Chapter 237: Chapter 237 : Duel (2)

The atmosphere inside the grand auditorium of Zenith Academy was charged with excitement—like the air before a thunderstorm. Every seat, from the lowest tier to the highest balcony, was occupied. From first-year cadets to the most elite third-years, everyone was present.

The chatter was endless, filled with anticipation. After all, the duel today wasn’t just between any students. It was a battle between legends in the making—

Ethan Williams, the Chosen One of the Goddess of Light.

Alden von Crestvale, the highborn prodigy of the Crestvale family.

And the mysterious Lucifer Morningstar, a hunter whose name had shaken the world within months of his debut.

No one wanted to miss what was about to unfold.

Away from the cheering masses, in the VIP section, sat figures of immense power—each one a cornerstone of the human empire.

At the center sat King Edward Evans Avaloria, his violet eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. To his right sat Duke Reynard Crestvale, posture rigid, expression unreadable. On his left was Headmaster Aldric Verlane, the man who oversaw Zenith Academy’s rise to prominence.

Beside Aldric sat Alyssa Vega, her gaze calm but calculating, and next to her was Marcus Reed, the famed leader of the number one guild in the human empire.

Across from them were three more legendary figures: Duke Arthur Williams, father of Ethan Williams; Marquis Liam Starlight, father of Seraphina Starlight; and Marquis Augustus Sinclair, father of Ophelia Sinclair.

The room practically buzzed with authority.

King Edward glanced toward Reynard, noticing his distant expression.

“You seem rather tense, Rey,” he said casually. “Your son’s about to fight in front of the whole empire on my request as it’s being broadcast everywhere, yet you don’t look excited.”

Reynard forced a thin smile. “It’s nothing, Your Majesty. I just saw something… disturbing before coming here, and I can’t seem to get it out of my mind.”

Edward tilted his head, intrigued. “What could possibly disturb someone like you?”

Reynard’s jaw tightened. “I’d rather not talk about it. It’s nothing serious anyway. You could say I’ve already… dealt with the problem.”

Edward chuckled lightly. “Very well. Then forget it and enjoy the duel instead.”

Before the king could continue, Marcus Reed leaned forward with a grin.

“Your Majesty,” he said, “who do you think will win?”

Edward’s eyes twinkled. “If I had to bet, Ethan likely has the highest chance of victory. But the other two aren’t exactly ordinary.”

Duke Arthur smiled proudly. “I’m honored that His Majesty holds my son in such high regard.”

Marquis Augustus Sinclair smirked. “I’ll put my money on the Lucifer kid. I hope he beats up that ’heroic’ ass of your son, Arthur.”

Arthur’s expression darkened as a vein bulged on his forehead. “Mind your words, Augustus.”

Augustus shrugged nonchalantly. “What? Can’t I share my opinion now?”

Before things could escalate, Reynard spoke up, his tone calm but firm.

“Alden has made significant progress. I wouldn’t count him out just yet. After all, he is a Crestvale.”

The subtle pride in his voice didn’t go unnoticed.

King Edward chuckled softly, his gaze shifting toward Alyssa Vega, who had remained quiet the whole time.

“What about you, Mentor Vega? You’ve been awfully silent. Who do you think will win?”

Alyssa leaned back slightly, her arms crossed, her eyes half-closed as she spoke with calm confidence.

“I don’t need to say anything, Your Majesty. Ethan and Alden are monsters in their own right… it’s just their bad luck that they have to face him.”

Edward raised an eyebrow. “You sound quite confident in your disciple, don’t you?”

Alyssa merely smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Marcus Reed laughed heartily. “Now that’s what I like to hear! I’m even more curious to see what this Lucifer boy can do.”

He sighed wistfully. “I wish my grandson, Kyle, weren’t on that mission. This would’ve been quite the lesson for him.”

Alyssa smirked. “Who knows? He might be watching anyway.”

Marcus chuckled. “I hope he is.”

Unbeknownst to them, she was right. Somewhere across the continent, Kyle Celestian was indeed watching the duel’s live feed with a focused expression, his curiosity piqued.

Suddenly, Marquis Starlight leaned forward, his tone eager.

“Everyone, the duel’s started.”

In an instant, the massive auditorium went silent as dozens of holographic screens materialized mid-air, each displaying the same feed—the virtual arena where Alex, Ethan, and Alden stood.

As their bodies materialized, the trio found themselves standing inside a colossal coliseum that looked straight out of ancient history.

