Chapter 18: The Duel’s Challenge

The days leading up to the duel competition passed in a blur of whispered conversations, hurried preparations, and the occasional glance toward Var-Nyx. The competition had already become the talk of the academy, and the atmosphere was charged with both excitement and apprehension. Every student, regardless of their background, knew that the duel would be a test not only of skill but of influence, status, and ambition.

Var-Nyx had deliberately kept to himself, but even in his isolation, the pressure was mounting. His classmates had begun to size him up—some dismissing him as unremarkable, others eyeing him with quiet suspicion. His decision to perform averagely during the entrance exam had only added to the mystery. It was clear that many were expecting more from him, but so far, he had not given them a reason to believe he was anything but a regular student.

Kael, as always, was a presence in the background, watching. The interactions between them were few but charged with unspoken tension. Kael seemed to be enjoying the game, silently prodding Var-Nyx without offering any tangible advice. It was clear that Kael was playing his own game, and Var-Nyx was simply another pawn in his grand design.

Then, there was Jehnic. Lord Jehnic. The enigmatic, powerful alumni who had stirred both awe and fear in the hearts of the students. He had never been present at the academy since his graduation, but his reputation loomed large. The thought of facing him—either as an ally or an adversary—was a constant undercurrent of anxiety for Var-Nyx. Jehnic's casual announcement of the duel competition had carried a weight that none of the students could ignore. It was as if the competition had been designed to force them to reveal their true selves, to prove their worth or perish in the attempt.

As the day of the duel competition approached, Var-Nyx found himself alone in his dorm room, staring at the small mirror on the wall. The reflection staring back at him was one of a boy with too many secrets, too many risks to take, and too few answers to his own future. The battle he would fight would not just be one of magic; it would be a test of strategy, alliances, and, most importantly, survival.

The arena was set—a massive outdoor space, surrounded by high stone walls, with a wide, flat platform in the center. It was here that the first-year students would face off in the duels. A large crowd of students, faculty, and even some alumni gathered to witness the spectacle. The air was thick with anticipation, and Var-Nyx could feel the eyes of the academy on him as he entered the arena. His heart pounded, but he kept his expression neutral. There was no turning back now.

He had already been assigned an opponent. His name was Calev, a tall, broad-shouldered student from one of the noble families. Calev was known for his brute strength and mastery over earth magic, and it was said that he could cause the very ground beneath his feet to tremble with just a thought. To most, Calev was an easy favorite for the duel, his power an obvious advantage. But Var-Nyx wasn't most students.

As the crowd hushed, the announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "The first duel of the competition will feature Calev from House Arandel versus Var-Nyx, the quiet but mysterious first-year. Let the duel begin!"

Calev stepped onto the platform, his expression a mixture of confidence and arrogance. He cracked his knuckles, his large hands flexing as he prepared to summon the earth beneath him. Var-Nyx, however, stood still, his posture calm, his expression unreadable. He didn't need to show fear. He didn't need to show anything.

The moment the signal was given, Calev raised his hand, and the ground beneath him rumbled. The earth split open as if obeying his command, forming jagged spikes that shot up toward Var-Nyx. The crowd gasped in unison as the massive spikes of earth sped toward him.

Var-Nyx barely moved.

With a casual flick of his wrist, a thin layer of water began to swirl around him, forming a protective shield. The earth spikes collided with the water barrier, the force of the impact sending splashes in all directions. The crowd fell silent in shock as the barrier held strong.

Calev's eyes narrowed. "Water magic, huh? You're not as weak as you look," he muttered. Then, with a grunt, he slammed his fist into the ground again, sending a shockwave that rippled across the arena. The earth beneath Var-Nyx cracked and shifted, threatening to swallow him whole.

Var-Nyx remained calm. He didn't need to show his true power—just enough to win the duel without drawing attention to himself.

He stepped back lightly, his movements smooth and fluid, as the earth rose up in front of him. With another flick of his wrist, the water shield expanded, enveloping the rocky spikes and dissolving them into harmless streams. Then, Var-Nyx raised his hand, sending a torrent of water straight toward Calev.

The noble student was unprepared. He tried to raise another wall of earth, but the water flowed around it, slamming into his chest with a force that knocked him back several feet. He staggered, looking up in shock as Var-Nyx stood poised and unshaken.

Calev's arrogance faltered for a moment, but his pride quickly took over. "You're good, I'll give you that," he said, panting. "But it's not over."

Calev clenched his fists, summoning the earth beneath him once more, but this time, he combined his earth magic with fire, creating molten rocks that he hurled at Var-Nyx. The rocks flew through the air, burning with intense heat.

Var-Nyx's eyes narrowed. This was the moment. He couldn't just hide forever. With a deep breath, he called upon the power that lay dormant within him.

A brilliant flash of light erupted from his hand, and for a split second, the entire arena was bathed in blinding light. When it cleared, the molten rocks were frozen in mid-air, suspended by an invisible force.

Calev stared, his jaw dropping in disbelief as Var-Nyx held his hand outstretched. A faint shimmer of ice covered the rocks before they fell harmlessly to the ground.

"I don't need to prove anything to you," Var-Nyx said quietly, his voice steady but cutting through the tension. "But I'll take this victory."

Calev's arrogance shattered. He was defeated—not just by magic, but by Var-Nyx's controlled, quiet strength. The crowd erupted into murmurs, some impressed by the display of power, others uneasy about the implications.

As Var-Nyx stood victorious, he caught sight of Kael in the stands. The corner of Kael's mouth twitched, an unreadable look in his eyes.

This was only the beginning.