Chapter 25: Leon vs. Nyssa – A Battle of Hunger and Power

The Grand Arena trembled under the weight of anticipation. Thousands of students had gathered, eager to witness the duel that would determine the true Rank #2 of the Abyssal Academy.

Nyssa the Devourer stood motionless across from Leon, her dark robes flowing unnaturally in the windless air.

Her eyes—crimson orbs filled with infinite hunger—locked onto him.

Leon rolled his shoulders, smirking. "Let's get this over with."

Nyssa licked her lips. "Don't worry. It won't take long."

Then—the match began.

The First Exchange – Testing the Waters

Nyssa moved first.

Leon saw the attack coming—the flicker of motion, the subtle shift in her stance.

But his instincts screamed too late.

She wasn't just fast.

She was already behind him.

A chill ran down Leon's spine as Nyssa's fingers brushed against his shoulder.

[Selene]: "Warning! Energy drain detected! Supreme Path resistance activating!"

Leon twisted away, barely avoiding the full impact—but a sharp pain shot through his arm. His strength weakened for just a moment, his energy draining unnaturally.

Nyssa smirked. "Mmm. Not bad. But you taste even better than I expected."

Leon exhaled.

So that was it.

Her power wasn't just absorption—it was devouring.

The moment she touched an opponent, she drained their energy, making herself stronger while they weakened.

No wonder no one had lasted long against her.

Leon cracked his knuckles.

Then he'd just have to make sure she never touched him again.

The Counterattack – Supreme Speed vs. Abyssal Hunger

Nyssa lunged again, her fingers reaching for his throat.

Leon vanished.

Not in the way a normal person would move.

One second, he was there—the next, he was gone.

Nyssa's hand touched nothing but air.

A split second later—Leon's knee slammed into her ribs.

The impact sent her skidding backward, the arena shaking from the force.

The crowd erupted in shock.

Leon didn't stop.

He was already moving, his Supreme Instinct calculating every possible move she could make next.

His fist blurred toward her—but at the last second, Nyssa smiled.

"Too slow."

Her form flickered.

Leon's punch passed through an afterimage.

Before he could react—her hand grazed his wrist.

Pain.

A sharp, unnatural coldness spreading through his body.

[Selene]: "Warning! Abyssal Devourer Energy consumption rising! Strength reduced by 10%!"

Leon gritted his teeth and wrenched himself free before she could drain more.

Nyssa exhaled, stretching her fingers. "Mm. You're different from the others."

Leon smirked, shaking off the lingering numbness. "Thanks. But I still have places to be."

He vanished again.

The Battle Escalates – A Fight of Precision

This wasn't a fight of brute strength.

Nyssa had to touch him to win.

Leon had to make sure she never did.

The next exchange was a blur of speed and precision.

Leon struck first, a rapid combination of kicks and punches.

Nyssa weaved through them, barely avoiding impact.

The ground cracked beneath them as they clashed.

But the moment she tried to counterattack—Leon was already gone.

He was adapting.

Every second, he got faster.

Every failed strike from her was another lesson learned.

And then—he saw it.

A flaw.

Breaking the Devourer – The Supreme Path Strikes Back

Nyssa lunged again, fingers reaching—but her foot placement was off.

Too eager. Too forward.

Leon exploited it instantly.

He twisted mid-air, spinning into a devastating roundhouse kick.

His foot collided with Nyssa's ribs—but not just that.

[Selene]: "Activating Supreme Precision – Direct Impact Achieved!"

The attack broke through her Abyssal Resistance.

Nyssa gasped as she was sent flying across the arena, crashing into the stone floor with a loud crack.

The audience fell silent.

Leon landed, exhaling slowly.

Nyssa lay on the ground, clutching her ribs. Blood trickled from her lips.

For the first time since the fight began—her confident smirk was gone.

Leon tilted his head. "Still hungry?"

The End of the Battle – A New Rank Rises

Nyssa forced herself up, staggering slightly.

She wiped the blood from her mouth.

Then—she smiled.

"…You win."

The arena erupted.

Leon didn't move as the Ranking Pillar shifted.

Leon Valeheart – Rank #2.

Nyssa exhaled, stepping forward. "Velgrath's next, huh?"

Leon grinned. "Looks that way."

Nyssa studied him for a moment—then, she laughed.

"Good. I hope you beat him."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "That's a change of pace."

Nyssa smirked, turning away. "I just like seeing new things. And you? You're something new."

And with that—she was gone.

Meanwhile… Celeste's Next Challenge – Entering the Abyss Proper

Celeste stepped through the Abyssal Gate.

The moment she crossed the threshold, the entire realm shifted.

The Abyss wasn't just a place.

It was alive.

"You have entered the Abyssal Core."

Celeste exhaled.

She was one step closer to finding Leon.

But something was waiting for her.

She could feel it.

The darkness wasn't empty.

And she wasn't alone.

The Academy Shifts – The Tyrant Moves

Far above the arena, Velgrath watched the battle unfold.

His arms remained crossed. His face was unreadable.

But his aura?

It was burning.

Nyssa had fallen.

Leon had taken Rank #2.

Now, only Velgrath remained.

The Number One Tyrant.

He turned, his voice low, rumbling with fire.

"Prepare the arena."

His followers stiffened. "For what?"

Velgrath's eyes burned.

"For the final battle."