With a touch of the red button on her desk, the room began resonating with a low hum. Sylara Veilheart let her razor-sharp voice drop deep, cutting through the air like a blade.
"Bring Captain Imzar into the office. Now."
The heavy double doors creaked open, and in strode Captain Imzar Arathiel, an automatic focus of attention. His dark blue uniform shimmered slightly in the soft light, silver accents glinting. His ornate sword clinked softly against his side with every step, its ringing tones gentle yet authoritative.
"You summoned me, Guildmaster?" Imzar asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.
Sylara leaned back in her chair, her violet eyes gleaming with icy amusement as she gestured to Akira. "Yes, Captain. I have a rather interesting guest today. This one here claims he wants the spot of our outside agent. Cha-Jong brought him in."
Imzar's bright blue eyes landed on Akira, narrowing. Lines creased his brow, and his voice carried a tone of incredulity mixed with disdain. "Cha-Jong, why did you bring an inexperienced child to meet us as an outside agent?"
Sylara smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Careful, Captain. This 'child,' as you so kindly put it, has a bold streak that I find... intriguing."
Imzar crossed his arms, his hard stare fixed on Akira. "You've got guts coming here like this, but tell me—do you honestly believe you're qualified to stand in our ranks?"
Akira met his gaze with a smile. "That depends. Are you qualified to judge me?"
The room fell silent. Cha-Jong's eyes widened in alarm, while Sylara chuckled softly, openly amused. Imzar's jaw clenched, and he took a step forward, the air thickening around him. "You dare to behave audaciously here?"
Akira's grin widened as he leaned slightly forward, his voice laced with challenge. "If that's how you take it, yes. Why, got a problem with that?"
Imzar's knuckles cracked as his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "You came here for a fight, boy?"
Akira's tone was soft but provocative. "No. But if you want one, I won't back down."
The air was heavy with tension, the silence an eerie static before a storm. Imzar's mouth pulled back in a snarling grimace as he stepped closer, his large frame looming over Akira. "What did you just say?! You think you can take me on?!"
The confrontation was suddenly cut off by Sylara bursting into a peal of laughter that sliced through the thick atmosphere. "Ah, this is delightful! I've missed this sort of fire. This is how men should behave—unfiltered and bold. Let's put this to the test, shall we?" Her amethyst eyes shone as she leaned forward, her voice taking on gravity. "Akira Shoto, Captain Imzar is your opponent. Show me what you've got."
Cha-Jong, standing aside, looked shocked and took a step closer. "But Guildmaster, Captain Imzar is a B-Rank Warrior STAR! Akira has no chance against him!"
Sylara cocked her head to one side, her eyes challenging him to continue. "If he wants to hold that position, he should earn it. You know that an outside agent has the right to raid dungeons by himself. If he can't handle a B-rank, how do you expect me to give him that position? Nobody is exempt."
Cha-Jong stayed silent, his thoughts racing. "Oh, Guildmaster, it's not him losing the duel that I fear—it's what happens if we push him too far. If that monster inside him awakens again… there won't be anything left to stop it."
Akira's smile dimmed as he shrugged and moved closer, standing in front of Imzar. "Good. Let's do it."
Imzar stared down at Akira, drawing his thin sword with a deliberate motion. The blade sparkled perilously as he leveled its tip against Akira. "You have no idea what you're in for, kid. You're going to remember this day for the rest of your short career."
But Akira didn't back away. He took one step closer, his tone dripping with provocation. "Big words, big mouth. Try living up to them now. Or is it all talk and no go, Captain?"
Sylara burst out laughing again, this time motioning to a huge training arena beyond a set of double doors. "Take it to the sparring grounds. Let's make this official. Captain, if you underestimate him, you'll regret it. I know for sure that no one behaves like that without having the strength to back it up."
Muttering under his breath, Cha-Jong followed them with a concerned look on his face. "This is madness…"
But Akira's smile didn't disappear as he entered the field. In his eyes, a fire was already burning, ignited by the thrill of the challenge.
