The academy grounds hummed with life as another day of matches loomed. The excitement was palpable, the air thick with the mingling scents of grass, sweat, and faintly charred magic from prior battles. Kai stood on the outskirts of the crowd, his hood drawn low, eyes scanning for any signs of trouble.
"Tebu," he muttered under his breath, his voice masked by the chatter of students. "Are there any hostile presences nearby?"
The system's response was immediate.
"No direct hostility detected. However, several individuals are observing you with heightened interest."
Kai clenched his fists, his unease growing. The events of the previous day still lingered like a phantom, casting long shadows over his thoughts. He had drawn too much attention, and now the cracks in his carefully constructed disguise were beginning to show.
"Host, participation in today's matches is advised," Tebu added. "Combat provides opportunities for further evolution and increased skill points."
Kai hesitated, weighing the risks. Another match meant more exposure, but it also meant a chance to grow stronger. And in this world, strength was the only currency that mattered.
"Fine," he said finally, his voice firm. "But I'm keeping a low profile."
---
The arena was a coliseum of stone and steel, its towering walls designed to contain the raw power unleashed within. Kai stepped into the waiting area, the murmurs of the crowd washing over him like a wave. His opponent had not yet arrived, giving him a moment to gather his thoughts.
The creature from the previous match materialized beside him, its shadowy form rippling with barely contained energy. It had grown stronger since its evolution, its presence more tangible.
"Stay hidden unless I summon you," Kai instructed, his voice low.
The creature growled in response, fading into the shadows like smoke dissipating into the air.
Moments later, a figure stepped into the waiting area. It was a boy about Kai's age, his short-cropped hair dyed an unnatural shade of blue. His eyes gleamed with confidence, and a faint smirk played at his lips.
"You're the guy everyone's talking about," the boy said, his tone laced with amusement. "The shadow summoner."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"
"Damon," the boy replied, his smirk widening. "Ranked 15th in the academy. And you're about to find out why."
Kai said nothing, his expression unreadable. He had no intention of revealing his hand before the match began.
---
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, silencing the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next match is about to begin! In this corner, we have Damon, a top-ranked student with a mastery of elemental wind magic!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as Damon stepped forward, raising a hand in acknowledgment.
"And in the opposite corner, we have Kai, the shadow summoner who stunned us all in yesterday's match!"
The applause was more subdued this time, mixed with murmurs of curiosity and caution.
Kai ignored the crowd, his focus solely on Damon. He could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on him, but he shoved the thought aside. This was a fight, nothing more.
"Begin!" the announcer declared, and the arena exploded into chaos.
Damon wasted no time, launching a gust of wind that sent shards of stone hurtling toward Kai. The attack was fast, precise, and aimed to test his reflexes.
Kai dodged to the side, the shards grazing his arm. Blood seeped through the fabric of his sleeve, but he barely noticed. His mind was already calculating, analyzing Damon's movements.
"Tebu, assess his abilities," Kai commanded.
"Opponent possesses high-level wind manipulation," the system replied. "Attacks are precise but lack raw power. Exploitable weaknesses detected in close combat."
Kai's lips twitched into a grim smile. He could work with that.
He summoned his creature, its shadowy form coalescing beside him. The sight drew gasps from the crowd, the whispers growing louder.
"What is that thing?"
"Is it even human?"
"Does he control it, or does it control him?"
Damon's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered. "So, that's your trick. Let's see how it handles this!"
He thrust his hands forward, summoning a whirlwind that tore through the arena. The force of the wind was enough to lift Kai off his feet, but his creature moved faster. It surged forward, using the shadows to anchor itself as it lunged at Damon.
The boy barely dodged, his wind barrier absorbing the brunt of the attack. But the creature was relentless, its claws slicing through the air with deadly precision.
"Not bad," Damon admitted, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "But you'll need more than that to beat me."
He raised his arms, the air around him shimmering with raw energy. A spear of condensed wind formed in his hands, its edges razor-sharp.
Kai's eyes narrowed. He could feel the power radiating from the weapon, but he refused to back down.
"Go," he commanded his creature, and it obeyed without hesitation.
The two forces clashed in a burst of energy that shook the arena. Damon's spear met the creature's claws, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. For a moment, it seemed like neither would yield.
But then the creature did something unexpected. It shifted its form, its shadowy body flowing around the spear like water. Before Damon could react, it was behind him, its claws poised to strike.
The boy spun around, his barrier flaring to life just in time to deflect the attack. But the effort left him winded, his breathing ragged.
Kai seized the opportunity, closing the distance between them. He lashed out with a dagger, the blade aimed for Damon's exposed side.
The boy's eyes widened, and he barely managed to summon a gust of wind to throw Kai off balance. But it wasn't enough. The dagger grazed his arm, drawing blood.
Damon staggered back, clutching at the wound. His confidence was gone, replaced by a mixture of fear and anger.
"This isn't over," he growled, summoning another spear of wind.
Kai's creature growled in response, its glowing eyes locked on its target.
"End it," Kai said, his voice cold.
The creature lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Damon's spear shattered on impact, the force of the attack sending him sprawling to the ground.
The match was over.
---
The crowd was silent for a moment, stunned by the ferocity of the battle. Then the murmurs began, growing louder with each passing second.
"Did you see that?"
"That creature… it's terrifying."
"He's not normal."
Kai ignored the whispers, his focus on Damon. The boy was still conscious, his expression a mix of shock and defeat.
"Next time," Kai said quietly, "don't underestimate your opponent."
He turned and walked away, his creature fading back into the shadows.
---
Back in his room, Kai collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion washing over him. His body ached, and his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
"Tebu," he said finally. "What's our next move?"
The system's response was calm and measured.
"Continue to grow stronger, host. The path ahead is fraught with danger, but with power comes control."
Kai closed his eyes, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He had won the match, but the cost of his victory was becoming clearer with each passing moment.