Decay was a powerful ability. But was it worth losing yourself?
The day of Scar's final duel, the one that might get him executed, finally arrived. He was paranoid the whole time, hands tucked in his pockets until they called him up.
To his horror, he got a second shot at dying. Storm, Master of Hermes, the one he'd barely escaped before, stood waiting with his golden bow and quiver ready.
Storm's final words from their duel echoed in Scar's mind, too relentless for him to even strategize. Storm had sworn to kill him this time. And worse, unlike their previous fight, forfeiting wasn't an option.
"Say something, will you? Or are you planning to kill me with that blunt expression?"
An atmosphere this thick made Scar want to rethink his entire life. Still wasn't enough to crack Storm, though.
'Wow. He really hates my guts. Not even a fake smile.'
Tsk.
Storm sighed deeply.
Soon, the battle was set in motion.
Scar's golden eyes stayed locked on Storm. His hands gripped the azure sword tightly, the only thing he had right now to remind him he couldn't die.
Storm was on him in an instant. The arrows came twice as fast as before, hitting so hard that Scar couldn't even block.
Instead, he did what he did best: ran. But this time with purpose. He closed the gap with Storm, trying to stay on him.
Practically suicidal since it cut his reaction time, but as someone who'd run and cowered his entire life, he knew how to survive. This time, though, he wouldn't let the battle end without landing a strike.
If death were coming anyway, he'd at least die looking good.
Scar braced himself. After barely dodging an attack, he stabbed his sword into the sand and flung it toward Storm.
Futile.
Storm stepped aside, avoiding the sand entirely. Now he was behind Scar, bow ready, arrow aimed straight at his head.
'Gotcha!'
Scar smiled darkly, bent backward at an impossible angle, and struck. Storm took one step and dodged completely.
Storm immediately let down his guard.
Scar frowned. Something wasn't right. Besides Storm dropping his bow after such weak attacks, Scar was fixated on Storm's movements.
Whatever he was doing didn't seem like speed, it looked more like teleportation. Storm couldn't cover that distance in one step, could he?
Storm had shown the same oddness in their first duel. Scar couldn't help wondering what the hell they'd fed that kid.
"I'll admit it… compared to last time, you're putting up a fight. My offer still stands. Use your Inheritance and I'll give you the win. Otherwise, prove you can win without it."
Scar exhaled slowly. Storm was genuine, he only wanted to ensure Scar could handle what lay ahead. But Scar's path of vengeance was merciless, and he couldn't survive it while being babied. If he died today, it would prove he wasn't ready for what awaited him.
Scar pointed his sword at Storm.
"Arrogant words for someone who hasn't beaten me yet. I'm your rival. If I can push you back without my Inheritance… what makes you think I won't wipe the floor with you when I use it?"
Storm smirked.
"Cocky, are you? I'll admit, if you survive today, I'll have no choice but to call you my rival. But right now? You're far beneath me."
Confident smiles crossed both their faces in unison. Beneath his, though, Scar trembled. Still, his determination spoke louder than his terror.
After exchanging a few words, the battle continued. At the arena's far edge, Julien and Purple enjoyed watching the fight—their friend fighting for his life.
They were focused on Scar, analyzing his movements, when something drew their attention to the left. Adisa sat there, body trembling as though everyone around irritated him.
"What's wrong with him?"
Purple asked, and Julien responded with a shrug.
"I don't know, but he really hates everyone's guts."
Purple frowned.
"No, that isn't it. Can you feel it?"
Without waiting for his answer, she gestured and wrapped Adisa in her threads. She made them loose enough that he could still move but kept her finger on the trigger, a single pull away from constricting completely.
Meanwhile, in the arena, Scar was being cornered. Storm's arrows grew faster with each volley, and Scar didn't like it one bit. Storm hadn't even used his speed ability yet, the fact that Scar was struggling against arrows alone grated on him.
Soon he was overwhelmed. Teeth clenched, face and palms streaming with sweat, his legs barely holding. He moved at breakneck speed, deflecting an arrow with his blade only to be forced to twist away from another mere moments later.
Panting, he instantly put a distance between himself and Storm.
This wasn't good. He'd always known Storm was holding back, but apparently his provocations had struck a nerve.
Scar took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
He placed his hand on the azure blade briefly. The next second, dark flames completely engulfed it.
With his eyes open, he wore a confident smirk and assumed his stance.
Storm furrowed his brow.
"So you've finally decided to use your Inheritance. A dark flame user… rare these days. It'll be a pleasure to face you at full strength."
If excitement had words, Scar would've written a novel. He'd spent all night attempting to control the Flames of the Unknown, but his best effort only kept normal flames going for under a second before his decay ability took over.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he attempted to ignite his sword with the flames. Surprisingly, the flames bonded perfectly with the sword and even enhanced its edge. More impressive still, the flames burned continuously until he willed them out.
'It had to be done fast, any slower and I'd decay my own body. This will be enough for now, until I finally master this Inheritance.'
Scar beckoned Storm.
"Come at me, bro!"
Storm discarded his bow and prepared to sprint in for close combat. They both flashed sinister grins as they stared each other down.
Storm charged in a flash, but before he could reach Scar, a massive wind slash tore through the arena, splitting it in two. It came so close to Storm's face that if he'd been even a hair faster, it would have ended him.
Scar blinked in confusion and turned to the stands. With an irritated snarl, Adisa attempted to leap into the arena but was immediately caught in Purple's threads.
"What is this?! I am an Outlaw[1]. I should be fighting tier-6 students, not this!"
Scar swallowed bile.
The cleave through the field was massive enough to split it completely in half, and stranger still, wherever it had touched was melting away.
He knew what Inheritance it was, but he just couldn't believe his eyes.
"Breath of Hell? But how? Don't tell me he can absorb it too…"
Storm asked, his expression confused as he took halting steps backward, looking like his very soul had cracked.
Breath of Hell was one of the eight Founders of Magic. While all the Founder Inheritances were strong, Breath of Hell had a particularly unique aspect.
But that still didn't explain how one slash was enough to cleave the field in two.
An even more furious snarl erupted from Adisa as he struggled while students encircled him. Staff members called for reinforcements, which seemed to set him off even more.
With incredible strength, Adisa wrenched the threads, flinging Purple from the stands down into the arena. He immediately sent another devastating slash toward the students, tearing through part of the arena.
Breaking free of Purple's threads, Adisa hovered momentarily before rocketing away.
Chaos consumed the atmosphere, yet the referee stubbornly refused to end Scar and Storm's match until Storm voluntarily surrendered.
"What do you think is going on? Does this have anything to do with what's been happening lately—people acting possessed?"
Scar and Storm stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing up at the sky as though waiting for Adisa to return.
"Yeah… I think so. He was very clear about wanting a win."
Scar responded.
Storm's teeth clenched in frustration. Having the wielder of Breath of Hell succumb to such a spell wasn't good, not for anyone. As a wind manipulator, he could do much more than wind slashes and flight.
With a heavy heart, Storm offered Scar a handshake.
"You survived. Good. That means you're finally worthy of being my rival, my equal. I hope we meet again soon. And this time, nothing will stop us."
Scar accepted in good faith, far more excited than he showed. The world had seen him use his Inheritance, so he wouldn't face execution anymore. And the demonstration was too ambiguous to make his hunters target him. He was safe!
But then Adisa's actions were bizarre in every way possible. How could such an idiot possess a legendary Inheritance? Moreover, how Adisa had been acting started making sense to him.
'Breath of Hell… what a poor taste. Adisa?'
[1] Outlaw is a classification type that will be explained in later chapters.