Chapter 5: Revenge

Colby felt an inexplicable chill wash over him as he faced the imposing figure of Xavier York, who had emerged from the throng of spectators like a specter from a forgotten past. The atmosphere was heavy, charged with an ominous energy that permeated the air.

Colby dropped to one knee, instinctively attempting to quell the wave of dread rising within him. "I'm sorry, I don't know you," he muttered, his voice steady yet laced with uncertainty. "I'm not sure how I offended you. The last time we checked, she only had one illegitimate son."

Before he could finish, Xavier thrust his arm into the air, cutting through Colby's words with the fervor of a tempest. "I am Xavier York, and your death will be at my hands today!"

His declaration echoed throughout the arena, drawing the attention of all present. Colby felt his heart race as recognition flickered within him—Xavier, once a frail and timid boy, had transformed into something formidable.

With an indomitable grin, Colby pushed back against the mounting fear, conjuring his own aura to counter Xavier's overwhelming presence.

A shimmering light enveloped him, illuminating the ground as he unleashed his eighth-grade spiritual aura. Gasps resonated through the crowd, admiration for his display skirting the edges of their inhibitions.

Yet the moment was fleeting. Xavier, undeterred, unleashed his own aura—a dark and potent wave that swept over the crowd like a stifling fog. The energy was suffocating, and silence fell as spectators recoiled from the ferocity emanating from the young man before them.

Only a handful could discern the magnitude of his power; an elder from the esteemed Alexander clan gasped in disbelief. "I can't believe it," he yelled, incredulity dripping from his words. "He is a fifth-ranked Noble! This is unheard of for a seventeen-year-old to achieve."

The air thickened as Headmaster Dean, usually the paragon of composure, paled upon realizing the gravity of the situation.

The knowledge of what was to come weighed heavily upon him. "This match cannot proceed without precautions," he thought, sending a telepathic warning to his son, urging him to utilize the Sun Pill that could bolster his already formidable strength.

The rapport within the crowd turned tense, eyes shifting between the two young men, captivated by the imminent clash.

With a steadying breath, Headmaster Dean rose to address the audience that buzzed with anticipation. "Let the fight commence!" his voice rang out, authoritative yet tinged with apprehension.

The ground beneath them vibrated as both boys prepared to engage, eyes locked in a fierce contest of will. Colby, from his experience, knew the stakes had escalated. In this arena, pride and power clashed, creating a maelstrom of ambition intermingled with vengeance.

He could see in Xavier's eyes a depth of resolve honed by the trials of neglect and adversity—the impetus that had propelled him beyond the projected limitations of their age.

The moment stretched, unyielding in its intensity, as both combatants sprang into motion.

Colby charged forward, the brilliance of his aura lighting up the darkened air, weaving intricate patterns as he sought to dominate the battlefield. But Xavier countered with fluid grace, his strength far surpassing what Colby had once known. A flashing strike—a mere instinct—left Colby barely evading Xavier's powerful blows.

Every clash of their energies generated ripples of raw power that resonated beyond the mere physical; they reverberated through the very essence of their spirits, the culmination of their pasts entwining in a dance of fate. Each exchange revealed glimpses of the boys they had been, the rivalries they had built, and the burdens they carried.

But this was not merely a fight for supremacy; it stood as a testament to their journeys, their struggles, and their indomitable spirits.

In the end, as the dust began to settle, the crowd remained silent, holding their collective breath.

Who would emerge triumphant from the abyss of shadows? The resolution would come not just from power, but from the very souls fighting to be recognized beyond their grim histories. As the resonance of their auras faded into the ether, the outcome would transcend victory; it would be a reckoning in the name of growth, the haunt of memories finally put to rest.

The air crackled with raw energy as Xavier's voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "I was going to take it easy on you and let you surrender like the dog you are, but how your family attacked my mother is unacceptable and punishable by death."

As he finished speaking, his eyes narrowed with a cold fury that was felt by everyone in the arena. In one fluid motion, Xavier shifted his stance, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. The tension in his muscles was palpable as he prepared to unleash the power of his signature technique.

"Infernal Blade of Enlightenment, First Form!"

The words seemed to ignite the very air around him. A massive surge of blue flames erupted from his sword, roaring like a dragon unleashed.

The flames were alive with ancient power, crackling with enough intensity to scorch the very ground beneath him. They rushed toward Colby with unstoppable force, a flood of infernal fire that seemed to warp the space around it.

Colby, battered and bleeding, stood firm in the face of the incoming attack.

The Sun Pill had granted him a surge of power, but it wasn't enough to match the overwhelming might of Xavier's assault. The flames were so intense that they lit up the entire arena, casting an eerie, blue glow on the faces of the stunned spectators.

Despite knowing the odds, Colby gritted his teeth and shouted with all the strength he could muster, "Sunlight Beam, Second Form!"

In an instant, a brilliant beam of golden light erupted from Colby's palm, rushing toward the oncoming wave of blue flames. The two forces collided with a deafening explosion, a shockwave that rattled the very foundations of the arena.

The crowd watched in awe as the battle between light and fire raged in a spectacular clash of raw power. But it wasn't enough. Colby's beam struggled against the overwhelming intensity of Xavier's flames.

