Chapter 21: The Supreme Leader’s Next Step – Shadows and Storms

The roar of the crowd still echoed in the arena, but Leon's mind was already elsewhere.

He had done it.

Defeating Darius the Shadow Fang had propelled him into the top three ranks of the Academy.

But this wasn't the end. It wasn't even the beginning of the end.

It was just another doorway.

Leon wiped the blood from his lip as he turned toward the stands. The Three Tyrants had been watching him.

Now, two remained above him.

Nyssa the Devourer – Rank #2, a woman known for devouring her enemies' energy and leaving nothing behind.Velgrath the Abyssal Flame – Rank #1, a warrior whose strength had remained undisputed for years.

Leon met Velgrath's gaze.

The man smirked. Unimpressed. Unconcerned.

Leon didn't care.

Because one day, he'd wipe that smirk off his face.

The Academy's Growing Interest – More Than Just a Fighter

After the match, Leon expected silence.

Instead, he was met with a storm.

The Phantom Dominion hadn't forgotten him.

That night, Leon returned to his quarters only to find a letter waiting for him.

A simple, black envelope.

No signature. No insignia.

Just three words.

"We are watching."

Leon smirked, tossing it aside. "Of course you are."

They weren't the only ones.

Because the Academy itself had taken notice.

The Headmistress's Summon – Elaris's Warning

The next morning, Leon was summoned.

Not by a challenger.

But by Headmistress Elaris herself.

The moment he entered her chamber, he felt the weight of her gaze.

Elaris sat behind a desk made of abyssal stone, her violet eyes calculating. A cup of steaming liquid rested beside her hand, untouched.

"You're causing problems," she said.

Leon shrugged. "I tend to do that."

Elaris sighed. "You're rising too fast. You think that's a good thing?"

Leon's golden eyes gleamed. "You tell me."

Elaris leaned forward. "You don't understand what you're getting into. The Academy isn't just a training ground. It's a battlefield. Every student here is connected to greater forces. Some answer to factions. Some answer to entire worlds. You? You answer to no one."

Leon smirked. "Sounds like a good thing to me."

Elaris exhaled. "Then let me put it another way—your rise is disrupting the balance. If you keep pushing, someone is going to push back. And when they do… it won't just be students challenging you. It'll be something worse."

Leon crossed his arms. "Are you telling me to stop?"

Elaris chuckled, shaking her head. "I wouldn't waste my breath. I'm telling you to prepare. Because the moment you challenge Velgrath… the real war begins."

Leon grinned.

"Then I'd better get stronger."

Meanwhile… Celeste vs. The Abyssal Guardian – The Final Gate

Far from the Academy, deep within the Abyss, Celeste stood in front of a colossal guardian.

A being of ancient darkness, clad in obsidian armor, its blade dripping with abyssal energy.

"You will not pass," it rumbled.

Celeste clenched her fists.

"I'm not asking for permission."

She lunged.

The abyss trembled as Celeste's battle reached its climax.

Leon's Next Step – The Invitation to the Inner Sanctum

Later that evening, another message arrived.

But this time—it wasn't a warning.

It was an invitation.

A scroll, sealed with golden wax.

The contents were simple:

"You have been granted entry to the Inner Sanctum. Welcome to the real Academy."

Leon's eyes narrowed.

The Inner Sanctum—a place only the strongest could enter. A world hidden within the Academy's core.

Whatever lay beyond those doors…

Would change everything.

Leon smirked.

"Let's see what they're hiding."