Sara stood across from Danial with a smirk, clearly amused by his confidence. "I hope you have a suitable technique," she teased. "If you think you can even scratch me with your little sword trick, you're dead wrong."Danial’s lips curved into a mysterious smile, his gaze steady. "We'll see about that."In the audience, Alex sneered at the sight, his eyes flashing with disdain. "Does Danial seriously believe he can compete with Sara in swordplay? The guy must be out of his mind." He crossed his arms, chuckling to himself.Leonard, more familiar with Danial’s odd resilience, shrugged, his tone cautious. "Let’s just watch first. There might be more to him than we’re seeing."Alex scoffed but kept his focus on the duel, mumbling, "It’ll be entertaining, at least. Can’t wait to see him humiliated."Just as the audience was settling in, two more people entered the dueling hall—Elysia and Oliver, both engaged in an important conversation. Elysia, known as one of the academy’s “Gods of War,”
With a sharp cry, Sara swung her saber downward, unleashing a massive golden arc of energy that roared toward Danial, splitting the air like a comet blazing through the sky. The platform trembled under the force, and the watching students could only stare in awe at the spectacle of raw power. The golden arc, now a radiant force of destruction, sliced through the air, closing in on Danial with terrifying speed.Danial’s expression hardened, but he remained motionless, waiting. His eyes, fierce and focused, calculated every second, every inch, measuring his moment to act.Buzz.His sword trembled violently as he swung upward with incredible precision. The blade cut the air with such ferocity that it seemed to slice through the atmosphere itself, creating a vacuum behind it. The force of his upward swing crashed into the golden arc, and for a single, blinding moment, there was silence.Then—BOOM.An explosion rang out, loud and violent. The golden arc was split cleanly down the middle, i
Back on the platform, Danial lowered himself into a stance, his eyes blazing with both frustration and raw determination. His hand hovered over the hilt, his muscles straining as he gripped the heavier sword. Without hesitation, he summoned his internal energy, and the room seemed to darken as the force around him intensified. The pressure radiating from him became palpable, making the air feel dense, like thunderclouds gathering within the hall.His whole body shook, the energy coursing through him in turbulent waves.Alex, watching from the sidelines, could hardly believe his eyes. “Is… is he actually forcing that much internal energy into the sword?” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.Leonard, equally wide-eyed, nodded a hint of awe creeping into his tone. “No wonder he’s struggling. That level of force… it’s insane. He looks like he’s going to tear himself apart at this rate.”As Danial continued to pour energy into the sword, blood began to seep from his palms and tr
Danial struggled to his feet, his body still trembling from the energy he had unleashed, but he accepted Elysia’s steadying hand. He released the shattered remnants of the sword from his grip, letting it clatter to the ground with a dull, hollow sound.Just then, Sara approached, her face creased with worry. “Danial, why were you so frustrated? It was like… like you weren’t satisfied with anything you’d done. The power you showed is beyond impressive—no one at your cultivation level even comes close.” She searched his face for an answer.Danial laughed, but there was no joy in it, only bitterness. He stayed silent, but his frustration was plain. In the realm of Broken Stars, he’d trained relentlessly, pouring his heart into mastering the Sword Drawing Technique. He had thought that training would yield a powerful, undeniable result here. But reality was a harsh teacher; the power he summoned was flawed, lacking control. It stung more deeply than he’d anticipated.Elysia watched him cl
Danial frowned at Elysia’s words. She seemed adamant about him revealing everything he knew, her expression unwavering as if trying to see right through him. He knew, of course, he couldn’t let her get any closer to his secrets—not if he wanted to stay safe. With a steady gaze and a practiced blank expression, he replied, “I’ve told you what I know, Miss Elysia.”For a brief moment, Elysia’s eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as if attempting to sift through his every word. Danial held his breath under the weight of her stare, wondering if her instincts would lead her to what he was trying to hide. Then, just as suddenly, her look softened, and she gave a small, satisfied smile as if allowing him this bit of mystery.He seized the chance to redirect her attention. “When exactly is this tournament? And what’s its purpose?”Elysia’s expression brightened slightly, a spark of excitement lighting her eyes. “This tournament is unlike anything you’ve seen, Danial. It’s held in preparation for
The day of the tournament had arrived, and Phoenix Academy buzzed with an energy unlike anything before. People poured in from every region of Somerland—high-ranking officials, esteemed warriors, wealthy merchants, and curious civilians—all here to witness the beginning of what was promised to be an unforgettable competition. The academy grounds were fortified with unparalleled security, displaying the gravity of the event. Convoys of military jeeps circled the perimeter, and officers patrolled every corner, ensuring only authorized guests set foot inside.Hmmmm!Security was unmatched; the air practically hummed with a sense of strict order. Military jeeps lined the pathways leading to the academy, each vehicle filled with alert soldiers scanning the area with hawk-like vigilance. Hundreds of officers patrolled with intensity, eyes sharp for any sign of disturbance. It was clear that for an event of this magnitude, nothing was left to chance. This wasn’t merely a tournament—it was a
As I slurped on my noodles at the town's renowned noodle shop, I found myself immersed in the savory flavors, oblivious to the world around me. However, that moment of bliss was abruptly interrupted by a peculiar sound, a faint "ping." I glanced around, but everything appeared normal. Shrugging it off, I resumed my culinary indulgence. Exiting the shop, I returned home to the comforting aroma of my mother's cooking. Sophia, with her graceful demeanor, was busy preparing fried chicken as I entered the kitchen. Regretting my earlier noodle escapade, I couldn't help but think that I'd prefer her cooking over any other. "There you are; here, have some chicken," she offered warmly. I declined, much to her surprise. Her disappointment was palpable, prompting me to quickly apologize and offer a hug. "Sorry, Mom," I said earnestly. "It's okay, not your fault. I should have told you earlier," she replied, her mood lifting as I kissed her cheek before darting upstairs. "That little... when w
"Wait a minute, you're telling me that binding the System will help me with training and cultivation?" I inquired, seeking more clarity. "Yes, that is correct," the System affirmed, its mechanical voice unwavering. "Anyway, how did you select me out of the billions of people in the world right now?" "Because you are 100% compatible with the System and considered a rare human throughout the Universe," it responded matter-of-factly. "Damn, that's crazy," I exclaimed, still trying to wrap my head around the idea. I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. The concept of being chosen by a cosmic entity for some grand purpose was overwhelming. Curiosity fueled my next question: "System, how were you made? What's your origin?" The System hesitated before responding, creating a moment of suspense. "The System was made by the Creator Of Everything, The One Who Ascended, The One Who is Above All, The One Who Created the Multiverse." Goosebumps covered my skin. "Creator