Chapter Three: The First Cut

The dueling floor gleamed like obsidian beneath Selene's boots—wide, circular, rimmed with glowing runes that pulsed as students took their places around the perimeter. Magic crackled in the air, thick and charged, humming beneath their feet like a living thing.

Blackthorn Academy felt alive with anticipation, the energy electric as it absorbed the tension in the room.

As Selene stood at the center, her heart raced, each beat a reminder of the stakes. Students gathered around, their eyes glimmering with a mix of curiosity and hunger. The air smelled of sweat and blood, mingled with the faint scent of burning candles—a heady mix that made her senses sharper.

Selene could feel their collective gaze—predatory, expectant—as they sized her up, a new arrival in their dangerous game. They all wanted to see if the pureblood could hold her own against the strongest of the half-bloods.

"Fight!" the professor commanded, voice low and authoritative.

At that moment, Lilith Merrow stepped forward, her posture exuding confidence. Long, blood-red curls framed her face, and her eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. She conjured a long, elegant whip of silver chain that shimmered with arcane symbols—serpentine and deadly.

"I hope you're as legendary as the whispers say, Raventhorn. I've always wanted to break a myth," Lilith taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.

Selene didn't respond, focusing instead on the rhythm of her own breath. She reached behind her back and summoned a slender, crescent-bladed dagger that glowed faintly with a pale blue aura. It felt good in her hand—lightweight, perfectly balanced, ancient.

The tension in the room thickened as the students leaned forward, eager for the first strike.

"Begin!" the professor declared.

Lilith moved first, fast and precise. The silver chain snapped through the air toward Selene's head, a blur of lethal motion. Selene dodged, barely shifting her stance as the chain sliced through the space where her neck had been, the air thrumming with energy.

She struck back immediately—low, sharp, controlled. Her dagger slashed toward Lilith's side, but the other girl danced back with vampiric speed, the chain swirling protectively around her like a coiled serpent.

Gasps echoed from the watching students, some holding their breath, others leaning in closer, whispering amongst themselves. Selene could hear snippets of their conversations, their thoughts like a cacophony swirling in her mind.

"Did you see that?"

"She's going to lose."

"Purebloods don't belong here."

Another strike. Another dodge.

Lilith was skilled—Selene gave her that. Her form was flawless, her speed refined. But she was predictable. She was playing for the crowd, moving with flash, not purpose.

Selene fought like a ghost.

Silent. Efficient. Focused.

She ducked low, rolled beneath a whip arc, and came up behind Lilith, blade aimed for the girl's exposed flank. Lilith twisted just in time, parrying with a spark of enchanted steel. The clash of magic on magic sent ripples across the warded arena.

"You're holding back," Lilith snarled, frustration seeping into her voice.

Selene's eyes glinted. "So are you."

Lilith's fury flared. She leapt into the air, spinning the chain like a cyclone, magic surging through every link. It lashed out in a wide arc—fast, brutal, blinding.

Selene didn't move.

For a split second, the world seemed to still.

Then she stepped into the strike, blade flashing upward—not to block, but to redirect. The chain slid across her dagger's edge, harmlessly veering off course.

A single movement.

A perfect counter.

She stepped in close before Lilith could recover, driving her blade toward the girl's throat with a precision that sent gasps through the crowd.

"Yield," Selene said calmly.

Lilith's breath hitched, her eyes widening in disbelief, humiliation crawling across her cheeks like wildfire.

But she didn't move.

The professor's voice echoed through the room. "Duel over."

The glow around the ring faded. Students whispered, stunned into silence, uncertainty hanging in the air.

Selene lowered her blade, stepping back with controlled grace, but not before she caught a glimpse of Aurelian's expression from across the room. He leaned casually against a stone column, that haunting smile still on his lips.

Matthew's presence flickered at the edge of her vision, concern etched on his face. "That was bold," he said, his voice low as he approached.

Lilith stepped back, trembling with fury as she regained her composure. "This isn't over, Raventhorn," she hissed, eyes burning with resentment.

"It never is," Selene replied coolly, her heart steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

As she turned away, she felt the weight of every student's gaze. They were watching her differently now. No longer just curious or condescending—now there was a mix of fear, respect, and perhaps a touch of envy.

The bell signaling the end of the period rang, shattering the tension. Students began to disperse, murmuring among themselves, some congratulating her, others simply moving past with averted eyes.

"Impressive," Matthew said, falling into step beside her as they walked out of the classroom. "But don't expect Lilith to back down. She'll want revenge."

Selene shrugged, the thrill of the duel still buzzing through her. "Let her try."

Matthew studied her with a mix of admiration and caution. "You're going to make enemies quickly. You should be careful."

"I've survived worse," she replied, a challenge lacing her words.

"Worse than being surrounded by predators? Surrounded by others who want your blood?" He raised an eyebrow, half-smirking.

"Let them come," she said, voice steady. "I'm not afraid of them. Or you."

His smirk faded slightly, and Selene caught a flicker of something in his gaze—respect? Intrigue? Maybe a hint of something deeper.

They stepped into the next corridor, a little quieter now, the shadows deepening around them. A knot of students gathered around Aurelian, who appeared to be entertaining them with dark tales of battles fought and blood spilled. His presence was magnetic, and Selene could see the way others were drawn to him, their eyes wide with curiosity and admiration.

As they passed, Selene felt a flicker of unease. She was already an outsider, and now she was a target for both admiration and hatred.

"Stay away from him," Matthew said suddenly, breaking her reverie.

"Why? Because he's charming?"

"Because he's dangerous," Matthew replied. "Aurelian's the kind of vampire who collects secrets and uses them as weapons. He doesn't play games—he plays for keeps."

Selene rolled her eyes. "As if I'm not dangerous myself."

Matthew looked at her, a challenge sparking between them. "You're new here. You don't know what you're dealing with."

"I can handle myself, Duskbane. I've fought my whole life."

"Then you should know that the game is different here. It's not just survival—it's about strategy, about knowing when to strike and when to retreat."

Selene paused, searching his expression. Beneath the arrogance and the façade of nonchalance, there was genuine concern. And perhaps a hint of admiration for her tenacity.

"Then let's see how well I can play," she said, determination surging within her.

Matthew studied her for a moment longer, then nodded, a slight smile breaking through. "Good. I'd hate to see a pureblood go soft."

As they continued down the corridor, Selene felt the weight of the academy shift around her—less like a cage and more like a stage. She was ready to carve her name into the dark stone of Blackthorn.

And somewhere in the shadows, she sensed that Aurelian was watching, waiting for her next move.