Chapter 21

Yuuji did not wake up to birdsong.

He woke up to Kael's raven perched on his chest, staring into his soul like a tax auditor with feathers.

"Ah," Yuuji mumbled, "morning, bird therapist."

The raven cawed ominously.

[New Notification: "Urgent Plot Progress Detected"]➤ Suggested Action: Get Out of Bed Before Fate Does It For You➤ Side Effect: Emotional Damage Possible

Kael stood at the window, backlit by a full moon that technically wasn't supposed to still be there.

"They've summoned me," he said.

Yuuji blinked sleepily. "They? Like… a club? A coven? Or the entire concept of dread?"

Kael's lips twitched. "Faculty. Veiled Chamber. It's about… inheritance."

"That sounds suspicious."

Kael shrugged. "All power is suspicious if you look at it sideways."

"Cool. Just don't come back undead."

"No promises."

Tournament Trials: Day Two, Fight Scheduling & Social Headaches

By the time Yuuji reached the main hall, the tournament schedule was already flashing across crystal panels.

Today's theme?

Duel Invitations.

"House Draconis vs House Aetherlight—Exhibition Round, Main Arena."

"House Nocturne vs House Sylvaeon—Strategic Spell Trial, West Yard."

"Team Five," the screen flickered, "has received… multiple requests."

Yuuji paled. "Wait, multiple?!"

[System Alert: You Are Now "Popular" (In a Duel Invitation Way)]➤ Current Pending Duels: 3➤ Notable Challenger: Liam Everhart (Rematch Requested)➤ New Challenger: Rafe (Smirking Menace Mode Active)➤ Unknown Challenger: ??? (Identity Pending—Warning: High-Risk Encounter)

"Why is this my life?" Yuuji muttered, rubbing his temples.

Kael wasn't there to offer cryptic commentary.

Elira, however, sipped her tea like a queen of subtle chaos.

"You're ranked now," she said. "This is what happens."

"I wanted academic obscurity."

"You have plot relevance."

"I hate plot relevance."

Side Quest Activated: Kael's Midnight Trial

Meanwhile, deep beneath the academy, Kael walked alone.

Torches flickered against walls carved from shadow-bound stone. Ancient runes whispered warnings, but he ignored them.

At the end of the corridor, the Veiled Chamber doors stood ajar.

Inside: three masked professors, all draped in the ceremonial robes of House Nocturne's inner circle. Their faces were concealed, but their eyes gleamed silver behind veils.

One of them spoke without moving lips.

"Kael Zyrion. Son of the Forgotten Bloodline. Are you prepared to claim the Forbidden Flame?"

Kael's raven landed on his shoulder, silent now.

"I am."

"Do you understand the cost?"

"Yes."

[System Notification: Unique Class Awakening Available]➤ Option: Shadowflame Arcanist (Tier Unrated)➤ Side Effect: Increased Narrative Risk➤ Warning: Unlocking this path may alter future routes.

Kael placed his palm on the obsidian altar.

A searing pain lanced through his veins.

Power whispered in his ear.

And somewhere far above, a stained-glass window cracked.

Back to Yuuji: The Duel He Didn't Want

By midday, Yuuji found himself back in Arena Ward Alpha, standing on a floating platform, staring at his first official duel challenger of the day.

Liam Everhart.

Again.

Of course.

"Round two, commoner," Liam said, eyes gleaming with a mix of vengeance and… something else. Respect? Rivalry? Narrative obligation?

"Can't we just have tea instead?" Yuuji tried.

Liam's smirk sharpened. "Winner buys tea."

[System Alert: Duel Commencing]➤ Rules: First to Disarm or Force Surrender➤ Stakes: Pride, Reputation, Possible Scones

Yuuji sighed. "Fine. But if I trip again, it's not on purpose this time."

The Duel: Chaos Edition

The arena flared with spell circles.

Liam opened with a flash glyph—light bending, distorting.

Yuuji countered with a reactive pulse, deflecting the beam just enough to avoid a face-melting.

[Skill Activation: Defensive Sarcasm Buff +1]➤ Effect: Mild Distraction Aura

"Wow, great use of overcompensation," Yuuji quipped.

Liam's focus wavered just long enough for Yuuji to weave a hex-string trap under his feet.

The crowd gasped.

But this time, Liam didn't fall.

He sidestepped, flicking his wand in a tight loop, neutralizing the trap before it could trigger.

Yuuji's eyes widened. "Wait, you learned?!"

"Of course I did," Liam grinned. "I'm not a side character."

They clashed again—sparks, glyphs, magical wards rippling like heatwaves.

In the end, it came down to one final spell.

Yuuji inhaled.

Cast.

A sudden frost glyph—not meant to win, but to slow.

Liam's magic collided with his.

A tie.

[System Alert: Duel Outcome—Draw]➤ Both Participants Gain +Reputation➤ Audience Response: "Holy crap, that was cool."

Aftermath: Rivals, Sort-Of-Friends, and Awkward Respect

Sweating, heart racing, Yuuji extended a hand.

Liam took it.

"You're not bad," Liam admitted, brushing dust off his immaculate uniform.

"You're not unbearable," Yuuji replied.

It was practically a friendship moment. For nobles.

[Achievement Unlocked: Rivalry Upgrade—From "Annoyance" to "Sparring Partner"]

Elira clapped politely from the sidelines.

Kael appeared in the shadows, eyes sharper than usual.

"You've attracted a following," Kael noted.

"Yeah, it's called 'stress,'" Yuuji muttered.

The Mystery Duel Invitation

Before Yuuji could relax, another scroll floated toward him—this one sealed in black wax, heavier than normal.

He caught it.

Unsealed it.

Read the name.

Stopped breathing for a second.

Challenger: Rafe Solis. Private Duel. Midnight Platform. No Audience.

[New System Notification: Rival Route Intensifies]➤ Warning: This duel may not follow standard tournament rules.➤ Outcome: Unknown. Narrative Risk Factor Increased.

Yuuji groaned. "I knew it. Midnight duels are never normal."

Kael smiled faintly. "Perhaps you'll find answers."

"I'd settle for surviving the week."

Later: Midnight on the Platform

The academy was quiet under a silver-lit sky.

Yuuji stood alone on the Platform of Echoes—a floating marble slab above the northern tower, reserved for private challenges.

Rafe appeared in a ripple of moonlight, as if stepping through reality like it was fabric.

"No crowd this time," Rafe said.

"Yeah, it's just me, you, and my rising blood pressure."

Rafe smirked. "Good. You're ready."

"For what? Existential dread? I've been ready since chapter one."

Rafe's eyes glinted. "No. For the next phase."

He drew a spellblade—not aimed to kill, but sharp enough to test.

"This isn't about winning," Rafe said quietly. "It's about awakening the next tier of the game. You're not just in the tournament anymore, Yuuji. You're in the real competition."

Yuuji swallowed.

[System Alert: Unknown Duel Commencing]➤ Outcome: Narrative Impact Pending➤ Survival Chance: 72% (…ish)

He gripped his staff.

And smiled grimly.

"Fine. Let's play."