[Name: Jason Hartley]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 13]
[HP: 30/30]
[Abilities: ????]
[Attribute: Ice]
[Strength: 30]
[Stamina: 30]
[Intelligence: 35]
[Total Power Level: 60]
Strong… for a student, Luke noted.
Jason raised his hand. "Sir, if we want to request a duel, how do we do that?" he asked, turning toward the old man.
The old man chuckled. "You youngsters are always so eager." He folded his hands behind his back. "It's simple. Inform a supervisor before the duel, and one will oversee the match to ensure no one is killed."
A few students whispered excitedly.
"You're also allowed to borrow a weapon," the old man added, "if you don't already possess one."
Jason turned back, eyes gleaming. "Will you supervise our match?"
"Very well," the old man replied. "But take it outside—or to the arena."
Moments later, Luke and Jason stood in an open training field, the old man positioned between them. They weren't alone. A crowd of students had gathered, curiosity and anticipation written on their faces.
Both were offered weapons. Jason chose a long, straight sword—an old knight's blade, heavy and solid.
Luke picked up a katana, its curved edge gleaming faintly in the light. They took their positions.
"Begin!" the old man shouted.
For a brief moment, neither moved.
Jason stared into Luke's eyes—and every instinct in his body screamed at him to run.
No… I won't back down.
Jason swung his sword, and as he did, a chilling wave of ice erupted from the blade, racing toward Luke with deadly force.
Luke didn't move.
At the very last instant, he stepped forward and swung his katana. The ice split cleanly in two. Shattered fragments scattered across the ground like glass.
What the hell…? Jason thought. He's level one—how is that possible?!
Grinding his teeth, Jason shouted, "If that was easy, then take this!"
He drove his sword into the ground. In an instant, jagged ice spikes burst upward at insane speeds, ripping through the earth as they shot toward Luke from every direction.
Luke sighed.
"How boring," he said calmly, raising his katana into the air.
The atmosphere changed.
The air grew heavy. The smell of ozone filled the field. Thunder cracked overhead, making every hair on Jason's body stand on end.
Fear flooded his veins.
"STOP!" the old man screamed.
Too late.
A lightning bolt tore down from the sky, slamming into the ground with catastrophic force. Everything in its path disintegrated. The shockwave blasted outward, hurling Jason backward like a rag doll.
He flew nearly to the end of the arena, crashing violently into a massive boulder at the end.
Pain exploded through his body.
As darkness closed in, Jason's blurred vision caught one last image—Luke.
Standing motionless amid the scorched earth, katana lowered, eyes cold and emotionless.
What a monster…
Jason lost consciousness.