You are now, fighting for your lives

News of Azrael's departure from the academy spread like wildfire after he defeated the grand commander's son. The rumor mill suggested that Zach, from the Zefron Empire, had orchestrated Azrael's removal to maintain his own rank, which Azrael's victory had jeopardized.

Shortly thereafter, tales of Cyval's ambush on the Zefron Empire began circulating within the academy. Since most who participated in the ambush perished, many assumed Azrael had met the same fate.

So, when a figure exuding a devastating aura entered the arena, and that figure was referred to as Azrael, it wasn't just surprising—it was downright unbelievable.

However, Ryo never believed that his friend had died. Azrael was the epitome of resilience, and Ryo knew he wouldn't go down easily. Now, standing in front of his friend, Ryo felt a whirlwind of emotions—surprise, happiness, and more. But above all, curiosity overwhelmed him. He needed to know just how strong Azrael had become.

As for Azrael, the emotionless god of death, reuniting with Ryo, one might expect him to feel nothing. To some extent, that would be true, for Azrael had become largely devoid of emotions and attachments. However, despite this, the sense of camaraderie and respect he held for Ryo was still very much present.

"Rank three? I see you were not slacking while I was away," Azrael said, a faint smile forming on his lips.

"You seem to have grown quite well yourself," Ryo replied as he approached Azrael, their hands clasping together.

"Haha, Azrael, long time no see. Even your grip is strong; you have come a long way," Ryo chuckled.

"You're not half bad yourself," Azrael retorted.

"Ryo, get away from him, he seems dangerous!" one of the instructors exclaimed.

"Haha, of course, he's dangerous. Who do you think this is?" Ryo teased.

"So, what's your objective today?" Ryo inquired.

"I came for the rank one position," Azrael replied.

"Excellent, you haven't changed. But you know you'd have to go through me first if you want the rank," Ryo said with a smirk as he stretched.

"What are you talking about, Ryo? We aren't even sure he can participate," the instructors interjected.

"He can," the Headmaster's voice reverberated through the entire arena.

"Azrael, I see you have returned from your journey," the Headmaster said.

"Yes, it was a journey of great enlightenment," Azrael replied, looking up to where the Headmaster had been seated.

"But you seem to have left great chaos in your wake," the Headmaster informed.

"As you know, the path I walk tends to bring about destruction," Azrael explained.

"HAHAHAHAHA, you are right. I expect a great showing today. Instructors, clear the stage," the Headmaster commanded, and they left the stage, leaving only Azrael and Ryo.

Ryo bounced around the broken floor with confidence as he stretched and warmed up.

"I won't hold back," Ryo declared.

"I really hope you don't," Azrael replied.

However, before they could begin, Zach's words cut through the arena as he walked onto the stage.

"How do you expect to just fight the rank three without going through me? For years, many accused me of stealing the rank ten position, even though you only won because I suppressed myself," Zach said, pulling out his sword.

"Now, in front of everyone here, I will prove that when I fight you at full strength, you are nothing to me," Zach declared as his ki flared, and everybody present could feel its power.

"I challenge you, Azrael. Fight me!" Zach exclaimed.

"You would also have to go through me before you can fight Ryo," Clyde, the current rank 8th, exclaimed from where he stood among the other top ten students. Azrael's eyes scanned the students, but he couldn't find Lyra.

"Sigh, take care of them quickly. I'll be waiting," Ryo said as he walked off the stage.

Azrael's words that followed were a chilling command, painted in darkness and menace that sent shivers down the spines of onlookers.

"Rank four to ten, all of you come at once," Azrael declared.

"What nonsense are you saying? You think this is a joke?" Zach questioned, his ki still flaring.

"A joke? You must be mistaken," Azrael responded, and with those words, a subtle release of his suppressed dark ki accompanied them.

That alone was enough for everyone present to understand just how terrifying the entity before them really was.

The aura that emanated from Azrael was beyond any description, an inky blackness tinged with malevolence that seeped into the very souls of everyone present.

It felt like an all-encompassing darkness that pierced through the hearts of onlookers, almost freezing them in place with an overwhelming sense of dread. The ranked students who became the target of Azrael's dreadful ki found thier minds filled with a primal fear they had never experienced before.

With the rank four to rank ten students, excluding the rank five whom Ryo had defeated, their survival instincts kicked into high gear. Reacting with lightning speed, they instinctively drew their weapons, their eyes locked on the ominous figure of Azrael. As if possessed by a shared instinct, they appeared on the stage, their postures tensed and ready to confront the palpable threat before them.

The intensity of the aura had created an atmosphere of imminent danger, forcing everyone to take Azrael's request seriously. The realization was chillingly apparent: unless they poured their very souls into this battle, their lives were at stake. Azrael's words, uttered with a hauntingly calm tone, resonated like an ethereal whisper, yet they struck with the impact of a thunderclap, leaving the spectators trembling.

"This is no mere joke or any longer just a contest for ranks. Your lives are on the line, and you must give everything you have to survive," Azrael's voice seemed to echo through the minds of those present, each word driving the fear deeper into their core.

Azrael's aura, like dark tendrils, wormed its way into the consciousness of all who stood there. It was as though they were standing on the precipice of an abyss, with the very essence of terror clawing at their sanity.

The transformation of Azrael was both awe-inspiring and horrifying. This was not the Azrael they once knew—a resilient figure with an air of mystery and composure. No, this was something entirely different. This was a being that personified chaos, a malevolent force that defied comprehension.