The Duel Grounds pulsed with tension, the air alive with mana and murmurs.
Hundreds of students crammed into the obsidian bleachers overlooking the circular arena below. The dueling platform, carved from volcanic blackstone, was etched with glowing runes of regulation. No one dared to blink.
Two figures stood at the center, shadows cast long beneath the moonlight.
Cassian Lionheart.
Kyle Ironwood.
Top-ranked students. Noble heirs. Born warriors.
Only one would leave intact—in pride, reputation, and points.
---
🎲 Wager of Fate
A radiant disk of mana descended from the sky. Professor Meridian stood atop it, robes rippling in magical wind. With a gesture, the entire arena fell into silence.
"Standard dueling protocols: No lethal force. No outside interference. Victory by surrender or incapacitation," she said, voice clear and sharp.
Then, her eyes flicked to them.
"Any wagers?"
Cassian stepped forward, his tone calm but resolute. "I do."
The crowd gasped.
From his coat, he drew an obsidian Point Token and held it high—gleaming with the symbol of the Academy.
"I wager 1000 points."
The air fractured with shouts, disbelief, and adrenaline.
"If I win," Cassian continued, eyes on Kyle, "you lose a thousand. If I fall… I hit zero."
Kyle's brow furrowed. "You serious? You'd risk expulsion?"
Cassian didn't flinch. "Are you afraid?"
Professor Meridian's expression turned grave. "You're aware of the rule, Mr. Lionheart? Zero points means immediate expulsion."
"I'm aware," he said simply. "Let the Academy bear witness."
Kyle smirked. "Fine. You want to play hero? I'll bury you."
The rune beneath them glowed a molten red.
---
💰 A Storm of Bets
In seconds, mana-powered betting booths lit up around the arena. Students shoved forward, waving tokens and pledging points like addicts at a casino.
> "100 on Kyle!"
"Cassian's bluffing, no way he'd risk that!"
"I'm putting everything on Lionheart. He's not bluffing—he's here to kill."
Over two hundred students gambled.
And with the Academy's cruel point system, the truth was clear:
> Lose all your points, and you're gone.
Expelled on the spot.
---
⚔️ Clash of Legacies
Professor Meridian raised her hand.
"Begin."
A flash of light marked the start—and then, motion.
Cassian unsheathed a single, elegant longsword—steel forged in moonlight, its edge glowing faintly with divine mana.
Kyle responded with two curved sabers, both sparking with flame-bound enchantments.
Their stances told everything.
Cassian stood poised—like a coiled spring, every movement calculated.
Kyle flowed like fire and fury, blades dancing in anticipation.
Then—
---
💥 First Exchange
Kyle launched forward like a missile, twin sabers spinning. His strikes blurred with speed and aggression, his footwork a storm.
> Clang! Clang! Slash!
Cassian met him with flawless precision. Each movement of his sword carved the air, neutralizing Kyle's attacks with surgical efficiency.
A flick of his wrist—
> Shhk!
Kyle stumbled back, a shallow cut blooming across his shoulder.
He blinked. "You countered… mid-combo?"
Cassian didn't respond. He advanced, blade humming with potential.
> Bang! Bang!
Their blades screamed against each other, streaks of light trailing like spirits. Sparks lit the arena. Dust swirled. Time slowed.
---
🐉 Styles Unleashed
Kyle let out a war cry. "Ironwood Dual Fang Style: Flame Wolf Spiral!"
He leapt high, sabers igniting in a vortex of fire.
A cyclone of molten strikes descended upon Cassian with explosive force.
The crowd roared.
Cassian's eyes narrowed.
"Lionheart Sword: First Form—Moon Reflection."
One step.
Then stillness.
In the next breath—
> SLASH.
He was already behind Kyle, sword low.
> Crack!
Kyle dropped to one knee, armor scorched and cleaved. His sabers trembled in his grip.
"You… you think you're better than me?" he spat, fury in his voice.
Cassian's tone was cold. "No. I know I am."
---
🐾 Final Strike
They clashed again. Harder. Faster.
Kyle pushed forward with rage, unleashing a flurry of fiery swings.
Cassian dodged, parried, moved like wind through trees.
Then—an opening.
A flicker of doubt in Kyle's eyes. A misstep.
Cassian whispered:
> "Lionheart Sword: Final Form—Heavenpiercer Fang.
For my grandfather."
He sheathed his blade. Silence.
Then—
> SHHHHNK!
A radiant pressure wave erupted from his scabbard.
One of Kyle's sabers shattered mid-swing. The other clanged to the ground, lifeless.
Cassian stood tall. "It's over."
Kyle collapsed to his knees.
Defeated.
---
💀 Aftermath
The runes dimmed. The arena lights died down.
Professor Meridian descended. "Victory—Cassian Lionheart."
Above them, the scoreboard glowed:
> Cassian Lionheart – 2000 Points
Kyle Ironwood – 200 Points
But that wasn't the end.
A second board flickered to life.
Student Expulsion Notice – 84 Names Listed.
Gasps. Screams. Silence.
One girl broke down. "My brother—he bet everything—he's gone…"
A portal opened.
Golems appeared. Silent. Efficient.
Dozens of students—vanished.
Just like that, eighty-four classmates disappeared from Arcane Academy.
---
⚖️ Blame and Fury
Anger ignited like wildfire.
Kyle staggered to his feet, eyes blank, shame crushing him.
"You said you'd win!"
"You ruined us!"
"My sister's gone because of you!"
Whispers turned into threats.
Students glared.
Friends became enemies.
From the stands, Friend—once Kyle's closest supporter—turned her face away.
---
🌙 The Victor's Silence
Cassian stood at the edge of the arena, gazing up at the stars.
He didn't smirk. Didn't raise his sword.
He simply closed his eyes and whispered:
> "Let this be a warning.
I didn't come to play their game.
I came to end it."