The infernal fire began to consume the golden light, pushing forward with a terrifying relentlessness. The heat was unbearable, and Colby's body began to crack under the pressure, his skin scorched, his muscles screaming in protest.

With one final, desperate scream, Colby tried to hold his ground, but the flames were unstoppable.

The infernal blade of enlightenment engulfed him entirely, turning his body to ash in an instant. The once-proud fighter was gone, reduced to nothing but a memory in the wake of Xavier's unyielding wrath.

The arena fell into a stunned silence. Not even the slightest whisper of wind could be heard as the crowd processed what had just unfolded before their eyes. Colby, the heir to the Reyes family's legacy, was no more. All that remained was the lingering echo of Xavier's battle cry and the fading scent of burning ash.

Xavier stood amidst the ruins of his victory, his expression impassive. The flames that had consumed his enemy now flickered out, leaving only the remains of Colby's existence scattered on the ground.

He sheathed his sword, the motion smooth and practiced, as the weight of his actions settled over him.

"Justice has been served," Xavier said coldly, his voice carrying through the silence. He turned away, leaving behind the shattered remnants of the Reyes family and the hushed whispers of the crowd.

The headmaster, watching from the sidelines, felt his heart sink into his stomach. His son was gone, and there was nothing left but the bitter taste of defeat.

The arena remained still, a palpable tension hanging in the air. Xavier stood, sword sheathed, as the crowd struggled to process the carnage.

The charred remains of Colby, reduced to ash by the destructive force of Xavier's attack, lay scattered at his feet. The energy from the clash still buzzed in the atmosphere, a testament to the power that had just been unleashed.

Xavier's gaze, cold and unwavering, swept over the silent crowd. His words had been final, and his actions even more so. No one dared move or speak; the air was thick with shock and disbelief. Xavier's eyes never wavered as he turned to face the headmaster, who stood frozen, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and regret.

The headmaster, a man of high status, had seen countless battles, but nothing like this. His son, once a proud and ambitious young man, had been reduced to nothing in an instant.

The grudge between their families had reached its tragic, bloody end. His heart twisted with a bitter mix of pride and sorrow, knowing that his family's honor had cost Colby his life.

Xavier took a step forward, his voice steady but laced with an icy fury. "Your family thought they could play games with mine, but the consequences are always far greater than you can anticipate."

There was no response from the headmaster. He was lost in his own thoughts, caught between his duty and the brutal reality unfolding before him.

Xavier turned his back on the remains of Colby, his expression hardening even further.

He'd made his point—he had avenged his mother, and now, the weight of his actions would follow him. Whether the headmaster would seek retribution or whether he would retreat into silence, Xavier knew that this would forever alter the course of both families' legacies.

The silence in the arena dragged on, but Xavier's footsteps were resolute as he made his way to the exit, leaving behind the shattered remnants of the Reyes family's pride.

The arena was still in stunned silence when a voice suddenly shattered the tension.

"Wait!" Headmaster Dean called out, his tone furious and full of defiance.

His words rang through the air, sharp and heavy with grief. "Though I can't challenge you, my older son who's in the Vice-land Academy can!"

Before anyone could process the implication, an immense burst of radiant light erupted across the arena. It was so blinding that the entire crowd had to shield their eyes, squinting against the intensity.

Within the blink of an eye, a figure appeared in front of Xavier—tall, imposing, with an aura of undeniable authority. The figure was draped in golden armor, his hair glowing like a halo, a warrior forged from the very essence of the sun.

He waved a finger at Xavier, a mocking smile curling on his lips. "You may have slain my son, but the Reyes family will get the last laugh," Headmaster Dean declared, his voice booming with a quiet menace.

Xavier's eyes narrowed as the aura of power surrounding the Luminary Academy's headmaster was undeniable. The light itself seemed to bow to him, and the weight of the challenge he now faced settled in his chest.

This was no ordinary foe; this was someone who had been chosen by the vice-land Academy, a man of immense skill, and an heir to the legendary Reyes family legacy.

The crowd watched with bated breath, torn between the tragic loss of Colby and the shocking arrival of this new champion. Dean, standing at the edge of the arena, his face a mask of both anger and despair, could barely contain his emotions.

His son was dead, his pride shattered. But now, with the arrival of this formidable older brother, there was a new glimmer of hope in his eyes. If this new warrior could defeat Xavier, then perhaps there was still a chance to avenge Colby and restore the Reyes family's honor.

However, for Xavier, the weight of the crowd's expectations and the legacy of the Reyes family was nothing more than a fleeting distraction. His expression remained stoic, and the power in his eyes burned even brighter.

He had already proven himself on the battlefield—slaying Colby with little effort—but this new opponent was no mere bystander. The Academy's champion, and the last hope of the Reyes family, was here to settle things.

But as the light around him shimmered, and the two warriors stood poised, the air grew heavy with an almost surreal tension. The crowd was caught between sympathy for Xavier—who had just obliterated the Reyes heir—and pity for headmaster Dean, who had just witnessed the fall of his son, a man once heralded as the greatest warrior of the century. Now, that title seemed to belong to Xavier by default.