Chapter 17: The Trial of the Unranked – Blood in the Arena
The moment the trial began, chaos erupted.
The arena, once a grand plaza, had transformed into a battlefield of desperation.
Unranked students fought like cornered animals, each one trying to claw their way into recognition. The sounds of clashing weapons, shattering bones, and screams of pain filled the air as warriors scrambled to prove their worth.
Leon stood still for a moment, observing.
This wasn't a structured duel.
This was a slaughter.
Elaris, the Headmistress, watched from the elevated stands, her violet eyes gleaming with amusement. To her, this wasn't about fairness or talent.
It was about survival.
Leon exhaled slowly.
Fine. If they wanted a battle, they would get one.
But on his terms.
The First Strike – Establishing Dominance
A figure rushed toward Leon, his blade gleaming with abyssal energy. He was fast, his movements sharp—trained.
But he wasn't faster than Supreme Instinct.
Leon sidestepped at the last moment, twisting around and driving his elbow into the attacker's gut. The man gasped, his eyes bulging as the air was forced from his lungs.
Leon didn't stop.
His foot swept the man's legs from under him, and before his opponent could react—Leon's fist slammed into his jaw.
The student crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
The nearest combatants hesitated.
They had just witnessed something terrifying.
Leon had taken down a trained fighter in seconds.
And he hadn't even drawn a weapon.
He turned his gaze toward the others.
"Who's next?"
A moment of hesitation passed. Then, the wolves lunged.
The War of the Unranked – Blood in the Sand
Leon's body moved on instinct.
A spear thrust came from his left—he twisted, catching the shaft and snapping it in half with his knee.
Another opponent lunged from behind—Leon ducked low, spinning with a sweeping kick that sent them sprawling.
A third student, larger than the others, came at him with brute strength, swinging a massive war hammer. Leon stepped into the attack, grabbing the man's wrist and redirecting the force over his shoulder. The brute crashed to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the dirt.
Within minutes, Leon had taken down five combatants.
And now—the others were watching him.
The weak had been culled. The ones still standing were the true contenders.
Leon exhaled.
Finally.
The First Real Challenger – A Ranked Student Steps In
A slow clap echoed through the arena.
The chaos stilled as a figure approached.
He was tall, his armor polished, his movements precise. A ranked student.
One of the top twenty.
His name appeared on the Ranking Pillar, glowing faintly with power.
Rank #18 – Kaelion the Crimson Fang
Kaelion stopped a few feet from Leon, his crimson eyes narrowing. "You're interesting. No technique, no weapon, and yet you've dropped half the field."
Leon rolled his shoulders. "Are you here to talk or fight?"
Kaelion smirked. "Let's see if you deserve to stand among us."
He drew his blade.
The crowd tensed.
Leon smiled.
Finally.
A real challenge.
Leon vs. Kaelion – The First Ranked Duel
Kaelion didn't waste time.
He lunged with speed far beyond the other challengers, his blade cutting through the air with precision.
Leon barely had time to dodge. The sword grazed past his ribs, a shallow cut opening on his side.
Leon's mind sharpened.
Kaelion wasn't just fast. He was experienced.
No wasted movements. No hesitation. He was used to fighting to kill.
Leon exhaled.
Then I'll just have to be faster.
Kaelion lunged again, his blade flashing.
Leon read the movement before it happened.
He ducked low—slipping inside Kaelion's guard.
And punched him in the ribs.
Kaelion grunted, stumbling back, but Leon didn't let up. He twisted, delivering a spinning kick to the side of Kaelion's knee.
The ranked student staggered, his balance faltering.
Leon's Supreme Instinct was evolving mid-fight.
He could see Kaelion's weaknesses.
The slight hesitation before an overhead strike.The unnecessary shift in weight before a feint.The overcommitment in his stance.
Leon could see it all.
And he would exploit it.
Kaelion gritted his teeth, straightening. "You're better than I thought."
Leon tilted his head. "You're slower than I expected."
The crowd murmured.
Kaelion's expression darkened. "Then let's fix that."
Kaelion's True Strength – Awakening the Abyssal Art
Kaelion raised his sword, and the air around him shifted.
A pulse of dark energy surged through his weapon, the abyssal engravings along the blade glowing with crimson runes.
Leon felt it immediately.
Abyssal Arts.
A power unique to the Academy's strongest students.
Kaelion's aura surged, his stance deepening. His previous attacks had been testing the waters.
Now, he was fighting seriously.
Leon grinned.
Finally.
The Second Round Begins – Supreme vs. Abyssal Power
Kaelion vanished.
Leon's Supreme Instinct screamed in warning.
He twisted just in time as Kaelion's sword slashed downward, splitting the ground where he had stood a second ago.
Leon countered—his fist snapping forward—
But Kaelion predicted it.
He shifted, catching Leon's wrist and twisting. Leon barely managed to break free before a second strike ripped toward his neck.
He ducked—rolling beneath the attack.
Kaelion was fast. Faster than before.
But Leon was learning.
With every second, his Supreme Instinct adapted.
And then—he saw the opening.
Kaelion overextended on a thrust.
Leon stepped inside his guard.
His fist shot up—slamming into Kaelion's chin.
Kaelion staggered, his sword slipping from his grasp.
Leon didn't stop.
He grabbed Kaelion by the collar—and threw him across the arena.
The ranked student hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop.
Silence.
Then—Kaelion groaned, his hands trembling as he tried to rise.
But he couldn't.
He had lost.
Leon exhaled.
And the Ranking Pillar shifted.
A new name appeared among the ranked.
Rank #18 – Leon Valeheart
Aftermath – A New Contender Rises
The Headmistress smirked.
"He's going to be interesting."
The ranked students in the stands murmured among themselves.
Leon had proven himself in a single battle.
But this was only the beginning.
The Three Tyrants were watching now.
And soon—they would come for him.
Meanwhile… Celeste's Path to the Abyss
Celeste wiped the blood from her cheek, her breath heavy.
She had defeated her first enemy.
But the portal to the Abyss was still far.
And someone was waiting for her.
"You want to enter the Abyss?" a voice called.
She turned.
A figure emerged from the shadows, his aura suffocating.
"You'll have to go through me first."
Celeste's eyes hardened.
"Then I hope you're ready."
Because she wasn't stopping for anyone.