The sky above Sanctum-9 blazed with morning light.
Within the Academy's main arena, thousands of students gathered across the terraces, filling the air with whispers and anticipation.
The Duel Evaluation wasn't just a test.
It was a spectacle — a stage for the strongest candidates to prove they were worthy of the Inner Academy, where true evolution began.
And today, every eye was on two names.
[Match 7 — Stark (Soul Caster) vs. Aiden Crest (Spirit Spear Master)]
Status: Approved by Instructor Vale
Audience Mode: Public
The platform gleamed with active runes, wide enough to hold a small army.
At its center, Stark stood in a plain black uniform, the Eclipse Soulgun hanging loosely by his side. His face betrayed nothing.
Across from him, Aiden rolled his spear once, sunlight sliding down its polished shaft.
His smile was easy, confident — the kind that made half the spectators cheer before the fight even began.
"Try to give me a challenge," Aiden said lightly. "I'd hate to end this before it gets interesting."
Stark's tone was calm. "You'll regret asking."
The crowd roared as Instructor Vale raised her hand. "Begin."
The runes flashed.
Aiden vanished.
He reappeared in front of Stark, spear thrusting faster than sound. Sparks erupted as metal met spirit — Stark's Soulgun barely blocking the first strike.
The force sent him sliding backward, boots grinding against the platform.
[Impact Detected — -12 Vitality]
[Aiden Crest — Sync 74% | Speed Buff Active]
Aiden twirled his spear, the weapon humming with condensed energy.
"You block well," he said, "for someone who hides behind spirits."
Stark steadied his breathing, raising the gun. "Then try dodging this."
[Skill: Spirit Seal – Triple Mark]
[SE Cost: 18]
[Effect: Chain Bind – 3s Immobilize]
Three rings of blue light burst from the gun's barrel, forming around Aiden in mid-lunge.
But the spear-wielder twisted, shattering one seal and piercing through the others.
He laughed. "Predictable."
The second strike grazed Stark's shoulder — burning, clean, precise.
He stumbled back, the pain sharp but distant. Aiden pressed forward, spear glowing white now.
[Skill: Radiant Pierce — Active]
[Spirit Energy Surge: +45%]
The tip flared brighter, tearing through Stark's defensive aura. For a moment, it looked over.
Then the world dimmed.
The mark on Stark's wrist flared — silver veins racing up his arm and across his chest.
The air trembled. Runes around the platform flickered and warped.
[System Alert]
Unknown Spirit Signature Detected.
Energy Source: Class Suppressed — Unstable.
Aiden froze mid-strike as a cold pulse washed through the arena.
The audience's cheers faded into silence.
Behind Stark, the Ash Phantom materialized — fully visible for the first time.
Its form was massive now, a humanoid shadow wreathed in pale flame, chains of spirit steel drifting in the air like ribbons.
Every spectator felt it — the chill, the weight, the wrongness.
Aiden's eyes widened. "What—what are you—?"
Stark's voice was quiet, steady. "You wanted a challenge."
The Soulgun pulsed once. Blue and black energy spiraled from its core.
[Skill: Soul Reap — Overdrive]
[Duration: 6s]
[Effect: Dual-State Manifestation — Damage x3, SE drain 5/s]
The first shot hit the arena floor, carving a trench of glowing light. The second grazed Aiden's shoulder, ripping the aura shielding apart.
Each impact echoed like a thunderclap.
Aiden reacted instantly, his spear spinning into a defensive spiral.
"Fine," he hissed. "Then I'll stop holding back!"
[Skill: Spirit Spear Domain — Spear of Dawn]
[Effect: Condenses ambient light into kinetic burst field]
The entire stage flared golden.
Blinding energy and blue mist collided midair — a storm of spear and spirit. The barrier around the arena groaned under the strain.
The crowd screamed, shielding their faces from the light.
Inside the storm, Stark and Aiden clashed again and again.
Each movement faster, sharper — neither holding back.
Finally, Aiden thrust forward, his spear piercing straight through the fog and grazing Stark's side.
Stark dropped to one knee, breathing hard, but his eyes still burned cold.
The Ash Phantom stepped forward, chains writhing.
[Spirit Armor – Triggered]
[Damage Absorbed: 40%]
[Counterpulse: Active]
A spectral chain shot out, coiling around Aiden's spear mid-thrust.
Blue fire raced up the weapon, forcing Aiden to drop it with a hiss. The chain snapped back, shattering the spear's rune core.
The storm died.
Only silence remained.
When the light cleared, both fighters stood motionless.
Aiden's weapon was fractured; Stark's uniform was torn and smoking.
The floor beneath them glowed with runes melted from the heat.
The crowd stared, unsure who had won.
Then Instructor Vale's voice cut through the quiet. "Enough."
The runes on the platform flickered, restoring stability.
Both fighters lowered their weapons — or what remained of them.
Vale descended into the arena.
Her gaze swept across the fractured stone, the burn marks, the faint traces of black light still coiling in the air around Stark.
"Both candidates," she said slowly, "demonstrated exceptional synchronization. But—"
Her eyes locked on Stark. "—the readings from your spirit link were… abnormal."
She paused. "You're advancing to the Inner Academy, Stark. But from this moment forward, you'll be under direct observation."
He inclined his head. "Understood."
Aiden turned away, jaw tight.
As he walked past Stark, he muttered, "This isn't over."
"It never is," Stark replied.
Later, in the silence of his dorm, Stark sat at his desk, hand trembling slightly as he unwrapped his bandage.
The mark had changed again.
The lines now formed a small symbol near his wrist—a circle crossed by three fading chains.
[System Notice]
Mark Evolution Detected.
Stage: 2 — Chain Awakening.
Effect: Passive Spirit Energy Amplification (+12%)
Warning: Prolonged Combat Use May Accelerate Unbinding Process.
He exhaled slowly, staring at it.
The Ash Phantom's voice drifted from the corner of the room. "The chain weakens. The more you fight, the closer it comes to breaking."
"What happens when it breaks?"
"Then the Calamity stops whispering…" the spirit said softly. "…and starts speaking."
Stark looked out the window, where the academy lights reflected against the barrier sky.
For the first time, he wondered if the Spirit Network had reawakened to save the world—or to finish what it started.
[System Log]
Mission Update: Echo of the Calamity — 55%
Achievement Unlocked: Duel Victor (Hidden)
Reward: Access Granted — Inner Academy (Tier II)
Optional Path Unlocked: The Chain of Dominion (Incomplete)