Chapter 20: Breakthrough
The arena of Daveron hung in stunned silence, a battlefield turned theater of legends.
Four supreme blades still encircled me like a cage forged from divine will. Vabun's skinless demon form gripped my cane, Alvin's golden sword pressed against my palm, the Twilight knight's crimson edge formed the crossbar, and Dabara's black blade hovered at my neck, one millimeter from blood.
Yet Caleb leaned forward from the high seats, face suddenly stripped of its usual manic glee. His eyes narrowed as he stared straight down at me.
"Liam Heart… who are you truly?"
His voice carried across the plaza, low, serious, pulling every eye toward him. Even the dream elders present turned their heads, old brows furrowing.
"His skills… his accuracy… it surprises even us who sit on Platinum rank."
His serious expression drew murmurs from the elders.
"Helga… truly, where did you find that child?" one elder asked, old eyes fixed on her.
Helga stayed silent at first. Pride filled her being like dark flame rising in her chest. Then she smiled, slow, possessive, almost tender.
"I didn't find that one," she said softly, gaze never leaving me. "He found me."
The elders exchanged strange looks, shock, curiosity, unease.
Yet I was still upon the stage, blades still pointed at my neck.
I leaned my head back slightly, letting a calm, peaceful smile spread across my face.
"I did it," I said audibly, voice carrying clear across the arena. "I pulled their attention toward me."
The vice-principals looked at me as if I were mad.
Dabara, smiled gently from his seat.
"Child… who are you?"
I raised my head toward the voice that spoke to me.
"I… am Liam Heart of Yemen," I said calmly. "The one who serves under Helga Daveron of Dreams."
The hall fell into a deafening silence.
"Yemen?" someone whispered. "He is all the way from Thetford…"
"Who knew we would see one from that fallen country…"
"He is a slave of the Daverons… he even serves the Silent Witch. Such a sad fate."
Some mocked, low, cruel laughter rippling through the stands.
"Hahaha…" Dabara laughed, loud, genuine, delighted. "Boy, you are truly a talented young man."
He stretched his hand toward me, black blade still hovering at my neck.
"Liam Heart… come. Devil Blade Academy welcomes you."
Alvin immediately interjected, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Child, do not listen to that one. You will be leaving with me to Demon Command Academy."
He leaned forward, voice lowering to a tempting whisper.
"Or don't you want your slave status revoked?"
The Twilight knight spoke next, her crimson blade gleaming.
"Liam Heart… do not listen to them. Twilight Academy wants you. We can restore your sight, revoke your status as a slave… and grant you the chance to serve under our Demon Lord."
She smiled, beautiful, charming, commanding the crowd's breath.
The plaza screamed in total shock and excitement.
"The vice-principals are fighting for him!"
Then I heard a voice in my head, deep, ancient, amused.
"Boy… do not rush to make your decision. They do not have the quality to train your talent. I, Vabun, welcome you as my direct student."
I stayed calm, mind racing.
"Why do you all invite him over… yet your blades are still brandished on his neck?" Helga's voice cut through the chaos as she walked down the steps with elegant, unhurried grace.
"It's really the Silent Witch…" someone whispered in disbelief. "The 7th Commander of the Demon Lord's army… she's really coming to that boy's aid."
They all knew her wicked nature, and yet here she was.
"Liam… come to me."
She brought out my sword.
"Anki."
I felt his presence, familiar, hungry, alive, and my heart raced.
I gathered energy in my chest and arms. My arms turned pink, energy obvious and pulsing in my chest.
"Echo Pulse!"
I activated it, deeper, heavier than ever before.
A massive violet-black wave erupted from my body, shocking the vice-principals. They staggered back a single step, blades trembling.
"How did he…?" Alvin's golden sword bounced slightly. The others couldn't believe it, a Bronze rank pushing four supreme experts back even an inch.
From the tiny space created I moved like a wild beast. Before I could think, I was inches from grabbing Anki from Helga's hand.
"Liam… hold on."
Her voice stopped me instantly. My body obeyed, deep aura flaring as I halted mid-reach.
"Madam Helga… give it to me," I said, excitement bleeding into my voice.
She met my face with a gentle smile, shocking the entire crowd.
"Liam Heart… congratulations. You have made me proud."
My heart pounded.
"It's finally happening… he is returning to me."
Before I could fully grasp the blade, I gave Helga a large, charming smile.
"Thank you, Madam Helga."
Her heart-rate spiked visibly making her shove Anki to my chest. She turned and walked away without another word her face red.
The moment my fingers closed around Anki, the cloth wrapping loosened and fell away on its own. Black veins erupted from my hand, crawling up my scarred eye sockets and neck. My white hair danced in an invisible wind.
"Hahaha…"
I laughed, low at first, then rising, embracing the energy bursting forth from my being.
"It can't be… is that how a Silver-rank breakthrough should look?"
"Our country has been blessed with a demonic genius!"
Several cultivators stared in awe as I slightly levitated from the ground, violet-black aura swirling around me like a living storm.
Caleb stared at me for a long moment before standing from his seat. He walked away without a word.
"Liam Heart… if I can't have you, no one will."
His back disappeared from the battle tournament.
Then Anki's voice rang in my soul, joyful, proud.
Race: First Bottomless Pit
Rank: Silver
Stamina: 70
Comprehension: 100
Strength: 80
Aura: 100
Mana: 30
Senses: 120
"Master… you have truly grown beyond my expectations."
I stood basking in the joy of breakthrough, and the return of my Abyssal Sword, Anki.
The arena watched in stunned silence.