The campus was shrouded in a heavy mist, with the atmosphere heavy and feeling as though it was pressing down on you. It was a day that seemed to resist the intrusion of light, and even the brightest of souls would find it difficult to dispel the pervasive darkness that clung to the college.
Daron awoke in his dorm room, the dreary ambiance of the day seeping into his very being. The world outside his window was obscured by a thick curtain of fog, as if nature itself sought to cloak the college in obscurity. Looking out into the absent horizon, he couldn't help but feel like something was about to threaten the fragile balance of their everyday lives.
Julian stirred in his own bed, his eyes opening to the dimly lit room. The somber mood of the day seemed to have infiltrated their very dreams, leaving them with a sense of unease. They exchanged confused glances, both aware they felt as though their emotions were being played with. Another question to add to their list about things wrong with this college.
As they prepared for the day, the weight of the misty atmosphere hung over them like a heavy cloak. It was as if the mist was trying to drown them as they walked through the campus, like a monster on a map enticing adventures that were too foolish to actually traverse the dangers.
The morning sun struggled to pierce through the fog, casting feeble rays of light that failed to dispel the oppressive gloom. Daron and Julian navigated the campus with a sense of trepidation, the conversations of other students muted by the pervasive stillness of the day.
Their footsteps echoed eerily on the deserted pathways as they made their way toward the courtyard. With dense fog all around them, they felt isolated as a sense of unease setttled over themselves.
And then, they stumbled upon the gathering at the center of the courtyard. A small crowd had gathered around a figure, their voices hushed as if afraid to disturb the ominous stillness of the day.
Noctus Iraheta stood at the heart of the gathering, his presence casting a sinister shadow over the scene. The dreary atmosphere seemed to make his presence thrive even more.
Noctus, the aforementioned lunatic by Julian, was a cruel man, leaving a trail of injuries in his wake. The medic's office, a place shrouded in confidentiality, had become a sanctuary for those who fell victim to Noctus's sadistic games. Rumors were unable to escape its confines, and the college remained largely unaware of the grave danger that lurked within their midst.
Daron and Julian watched as Noctus faced another challenger, the atmosphere thick with tension. With a sly smile on his face, the pleasure he was taking from hurting other students was clear, and that he was likely drunk on the power he held over them.
Daron had heard about Noctus from Julian, but he had never encountered him personally. Taking one look at him and his face was enough for Daron to be filled with enough disdain for a lifetime. Such individuals couldn't be confronted with words, not that Daron would have tried to anyway, especially with students' safety at risk.
Daron's presence was surprisingly commanding as he stepped forward, attention soon turning on him. Noctus turned to face this unexpected challenger, his expression shifting from arrogance to curiosity.
"Who are you?" Noctus inquired, sizing up Daron.
Daron met Noctus's gaze with unwavering resolve. "Does someone like you deserve to know such a thing? I thought you'd have a bit more bite."
The crowd fell silent, taken aback by Daron's audacity. Noctus seemed momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure.
"Very well," Noctus agreed with a smirk. "Let's see how much bark you've brought then."
As the duel began, the gloom of the day seemed to intensify, casting a pall over the courtyard. Noctus approached Daron with the intent to touch him and unleash his technique.
Daron and Noctus circled each other cautiously, the tension between them palpable. The other students watched in silence, their curiosity mixed with a sense of dread. It was a duel, but none of them knew the true extent of Noctus's power.
Noctus lunged forward, his hand aiming for Daron's shoulder. In that moment, their worlds collided. Noctus's fingers brushed against Daron's skin, but something unexpected happened. Daron's system sprang into action, a protective barrier activating instinctively to prevent the intrusion of Noctus's power.
The two students froze in place, locked in a silent struggle that went unnoticed by the onlookers. Daron's mind raced as he felt the strange energy coursing through him, his system analyzing and processing the threat.
A series of notifications flashed in Daron's mind, courtesy of his system's safety protocols:
[Warning: Unidentified energy intrusion detected.]
[Analyzing energy signature...]
[Energy signature identified: Disruptor: Energy path blockage.]
[Employing method to stop blockage]
As the notifications continued, Daron realized the gravity of the situation; Noctus had a power that could cripple, a technique that disrupted the energy path in the body and caused blockages.
Daron's system neutralized the threat, but only for him; what of the countless students who were already affected by his technique? Can the campus's medics heal energy path blockages?
Attempting to break through Daron's defenses, Noctus grew frustrated, expecting an easy victory but encountering unexpected resistance.
With his confidence in the duel growing, he knew he couldn't allow Noctus to keep using this technique on students.
A silent clash of wills played out beneath the surface as the duel continued. The other students remained unaware of the invisible battle unfolding before them, but they could sense the tension in the air.
Daron's determination surged as he faced Noctus in their silent battle. At this point, Daron knew Noctus didn't have anything left to hide, while he still had an advantage. It was time to reveal the combat skill he had earned from his high school competition, Fast Nerve Palm.
Fast Nerve Palm was a skill that combined the abilities of two formidable opponents he had faced in high school—Rylen Dwyl and Julian Parker, his current roommate. Rylen packs a punch in combat, if he could only keep a cool head, due to his superhuman speed. Julian, on the other hand, wields chains that inflict excruciating pain upon his opponents. Daron had gotten the best of both abilities with this own unique skill.
As Noctus continued his attempts to disrupt Daron's energy flow, Daron channeled the power of Fast Nerve Palm. Activating the skill, he aimed to inflict even a small portion of the pain he put others through. At this time, he wished he had Julian's chains so he would really be able to experience it.
As Daron launched a strike towards Noctus's chest, energy began coursing through his energy path to his palm. Intense pain spread through Noctus's chest as the strike landed, his expression a contortion of pain as he staggered backward.
Daron knew that Noctus was experiencing the full force of the Fast Nerve Palm, but the skill was designed to inflict severe pain while minimizing physical damage. No permanent damage done, it was the perfect tool to subdue someone who could feel pain.
Noctus, unable to withstand the excruciating pain, fell to his knees, his hands trembling. His confidence shattered, he realized that surrender was his only option. With a defeated look in his eyes, he mumbled his surrender.
"I give up," Noctus muttered, his voice barely audible.
Daron stepped back, his Fast Nerve Palm still at the ready, just in case. Not engaging in conversation with someone he lost to, Noctus scrambled to his feet and disappeared into the campus crowd.
The onlookers were amazed that someone had finally managed to make a fool out Noctus, though, none of them truly understood what had happened during the duel. Daron had successfully subdued Noctus, and the campus would now be free from his reign of terror, at least temporarily, if Julian's duel with him was anything to go off of.
As Daron caught his breath, he worried about the students that had already been touched by Noctus's power. The only place that held those answers was the medic's office, he only hoped his ability and partial technique he's learned so far could get him in.