Chapter 30: The First Challenger
The next morning...
Vee woke up to a loud knock.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
He opened one eye.
"...If that's another challenger..."
BANG!
"...I'm moving to another continent."
He dragged himself out of bed and opened the door.
An Academy attendant stood outside.
"Lord Vee."
"Yes?"
"Your first challenge has been scheduled."
Vee stared at him.
"...Already?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Ten minutes."
Vee's eyes widened.
"Ten—"
He slammed the door shut.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT FIRST?!"
---
Ten minutes later...
Vee sprinted across the Academy courtyard.
His hair was a complete mess.
His uniform wasn't properly buttoned.
He was still chewing breakfast.
Students stared.
"Is that the Apex?"
"Why is he running?"
"He looks like he just woke up."
Vee ran past them.
"I DID!"
---
The Central Arena was already packed.
Darius Blackthorn stood at the center.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
His crimson eyes were filled with arrogance.
A large black sword rested against his shoulder.
The moment Vee entered...
Darius smiled.
"So..."
"The legendary Apex finally arrives."
Vee walked into the arena and looked around.
Thousands of students were watching.
He sighed.
"Could you all stop coming to my fights?"
The crowd laughed.
Darius frowned.
"Do you think this is a joke?"
Vee looked at him.
"No."
Then he looked at the audience.
"...But apparently everyone else does."
More laughter.
Darius's expression darkened.
"You've embarrassed enough nobles already."
"I intend to embarrass one more."
The crowd went silent.
Vee smiled.
"That's a pretty confident introduction."
Darius raised his sword.
"Today..."
"I take the Apex rank."
The official stepped between them.
"Rules remain the same."
"No killing."
"No permanent injuries."
"Fight until one opponent surrenders or is unable to continue."
He stepped backward.
"Begin!"
---
BOOM!
Darius charged.
His sword came down with tremendous force.
Vee blocked.
CLANG!
The impact pushed him backward.
Vee's eyes widened slightly.
"Strong."
Darius grinned.
"What happened?"
"You're not laughing now."
Vee smiled.
"Oh, I'm still laughing."
He sidestepped the next attack.
"I'm just doing it internally."
Darius swung again.
Vee ducked.
The sword passed over his head.
Vee tapped Darius's chest.
"Too slow."
Darius's face twisted.
He spun and attacked from behind.
Vee turned.
CLANG!
Their swords collided.
Darius pushed forward with brute strength.
Vee's feet slid backward.
"He's stronger than the previous challengers."
"And he's controlling his anger better."
Darius suddenly released his sword with one hand and punched.
Vee barely dodged.
The fist passed beside his face.
Vee blinked.
"...You punch too?"
Darius smiled.
"Did you expect me to fight politely?"
"No."
Vee raised his sword.
"I just didn't know you had hands."
The audience burst into laughter.
Darius's eye twitched.
"You—!"
He charged again.
---
This time Vee stopped joking.
His eyes sharpened.
He watched Darius's movements.
Shoulder.
Foot.
Breathing.
Then—
Vee stepped forward.
CLANG!
He redirected the sword.
Twisted his wrist.
Darius stumbled.
Vee swept his leg.
THUD!
Darius hit the ground.
Before he could recover...
Vee's wooden sword rested against his neck.
Silence.
The official raised his hand.
"Winner!"
"Vee Ashford!"
The arena erupted.
Vee lowered his sword and offered Darius his hand.
Darius stared at it.
Then reluctantly accepted.
As he stood, Vee leaned closer.
"You were strong."
Darius looked surprised.
"...You mean that?"
"Yeah."
Vee smiled.
"But your temper is still terrible."
Darius's face darkened again.
Vee immediately stepped backward.
"Okay!"
"Lesson received."
The audience laughed.
---
Vee turned toward the exit.
Then—
A familiar voice came from the stands.
"That was only the first."
Vee stopped.
He looked toward the audience.
Cedric Vale stood among the students.
Beside him was Marcus Ravencrest.
Both were watching him.
Vee's smile slowly disappeared.
"Three villains..."
"And they're all here."
Cedric smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Marcus said nothing.
He simply stared.
Vee looked between them.
Then sighed.
"Of course."
He turned around and walked away.
"One villain at a time..."
"...because apparently the Academy doesn't offer group discounts."
The audience laughed.
But Vee wasn't laughing inside.
He remembered the original story.
Darius.
Cedric.
Marcus.
And eventually...
The main villain.
The one who had once defeated Kai and taken the Apex position.
"But that future isn't happening anymore."
Vee clenched his fist.
"I'm not letting him defeat Kai."
"And I'm definitely not letting him take the Apex rank."
As he disappeared into the hallway...
A notification appeared before him.
DING!
«SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Future Event Altered.
Darius Blackthorn was defeated by the Host.
Original Timeline: Darius challenged Kai.
Current Timeline: Darius challenged Vee.
Warning: Major future events are being rewritten.»
Vee stared at the message.
Then smiled.
"...Good."
He continued walking.
"Let's rewrite the whole thing."