Chapter 32: The Spark Within
Axton's legs felt like lead as he trudged back to his dorm. The night had left him battered—his clothes torn, his body bruised, but he barely registered the pain. He just needed to get back to his room, to disappear into the safety of the dorm. But as he opened the door, Elias's sharp voice cut through the silence.
"Axton?" Elias sat up from his bed, his eyes wide as he took in his friend's condition. "Where the hell have you been? What happened to you? You look like you've been through a warzone! what is this? Did you get into a fight with someone again?"
Axton froze for a moment, but quickly composed himself. His heart pounded, and he felt his blood rush to his face. But Elias wouldn't let it go that easily.
"I'm fine, Elias," Axton said, brushing past him. "It's nothing serious. Just a bit of a scuffle. You know how it goes. It's really not a big deal."
Elias didn't look convinced. He was quiet for a beat, then leaned forward, his gaze hardening. "A scuffle? You don't look like you're fine. Your clothes are torn, you're covered in bruises. Was it Corbin again? What happened?"
"No, no. It wasn't Corbin," Axton replied quickly, trying to hide the strain in his voice. "Just… someone else. And I handled it. It's done."
Elias hesitated for a moment, his expression softening. "Alright, but just… be careful, Axton. You're starting to attract trouble, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
Axton nodded, but his mind wasn't really on Elias's words. He was already replaying the events in his head—the fight, the girl, the boy who had tried to do something unforgivable. It wasn't over yet, not by a long shot.
The next morning, the tension in the cafeteria was palpable. Students whispered to each other in low voices, their eyes darting toward the front as Professor Salazar entered. His usual stern demeanor had a sharp edge to it today. Something had happened—something big.
"Students," Salazar's voice rang out across the room, silencing all conversations. "We have a serious matter to address. Last night, an assault attempt was thwarted. A student tried to harm another student, but fortunately, they were stopped before it could escalate."
Axton's stomach twisted. He knew what was coming next.
"The student who was assaulted," Salazar continued, his gaze sweeping the room, "is safe. She has been questioned, and from her statement, it seems someone came to her aid, but she couldn't see who it was." Salazar's eyes scanned the room once more, and Axton tensed.
"The boy responsible for this act will be suspended immediately. The investigation will continue, but there is no doubt about his guilt. His actions are intolerable, and he will face the consequences. Rest assured, this will not be swept under the rug." Salazar's voice dropped, filled with a menacing finality.
Axton's heart pounded in his chest. The boy who had tried to assault the girl—the one Axton had beaten—was the one facing suspension. He couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction, though the guilt lingered, gnawing at him. He'd stopped something terrible from happening, but had he crossed a line?
Salazar paused for a moment, allowing the weight of the situation to sink in. "However, this is not just a matter of punishment. There is another issue we must deal with."
Axton's mind raced as he tried to follow the conversation. Something didn't feel right, but Salazar's words broke through his thoughts.
"In light of this incident, I am announcing a grand test. In a few days, there will be a tournament to select students who will move on to a more rigorous trial, one that will test not only your combat abilities but your resolve. Only the strongest will be chosen. Prepare yourselves. The tournament will determine who moves on."
Axton's eyes narrowed. This was bigger than he'd expected. And the pressure was already starting to mount.
"As for the girl," Salazar continued, his voice colder now, "she is not at fault here. We've made sure she is safe, and the boy will face the consequences. But we must be cautious. I want you all to remember: you are here to learn, but you are also here to grow in ways that will challenge you beyond what you expect."
Axton's thoughts whirled. The tournament. The grand test. Everything was about to get much more intense. And Axton wasn't sure if he was ready for what was coming next.
That night, after the tournament announcement weighed heavily on his mind, Axton sat on his bed, staring at the glowing holographic interface hovering before him. The system's notifications blinked softly, a familiar but somehow ominous presence. Axton had been through a lot—physically and emotionally—but now it was time to take stock of his progress.
With a sigh, he opened his Status screen.
[Axton Backwoods - Status]
Level: 1
Rank: Novice
Points Available: 450
Attributes:
• Strength: 30 (Increased by 12)
• Agility: 30 (Increased by 12)
• Endurance: 29 (Increased by 12)
• Perception: 20 (Increased by 4)
• Dexterity: 22 (Increased by 5)
• Vitality: 22 (Increased by 6)
• Wisdom: 10 (Unlocked, as per reward)
• Intelligence: 20 (Increased by 2)
• Charm: Locked
• Mana: Locked
• Control: 6 (Increased from 4 to 6, as per reward)
• Lightning Power:
• Lightning Affinity: 30% (Level 2)
• Lightning Mastery: Level 2
• Lightning Resistance: 5%
Skills:
• Lightning Spark – Level 2
• Active Skill
• 5 Uses Today
• A quick burst of lightning that shocks and incapacitates enemies.
