The air between them crackled with tension.
Outside the dungeon gates, under the glow of the moon, Riah stood with arms folded, white hair fluttering like a war banner. Her crimson eyes weren't on Kazimir. They were locked solely on Gendai.
"…What can I help you with?" Gendai asked with a sweet smile, feigning innocence. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Riah's tone was icy. "Why are you suddenly so close to him… you dirty, slutty succubus?"
The smile didn't fade from Gendai's lips, but a sharp laugh slipped through. "And why shouldn't I? Just look at him. You'd want him too."
Riah's glare darkened. "Maybe because you rely on your little parlor trick. Making men fall for you… only if you use your powers."
Gendai folded her arms, venom slipping into her voice. "Oh, I see. Someone's upset they're not the center of attention anymore. Just because you're ranked second doesn't mean you're untouchable. Or have you already forgotten what you did to Lilly?"
Riah took a step forward, her eyes now inches from Gendai's. "So, what? You want to fight me over this?"
Gendai grinned. "Yes. I've gotten hella stronger since we entered this academy. Let's see who's the real fraud."
Riah raised her chin. "Fine. We'll settle this away from the academy."
"Enough," Kazimir interjected, voice firm. "This isn't sanctioned. If anyone sees this—"
A sudden chill swept through the air.
Kazimir froze. Literally.
"I'll allow it," came a familiar, teasing voice.
From the shadows, Neve appeared—white hair gleaming under moonlight, her violet eyes filled with mischief. She gently lifted Kazimir's chin with a single finger as ice snaked up his legs, freezing him in place.
"Kazimir," she purred, "you should know your place when speaking to a Zasia Vandor like that. I've been nothing but kind to you… and as your faction leader, you'll watch this duel with me."
Kazimir narrowed his eyes. "Shouldn't you be doing something more important? Like, I don't know—refining your brain instead of just your skills—?"
Ice crackled up to his waist.
Neve smiled sweetly. "Sleep on that thought tonight."
Midnight. Arena Nexus.
The system shimmered as Neve summoned a private battle realm. A mirror-sky dome encased the arena, allowing full power with no restrictions.
Kazimir stood beside her, uneasy. "Neve… are you seriously letting them fight like this?"
She blew him a kiss. "Honey boo, let them get it out of their system. Just shut up and watch."
Across the arena, Gendai tapped her spear against her shoulder, flashing a confident smile. "Hey Riah, look who's watching~"
Riah didn't even blink. "Right now, I couldn't care less about him. My focus is on you."
"Yikes," Gendai muttered, gripping her spear. "Alright then. Let's begin."
With no further warning, Riah lunged.
Her blade slashed down in a flaming arc—Gendai barely raised her spear in time to block it. Sparks danced through the air as their weapons clashed.
"Oh? I'm still standing?" Gendai taunted. "Maybe you're not as tough as you think."
Flames exploded around Riah as her temper snapped. Her phoenix aura ignited, wreathing her in heat and fury.
She soared over Gendai's incoming kick, then spun and delivered a devastating heel to her back, sending her skidding across the arena.
A searing fireball followed—but Gendai countered, shaping a stone shield mid-air using her mind.
Kazimir watched from the sidelines, jaw tense.
This isn't a match. It's a slaughter.
Still, Gendai rose—bruised, but burning with determination.
"Alright… now let me show you my power!"
With a roar, she pulled Riah toward her using magnetic force, slamming her into a wall of conjured stone. Before Riah could recover, Gendai summoned a massive spear—so tall it split the clouds above—and hurled it with a cry of victory.
Dust clouded the battlefield.
Gendai turned to Kazimir, grinning. "Did you see that?! I won! Maybe I went too hard. She's a fraud, anyway."
But the cheers died in her throat.
From the rubble, Riah stood. Bloodied. Burned. But very much awake.
"You're even dumber than I thought," Riah growled, flames rising around her. "You actually thought you won? That a cheap hit makes you queen?"
Her eyes burned like twin suns. "Now I know you want to kill me. So why don't I return the favor… slutty bitch."
Gendai's eyes widened.
Kazimir's did too.
"Wait," he said, recognizing the energy pulsing from Riah's body. "No way. She's—"
Neve leaned in with a giggle. "Oh my, is that your technique she's attempting? Perpetual Absolute, was it?"
Kazimir's voice dropped. "Yes. And if she pulls it off… Gendai won't walk away from this."
Gendai's breath hitched. "W-Wait… that's his—?!"
Too late.
Riah's body erupted with phoenix flames, a white-hot vortex of destruction forming in her hands. Then, with a scream of rage, she unleashed it.
A cataclysmic burst of fire engulfed the realm.
Neve raised her hand just in time, shielding both herself and Kazimir in a shimmering frost barrier as flames scorched the world around them.
When the smoke cleared…
Riah stood over Gendai, her blade buried in the ground beside her.
"You're pathetic," she whispered coldly.
Gendai lay unconscious, her pride shattered alongside her body.