Lay Siege to Your Power
The words had not left Kane's mind.
"Lay siege to your power."
They echoed constantly, a whisper turning into a roar, drilling into his thoughts no matter how much he tried to silence them. The system refused to explain them, offering nothing but frustrating deflections when he asked.
Even the talkative version of the system—usually eager to dump endless streams of information—would dance around the question, evading him like it was guarding a secret.
It had been a week since she spoke to him. A week of confusion, unanswered questions, and mounting doubt. The mysterious girl had appeared out of nowhere, delivering those haunting words before vanishing just as quickly. He had tried to piece together her motives, but every attempt ended in failure.
He was no closer to understanding.
Kane rubbed his temples as the faint throb of a headache pulsed behind his eyes. He had done everything to drown out his frustrations—grueling training sessions that left him soaked in sweat and aching in every muscle. Yet, it all felt pointless. Despite the system's insistence on his progress, the only rewards he received were [status points], intangible and meaningless to him.
He didn't feel stronger. He didn't feel different. He only felt... weak.
He sighed deeply, resigned to his place. If he was destined to be a nobody, then maybe it was time to stop fighting against it.
"Get a grip, man."
Leo's voice pulled Kane from his thoughts. He turned to see his friend walking beside him, his face filled with concern. Kane didn't respond. Instead, he turned away, keeping his eyes forward as they walked.
The group was heading toward the academy's weapon mastery facility. For most of the recruits, this was an exciting day—the chance to pick the weapon that would define their future. Some of them were already buzzing with anticipation, their voices filling the air with chatter and laughter.
Kane wasn't one of them.
He shuffled along, his shoulders slumped and his mind heavy. They approached the building, and even the sight of its towering glass facade failed to stir any excitement in him. The structure glimmered like a beacon, its reflective surface casting shimmering blue light across the courtyard.
Inside, the facility was even more impressive. Weapons of all kinds lined the walls, displayed in pristine cases that stretched as far as the eye could see. Swords, axes, bows, spears—all forged with exquisite craftsmanship. The recruits scattered immediately, drawn to the displays like moths to a flame.
But Kane felt nothing.
He broke away from the group, his feet dragging as he found an empty bench in a quiet corner. He sat heavily, his head drooping into his hands.
For a moment, the hum of excitement faded, and he allowed himself to sink into the silence.
Then came the sound of hushed whispers.
The air shifted. A ripple of tension moved through the recruits, their voices lowering to murmurs. Some glanced toward the entrance, their eyes widening with recognition. Kane didn't look up. He didn't need to.
The atmosphere spoke for itself.
She was here.
Aliya McCaull.
The name alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of the recruits. One of the "Big Five," the academy's most formidable students. In just a week, her reputation had spread like wildfire, her name spoken with equal parts reverence and fear. Aliya wasn't just powerful—she was untouchable. A prodigy of terrifying skill and cunning, already at a level most recruits could only dream of.
And now, she was here.
Kane felt her presence before he saw her. It was oppressive, suffocating, like a storm rolling in. The whispers grew louder, the room's focus narrowing to a single point as she strode into view.
Her movements were deliberate, every step exuding confidence. Her uniform was immaculate, tailored to perfection, and adorned with subtle details that marked her status. Her dark hair framed a sharp, flawless face, her piercing eyes scanning the room with cold detachment.
She didn't need to speak. Her presence was enough.
Kane tried to ignore her, but it was impossible. Even in the corner of his vision, she stood out like a shadow against the light.
Then, she moved.
Her footsteps were soft, almost inaudible, yet they seemed to echo louder with each step. Kane stiffened as they drew closer, his chest tightening as he realized her destination.
"Hey there."
The voice was deceptively gentle, almost playful. Kane didn't look up.
"What do you want?" His tone was sharp, his patience already frayed.
Aliya tilted her head, studying him like one might study an insect under a magnifying glass. "Is that how you greet someone of my rank?"
Kane clenched his fists. "Just get to the point."
Her smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're an interesting one, aren't you?"
Kane finally met her gaze, his expression hardening. "If you're here to waste my time, don't bother."
Aliya chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that somehow carried a sinister edge. "Bold. I like that." She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "But you should be careful how you speak to me, Kane. You're not in a position to make demands."
[Bloodlust is being directed at the host.]
The system's alert made Kane's skin crawl. He could feel it now—the weight of her presence pressing down on him, suffocating and inescapable.
She was testing him. Pushing him. Waiting for him to crack.
But Kane didn't flinch.
"Get out of my sight" he said quietly, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him.
Aliya's eyes narrowed, her smirk faltering for a fraction of a second. But then she straightened, her composure snapping back into place like a mask.
"You're feisty for an E-grade," she said, her tone light but laced with venom. "Let's see how far that gets you."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her presence lingering like the aftermath of a thunderclap.
---
The murmurs began again, but this time they were cut short by the sound of a cane striking the floor.
An elderly man stepped into the room, his figure was hunched and frail. He leaned heavily on a crooked walking stick, his weathered face framed by a mane of gray hair, he was old.. very old and everyone present could see that.
"Is that our instructor?"
"No way. He looks like he could barely hold a sword."
The old man smiled faintly seeing the disbelief in the eyes of the students, this was something he had grown accustomed to. As he reached the center of the room, his eyes squinted as he surveyed the recruits.
"Is he even seeing, with how low his eyelids are?"
"Enough," he said, his voice calm yet commanding. The room fell silent instantly.
"I am Hirata Kosuka," he began. "And for this semester, I will be your instructor for weapon mastery."
His gaze swept over the recruits again, his expression unreadable. He stroked his long gray hair once more, looking at them once more with a scrutinizing gaze
"I want to see a sparring match," he said simply, cracking his neck with a smile plastered across his face.
There was a brief moment of silence from the crowd as if no one had heard what he just spewed out from his lips. That's when reality dawned on them again.
"But we haven't learned anything yet!"
"How can we fight without training?"
Hirata raised a hand, and the protests stopped as quickly as they had started. Surprisingly, even for an old man, he was still able to command respect.
"Who will volunteer?"
The room fell silent, the recruits exchanging nervous glances. No one wanted to step forward.
"I will."
The voice cut through the silence like a blade. All heads turned to see Aliya McCaull step forward, her smile returning as she surveyed the room.
"Good," Hirata said with a nod. "Since you volunteered, you are free to choose anyone you'd like to spar with"
"And mind you, if chosen, there will be no escape" his voice was firm and his tone, imposing.
Aliya's smile widened, her gaze sweeping over the recruits. She just pretended to have doubts on who to pick but deep down, she knew exactly who her target was.
Her fingers moved through the air back and forth and with every swift motion it made, the whole crowd cowered in fear, just the thought of fighting with her was freaking them out.
On the other hand, Kane was already panicking, from the little conversation he had with Aliya, he knew that she would be out for revenge, what other place to take it all out than here?
"You."
Kane felt his stomach drop.
"Wait…what?" Leo and Liam gasped in unison. "Why Kane?"