The aftermath of the fight left the training arena in complete silence.
Draven stood in the center, his breathing heavy, his body aching, but his mind clear. He had won.
Vaelion Draxis lay unconscious on the floor, his body twitching slightly from the overuse of his ability. A Level 4 trainee had been beaten by a Level 1.
> [QUEST COMPLETED: PROVE THEM WRONG]
Reward: 'Abilities' Tab Unlocked.]
Draven's eyes widened as the system's notification appeared.
A new option had emerged within his interface—a dark, pulsating tab labeled 'Abilities.'
His heart pounded with anticipation.
What did this mean?
"Draven Xyros."
Kaelthorne's voice snapped him back to reality. The commander walked forward, his gaze sharp.
"Sir," Draven said, forcing himself to stand straight despite the pain.
Kaelthorne studied him for a moment before smirking. "You just made things very interesting."
Murmurs spread across the trainees. Some whispered in shock, others in resentment. How had a nobody defeated Vaelion Draxis?
Ryce and Renzo exchanged excited glances, while Ceylin nodded in approval.
But Zyrek Faeron, the academy's most ruthless trainee, looked unimpressed. He scoffed and turned away, already losing interest.
Kaelthorne finally spoke. "You're dismissed. Report to the med bay."
Draven nodded, walking out of the arena, his mind already focused on something else.
The new ability he had just unlocked.
Back in his dorm room, Draven wasted no time.
He opened the system interface and selected the new 'Abilities' tab.
> [ABILITIES MENU UNLOCKED]
You have unlocked your first Demon Ability.
The screen shifted, revealing a glowing symbol surrounded by flickering black flames.
> [ABILITY AWAKENED: HELLFIRE MANIPULATION (Lv. 1)]
Description: Harness the cursed flames of the abyss. These flames do not burn flesh—they burn the soul.
Draven's breath hitched.
He could control fire? No… this was something more.
> [System Note: Hellfire is fueled by the emotions of its wielder. The stronger the will, the stronger the flames.]
A surge of power flowed through him. His hands trembled as he instinctively focused.
Black flames flickered at his fingertips.
The heat was nonexistent—but an unsettling pressure filled the air. It was unlike anything he had ever felt.
He clenched his fists, extinguishing the flames.
This power… it was only the beginning.
The next day, whispers followed Draven wherever he walked.
Trainees eyed him differently—some with curiosity, others with hostility.
Vaelion hadn't shown up since the fight. His pride had taken a massive hit.
As Draven walked toward the training grounds, a voice stopped him.
"You think you're something special, don't you?"
Draven turned to see Zyrek Faeron leaning against the wall, arms crossed.
His presence alone was suffocating. His cold, calculating eyes bore into Draven.
"I don't care what trick you pulled yesterday," Zyrek said. "It won't work on me."
Draven narrowed his eyes. "Then I guess we'll find out, won't we?"
A smirk played on Zyrek's lips. "Try not to disappoint me."
With that, he walked away, leaving Draven with a new realization.
He had just made his first real rival.
And Zyrek Faeron was far more dangerous than Vaelion Draxis.