The air grew colder as the sun dipped behind the hills, painting the sky in a bloody swirl of crimson and violet. Oakridge's outskirts were quiet, abandoned by curfew and caution. The place Kai had chosen—an old soccer field behind the school—was perfect for what was about to happen.
No cameras.
No onlookers.
No mercy.
Kai stood at the center, eyes narrowed, his breath steady. Lena stood beside him, runes glowing softly along her silver bracelet.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered, her fingers twitching with Arcane energy.
"You could've said no," Kai replied.
"I could've," she said flatly. "But watching you get sliced up by a shadow freak sounds less fun."
A shadow rippled at the far edge of the field.
Lucien appeared from it like smoke, calm as always. His black coat fluttered, and a long staff of dark metal materialized in his hand.
"You brought a plus one," he said with a raised brow. "Cute."
"I like my odds better this way," Kai said, activating Observe.
> [Lucien – Shadow Duelist]
Rank: D+
Skills: Shadow Lash (Lv.2), Blink Step (Lv.2), Phantom Guard (Lv.1), Veil Shard (Lv.1)
Health: 880/880
Mana: 420/420
Stamina: 700/700
> Threat Level: Moderate to High
> Battlefield Analysis: Shadows are stronger here. Decrease in visibility post-sunset. Proceed with caution.
> Ally Support: Lena Rowe (Arcane Weaver, Rank C)
Buffs Active: Arcane Barrier (Lv.1), Shared Defense (Lv.1)
---
Lucien twirled his staff once and pointed it at Kai. "No hard feelings. Only one of us can clear this trial."
A System alert chimed.
> [Tier Trial: Initiating]
Objective: Defeat Lucien before timer expires
Time Limit: 20 Minutes
> Reward: Rank Up Token (1), Unique Skill Unlock (Shadow path or Opponent path)
"Let's do this," Kai whispered.
---
Round One: Test the Waters
Lucien struck first. A whip of black shadow lashed toward Kai's chest like a serpent.
> [Shadow Lash] activated!
"Barrier!" Kai shouted.
Lena raised her hand. A glowing sigil sparked in front of them—
> [Arcane Barrier – Absorbed 60 damage]
The barrier shattered on impact, but Kai rolled free, knife in hand. "He's fast!"
"Not faster than thought!" Lena snapped, launching a glowing rune into the ground.
> [Spell: Bind Rune – Delay: 2 seconds]
Lucien dodged instinctively.
"Impressive," he muttered. "Your little witch is clever."
Kai lunged in while Lucien was airborne, slashing with his knife enhanced by Quickstep.
> [Quickstep – Kai's speed temporarily increased by 50%]
The blade grazed Lucien's coat, drawing a line of red.
"Gotcha!"
Lucien snarled, shadows bursting around him in a pulse—
> [Skill: Phantom Guard – Shadow armor active for 5 seconds]
Kai's next strike bounced off.
"Great," he muttered, retreating as Lucien slashed back.
---
Round Two: Push Forward
Lena planted her feet, chanting under her breath. Her hands glowed violet.
> [Skill: Arcane Seal – Reduces enemy mana regen by 20%]
Lucien's face twitched slightly.
Kai noticed. "That annoyed him."
"He relies on mana more than he lets on," Lena said. "If we keep him moving, keep him casting—we burn him out."
"Then I'll keep dancing with him."
Kai and Lucien clashed again. Knife met staff. Shadow and steel. Each strike resonated with strange magic.
Kai ducked a heavy arc and slashed upward—but Lucien vanished—
> [Blink Step – Instant teleport within 5 meters]
Lucien reappeared behind Lena.
"Kai!"
Kai spun, "NO—"
But Lena was ready.
> [Counter Rune – Auto-Trigger]
The air burst with force, throwing Lucien back.
He landed hard, sliding across the field.
Blood dripped from his lip now.
"Alright," Lucien muttered, standing. "You two are annoying."
> [Veil Shard – Activated]
The shadows around him pulsed.
Multiple copies flickered into existence—six of him, surrounding Kai and Lena.
> [Illusion Skill Detected – Target Identity Obscured]
"Which one's real?" Kai shouted.
"I can't tell!" Lena replied, panic creeping in.
Kai took a breath.
Then closed his eyes.
---
Round Three: Kai's Insight
He focused. Remembered the motion. The pattern.
Lucien always shifted slightly left before he struck.
> [Kai's Passive: Insight Triggered]
Minor combat pattern recognized: "Lucien's lunge"
Kai opened his eyes—moved left—
And drove his knife forward.
Straight into the real Lucien.
"ARGH!"
Blood gushed from the shoulder.
Kai twisted the blade before backflipping away.
Lucien fell to one knee.
The illusions popped like smoke.
> [Lucien's Health: 210/880]
> [Tier Trial: Critical Phase]
Enemy health below 25%
Final phase triggered
Lena didn't wait. She raised both hands.
> [Skill: Arcane Chain]
Glowing rings exploded from her palms, wrapping around Lucien before he could blink.
> [Lucien Immobilized – Duration: 3 seconds]
Kai charged forward—knife glowing gold now from accumulated energy.
> [Skill: Piercing Strike – Critical Bonus Activated]
Lucien's eyes widened as the blade plunged into his chest.
He coughed blood—
And collapsed.
> [Tier Trial Complete]
Victory: Kai and Lena
Rewards: Rank Up Token x1 (Kai), Unique Skill Unlock (Kai: Void Blink), Bonus EXP x300, Gold x200]
Kai collapsed to one knee, panting.
Lena stood over Lucien's unconscious form. "He's alive. Barely."
Kai looked up. "We won?"
Lena nodded.
"We won."
---
Aftermath
> [System Notice: Rank Increased – Kai now Rank D]
Skill Gained: Void Blink – Instantly teleport up to 7 meters. Cooldown: 15 seconds. Usable twice per combat]
Kai stared at the new skill glowing in his HUD.
Void Blink. A teleportation move—like Lucien's Blink Step, but stronger.
"I'm getting stronger," he whispered. "One fight at a time."
Lena sat down beside him, exhausted.
"You still owe me pizza for this," she said.
Kai chuckled. "Make it two. And… thanks."
She looked at him for a moment. "We're not done yet, Kai. If there are more like Lucien out there…"
Kai nodded. "Then we keep getting stronger."