The roar of the arena had yet to fade when the familiar, crisp ding rang in Kai's ears.
> [Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have achieved victory against Shen Fei, top genius of the Outer Academy.]
[Reward: +5 Free Attribute Points.]
[New Feature Unlocked: Minor Skill — Battle Trance.]
Description: When Host's HP drops below 20%, Battle Trance activates automatically, sharpening reflexes, increasing reaction speed, and granting 10% bonus attack power. Duration: 60 seconds. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Kai's eyes flickered. His body screamed with pain, his chest still heaving from the brutal exchange, but that notification forced a crooked grin onto his bloodied face.
Battle Trance? His fists clenched. That means even at death's door, I'll fight harder. The system… it's preparing me for tougher battles.
Around him, silence stretched unnaturally. Tens of thousands of eyes were glued to his battered figure standing tall over Shen Fei's unconscious body. Dust still swirled in the air, but the outcome was undeniable: the rising trash, the lowborn Kai, had slain the Outer Academy's shining dragon in open combat.
The crowd exploded.
"He won! Shen Fei lost?!"
"Impossible! That's the number one genius of the Outer Academy! How could a nobody like him—"
"Not a nobody anymore."
Every corner of the arena boiled with disbelief, shock, and awe. For every voice denying the result, ten shouted in sheer excitement.
High above, the elders sat frozen, their expressions ranging from solemn to grim. Elder Zhan's lips twitched; for a brief moment, his aged eyes glowed with something between curiosity and fear.
"This child…" Elder Zhan murmured under his breath. "His growth rate… it's unnatural. Almost monstrous."
Elder Wu, long a supporter of Shen Fei, slammed his palm against the armrest of his chair. "This is unacceptable! He must have used tricks, external aids—"
"Silence," Elder Zhan cut in sharply, his gaze never leaving Kai. "Even if he did, power is power. Do you think the world cares how victories are won?"
Elder Wu swallowed his retort, but his glare could have burned holes into Kai's back.
Meanwhile, the disciples in the stands had shifted completely. The ones who once mocked Kai now whispered his name with reverence. Some looked jealous, others cautious, but most were simply stunned.
And Kai, standing alone in the center, felt the pressure of all those gazes bearing down on him. He let out a slow breath.
So this is what it feels like to step out of the shadows… but the stronger I become, the more enemies I'll draw.
---
System Allocation
Inside, the system interface shimmered faintly. Kai quickly allocated his 5 new attribute points:
Strength: +2
Agility: +2
Constitution: +1
The moment the numbers locked in, he felt it—his muscles firmed, his balance steadied, his lungs pulled in more oxygen. Even with injuries, his body responded more crisply than before.
---
The Ripples Begin
From the viewing platforms, several figures cloaked in Inner Academy robes narrowed their eyes. They weren't ordinary disciples but those standing far above the Outer Academy in status, strength, and pride.
"That one… Kai," muttered a young man with a fan, his tone calm but laced with venom. "Interesting. Defeating Shen Fei at that stage… he might be a problem if left unchecked."
Beside him, another Inner disciple chuckled. "Or an opportunity. Someone with that kind of potential could be recruited. Imagine making him your underling—he could be a useful blade."
The fan-wielding genius's smile was razor-thin. "No… blades like that have a tendency to cut their masters."
Their words carried no sound outside their booth, but their intent would soon ripple down to the arena floor.
---
Kai's State of Mind
Kai sat cross-legged once he was allowed to leave the stage, blood drying on his face. He ignored the healers swarming him, brushing off their hands. His mind burned with clarity.
I'm still far too weak. Shen Fei pushed me to the edge. If not for the system, if not for my willingness to gamble everything in that final strike, I'd be the one lying unconscious. Battle Trance saved me already, even before I used it.
The cheers outside the arena washed over him, but Kai stayed focused inward. The system… it's not just upgrading me. It's forcing me into the flames, hammering me into something new. I can't waste this chance.
---
Factions Stirring
As night fell, news spread like wildfire through the Outer Academy.
"Kai defeated Shen Fei!"
"Impossible!"
"He's a monster in disguise!"
The once-dismissed name now burned in every conversation. By midnight, every faction leader had received reports. Some prepared gifts, hoping to draw him in. Others sharpened their knives.
In the elder halls, heated discussions erupted. Elder Wu pressed for immediate suppression, claiming Kai was a destabilizing factor. Others argued that such talent must be cultivated.
Elder Zhan, seated quietly at the head of the table, merely said, "Let him grow. If he survives the weight of attention, he is worthy. If not… he was never meant to be."
---
The Next Challenger
The very next morning, Kai's name was posted on the arena board again. His next match: against one of the Inner Academy's seeded geniuses.
The Outer Academy buzzed like a hive kicked open.
"Already?!"
"They're sending him against an Inner disciple this soon?"
"They want to crush him before his legend grows too large…"
Kai, upon seeing the board, felt his lips curve upward. His body was still sore, his wounds not fully healed, but his spirit blazed brighter than ever.
So, they're not giving me time to breathe. Good. I don't want to breathe—I want to climb.
The next day, the arena filled again. This time, the anticipation was even greater. Everyone wanted to see if Kai's victory over Shen Fei had been a fluke or the start of something bigger.
---
The Entrance of a Genius
A hush fell as the gates opened.
From the opposite side, a young man walked out. He was tall, dressed in the black-gold robes of the Inner Academy. His aura rolled off him in waves—calm, yet suffocating, like a blade hidden in its sheath.
The crowd instantly recognized him.
"Jiang Hao!"
"The top twenty of the Inner Academy rankings… he's personally come?!"
Gasps filled the air. Jiang Hao, unlike Shen Fei, wasn't just a genius of the Outer Academy—he was already a force in the Inner. For him to accept a duel against Kai was both an insult and a test.
Kai met his gaze, his fists tightening. Jiang Hao's eyes were sharp, carrying no contempt, only cold certainty.
"You're strong," Jiang Hao said calmly, his voice carrying across the arena. "But strong trash is still trash. Today, I'll remind you of the difference between a frog in the well and a dragon in the heavens."
The crowd went silent, waiting.
Kai chuckled. Blood still stained his clothes, but his grin was unyielding. "Then come down into the well and try to drown me, dragon."
The referee's hand dropped.
"Begin!"