The spar room buzzed with energy. The arena was lined with several training dummies and magical constructs, their intricate designs glowing faintly, as if in anticipation of the clash to come. Faint scorch marks lined the walls, testament to the skill of those who had fought within.
Cha-Jong leaned in closer to Akira, his voice low but laced with urgency. "Be careful. The Captain isn't just strong—he's relentless. He will test you in ways you can't even fathom."
Akira smirked, rolling his shoulders as he stepped to the center of the room. "Don't worry."
At the far end of the arena, Captain Imzar Arathiel drew his ornate sword, the blade humming softly with an ominous energy. His blue cloak swirled as he took his position, his piercing eyes locking onto Akira with intensity.
"Let's begin," Imzar said.
The two faced off, the air thick with tension. The very atmosphere seemed to crackle with anticipation. Sylara leaned back in a chair, her sharp eyes never leaving the scene before her. Let's see how this unfolds.
Imzar struck first, a mighty slash that shook the arena and sent the ground beneath Akira's feet trembling. Akira danced to the side with acrobatic grace.
"Show me what you've got!" Imzar barked.
Akira sidestepped the blow and countered with a sharp, calculated strike aimed at Imzar's flank. But the Captain moved with practiced grace, deflecting the attack effortlessly.
"You asked for it!" Akira grinned.
The two clashed, their movements blurring as the intensity of the fight escalated. Imzar's sword sang through the air in precise, devastating arcs, each swing forcing Akira further on the defensive. Sparks flew as Akira's Panthoblade collided with Imzar's, the sound of metal meeting metal reverberating through the room.
"Not bad for a rookie," Imzar said, his tone mocking. "But you'll need more than speed to survive!"
He sprang forward in a feint, then slashed upward in a flash of steel. Akira barely twisted out of the way; the blade cut across his sleeve.
"Is that all you've got, or are you just warming up?" Akira taunted.
Imzar's lips curled into a smirk, and his strikes grew faster, more aggressive. He pressed Akira back, step by step, his overwhelming strength and experience showing with every calculated move.
Sylara watched quietly, her violet eyes glinting with interest. "Impressive. This young man isn't just holding his own—he's adapting to the Captain's battle style."
Cha-Jong stood at the edge of the arena, his hands clenched into fists as he watched the battle unfold. "Come on, Akira. You can do this!"
Akira's mind raced as he parried another heavy strike—his arms ached from the force. "Damn, he's strong. Every move feels like it could break me if I slip up. If I hadn't leveled up inside that dungeon, this would have been shameful."
Imzar pressed his advantage, and a quick kick caught Akira by surprise, sending him sliding across the floor. "I expected more from someone so cocky!"
Akira wiped a trickle of blood from his lip, still grinning. "He's good—better than I expected. But I'm not done yet. Think, Akira. He's fast and strong, but there's always a pattern. I just have to find it."
Imzar charged again, his sword coming down in a devastating arc. Akira stepped to the side at the last second, his own blade flashing forward in a counterstrike aimed at Imzar's shoulder. The Captain twisted, avoiding the blow, but the faintest tear appeared in his cloak.
"Hmph," Imzar said, raising an eyebrow. "You're quicker than I thought."
The spar continued, their blows a blur of speed and power. Akira began to adapt, his movements more calculated. He feinted to the left, drawing Imzar into an overextension, and delivered a sharp kick to the Captain's side. Imzar stumbled slightly but recovered almost instantly, his sword slicing toward Akira's midsection. Akira dropped to the ground, rolling away just in time, before springing back to his feet.
"He's testing me—probing for weaknesses. But I can feel it. He's not unbeatable."
Imzar's eyes narrowed as he struck again and again. Akira clashed blades with himthe force of contact shook through his arms. They locked eyes, Akira's gaze burning with determination.
Sylara leaned forward, her violet eyes glinting as her laughter echoed around the arena. "Ah, now this is what I like to see—that determination. Let's see how far it takes you, kid."