The arena’s walls were made of towering marble pillars carved with runes that shimmered with faint blue light. Spectral banners of forgotten kingdoms waved in a non-existent breeze. The ground beneath them was cracked sandstone, etched with the scars of countless battles.

Above, the sky was painted crimson and gold—eternal twilight frozen in time. Floating platforms and ruined statues circled the coliseum like silent watchers of fate.

The three of them stood at the center of the battlefield, facing each other. The air between them pulsed with invisible tension.

All three smirked almost simultaneously.

Alden spoke first, cracking his neck. “Finally,” he said with a fierce grin, “I can test the results of my training. Maybe I won’t even need to use my divine weapon to beat you two after all.”

Ethan’s mouth twitched. “Cocky as ever.”

Before he could continue, Alden’s figure suddenly blurred—his movement vanishing from human sight.

’Fast!’ Ethan thought, barely able to process it before—

BAM!

Alden delivered a roundhouse kick straight to his face like a whip of steel.

Ethan barely managed to cross his arms in front of his face as draconic scales rippled across them in a flash of golden light.

The impact exploded like a cannon blast.

CRACK!

BOOM!

The shockwave tore through the arena floor as Ethan was sent flying backward, dust and energy scattering in every direction.

When his body skidded to a halt, his arms hung limply at his sides. The golden scales that covered them were shattered—thin cracks running along his forearms. Blood dripped freely from the wounds.

Ethan’s eyes widened in disbelief. ’What the hell… When did this guy get this strong? I barely reacted to that attack. His strength… his speed… it’s off the charts.’

His breathing grew heavier, his expression grim. ’Did I underestimate him too much?’

Alden grinned, his fists tightening as he said, “I like that look on your face.”

Suddenly, golden flames erupted around Ethan’s arms, swirling like twin suns. Within moments, the bones and muscles snapped back into place, the flesh sealed, and the blood vanished. His wounds were gone, completely healed.

Alden clicked his tongue. “Tch. That annoying regeneration of yours.”

Then he narrowed his eyes. ’But I have just the thing to counter that. Especially for someone like you.’

Ethan rolled his shoulders as the golden aura faded into a darker, crimson hue. A small smile formed on his lips. “Looks like it’s my turn.”

The atmosphere thickened. The air vibrated. Ethan’s veins pulsed with divine energy and draconic power as golden scales began crawling up his arms, merging with his skin.

His forearms twisted, bones reshaping as the scales hardened like armor. Claws extended, glowing red with an ominous aura, as if dipped in dragon’s wrath.

And then—he vanished.

In the next instant, Ethan reappeared in front of Alden, his fist crashing into Alden’s gut like a meteor.

The sound echoed like thunder.

Alden’s body shot backward, smashing through a marble pillar. The impact shattered the pillar into dust and sent shockwaves rippling across the coliseum floor.

When the debris cleared, Alden stood, coughing blood, but his lips curled into a grin.

Ethan blinked, his crimson eyes narrowing. ’No… this can’t be right.’

Before his eyes, the torn flesh across Alden’s abdomen began to knit itself together. The bruises faded, and within seconds, Alden’s body was completely healed.

’He doesn’t have that level of regeneration… how…?’ Ethan thought, his mind spinning.

Alden chuckled darkly. “Surprise, surprise. Looks like I’ve managed to imitate that cute trick of yours.”

Suddenly, a slow clapping sound filled the arena.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A familiar voice echoed through the coliseum, laced with amusement. “Wow… at the same time, you two are both amusing—and incredibly rude for ignoring me and fighting amongst yourselves as if I’m an easy opponent.”

Before Ethan or Alden could react, a devastating kick crashed down on both their heads.

They couldn’t even comprehend what happened.

One moment they heard the voice, the next—pain like never before struck.

Their vision blurred as their skulls slammed into the cracked sandstone with a sickening crunch.

In the next moment, both were lifted off the ground—Alex holding them effortlessly by their necks, one in each hand.

Their feet dangled, their hands clawing at his arms, struggling to breathe.

Alex tilted his head slightly, his skeletal mask glinting in the eerie arena light.

He looked at Ethan first. “You, Mr. Hero, seem to have learned better control over your strength. Mana flow efficiency, enhanced regeneration—it’s good. But nothing too impressive.”

Then his gaze turned toward Alden. “And you… you’ve made the most progress. I’m actually a little surprised and impressed.”

He leaned closer, his tone sharp. “The way you reversed time for a few seconds right after Ethan’s punch landed—it’s almost as if you’ve gained a regeneration ability of your own. Because you reversed the time around your injuries even if was for just a few seconds.”

