Chapter 23: The Rise of Crystal

The grand arena buzzed with excitement as the holographic screen flashed the names of the next competitors.

Crystal Heart vs. Aaron Voss

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. Crystal's presence in the tournament had already sparked controversy. Many believed she had no right to participate after being demoted from Beta Class, and now, she was set to face Aaron Voss one of the strongest students in Delta Class.

Aaron was a giant of a student, his muscles bulging under his combat suit. His brute force enhancement Tay made him nearly unstoppable in close combat. He cracked his knuckles loudly, smirking at Crystal as she stepped into the ring.

"You should've stayed in Beta Class, Crystal," he taunted. "You're not strong enough to fight with us anymore."

Crystal's red eyes remained cold and emotionless. She didn't respond, only slightly tilting her head as if Aaron wasn't even worth acknowledging.

The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match.

"Begin!"

Aaron lunged forward like a charging beast, his fist coming down with terrifying speed and power. But the moment his strike landed Crystal was gone.

A blur of movement.

Before the audience could process what had happened, she was already behind him. A powerful kick slammed into his back, sending him stumbling forward.

Gasps filled the arena.

Aaron growled in frustration, spinning around with a wild swing. "Stop running and fight me!"

Crystal didn't even blink.

Aaron attacked again, his fists swinging at inhuman speeds. Each blow could have easily broken bones, but not a single one landed. Crystal's movements were fluid and precise, her body weaving through his attacks like a shadow.

Then, without warning, she struck.

Her palm glowed with a dark crimson aura as she landed a direct hit on Aaron's chest. His body convulsed as if an invisible force had struck his very core. In the next instant, he was sent flying backward, crashing against the energy barrier surrounding the ring.

The entire crowd fell silent.

Aaron groaned, trying to push himself up, but his limbs wouldn't respond. The impact had completely knocked the wind out of him.

The referee stepped forward, raising Crystal's hand.

"Winner—Crystal Heart!"

A mixture of awe and disbelief swept through the audience. No one had expected Crystal to win so decisively. The doubts surrounding her began to fade.

Crystal, however, didn't stay to celebrate. She barely acknowledged the crowd as she stepped out of the ring and walked toward the preparation area. She had only one person she wanted to see.

Alex.

He stood near the waiting area, watching her with his usual unreadable expression. As she approached him, the tension in the arena shifted.

Then, without warning, Crystal hugged him.

Gasps echoed throughout the crowd.

Alex stiffened slightly at the unexpected embrace. He wasn't used to such open gestures. After a brief pause, he let out a small sigh and lightly patted her back.

The arena went dead silent.

Then the murmurs started.

"Wait… Alex Vonn…?"

"It makes sense now!"

"He's Epsilon Shadow, isn't he?"

For weeks, rumors had circulated about Epsilon Shadow, the mysterious fighter in the VR tournament. No one could trace his identity, and the academy's best security experts had failed to uncover him.

But now, everything was falling into place.

Alex was always seen around Jasper, a tech Tay user capable of bypassing academy systems. Now, Crystal, a member of an original family, was openly embracing him.

There was no longer any doubt.

Alex Vonn was Epsilon Shadow.

And no one dared to question him.

If he was truly backed by an original family, interfering with him could bring dangerous consequences. Even the academy's higher-ups wouldn't risk provoking such a force.

Crystal finally pulled away from the hug, her red eyes softer than usual. "I won," she said simply.

Alex smirked slightly. "I noticed."

Jasper, who had been leaning against a nearby wall, chuckled. "Well, things just got a lot more interesting."

As the next fight was called, the eyes of the academy weren't just on the tournament anymore.

They were on Alex Vonn.

Later That Night

Alex sat in his dorm room, staring at the ceiling. The events of the day replayed in his mind the fight, Crystal's unexpected hug, the realization that the academy now suspected his true identity.

His wristband buzzed. A notification.

[PRIVATE MESSAGE: JASPER]

Jasper: Hey, just a heads-up. Your name is trending on the academy's private network. Everyone thinks you're Epsilon Shadow.

Alex sighed. He expected this.

Alex: Let them think whatever they want.

Jasper: You sure? The higher ups might start watching you more closely.

Alex smirked. Let them watch.

He closed the message and leaned back. His mind drifted to the shadow orb resting within him.

He clenched his fist. His powers were growing, and soon, no one would be able to control him.

He just had to play the game a little longer.