Duel of Pride
Chapter 8 — Duel of Pride
The grand hall of the academy was bustling with whispers, fear hanging thick in the air.
Another victim.
Another student crushed by Edward and his gang.
Synoh and Lux leaned against one of the stone pillars, arms crossed, listening to the terrified murmurs of the younger students.
"...he made him kneel... humiliated him in front of everyone," one whispered.
"...beat him until he couldn't even stand," another said, voice trembling.
Synoh's eyes narrowed, his fists tightening at his sides. He exchanged a glance with Lux, who gave a small, serious nod.
"Enough," Synoh growled.
Without another word, they both pushed off the pillar and walked into the center of the hall, where Edward and his gang lounged arrogantly like they owned the place.
Edward noticed them immediately, his grin cocky. "What's this? The academy's little golden boys want something?"
Synoh didn't stop walking until he was standing right in front of Edward, his presence heavy, fearless.
"You're done," Synoh said, voice low but carrying across the hall.
Lux stood just behind him, silent but ready.
Edward sneered. "Tch. You think you can take us all on?"
Without waiting, Edward's gang moved first — five students, each one a skilled fighter, stepping forward to surround Synoh and Lux.
Among them was Mina, the prodigy archer with blazing red hair and sharp green eyes. Her bow already drawn, arrows glowing with fire enchantments.
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Battle Breaks Out
Mina and another two launched a combo attack, their arrows forming a deadly rain aimed to pin Synoh and Lux down while the others charged from the sides.
Lux reacted first.
With a sharp movement of his hand, he unleashed Light Barrage, countless beams of blinding white magic blasting outward, shattering the raining arrows and stunning the attackers.
Mina gritted her teeth, channeling more fire into her next shot, but Lux stepped forward, his magic growing brighter — unstoppable.
The clash between Lux's Light Barrage and Mina's Flaming Arrows painted the hall in a chaotic mix of red and white light.
The onlookers gasped, shielding their eyes.
Meanwhile, Synoh saw his opening.
Sword flashing, he dashed through the broken barrage, weaving between arrows and spells like a shadow dancing in the storm.
Shadow Dance Sword Style.
A silent flash.
One after another, the gang members fell, disarmed and defeated with precise, non-lethal blows.
Mina fought fiercely, but Lux's superior control over magic overwhelmed her. Her final arrow was blasted aside, and Lux closed the distance, tapping her shoulder with his sword in victory.
She fell to one knee, panting heavily.
The hall fell silent.
All eyes turned to Edward.
His smirk faltered, then vanished completely as he realized — he was alone.
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Childhood Ties
Synoh and Lux approached him together.
Edward backed up a step but stood his ground, trembling with rage.
Before Synoh could say anything, Lux held out a hand, stopping him.
"Let me," Lux said quietly.
Synoh stepped back, watching carefully.
Lux faced Edward, his voice firm but not unkind. "Apologize to them. Everyone you've hurt. And treat them like equals, Edward. You're better than this."
Edward's face twisted, anger flashing in his eyes.
"You... you think you can lecture me?"
Lux didn't flinch. "No. I'm asking you to be better. Like you used to be."
The tension was heavy — memories rising between them.
Edward's fists shook. For a moment, it looked like he might lash out again.
But then he gritted his teeth, swallowed his pride, and spat, "Fine. I'll apologize. I'll treat them better."
A few students gasped.
Lux smiled warmly and extended his hand for a handshake, a gesture of peace, of forgiveness.
But Edward slapped Lux's hand away, the sound echoing across the hall.
The hall froze.
Edward's voice was low and full of venom.
"Don't think that after we talked... the past will disappear," he hissed.
Lux's smile faded slightly, sadness flickering in his eyes.
Synoh watched the exchange quietly, feeling that there was a deeper wound between the two nobles — a story he hadn't heard yet.
Without another word, Edward turned and stalked away, his gang following after him, defeated.
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Aftermath
The crowd slowly dispersed, leaving Synoh and Lux standing in the empty hall.
"You're not gonna tell me what that was about?" Synoh asked, slinging his sword onto his back casually.
Lux shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Not today."
Synoh shrugged. "Fine. But one day, you're gonna have to spill it."
Lux laughed quietly. "Yeah... one day."
They walked out of the hall together, the sun setting behind them, casting long shadows across the academy grounds.
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(End of Chapter 8)