’s fingertips, and Ethan’s aura began to flare with divine resonance.

’Now that’s more like it,’ Alex thought, his heartbeat steady despite the storm of power brewing around him.

Before things could explode, Selena stepped between them, her voice sharp as thunder.

“That’s enough!”

The air immediately stilled, their auras retracting in obedience. None of them dared to defy her tone.

Selena looked at all three of them sternly before summoning three sleek wristbands from her storage ring. The metallic bands floated in the air for a moment before landing gently in their palms.

“You all know what these are,” she said, her tone calm yet commanding. “The same evoBands used during your entrance exams. They will transport you into a fully immersive virtual battlefield—one where you can fight to your heart’s content.”

Selena nodded. “This isn’t just some simulation. The environment, the pain, the exhaustion—you’ll feel all of it exactly as you would in reality as you have already experienced it before.”

Her gaze sharpened slightly. “Once the duel ends, you’ll be safely transported back and examined for health.”

Alden crossed his arms, smirking. “So it’s basically a real battle without permanent consequences.”

“Correct,” Selena replied, her expression unchanging. “But remember—the pain is real. Don’t let it fool you into carelessness.”

Alex nodded silently, his mind already strategizing. ’Perfect. That means I can push them as far as I want without holding back.’

Selena looked between the three combatants. “Do you all understand the conditions?”

All three nodded firmly.

“Good,” she said, finally allowing a small smile. “Then I wish you all the best of luck.”

She stepped back, her hand rising gracefully as glowing runes appeared on the ground beneath them.

“The teleportation sequence begins in ten seconds. Brace yourselves.”

A digital countdown appeared on their watches, glowing with faint blue light.

5… 4… 3… 2… 1… 0.

The moment the timer hit zero, Alex, Ethan, and Alden’s bodies shimmered, their forms breaking into streams of golden light that twisted upward like shooting stars.

The light vanished around them as reality folded.

The duel had begun.

——

A/N:

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