As Dean stood frozen, he could feel his heart hammering against his ribs, his body drenched in cold sweat. It wasn't just fear—it was sheer, unrelenting terror. The pressure Sean was exuding felt like a mountain pressing down on him, suffocating and inescapable.
Dean's eyes locked onto Sean's, now devoid of humanity and entirely black, like endless voids that threatened to swallow him whole. A chill ran down his spine as he silently prayed, hoping against hope that Sean wouldn't attack.
While Dean prayed, trembling in fear, the principal stood at the edge of the arena, his expression unreadable. But deep inside, a flicker of recognition danced in his eyes.
*This… this can't be…* he thought, recalling stories of similar phenomena, ancient and dangerous. He hesitated to intervene, curiosity warring with caution. He needed to see how this played out.
**"My turn."**
Sean's voice, deep and guttural, reverberated across the arena. It wasn't just the tone—it was the raw power behind it, a beastly growl that sent shivers down every spine in the audience. The spectators, once jeering, now sat in stunned silence, their faces pale.
Sean's aura was unrecognizable. The timid, battered boy was gone, replaced by something far more savage. His presence screamed danger, a predator ready to strike.
Dean's knees buckled, his earlier confidence shattered like fragile glass. He could hardly believe that moments ago, this was the same prey he was about to finish off.
Before Dean could process what was happening, Sean blurred into motion.
**THUD!**
In a single leap, Sean closed the gap between them, his fist cocked back. Black Chi swirled around his hand like an ominous mist, exuding a bone-chilling cold.
**BAM!**
The punch connected with devastating force, slamming into Dean's cheek. The sheer impact sent him flying across the arena. He crashed onto the floor with a resounding thud, his body rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Blood poured from his mouth and nose, staining the ground beneath him. For a moment, he lay there, dazed and motionless.
Sean didn't stop.
With a flick of his wrist, black Chi flowed from his palm, coiling around Dean's limp body like tendrils of shadow. Dean groaned as the Chi lifted him into the air, dragging him toward Sean like a puppet on invisible strings.
Dean regained consciousness just as Sean's icy grip wrapped around his neck, hoisting him high. His breath hitched as he stared into Sean's abyssal eyes, sheer terror consuming him.
"P-please…" Dean croaked, his voice barely a whisper.
Sean's lips twisted into a cruel smirk. Black Chi gathered around his left hand, coalescing into a blade-like construct. Its edges shimmered with an eerie sharpness, radiating an icy aura that seemed to pierce the air itself.
**"This ends now,"** Sean growled.
With deadly precision, Sean pulled his arm back, aiming the blade directly at Dean's heart. The arena held its collective breath as time seemed to slow. The spectators were paralyzed, unable to move or intervene.
Just as the blade closed in—mere inches from Dean's chest—a wrinkled hand shot out, stopping Sean's strike mid-air.
The principal had intervened.
**"Sean, that's enough."**
The principal's voice was calm, but there was a steel edge to it. He channeled his Chi, attempting to suppress the dark energy enveloping Sean. To his shock, his Chi was instantly devoured upon contact, disappearing into Sean's body like water into a void.
Sean twitched, his aura flaring in response. The compressed energy ignited in a violent burst, blasting the principal backward.
**BOOM!**
The shockwave rattled the arena. The principal managed to recover, landing gracefully near the edge. To his relief, he had managed to pull Dean to safety during the explosion.
"Stay here," the principal instructed, steadying the shaken boy. "I'll handle this."
With a burst of speed, the principal reappeared in front of Sean.
Sean snarled, his beast-like instincts taking over. He lashed out with a punch, but the principal deflected it with ease. A swift tap to Sean's shoulder rendered his right arm limp.
Yet, Sean didn't stop.
He attacked with his left hand, his feet, even headbutts, throwing everything he had at the principal. Each move was wild yet brutal, like a frenzied beast fighting to the death. But the principal remained untouchable, blocking and evading every strike with surgical precision.
After exchanging countless blows in mere seconds, the principal had enough. He caught Sean's wrist mid-punch and struck a vital acupuncture point on his neck.
Sean's body went limp instantly.
The black flames flickered and dissipated as Sean collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The principal hoisted him onto his shoulder, his expression grave. Turning to the stunned crowd, he spoke firmly.
**"The event is over. Go and rest. We'll discuss this tomorrow."**
With that, the principal vanished, leaving the students and an injured Dean behind. The arena was silent, the weight of what they had witnessed hanging heavily in the air.
This day would never be forgotten.
---
### Sean's POV
*Ugh… what happened?*
I woke up to a splitting headache, a dull throb pounding behind my eyes. My body felt like it had been hit by a freight train. Every muscle screamed in protest as I tried to move.
The ceiling above me was plain, unfamiliar. I groaned, shifting slightly, and winced as pain shot through my limbs. After what felt like hours, the ache subsided enough for me to sit up.
I tried to piece together my memories, but every attempt was met with a sharp jolt of pain. The last thing I could clearly recall was Dean turning me into a punching bag.
*What the hell happened after that?*
With a sigh, I swung my legs over the bed, noticing a pair of slippers neatly placed beside it. Slipping them on, I stood and glanced around the room. It was sparsely furnished—just a bed, a small bookshelf stacked with worn storybooks, a lamp, and a mirror by the door.
Something about the mirror caught my attention.
I walked over, my movements slow and stiff. But as I looked into the glass, my jaw dropped.
Staring back at me was a reflection I barely recognized.