The academy was on fire.
Not with flame, but with whispers.
Every corridor, every courtyard, every training hall, one name passed through lips, always followed by another.
Cassian.
Azrael.
Even during lectures, the debate never stopped. Students leaned over desks, ignoring instructors, voices low but urgent.
"I'm telling you, Azrael's got this. Cassian is overrated."
"No way. Azrael's strong, but Cassian? He's one the western region's golden boys. People knew his name before the academy."
"I heard even the Headmaster praised Cassian's Arcanum. Said it's a once-in-a-century talent."
Most bets leaned toward Cassian.He was already carrying a legend before setting foot in the academy. Azrael was feared, yes, but Cassian was admired. And admiration was heavier than fear.
*****
Azrael wasn't paying attention to the gossip. He sat in his room, arms folded, while his so-called allies gathered before him.
Liyana stood at the front, Hans leaned lazily against the wall, and Malik crouched with a restless frown. Azrael had almost sent them away, until Liyana's glare silenced him.
She tapped the image pinned to the wall. A boy with crimson hair, sharp eyes, and the faint halo of arrogance etched into his features.
"This is Cassian," she said flatly. "The noble I beat up yesterday swore he's a Duke's son. I don't know if that's true. What we do know is his Arcanum, is called Radiant. He absorbs sunlight, and stores it in his body, in combat it fuels his body, makes him faster, stronger. He can release it too. Beams, bursts, pure destructive energy."
Hans yawned, unimpressed. "Sounds like a basic power-type to me."
Malik shook his head. "That's what makes it terrifying. It's simple, but absolute. Against him, you either overpower him head-on, or you're crushed. And at first degree arcanum, very few can match that."
Azrael listened in silence, tapping a finger on the table. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What's his motivation? Why come for me?"
Liyana answered without hesitation. "He despises commoners who challenge nobles. That's his creed. You've humiliated nobles since the day you arrived. To him, you're a disease. A disease that needs cutting out."
She glanced at the hourglass on the desk. "The duel's at noon. Thirty minutes."
Azrael rose, a grin spreading across his face, cold and sharp as a blade.
"Alright then," he murmured. "Let's go embarrass a noble."
*****
The sun ruled the sky.
Its light poured over the stadium, washing the arena in harsh gold. Students packed every seat, spilling over railings, standing on steps eyes locked on the center stage. It was the first official duel in the academy so and was between two prominent students so the excitement was high.
On the left stood Azrael. His outfit was stark, simple: a white shirt with sleeves rolled, black trousers tucked into black leather boots. Hands shoved into his pockets.
On the right Cassian. His shirt hung open, revealing a body carved like stone, veins glimmering faintly with light beneath his skin. Red hair fell loose behind him, catching the sun like fire.He seemed to glow. The air shimmered, distorted by the radiant heat leaking from his body.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
A man descended from the sky," My name is Inspector Harun and I'm the one in charge of this match" he stepped between them, scroll in hand. His voice was clear, carrying across the roaring stands.
"This duel will proceed under academy rules. You may use your Arcanum. Victory will be declared when one of you yields or is incapacitated. Now state your terms."
Cassian stepped forward first, voice proud and steady.
"My terms are simple. If I win, Azrael must apologize to the noble students of this academy and return every soul pill he's stolen."
Cheers erupted. Nobles leapt to their feet, clapping, shouting, tears in some eyes. For them, this wasn't just a duel, it was justice.
Azrael's face remained calm. When the noise died, he spoke evenly, his grin returning.
"when I win," he said, "The soul pills collected every week will be doubled. And all nobles will be included in the payment."
The stadium exploded.
This time with curses, fury, outrage. Nobles spat venom, faces twisted in hatred. Azrael hadn't just insulted them, he had branded them as prey.
In the stands, Malik pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering curses of his own. "Idiot. You just made the whole academy your enemy."
Some distance away, Rio nearly fell from his seat, laughing until his sides ached. "Gods above, he's insane! He's actually insane!"
Beside him, Rhea said nothing, her gaze locked on Azrael's calm face. What are you thinking?
The instructor's hand lifted, then dropped.
"Begin."
Cassian began a slow sprint towards Azrael as he did his body seemed to ignite.
The ground beneath his feet cracked, a burst of golden light flaring as he launched forward like a cannonball. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Azrael, fist cocked, glowing like a sun.
Azrael summoned his gauntlet in the same instant, claws gleaming as he thrust his palm forward.
BOOM.
The impact was blinding. Gold and black collided, sparks shattering the air, the sound like a cannon fired in the closed hall.
Azrael was blasted backward. His boots scraped hard against the arena floor, leaving shallow marks as he struggled to stop. He crouched low, his clawed gauntlet sparking as it dragged against the stone. The impact shoved him almost all the way to the edge before he finally ground to a halt.
When he looked up, the grin was already forming.
Cassian stood at the center, bathed in radiance. Red cracks had appeared along his arms, light leaking from them like molten rivers. He tilted his head, teeth bared in a smile.
"You're not half bad."
Azrael's heart pounded. His claws flexed.The chain appearing at his side began to coil around his hand.
Something told him this was going to be his hardest fight yet and he was ready.