The soft hum of the ZUA system whispered a familiar rhythm in my ears as I leaned back against the dorm wall, my breathing steady, mind sharp.
Every fight, every victory, and every narrow loss brought me closer to understanding the power coursing through me. Ophiuchus energy—an anomaly, an enigma, and my lifeline—was no longer just something I carried. It was becoming me.
The quiet was broken by the blinking pulse of my wristband. The ZUA system's voice followed, calm and emotionless.
"Alert. Pre-Tournament Match Notification: Opponent Assigned. Rank 203. Match Scheduled in 30 Minutes."
I sat up, adrenaline beginning to stir even before my mind had fully processed the notification. Rank 203.
Another rung to climb, another chance to prove my mettle.
After my fight with Jayden and the chaos it had unleashed, people were starting to look at me differently.
But this wasn't about them. It was about me. Rising. Claiming. Owning my place in this academy and beyond.
A quick swipe across the interface brought up the details of my opponent: Ren Diallo. Known for his raw strength and unrelenting speed. The kind of fighter who could overwhelm opponents with sheer ferocity.
A grin tugged at my lips. Ren might've intimidated someone else, but to me, he was just another obstacle. One I intended to shatter.
The relocated arena loomed ahead, a sleek training facility hastily adapted to host pre-tournament matches while the primary arena underwent repairs. The metallic walls gleamed under harsh white lights, and a faint hum of energy fields created an electric tension in the air.
A small crowd had gathered, their murmurs a mix of curiosity and skepticism. They'd come to see if the buzz about me was just noise or the start of something real. I walked through the aisle, feeling the weight of their stares, but I didn't falter.
Confidence wasn't just a mask anymore—it was my foundation.
The arena's perimeter shimmered as the containment shield activated, sealing Ren and me inside. His cocky smirk met me across the expanse, but I didn't need to hear him to know what he was thinking. He'd seen fighters like me before—or so he thought.
"Combatants, prepare. Match begins in 3... 2... 1..."
The buzzer sounded, and Ren was on me in an instant. His speed lived up to its reputation, his movements a blur as he closed the gap. A fist, crackling with Zodiac energy, shot toward my head with bone-crushing force.
But I was ready.
I stepped to the side, just enough to feel the wind of his punch graze past my ear. It was like dodging a falling meteor—dangerous but exhilarating. As he adjusted, I acted. My Ophiuchus Binding Chains erupted from my core, glimmering like starlight as they snaked through the air with uncanny precision.
In seconds, they coiled around Ren's limbs, tightening with every desperate movement. His smirk vanished, replaced by shock and rage.
"What the—?" Ren growled, muscles bulging as he strained against the chains. His energy flared, a fiery aura that licked at the restraints but couldn't break them.
I stepped forward, the glow of my power casting eerie shadows across his face. "It's over, Ren. You're wasting your strength."
His roar was pure defiance as he summoned more energy, his body trembling with the effort. I felt the resistance through the chains, but they held firm, drawing on his energy like a siphon. My Ophiuchus energy hummed in response, feeding off his struggle and bolstering my own reserves.
"You think... this is enough?" Ren spat, his voice strained but determined. "I've broken stronger than you."
I tilted my head, studying him. There was grit in his words, but grit alone wouldn't save him. "Then you should've trained harder."
Without warning, I pulled the chains tighter and lunged. My fist found his midsection with a devastating impact, a surge of energy amplifying the blow. The force rippled outward, echoing across the arena as Ren's body crumpled and flew back, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.
Silence. Then, the ZUA system's voice rang out:
"Match over. Winner: Avant Dekus."
A slow murmur spread through the crowd, disbelief and awe mingling in their voices. I ignored them, my gaze fixed on the holographic display as my rank updated.
Rank 255 → 215.
The gap was closing. Fast.
As the containment shield faded, Ren's groan echoed faintly. I glanced at him, watching as he struggled to sit up. His pride was bruised, his confidence shattered, but I didn't gloat. I'd been where he was—on the losing end, questioning everything.
Stepping past him, I offered a quiet, almost inaudible piece of advice: "Strength isn't enough. Control it, or it'll control you."
He didn't reply, but the look in his eyes told me he'd heard.
Back in the preparation area, I barely had time to catch my breath before my wristband buzzed again. The ZUA system's voice, ever efficient, announced:
"Pre-Tournament Match Notification: Opponent Assigned. Rank 200. Match Scheduled in 45 Minutes."
I smirked. Rank 200. Another step, another challenge.
But this time, the stakes felt higher. The climb was steeper now, each opponent stronger than the last. The whispers in the crowd grew louder as I walked past, their words reaching my ears:
"He's unstoppable. Did you see how he handled Ren?"
"Yeah, but Rank 200? That's going to be a different story. He's not invincible."
I let their chatter wash over me, neither bolstered nor bothered by it. My focus was forward—always forward.
The next arena was already buzzing when I arrived. The holographic display showed my opponent's name— Kael Veyron.
A name I recognized. Known for his tactical prowess and ruthless efficiency, Kael was a wall I'd have to break through, not just climb over.
The energy in the room shifted as Kael stepped into view. His calm, piercing gaze met mine, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of unease. Not fear, but the kind of tension that sharpened instincts and heightened focus.
The ZUA system's countdown began, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. I flexed my fingers, the Ophiuchus energy stirring within me like a coiled serpent, ready to strike.
As the match began, Kael didn't rush me like Ren had. He moved with precision, his steps measured, his energy a subtle undercurrent rather than a roaring wave. It was a chess match from the start, his calculated strikes forcing me to adapt, to think faster.
But I wasn't just reacting—I was evolving. With every move, I felt the Ophiuchus energy responding, shaping itself to my will. Kael's blade-like energy constructs sliced through the air, but my Binding Chains met them head-on, their star-forged glow illuminating the battlefield.
The fight was a blur of motion, strategy, and raw power, each of us pushing the other to the edge. Sweat dripped from my brow as the crowd roared, their cheers a chaotic symphony. Kael was relentless, his attacks growing sharper, his aura darker.
But so was I.
As the final moments approached, I saw my opening—a single crack in Kael's defense. With a surge of energy, I struck, my chains coiling around him like a predator's grip. His aura flickered, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"This... isn't over," he managed, his voice strained but defiant.
"You're right," I replied, my voice steady. "It's just the beginning."
As the arena lights dimmed, I knew this wasn't just another victory. It was a statement. One that echoed through the academy halls as my rank updated once more.
Rank 215 → 190.
I wasn't just climbing anymore. I was soaring.
And the stars were beginning to take notice.