Combat Hall Delta was humming like a war ground about to drop.
Not only noise. Tension. Mockery. Bloodlust.
All the people had expected Nclai Azrael to fail.
And he had the realization.
He entered the boxing ring in a non-spectacular way. Spell glyph none. No stance. Nothing but quiet presence. His coat murmered about his boots.
But inside?
There was no stagnant blood of his.
It pulsed. Slow. Heavy. As though it had been expecting something.
Professor Ileron was triumphating at the podium across the platform. His arms in front of him were crossed. Smooth but harsh voice.
"Up next," he said loud enough for everyone to hear, "we pit raw instinct... against refined heritage."
A pause.
A smile.
"Nclai Azrael versus Dresk Virel."
Laughter. Applause. A few taunts.
The noble trio smirked from their balcony seats like wolves.
Dresk stepped into the ring with the confidence of someone who never lost. His gauntlets clicked with fresh bloodsteel. His flame-red hair caught the lantern light like fire.
He didn't say anything.
Just grinned.
Professor Ileron gave a nod. "Begin."
......
Dresk moved first.
Fast. Brutal. Eager.
A burst of flame wrapped his fists as he charged. The first punch was wide, meant to crush.
Nclai slipped under it.
The second came faster, aimed at his ribs. He twisted. His coat brushed the fire. Heat chased behind him.
The crowd roared. But not for him.
"You're pathetic," Dresk sneered. "You're not even trying."
Nclai stayed quiet. His eyes calm.
But inside...
System Notification
Crimson Sovereign Protocol: Stable
Sync Ratio: 5.9% → 6.3%
Combat stress confirmed. Bloodline sensitivity active.
......
Sound sharpened.
Nclai noticed the shake in Dresk's foot as he turned. Too much weight. Too eager.
Flames surged again. Dresk's gauntlet lit up.
This one was wild. Uncontrolled.
A pillar of jagged fire exploded from his punch. Wide. Hot. Deadly.
Too fast to dodge normally.
Too late to block.
But...
The fire stormed across the ring like a comet.
Nclai didn't flinch.
He didn't need to.
His body moved. Not in fear, but with timing.
He dropped low. The flame scraped above him. Heat seared his back. His coat caught fire.
He spun. Shrugged it off. Let it burn behind him like shed skin.
Dresk was already closing in. His eyes wide with anger.
"You're still standing?" he yelled. "Why won't you–"
More punches followed. Harder. Faster.
Nclai blocked one with his arm. Pain sparked. He let the next hit his shoulder. Then turned. Slammed his elbow into Dresk's ribs.
But Dresk didn't stop.
He liked pain.
And gave it back worse.
His gauntlet hit Nclai's jaw.
Crack.
Blood sprayed.
Nclai staggered. His vision swam. One knee dipped...
But he didn't fall.
He caught himself. Planted his foot. Looked up.
System Notification
Crimson Sovereign Protocol: Stable
Sync Ratio: 6.3% → 6.9%
Pattern recognition increased. Reflex data improved.
......
Dresk laughed.
"This is a Sovereign? You bleed like a rat."
He raised his arms again. The runes on his gauntlets glowed hot.
Another wide flame burst out. Not to hit. To blind.
In that haze... he lunged.
A fake out. Then a low punch covered in fire.
It landed.
Nclai's side burned. His skin hissed.
But he didn't scream.
He didn't even grunt.
He stepped forward. Into the pain.
Then struck.
Palm to throat.
Push.
Sweep.
Dresk stumbled, He nearly dropped to the ground.
......
Up in the crowd, the mood changed.
Whispers turned to surprise.
Even Lyra leaned forward, fists clenched.
......
The eyes of Nclai narrowed.
his attitude changed.
Shoulders loose.
Body aligned.
Now, now there was silence.
A calm.
Such as a predatory creature awaits the lightning.
......
Dresk growled. "Fine. No more holding back."
He stabbed one gauntlet into the air.
The ring lit up. Sigils woke under the dust.
His final move.
He spread his stance.
Flames swirled between his hands. Hot. Pressed.
A heartbeat passed.
Then...
Boom.
A cone of fire exploded from his palms.
The ring melted.
The air screamed.
There was no room to dodge.
Only destruction.
System Notification
Bloodline sensitivity active
Sync Ratio: 6.9% → 10.1%
Fatal threat detected⚠⚠⚠
Sanguine Reflex triggered
Shadow Veil used
Status: Stable
......
Nclai was in blurred vision.
None the less his body had not frozen.
It moved.
It is not by fear.
With memory.
He sank his knee.
The one hand upon the ground.
Tilting quickly and low he turned.
And not a thing learnt at the academy.
It was deep rooted.
The explosion went over us, hot enough to burn in the mind.
He was not there though.
Under it was him.
He became one with the shadow.
He rose through the smoke.
Eyes calm.
Palm open.
One step forward.
Strike.
Right into Dresk's chest. Not with force. With aim. With instinct.
The blow echoed.
Dresk's eyes went wide.
His breath caught.
The flames vanished.
He fell back.
Unconscious before he hit the floor.
......
The ring went quiet.
Even the heat seemed to fade.
Only Nclai's breath could be heard.
Slow.
Controlled.
And under it...
A rhythm.
His blood.
Remembering.
......