The Unmasked
Chapter 5
Six months later, Leon and Isla are locked in a fierce battle. Leon, with his purple blood power, controls a multitude of floating swords that shimmer menacingly in the air. With a flick of his wrist, the blades surge toward Isla from every direction like a deadly swarm.
Isla, cloaked in silver energy, summons sleek, curved blades around him. With a calm focus, he slices through the barrage, the clash of metal ringing through the training ground. Each blade he deflects sends a burst of sparks into the air.
Leon narrows his eyes, focusing harder. More swords rise, doubling their number, hovering like a halo of destruction. He sends them hurtling at Isla in another devastating wave.
ISLA: (panting slightly) Not bad, Leon...
Isla rolls to the side, flips backward, then slides under one of the sweeping blades. His movements are fluid and precise. A sword nicks his arm, drawing a thin line of blood—but he doesn't stop.
Leon uses the moment to surge forward, darting through the swarm. He appears in front of Isla, fist glowing with purple energy.
LEON: (grinning) You're fast—but not fast enough.
He grabs Isla by the torso and rockets into the air using levitation. Swords spin around them like a storm. Leon lifts Isla high, then slams him down into the platform. The earth quakes from the impact, and a massive smoke cloud erupts.
The crowd gasps. Selena Ma'am covers her mouth. Some students shout in alarm.
STUDENT 1: Did he just end the fight? STUDENT 2: That was brutal!
But as the smoke clears, a figure emerges—standing calmly behind Leon, blade pressed to his neck.
ISLA: (coldly) Got you.
A flashback reveals Isla's maneuver. While falling, he twisted his body mid-air, stabbed his blade into the wall to reduce speed, then vanished behind the smoke and circled around. His feet barely made a sound as he closed in behind Leon.
TEACHER: (stepping forward) Winner of this match: Isla!
Leon breathes heavily, surprised but smiling.
LEON: (softly) Well played...
Isla withdraws her blade and nods respectfully. The tension dissolves into applause.
SELENA MA'AM: (to the class) These past six months, you've all grown stronger—physically and mentally. Congratulations.
The students cheer loudly. Finn flexes proudly, his newly toned arms on display.
FINN: (dreamily) I wonder if Selena Ma'am noticed that.
FANNY: (smacking him) Focus, idiot.
A staff member whispers something to Selena Ma'am. Her expression shifts.
SELENA MA'AM: In five minutes, all students report to the assembly hall. We have something important to announce.
Leon, Isla, Fanny, and Finn regroup.
FINN: What do you think this is about? ISLA: (serious) I hope it's not what I think. LEON: (raising an eyebrow) What do you mean? ISLA: (avoiding eye contact) Nothing.
Leon notices Isla's concern but says nothing.
In the assembly hall, students murmur restlessly. Magnus Sir takes the stage.
MAGNUS SIR: My students, you've made tremendous progress. This year's batch is one of the finest in Astralis Academy's history. But it's time to prove your strength.
Our king and the King of Velmoria have arranged the annual battle between Astralis Academy and Obsidian Sanctum. Each year, two academies from different nations clash. This time, it's our turn.
This battle is crucial—it will impact your final exam scores. Perform well, and you'll receive bonus marks.
Murmurs fill the hall. Some students look excited, others pale.
MAGNUS SIR: But I must tell you two things—one good, one not.
The good: the battle is six months from now, before finals. Plenty of time to prepare.
The hall bursts into cheers.
MAGNUS SIR: The bad: only four students will represent Astralis Academy.
Silence.
MAGNUS SIR: Selection will be based on both theoretical knowledge and practical combat. Work hard.
FINN: (groaning) Theory too? Seriously?
MAGNUS SIR: If you have doubts, visit my cabin. You're dismissed.
As students begin to leave, Leon turns to Isla.
LEON: What were you worried about earlier?
ISLA: (hesitating) Obsidian Sanctum is different. Last year, Zeypharia's Aetherion Academy fought them. Many were badly injured. Two students will never walk again.
FANNY: That's insane. Who trains people like that?
ISLA: They're brutal. They won't kill, but only because the rules forbid it. Their top two students—Kaelira Vorn and Aren Vex—are dangerous.
Kaelira is cruel and beautiful. Aren looks calm, but he's a monster in battle. Together, they could easily wipe out our entire class in our current state.
LEON: (shocked) They're that powerful?
ISLA: Yes. But we have six months. If we train hard, we can stand a chance.
FINN: (nodding) Let's crush them.
FANNY: Hell yeah. We're not going down without a fight.
LEON: (quietly) First, we have to get selected.
Written by Mubeen