• Effect: Increased damage by 25%
• Lightning Dash – Level 2
• Active Skill
• 2 Uses Today
• Allows the user to dash at high speeds while surrounded by lightning.
• Effect: Enhanced movement speed, faster recharge time.
• Silent Step
• Active Skill
• 1 Use Today
• Allows the user to move silently, with no footsteps.
[Status]
• Name: Axton Backwoods
• Level: 1
• Rank: Novice
Points: 450
Attributes:
• Strength: 30 (Increased by 12)
• Agility: 30 (Increased by 12)
• Endurance: 29 (Increased by 12)
• Perception: 20 (Increased by 4)
• Dexterity: 22 (Increased by 5)
• Vitality: 22 (Increased by 6)
• Wisdom: 10 (Unlocked, as per reward)
• Intelligence: 20 (Increased by 2)
• Charm: Locked
• Mana: Locked
• Control: 6 (Increased from 4 to 6, as per reward)
Specialized Stats:
• Lightning Mastery: Level 2
• Increase Lightning Damage by 25%
• Unlock new skill: Thunderclap
• Activate the Storm's Eye
• Bonus: Lightning Resistance +5%
• Lightning Affinity: 30% (Increased from 5% to 30% due to Path of the Bloodline quest)
Skills:
1. Lightning Spark – Level 2
• Active Skill
• Increased Lightning Damage by 15% (Upgraded)
• 4 Uses Today
• Basic lightning ability to shock and incapacitate foes with a burst of electricity.
• Effective for disabling opponents for a short duration.
2. Lightning Dash – Level 2
• Active Skill
• Increased Speed Boost by 20% (Upgraded)
• 2 Uses Today
• Allows rapid movement in a short distance, leaving a trail of lightning that damages enemies.
3. Silent Step – Level 1
• Passive Skill
• Reduces sound produced during movement, allowing stealthier approaches.
4. Thunderclap – Level 1
• Active Skill
• Creates a shockwave of electricity in the area around the target, stunning nearby enemies.
5. Storm's Eye – Level 1
• Passive Skill
• Increases reaction time and control during lightning-based abilities, improving evasion and attack precision.
Notes:
• Lightning Affinity was boosted to 30% after the completion of the Path of the Bloodline - Step 1 quest. This affects Axton's overall control and damage with lightning-based abilities.
• Lightning Spark and Lightning Dash have both leveled up from Level 1 to Level 2, improving their effectiveness and usability.
Axton studied the stats for a moment, reflecting on the progress he had made. His Lightning Affinity was now at 30%, and with that came a newfound sense of control. The connection he felt to the lightning coursing through him was deeper than ever. His Lightning Mastery had increased, and Lightning Spark and Lightning Dash were becoming more potent. But he couldn't help but wonder about the full potential of his abilities, and the strange feeling that came with unlocking Wisdom.
Lightning Power
• Lightning Power: This represented the strength and potential of Axton's lightning abilities. With each new level, his powers grew, unlocking stronger abilities and higher damage. But his Lightning Affinity was equally as important.
• Lightning Affinity: Axton's connection to the lightning element. The higher it went, the more he could harness and control the lightning. A higher Affinity meant his skills would be more precise and efficient, requiring less strain and offering greater effectiveness.
• Lightning Affinity 30%: At this level, Axton was significantly more in tune with lightning, unlocking new powers and improving his Lightning Mastery. His abilities would now feel smoother, more instinctive, and he'd experience far less strain when using them.
Axton sighed, letting the weight of his progress sink in. With Wisdom unlocked, he felt a strange calmness he hadn't experienced before. It was as if his understanding of his powers—and maybe even of himself—had evolved. The future seemed clearer, yet the unknown still lurked in the shadows.
But as he stared at his stats, a new question gnawed at the back of his mind. The tournament was coming. What kind of challenges would await him, and how far could he push himself before his hidden powers were exposed?
Axton clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. The grand test was nearing, and it would test everything—his physical limits, his resolve, and perhaps even his future.