Dawn peeled across the horizon, warm gold slipping through the windows of the God Academy. For most students, it was just another morning.
For Eryndor Nasarik… it was the beginning of something far bigger.
He tightened the laces of his boots, adjusted his hoodie, and tied back his short black hair. The air already hummed faintly around him — a quiet, natural crackle of Storm energy that came out when he wasn't trying to hide it.
Kaelus swung his wind-green scarf around his neck.
"Today's the day," he said, smirking. "Break Rein Clark's pride. And also his jaw."
Darius, half-asleep but alert enough, slid his shadow-black gloves on.
"I'll be watching," he muttered. "Try not to die. I'm still getting used to you two."
Eryndor chuckled.
"Just cheer. The rest is handled."
They stepped out the dorm room door together.
A force of presence washed over the academy as they headed toward the Grand Arena.
By the time they arrived, the place was overflowing.
Every seat. Every platform. Every balcony.
Everyone was here.
The Outer Class students gathered in massive clusters, buzzing with excitement.
The Middle Class candidates leaned forward, whispering predictions.
The Upper Class—sharp-eyed, battle-hardened—stood with arms crossed, watching without blinking.
And the God Candidates… sat silently, each radiating a different, terrifying aura.
Above them on the floating stage were the Elders, each a lesser deity with authority enough to shape nations.
But at the center—hovering slightly above the ground in a flame-lined dress—was:
Seraphina Caldris
Headmistress. Living inferno. The strongest being in the academy.
Just the warmth rolling off her presence made the air quiver.
Kaelus nudged Eryndor.
"We'll be in the stands. Try not to get vaporized."
Darius nodded and followed him, folding into the shadows of the crowd.
Eryndor stepped toward the center of the arena.
And across the ring… Rein Clark was already waiting.
The Dominion Candidate.
Silver hair. Calm blue eyes. Aura stable and refined.
He lifted his chin slightly when he saw Eryndor approach.
"So you came."
"I said I would."
They stood face-to-face, perfectly still, like two storms studying each other before colliding.
Seraphina raised her hand.
Instant silence.
Her voice carried across the massive arena as if it were speaking directly into the hearts of every student.
"Today, we witness a duel of immense importance.
A display of raw potential.
A clash that will echo throughout the academy."
She pointed her flame-twined staff toward the ring.
"Rein Clark, God Candidate of the Dominion Seat…"
Rein took one step forward, aura tightening like a compressed wave.
"…and Eryndor Nasarik—prodigy, heir of the Nasarik bloodline, and wielder of the Storm affinity."
A roar surged through the stands.
Eryndor's eyes sharpened—but his expression remained calm.
Seraphina smiled faintly.
"Begin."
The moment her hand dropped—
Both fighters vanished.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Not a sound.
Not a blur.
Just disappearance.
Then—
BOOM!
A thunderous impact cracked through the arena as their fists collided mid-air, forming a shockwave that rippled outward like a circular earthquake.
Wind spiraled.
Lightning flickered.
Dominion energy clashed with storm pressure.
They broke apart—
And the world exploded into motion.
Time felt like it slowed as they moved.
From above:
Eryndor twisted his body mid-flip, heel slicing through the air toward Rein's temple.
From the ground:
Rein slid under the kick, palm grazing the ground, and launched himself upward with explosive force.
From behind:
Dominion energy rippled like controlled gravity as Rein grabbed Eryndor's arm—
But Eryndor spun, redirecting Rein's force perfectly with the Fifth Flow of Eight-Fold Martial Arts — Rhythm Break.
From the crowd's view:
Two blurs clashed in the center, fists meeting again and again, like sparks striking steel.
From Kaelus and Darius's view:
Only streaks of lightning and dominion flashes were visible—
the speed far beyond what normal eyes could follow.
Rein grabbed Eryndor and slammed a palm toward his chest—
Eryndor countered with a lightning-charged elbow that cracked the air.
Rein shot a foot toward Eryndor's ribs—
Eryndor blocked and used the impact to flip backward with perfect control.
A second shockwave burst out, shaking the whole ring.
They separated—
then launched themselves at each other again.
Elemental energy flooded the arena, swirling violently as the two collided in a storm of fists, kicks, and redirected force.
For a split second—
Eryndor slipped inside Rein's guard.
Rein's eyes widened—
And Eryndor's foot snapped up.
CRACK!
His kick connected cleanly with Rein's chest.
Rein flew backward like a comet—
SMASH!
He crashed straight into the arena wall, stone erupting around him in a spray of shattered debris.
Gasps erupted across the academy.
For a moment, everything went silent.
Dust rose.
The wall trembled.
And then—
Rein stepped out of the crater.
Smiling.
A slow, eager smile.
As if he'd just found something he'd been searching for a very, very long time.