“Truly amazing.”

Alden’s eyes widened in disbelief. ’He figured it out just by looking at it once?’

Alex’s smile widened beneath the mask. “I have to say… I’m really impressed.”

In a blur, Alex flicked Alden into the air like a ragdoll and delivering a devastating kick to Alden’s chest.

The impact sent Alden crashing through several more pillars before his body finally stopped, embedded into a cracked wall.

Dust billowed.

Alex turned his attention back to Ethan, who was still struggling in his grip.

Ethan tried to gather mana, but nothing happened. His veins glowed faintly and then dimmed. His expression shifted from anger to shock.

’What… what did he do to me? My mana—it’s not responding. He’s… disrupting it.’

A cold realization struck him. ’He’s interfering with the mana flow inside my body!’

His breathing quickened. ’But how—’

Alex’s calm voice cut through his thoughts. “Looks like you finally figured it out. Took you long enough.”

He chuckled. “I was starting to get bored. You two were so focused on each other that you underestimated me—the real problem.”

Alex’s grip tightened. “Now… it’s your turn.”

He slammed Ethan’s head into the ground with such force that the entire arena shook. Cracks spread across the sandstone floor like spiderwebs.

Then, flipping Ethan’s limp body over, Alex grabbed both of his draconic arms. His fingers dug into the scales like iron claws.

Ethan’s eyes went wide with horror. ’No… no, he wouldn’t—’

A sickening snap echoed.

Ethan screamed—a raw, inhuman cry of agony—as Alex ripped both of his arms from their sockets. Blood and light burst from the wounds before his regeneration could even start.

Alex laughed, a dark, manic sound that sent chills down the auditorium as people witnessed it.

“Even you’ll need a little time to heal from this. But I want you to recover quickly… more pain is coming soon.”

Just as Alex turned toward Ethan’s twitching body, a blur of motion came from behind him.

Alden dashed forward, his sword gleaming in his hand as he whispered, “Sovereign Blade, First Form: Radiant Dusk.”

A flash of golden light cut through the air.

Alex’s system instantly responded.

[Mind’s Eye — Activated]

Time slowed. The world dimmed to gray.

Alex’s perception expanded, reading every line of energy in Alden’s swing. He twisted his body, barely dodging the deadly arc.

Even so, the edge of the blade grazed his index finger—just a thin line, barely visible—yet black fire ignited instantly, crawling up his hand.

Alex’s eyes widened. ’This flame… it’s dangerous.’

Without hesitation, he sliced off his own finger using his aura blade.

The black fire vanished with it.

Alden clicked his tongue. “You’re sharp. If you hadn’t noticed in time, your whole body would’ve been consumed by that flame.”

Alex smiled. “So, you’ve finally decided to draw your sword. Good. Otherwise, I would’ve had to give you minus points for stupidity.”

A golden light shimmered beside Alex’s hand, coalescing into a sword.

Its blade glowed like molten sunlight, its hilt adorned with ancient runes and a radiant crimson gem that pulsed like a heartbeat. The weapon radiated pressure itself, making the air hum around it.

Alden froze. His breath caught. “That sword… how… it’s my sister’s. How do you have it?”

Alex tilted his head, his grin widening. “Oh, this beauty? I stole it from her.”

Alden’s pupils shrank.

Alex raised the sword, lightning crackling around his entire body as he took a stance—Alden’s own stance.

“Guess what,” Alex said softly. “I didn’t just steal her sword.”

Then his voice deepened, thunder rolling through the coliseum.

“Sovereign Blade, First Form: Radiant Dusk!”

A blinding slash burst forth, identical to the one Alden had unleashed moments ago—but faster, sharper, and far deadlier.

Meanwhile, in the VIP section of the auditorium, Duke Reynard Crestvale’s eyes widened in disbelief. His entire body trembled.

“My family’s legacy… our sword art… how did he—” he stopped mid-sentence, his mind blank with shock.

Alyssa Vega burst out laughing. “Ha! Hahaha! That damn brat—always such a show-off.

Its like two ferocious monsters fighting aganist a devil.”

———–

—–

A/N:

So how was the Chapter? Tell me in the comments!

Thanks for the golden tickets:

@Neon_SsX, @Alooli, @tewariyash,

@BluuuuTea, @axion_lightedge, @Zeo_256,

@LaggingPenguin, @Agent_Black,

@Mark_Campos_5123, @DaoistOzuvZx,

@Supreme_Order,

I really appreciate the support, guys.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep