Chapter 6: Duel of Fates
The midday sun beat down on the training grounds, casting long shadows across the sprawling arena. A massive circular arena made of stone and Aether-infused materials was the venue for today's event—a 1-on-1 duel for every cadet in Klade Academy to showcase their abilities. The air buzzed with excitement, and the clang of weapons could already be heard from a distance.
Tae-Hyun stood with his arms crossed, his gaze drifting over the crowd of cadets preparing for their turn. His muscles were still sore from the previous day's trial, but the energy within him felt almost… hungry.
A massive board loomed at the edge of the arena, listing all the names of the cadets who would be fighting today. His name was listed near the top, and as Tae-Hyun approached, a wave of whispers passed through the crowd.
"That's the XS-rank guy."
"Did you hear? He wiped out a boss in the Labyrinth without breaking a sweat."
"He's going to get wrecked today. The competition is fierce."
Tae-Hyun barely registered their words. His mind was focused, and there was a low hum in the back of his head. The voice of Ashborn, the mysterious entity that had shown him the ropes of his new powers, echoed in his thoughts.
"You will face many strong opponents, Tae-Hyun. But you must never forget the strength you possess. You are the Shardbearer of Distortion. Use it."
A chill ran through him at the mention of his Distortion ability. Since awakening, Tae-Hyun had learned to control his basic Aethercrafts—his Aether Bind and Shatterstep were coming more naturally with each passing day. But the full potential of Distortion was still a mystery to him. Even Ashborn's cryptic words offered little in the way of clarity.
"Yun Tae-Hyun!" Instructor Kael's voice rang out across the arena, snapping Tae-Hyun out of his thoughts. "You're up. Get in the ring."
Tae-Hyun nodded, moving forward, his heart beating a little faster. As he climbed the stone steps to the arena, he spotted his opponent: Gyeo-Rin, a tall, athletic cadet known for her quick reflexes and mastery of Flux-based Aethercrafts. She had a reputation for being ruthless in combat, her Fluxstrike ability allowing her to zip around the battlefield faster than the eye could follow.
The crowd's energy surged as they waited in anticipation. Gyeo-Rin flashed Tae-Hyun a confident smile, her eyes gleaming with a competitive fire.
"You're the new kid, huh?" she called out, her voice carrying across the arena. "Don't worry, I'll make this quick. Just don't cry when I win."
Tae-Hyun didn't respond. He was still trying to center himself. He could feel his heart racing in his chest, but his mind remained calm. Focus.
The arena doors shut behind him, the sound echoing like a drumbeat, signaling the beginning of the duel. Instructor Kael's voice boomed, carrying authority.
"Fight."
Without a second's hesitation, Gyeo-Rin lunged at him. In a blur of motion, she vanished from sight, reappearing behind him in the span of a heartbeat.
Tae-Hyun's reflexes kicked in. He threw his arm behind him, and golden chains shot out, wrapping around the spot where she had just been. But she was already gone, leaving nothing but a faint ripple in the air. He spun around just in time to see her reappear, coming in fast with a glowing fist aimed straight at his chest.
Fluxstrike.
Tae-Hyun barely had time to react. He summoned Aether Bind once again, trying to block her attack, but Gyeo-Rin was already on the move, her fist moving faster than his chains could catch her. The impact sent him stumbling back, his feet dragging against the ground. His heart raced as the force of the blow rattled his chest.
"You're slow, new guy!" Gyeo-Rin taunted, her voice dripping with confidence.
Tae-Hyun gritted his teeth, feeling the burn in his muscles. He could already tell this was going to be harder than he anticipated. Focus.
Suddenly, a spark of realization hit him. His body felt light, almost weightless, and the air around him seemed to bend slightly. The distortion—that was what Ashborn had been trying to explain. He wasn't just reacting. He could distort the space around him.
With a surge of will, he activated Shatterstep. The world around him fractured in an instant, the air distorting as the ground beneath his feet warped. He blinked out of existence and reappeared a few feet away, just as Gyeo-Rin's next punch landed in the space he had occupied moments ago.
Gyeo-Rin's eyes widened. "What the—?!"
Before she could process what happened, Tae-Hyun was already on the offensive. He pushed forward with everything he had, his chains flickering with golden light. He summoned a barrage of Aether Bind attacks, sending the chains snaking out toward Gyeo-Rin's limbs, hoping to pin her down.
But Gyeo-Rin was fast. She dodged, but each time, the chains were already there, catching the edges of her movements. He could feel the strain on his body, but the rush of power from his abilities—especially the ability to distort reality itself—sent a thrill through him.
"Not bad." Gyeo-Rin's grin returned, but now there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She wasn't sure what to make of him anymore.
"But it's not enough!"
With a roar, she unleashed her Flux Surge, a burst of speed that sent her flying toward Tae-Hyun faster than he could track. He only had a split second to react, but this time, he didn't just wait to react. He acted first.
Shatterstep.
He blinked behind her, instantly closing the gap between them. As she turned in confusion, he reached out and wrapped his chains around her, trapping her arms and legs in a perfect hold.
"Gotcha," he whispered under his breath, his heart pounding in his chest.
Before Gyeo-Rin could react, he sent a pulse of energy through the chains, slamming her into the arena floor with a deafening crash. Her body hit the ground hard, and the chains dissipated, the tension of the battle ebbing away.
Tae-Hyun stood over her, breathing heavily, his Aether energy crackling around him.
"I... I can't believe it." Gyeo-Rin groaned, her voice tinged with both disbelief and admiration. "You're something else."
Instructor Kael's booming voice echoed across the arena, signaling the end of the match. "Winner: Yun Tae-Hyun."
The crowd exploded into applause, the sound deafening. Tae-Hyun stood motionless for a moment, trying to catch his breath. He had won—but at what cost?
Gyeo-Rin raised her head, smiling at him with a newfound respect. "You're going places, Tae-Hyun. I'll be watching."
Tae-Hyun nodded, but deep down, he knew this was only the beginning.