Something struck my cheek. Not hard—but deliberate. My eyes snapped open. Stone ceiling. Harsh torchlight. And the blurred silhouettes of elites standing over me.
"He's awake," someone said.
My head throbbed as I pushed myself up slightly, a wave of dizziness forcing me back down.
I swallowed, my throat dry, fragments of the System's words still echoing in my mind.
You should have let her die.
My gaze sharpened. My rage exploding
Several of them had taken a step back. Others had their hands resting on weapons, eyes locked onto me as if I might snap again at any moment.
"Are you ok?" one of them asked with their hands still on their weapons.
I exhaled slowly, forcing the chaos down.
"Yah," I said hoarsely.
The room fell quiet.
"You suddenly passed out while sitting so we brought you to the infirmary," one of them said.
I pushed myself upright this time, ignoring the dull ache pounding behind my eyes. My limbs felt heavy, but they responded.
"How long?" I asked.
"Long enough to miss first period," another elite replied.
A few of them exchanged glances.
"You're cleared to go," the first one said after a moment. "Classes have already started, and due to the nature of your attributes, you will be placed in class one."
"You possess powers that aren't meant to coexist. You'd better be on your best behavior if you want to succeed," one of them said in an arrogant voice.
I stood, the shadows at my feet stirring faintly before settling again. Every elite in the room tensed.
Their fear was obvious now. They feared me and my powers.
Even I hadn't gotten these attributes before all at once in my entire life. It's like the system was trying to make up for all its torment.
I turned and walked toward the exit.
As I stepped into the hallway, the System's words echoed one last time in my mind.
This is the price you must pay.
My jaw tightened. First period was gone but the day had only just begun.
By the time I reached the classroom, the bell had already rung. Voices leaked through the door—low, bored, normal. I pushed it open anyway.
Every conversation stopped. Dozens of eyes snapped toward me.
The professor frowned. "You're late."
"Sorry, Professor, I was in the Infirmary," I replied.
A few students whispered. Others leaned back in their seats, interest lighting their faces. Word traveled fast in this place—especially when elites were involved.
"Take a seat," the Professor said after a pause.
When everyone was settled, he stepped forward, his presence alone enough to silence the room.
"These are the rules of this school," he announced.
"Rule number one: you may challenge others to a duel at any time. However, killing is strictly forbidden."
Murmurs rippled through the students.
"Rule number two: curfew is at 9:00 p.m. All students must return to their dorms by then."
The room grew quieter.
"And finally—rule number three. No relationships are allowed on school property. Those caught will be strictly punished."
Something twisted in Luke's chest at that last rule, but he kept his expression neutral.
When the old man finished speaking, students began to talk among themselves. That was when a boy around Luke's age approached him, confidence written clearly on his face.
"Nice to meet you," the boy said, extending a hand. "My name's Jason."
Luke looked at the hand for a moment before shaking it. "Luke."
Jason's eyes gleamed with interest. "I heard some things earlier… they say you possess three elements."
A few nearby students leaned in, pretending not to listen.
"So," Jason continued, smiling, "how would you like to have a duel with me?"
Luke felt the familiar stir in his chest. Shadows shifted faintly at his feet, reacting before he could stop them. The room seemed to notice.
"Of course," Luke replied, lifting his gaze to meet Jason's as a slow smile formed.
Blue flames flickered briefly from Luke's eyes.
Jason's smile disappeared. No one else saw those flames but Jason did. His entire body was telling him to run away and take it back.
The challenge had been issued, and it was in accordance with the school's rule.
Luke had no reason to refuse.