The combat arena buzzed with excitement. Students lined the observation ledges, murmuring among themselves. Today was their first official combat assessment, and everyone was eager to prove their strength.
Professor Kaela stood at the center of the arena, a serene yet commanding presence. Her obsidian hair flowed like water, her eyes calm pools of silver. She wore a high-collared, sleeveless coat trimmed with violet runes, the air around her still and unreadable.
"Zane," she called, her voice smooth as silk yet sharp with authority. "Step forward."
Zane blinked in surprise but obeyed. As he entered the ring, the system chimed in his mind.
> New Quest Generated
Title: Survive the Instructor's Test
Objective: Endure the battle against Professor Kaela without falling unconscious.
Failure Penalty: All abilities will be halved for 12 hours.
Timer: Begins upon combat initiation.
Zane furrowed his brow. "Survive?"
He scoffed internally. I'm stronger now. Why would the system use a word like survive...?
He activated Void Gaze, expecting a breakdown of her stats. But the moment he locked eyes with her, all he saw were three flickering symbols:
"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath. "It's not working."
Nyx materialized beside him, her form wispy and tense. For once, her usual smirk was gone.
"She's not what she seems," Nyx warned, voice low. "Be careful, Zane. She's masking her power. Don't underestimate her. This isn't just a lesson—it's a test of survival."
Kaela gave a small smile as Zane prepared himself. "Begin when ready," she said calmly, folding her arms behind her back.
The arena fell into silence. Everyone watched, waiting for Zane to make the first move.
His Shadow Armor pulsed to life, coating his body in glistening darkness. The End Blade manifested in his hand, its violet edge shimmering ominously.
Zane exhaled. "Alright... let's dance."
He lunged forward with surprising speed, shadows trailing behind him. His blade came down in a diagonal arc aimed at her shoulder—
She moved like smoke.
In the blink of an eye, her palm tapped Zane's chest.
The impact launched him across the arena, crashing into the stone wall hard enough to crack it. Dust exploded around him as he dropped to one knee, coughing.
He grimaced. That wasn't even a real attack.
Kaela's voice echoed calmly across the space. "Again."
Zane grit his teeth and stood, determination flaring in his chest. She's faster than me...
He activated Voidstep, blinking behind her and slashing at her back—only for her to twist, effortlessly parrying the blow with her bare hand. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, causing several students to stumble back.
He tried again. This time, he swung upward, followed with a barrage of feints and kicks. His movements were precise—deadly, even.
But Kaela dodged every one.
Like she was simply taking a stroll through the wind.
Zane's breathing grew heavier. This is insane. She's toying with me...
Kaela finally moved offensively.
With a single gesture, she summoned a blade of pure kinetic energy and slashed. Zane barely raised the End Blade in time—metal shrieked against mana, shadows pulsing violently as he was knocked off balance.
Nyx's voice echoed sharply. "Use your instincts. Don't fight her like you fought the Phoenix. She's different."
Zane closed his eyes for a split second, then channeled Void deeper. Shadow Wings burst from his back as he launched upward, circling her from above.
Kaela didn't even look up. She simply raised one hand—and a spike of invisible force slammed into Zane midair, sending him crashing into the ground again.
He spat blood. The pain was real. The system wasn't playing.
"Again," she said, tone cool but not mocking. "Stand. Fight."
But no matter what trick he used—Voidwalk, Dark Shuriken, Shadow Chains—she countered or avoided it with terrifying ease.
His health dropped steadily.
The system's warning flashed red.
> Critical Condition.
Zane was on one knee, panting. His shadow armor was cracked and flickering. The End Blade trembled in his grip.
Kaela stood a few feet away, untouched. Calm.
But her eyes—they weren't cold. They were... assessing. As if she was waiting to see something. Expecting him to show more.
Zane let out a shaky breath. "I'm... not done."
He planted the blade in the ground, shadows spiraling outward like ripples across water. The ground beneath him began to darken, swallowing light itself.
A crown of pitch manifested over his head once more—black, jagged, burning.
Kaela's eyes narrowed. Just slightly.
Nyx whispered, "Now... show her what the Void truly is."