Morning at the academy carried a strange silence.
Not the peaceful kind—but the stillness before a storm.
Alex stood at the Obsidian Gate, one of the oldest relics on campus. Its archway was inscribed with arcane glyphs that pulsed faintly whenever strong magic was near.
Today, they throbbed like a heartbeat.
"Strange," he murmured. "Something's brewing."
[System Alert: Ambient Magic Fluctuation Detected – Source Unknown. Probability of Host-Centric Event: 71%]
Behind him, a familiar voice called out.
"Skipping class already, Valerian?"
He turned to see Kira Dawnblade approaching, arms crossed, hair tied into a high ponytail, sword slung lazily across her back.
"Not skipping," he said. "Observing."
Kira stopped beside him, eyeing the gate.
"You know this thing hasn't opened in over a hundred years, right?"
Alex nodded. "Maybe it's waiting for the right kind of chaos."
She smirked. "Sounds like something you'd say."
---
Later, in the dueling hall, Instructor Margrave gathered the top-ranking students. The room buzzed with tension as magical barriers shimmered to life.
"This isn't a lesson," Margrave announced. "This is a test."
A wave of murmurs followed.
"Pairs will be assigned. Combat will be live. Power held back will be noted. Winners will be ranked. Losers..." he let the word hang, "...will be demoted."
Alex's eyes sharpened.
[System Update: Challenge Event – Ranked Ascension Trial. Bonus Rewards for Victory: 3x Skill Acquisition Rate + Artifact Selection.]
Caelum Emberlight stood near the back, glaring at Valerian with quiet rage. His robes were singed from their last encounter, but his pride remained unburned.
Margrave began calling names.
"Mila Tierwyn vs. Jace Thornveil."
"Lady Selene vs. Elara Dawnchant."
And then—
"Valerian Nightshade... vs. Seraphine Lysoria."
The hall stilled.
Seraphine stepped forward slowly.
Golden hair cascading like sunlight. Sapphire eyes sharp as steel. Daughter of one of the strongest noble houses.
She tilted her head. "You again."
Alex gave a nod. "Fate must enjoy irony."
Her lips curved. "Or tragedy."
---
The arena transformed into a forested field, illusions conjuring wind, mist, and real terrain.
Valerian activated his internal HUD.
[Opponent Class: Elemental Conduit – Specialization: Wind and Light. Status: Confident. Threat Level: Medium-High.]
She summoned twin chakrams, glowing with runes.
"I hope you're ready to bleed, Valerian," she whispered.
"Only if you're ready to lose."
---
She struck first—chakrams spinning with blinding speed.
Valerian dodged left, then blinked sideways, his dagger intercepting the first strike. The second scraped his shoulder.
She vanished.
Appeared above him, wind spiraling around her.
Valerian slammed his hand into the ground.
[Spell Cast: Gravity Flux – Zone Compression x2]
She plummeted.
But flipped mid-air, landing gracefully.
"Well played," she said.
"Still standing," he replied.
The crowd watched in stunned silence. This wasn't just a fight—it was a dance of prodigies.
Seraphine launched a flashburst—light magic that disoriented most opponents.
But Alex's eyes adapted instantly.
[System Trait: Arcane Resilience – Visual Overload Resistance Enabled.]
He surged forward, drawing a line in the dirt with his dagger.
[Trap Set: Echo Bind – Stuns target for 3 seconds if crossed.]
She leapt over it—
Only to land in his shadow.
[Shadow Bind Activated. Opponent Movement Locked. Duration: 2 seconds.]
He charged, blade humming.
But Seraphine smiled.
"Too slow."
[Counter Skill: Gale Reversal]
Wind exploded outward, knocking Valerian off balance.
He rolled, spat blood, and laughed.
"Now we're having fun."
He raised his palm.
[Spell Cast: Nightflame Spiral – Unstable Variant]
Dark fire twisted with violet light, a forbidden mix of arcane and demonic energy.
Seraphine's eyes widened.
"You madman—!"
She erected a barrier of light—but the spell hit like a comet.
The explosion shook the arena.
Dust settled.
Valerian stood, scorched but grinning.
Seraphine knelt, barrier shattered.
She coughed. "You win."
---
The silence broke into chaos.
Instructors shouted.
Students cheered.
And the Obsidian Gate?
It pulsed again.
Harder.
---
After the match, Seraphine approached him near the training yard, a bandage on her arm.
"You hold back less than anyone I've ever fought."
"You're stronger than anyone I've faced."
She paused. "I should hate you."
"But you don't?"
"I'm undecided."
She walked away without another word.
[Romance Flag – Seraphine Lysoria: Progressing. Affection Level: Intrigued.]
Alex watched her go, a smirk on his lips.
Three powerful women. Three paths. And none without danger.
Behind him, the sky darkened slightly.
Thunder rumbled on a clear day.
[System Alert: Obsidian Gate Awakening Progress – 33%. Time Remaining: Unknown. External Interference Detected. Source: Unknown Entity.]
And far below, in the dungeon chambers...
The shadow moved again.
This time, it whispered a name.
"Valerian... come and find me."
---
End of Chapter Question: Who do you think is behind the awakening of the Obsidian Gate? And which girl should Alex trust—or fear—most in the chapters ahead?