"Kai Velroth?"
The voice was sharp and mocking, filled with disdain.
Kai and his group turned toward the source to see a group stepping out of the shadows of another corridor leading into the room.
Standing at the head of the group was the one who had spoken.
"Bram Lawless."
Tall and broad-shouldered, his jet-black hair fell in perfectly tousled waves, and his piercing blue eyes gleamed with arrogant amusement.
Behind him, his group stood, a mix of confident-looking individuals who clearly saw themselves as above the rest.
"Well, if it isn't the lesser Velroth." Bram sneered. "Didn't expect to see you making it this far."
Kai sighed inwardly. He recognized Bram instantly from the original Kai's memories.
Bram, who is the heir to Lord Lawless, one of the four High Lords, had always been a thorn in the original Kai's side.
Both had been equally arrogant, clashing whenever their paths crossed.
The animosity between them was enough to make their peers avoid gatherings where the two of them would be present together.
"Bram." Kai said coolly, his eyes narrowing. "Still compensating for something, I see."
Before Bram could fire back, the air in the chamber shimmered in a heatwave, and a figure appeared on the stage.
The professor wore a long robe with the insignia for Mythreach on the chest, standing confidently on the stage.
"Congratulations to both groups." The professor announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "You have found the central chamber. You are close to passing this test."
"However, only one group may advance immediately."
Kai and Bram both turned their attention to the professor, who gestured toward the stage.
"To determine which group proceeds, each group must nominate a representative for a duel. The winner's group will pass, and the loser's group will need to continue the test elsewhere."
Bram smirked, stepping forward. "Let's not waste time. Velroth, just step aside and let me and my group pass. It'll save you the embarrassment."
Kai tilted his head, suppressing a sigh. "You know, Bram, this attitude is just getting tiring."
He turned to his group, raising a questioning brow. "I didn't come here to fight anyways. I'm just trying to have some fun."
Bram's smirk widened. "Good. Then you know what's best for you."
Then, he uttered words that were best kept in the mind. "Ants should know their place."
Kai froze.
But before he could respond, Arlo spoke up from the back.
"Ants, huh? Does that make you the king of the picnic table or something?"
Laughter rippled through Kai's group, but Bram's expression darkened.
His icy gaze shifted to Arlo. "Keep your mouth shut while your betters are speaking." He snapped.
"You're the bastard son of Lord Graham, aren't you? A stain on your family's name."
The tension in the room spiked and Phoebe and the others turned to Arlo, surprise written all over their faces.
"You're a son of Lord Graham?" Seraphina asked, her silver eyes wide.
Arlo shrugged, clearly unbothered. "Bastard son." He said with a grin. "Not that it's any of Lawless's business."
Kai clenched his jaw, the arrogance in Bram's tone igniting something within him. He had tried to keep things civil, but Bram's smugness was too much.
"You know," Kai said, stepping forward, "I was going to let this go. Really, I was. But now I think someone needs to put you in your place."
Bram chuckled darkly. "Big words, Velroth. Let's see if you can back them up."
"I'll be our representative." Kai said, turning to his group.
They nodded in agreement, their confidence in him clear.
Bram, unsurprisingly, stepped forward as his group's champion.
The professor watched them both with an unreadable expression as they stepped onto the stage.
"Very well. The rules are simple. The fight continues until I declare it over."
"Failure to comply will result in an automatic placement demotion for the whole group. Understood?"
"Yes." Kai said firmly.
"Yes." Bram echoed, his tone smug.
The professor stepped back, raising a hand. "Begin."
Both men unsheathed their swords, the metallic sound ringing through the chamber.
They circled each other, each one searching for openings in the other's stance.
Bram attacked first, lunging forward with a powerful swing. Kai sidestepped, his blade coming up to parry the attack.
The clash of steel reverberated through the room.
Bram pressed the offensive, his strikes aggressive and forceful.
His swordsmanship was good, better than Kai had anticipated, but Kai had an edge.
The original Kai's rigorous training, combined with his instincts, made him the superior swordsman.
"Is that all you've got?" Kai taunted as he deflected another blow.
Bram growled, his strikes becoming more erratic. He swung wildly, leaving himself open.
Kai took advantage, stepping in close and delivering a quick slash across Bram's side. It wasn't deep, but it was enough to draw blood and rattle his opponent.
"You're sloppy." Kai said, his voice calm but laced with contempt. "No wonder your father's always so disappointed."
Bram's eyes blazed with fury. He charged, his attacks growing more reckless.
Kai dodged and parried with ease, his movements smooth. With each exchange, it became clear who the better fighter was.
After a minute of playing around, Kai decided to end things. He deflected another swing and waited as Bram overextended on a downward strike.
He stepped to the side and his sword lashed out.
The blade sliced through Bram's wrist, sending his sword clattering to the ground with his hand still attached to the hilt.
Bram let out a cry of pain, clutching his stump as blood dripped onto the stone floor.
Kai pointed his blade at Bram's throat, a superior smirk on his face. "You should see a healer before that becomes permanent."
The professor stepped forward, raising his hand. "The fight is over. Kai Velroth is the winner."
Bram's group rushed to his side, glaring at Kai as they helped their leader off the stage.
"You'll pay for this, Velroth." Bram snarled just before he was taken away.
"I'll be waiting happily for it, idiot." He said in response as he sheathed his sword, turning to his group with a satisfied smirk.
"Well," Arlo said, grinning, "that was entertaining."
Before anyone could respond, a section of the wall shimmered and transformed into a doorway.
The professor gestured toward it. "You may proceed. Congratulations on passing the placement test with flying colors."