"So people train in the sunlight. Others, apparently, prefer dramatic lighting and existential threats."
Midnight: Duel Grounds of the Forgotten Courtyard
The moon was a cold spectator above the abandoned courtyard, casting silvery light over shattered tiles and forgotten statues cloaked in ivy. Here, where old champions once clashed in secret trials, Yuuji now stood... wildly regretting all his life choices.
"Why is it always the spooky courtyard," he muttered, staff in hand, heartbeat doing cartwheels in his chest.
Across from him, Rafe stood motionless, masked and hooded like a discount villain from a prestige drama. His arms were crossed. His aura? Smug with a hint of theatrical nace.
"You accepted the duel," Rafe said calmly. "No turning back now."
"I thought it was taphorical!" Yuuji protested.
Rafe pointed. A glowing barrier humd to life around the courtyard. Wards snapped into place, sealing them in.
[System Notice: You Have Entered a Ranked Private Duel]➤ Opponent: [Rafe]➤ Tier: Unknown➤ Conditions: First to Incapacitation or Concession➤ Reward: ???➤ Suggested Action: Survive.
Yuuji’s staff sparked uncertainly in his grip. "Do I get a warm-up lap or maybe a motivational speech—?"
Too late.
Rafe moved.
A blur of motion—shadows condensed around his arms as he hurled a wave of dark-blue mana that split into five needle-sharp glyphs midair. Yuuji yelped and ducked, rolling behind a crumbling statue of what was probably so long-dead heroic squirrel knight.
"You’re fast for a tutor," Rafe called. "But are you teachable?"
Yuuji popped out and fired a Pulse Glyph. It wobbled, then exploded three feet in front of him with the enthusiasm of a wet firework.
Rafe tilted his head. "...Was that a warning shot or a cry for help?"
[System Alert: Glyph Malfunction – Coordination Stat Underwhelming]➤ Suggestion: Aim. Not just vibe.
Yuuji ducked again as a second volley ca his way. One glyph nicked his sleeve and froze the air around it. Frost magic?
"Wait—you’re mixing elents? That’s illegal!"
"No," Rafe replied smoothly, "just advanced."
Yuuji gritted his teeth and focused. Okay, think. Can’t out-speed him. Can’t out-power him. But maybe...
He slamd his staff into the ground.
"Co on, baby. Work with here—!"
A burst of mana flared outward—Reactive Glyph Pulse! Not precise, but it disrupted the ambient energy. Just enough.
Rafe’s next spell shimred, destabilized, and exploded off-center.
Yuuji sprinted in. He didn’t try to win. He just tried to surprise.
A feint left. A panic-roll right. A desperation smack with the staff that sohow clipped Rafe’s knee.
Rafe stumbled back. "Huh. That was unexpected."
Yuuji panted. "Good. Let’s both agree to end this here. I’ll fake a nosebleed, you pretend I hit you with a fatal technique, and—"
"No deal."
"Didn’t think so."
[System Alert: Critical Learning Threshold Reached]➤ New Skill Unlocked: Instinctive Deflection➤ Description: Involuntarily flinch with such desperation that it counts as defense.➤ Cooldown: Only when terrified.
Rafe laughed. "You’re sothing else, Yuuji."
His mask shimred—and for a mont, Yuuji saw strange glowing lines beneath it. Glyph tattoos?
Rafe raised both hands. The shadows behind him surged.
Ti slowed.
Yuuji braced for the worst—
—and then a voice rang out from the shadows.
"That’s enough."
Elira Vorter stepped forward, eyes glowing faintly, frost lacing her fingertips. Kael followed behind, cloak swirling unnaturally as if the night itself parted for him.
"Elira!?" Yuuji gasped. "Kael!?"
"You’re out past curfew," Elira said evenly.
"You’re dueling without snacks," Kael added. "Both offenses punishable by death. Or at least detention."
Rafe chuckled and lowered his hands. "Well. Seems your guardians have arrived."
Elira’s gaze narrowed. "Who are you, really?"
Rafe offered a theatrical bow. "A friend. A rival. A future problem."
Then he vanished in a swirl of shadows and wind.
Aftermath: Ice Tea & Existentialism
Back in their dorm suite, Yuuji sat wrapped in a blanket burrito of sha and confusion. Elira poured him tea. Kael ditated while levitating a lemon.
"So," Yuuji said, sipping. "Who was that guy?"
"Rafe," Elira said. "New transfer. House Sylvaeon, but not registered in any class rosters."
Kael opened one eye. "He slls like prophecy. And unresolved subplot."
[System Update: Rival Character Detected – Codena: Rafe]➤ Narrative Role: Nesis? Ally? Romantic Obstacle??➤ Alignnt: ???➤ Mystery Level: [High]➤ Suggested Action: Prepare. The plot thickens.
Yuuji groaned into his mug. "I don’t want the plot to thicken. I want it to gently simr and leave alone."
Elira gave a rare smile. "Not in this school."
[Bonus Objective Updated: Make Elira Laugh (Progress: 3/5)]
Morning: Rankings and Repercussions
The academy’s magical bulletin board—a floating panel of runes and glowing parchnt—now hovered above the central hall.
Students clustered in tense silence, necks craned.
Yuuji approached like a man walking to his own execution.
[System Alert: Inter-House Rankings Posted]➤ Current Top Five Teams:
Team Shadowfang – House Nocturne (32 Points)
Team Everhart – House Aetherlight (28 Points)
Team Sylphrain – House Sylvaeon (26 Points)
Team Drakesoul – House Draconis (25 Points)
Team 5 (Yuuji, Elira, Kael) – Mixed House (22 Points)
Yuuji blinked. "Wait... we made top five?"
"Barely," Elira said.
"Amazing," Kael added. "We’re adequate."
[System Update: You Are Now Ranked]➤ Title Earned: "Rising Wildcard"➤ Reputation Spread: Campus-Wide➤ Optional Perk: Free Lunch Voucher (Redeemable Nowhere)
"Do we get anything for this?" Yuuji asked.
"Nope," Elira replied.
"Just more expectations," Kael intoned ominously.
Yuuji deflated. "Great. My reward is stress."
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out from the crowd.
"HEY! YUUJI!"
Liam Everhart, face no longer bruised but still pride-dented, stepped forward.
"I demand a rematch! Public duel. This ti, no tricks!"
Gasps. Murmurs. Kael sighed. Elira rubbed her temples.
Yuuji took a deep breath and turned to face the crowd, the challenge, and fate itself.
[New System Quest: Accept Duel From Liam (Again)]➤ Objective: Don’t Die. This Ti, Try Winning On Purpose.➤ Optional: Beco Campus . Again.
"...Why does everyone want to fight !?" Yuuji yelled to the heavens.
"Because you keep winning when you shouldn’t," Elira muttered.
"Because the stars demand blood," Kael whispered happily.
Rafe, sowhere on a rooftop, probably smirked.
Reviews
All reviews (0)