Northern watched as the next few fights unfolded, taking particular note of the student council matches. He also observed Kaelan and his sister’s battle with interest. Though neither of them were part of the student council, their popularity rivaled its members.
Few students at the academy hailed from noble houses while also possessing formidable strength without being affiliated with the council. Northern had seen a handful of them, with Aster providing insight into their backgrounds. He had also carefully noted their abilities.
While everyone displayed unique talents, he felt no regret in choosing Eclipsing Dread. More than anything, he wanted to evolve—to push the talent to its full potential.
Arms folded, Northern let out a quiet sigh as the final match concluded. It was his turn to step onto the stage once again. He had two scheduled fights today, but he intended to participate in only one before returning to Lithia.
’Tomorrow is going to be hectic.’
After securing today’s victory, he would advance to the quarterfinals, then the semifinals and finals—all of which were set to take place tomorrow. It would be a grueling day.
Not for him, of course. The real hassle wasn’t the competition itself but having to linger around, waiting for his matches. Still, perhaps he should start paying a little more attention to the people he was up against.
Maybe—just maybe—they’d manage to challenge him, even if only slightly.
’If I’m supposed to take off this imposter’s armor, then most likely not.’
He wasn’t one to boast—by nature, he considered himself a humble person. Or at least, he liked to believe he was. But maybe it was time to lean into what he had become, to stop feeling like he was lesser than his actual strength suggested.
To finally live up to the power he wielded.
With measured steps, Northern emerged onto the stage from the preparation chambers.
This time, he would be facing not one, but two student council members. The third opponent was an unfamiliar noble—a name he didn’t recognize but assumed had some level of strength.
Northern stepped onto the stage, his gaze settling on the girl before him. She had jet-black hair that reached her shoulders, framing her forehead and stopping just above her brows.
Adjusting her round glasses, she strode forward with measured steps before extending a hand. A shimmering cascade of silvery sparks flickered around her palm as something began to manifest.
A sanjiegun.
The three metal rods gleamed ominously under the scorching afternoon sun. With a flick of her wrist, she released them, and in an instant, the segments extended, fusing into a single staff.
She swung the rod experimentally, the sheer force displacing the air at her feet in a violent gust. Then, leveling a calm and impassive gaze at Northern, she spoke.
"My name is Ayuri Miu. From the Ayuri clan." She paused briefly. "I think it’s only honorable to know the name of someone as awe—"
Her words faltered. A frown creased her lips.
"I mean… like you. Someonelike you."
’What the hell is wrong with me?!’
Ayuri Miu rarely lost her composure. In fact, one of the reasons she made such an exceptional secretary was her ability to remain calm and calculating—even in the face of danger.
Yet, right now, internally, she was anything but composed.
Never before had she encountered someone this handsome, this perfectly built, this powerful—all at the same time.
At first, it had been the display of strength that caught her attention. But now, looking at his face, an entirely different heat spread from her chest, curling downward until it pooled at the middle of her legs.
’He’s too handsome… It’s unfair.’
Not just any kind of handsome—a transcendent kind. The type that made every other so-called handsome man look like a cruel joke played by fate.
The student standing before her was, in every sense of the word, perfect.
If she ever allowed herself to fall into someone’s arms, she had always envisioned it would be someone like him. Not the spoiled, immature scions of the student council.
She had even considered Professor Rughsbourgh at one point.
For Ayuri Miu, personality had never been a priority. Strength was what mattered.
She had no desire for mediocrity. From a young age, she had resolved to stand beside an undeniably powerful man—not due to any familial expectation, but because it was what she wanted.
Her family, a minor clan in the grand scheme of things, would have settled for far less.
But Ayuri Miu was a dreamer. She never accepted less than what she deemed worthy.
And now, standing before her, was exactly that.
Northern regarded her with his usual impassive gaze, his icy blue eyes faintly glinting under the sun. After a brief pause, he smiled.
"I am Rian," he said. "From no clan."
Ayuri Miu felt fire crawl up her face.
’Why… Dark Stars… why why why why is he smiling?! Oh no—’
Her mind imploded in on itself, but outwardly, she remained the picture of rigid discipline.
Aside from her rapidly reddening face.
And—if one looked closely—her legs were slightly trembling.
Northern tilted his head, studying her curiously.
’She doesn’t look well… Is she running a fever?’
Something about her expression made it seem like she had forced herself to step onto the stage despite not feeling well.
’I should probably end this quickly so she can go get treated.’
He nodded slightly and stepped forward.
"Can we begin, then?"
Ayuri Miu nodded stiffly, gripping her weapon tighter. She swung the rod in a fluid arc, the cadence of twirls turning the black staff into a blurred cyclone before she abruptly dropped into a low stance.
Then, without warning, she shot forward—her movements sharp, precise, fast. The wind around her shifted as she tore across the ground toward him.
Northern smiled faintly, nodding as he observed her.
[Profile]
Name: [Ayuri Miu]
True Name: [Dark Strider]
Attributes: [Dark Wind]
Soul Rank: [Nomad]
Soul Core Saturation: [High]
Talent: [Lightless Star]
Talent Class: [S]
Talent Ability: [Flurry Flow], [Flameless Burn]
’Interesting ability. Looks like I could copy it when I become an Ascendant.’
That made two abilities he currently had his eyes on—ones he intended to copy the moment he reached Ascendant.
Northern lifted his gaze as Ayuri Miu closed in, faster than ever.
’I see… she’s this quick because of the Flurry Flow ability.’
From what he had read of her talents, the first ability rendered her body weightless, while the second imbued her strikes with a burn effect—though it produced no visible flames.
’It seems she relies heavily on her combat prowess.’
Northern wasn’t sure if he had seen her fight today—or perhaps he had, but failed to register it through the clone’s memory before now.
He would have liked the fight to last a little longer, just enough to analyze her technique.
But…
’She isn’t well.’
She seemed like a kind person. And while that had no bearing on the match, he still found himself unwilling to drag it out longer than necessary. It would be best to end it quickly so she could head to the infirmary.
’Still… to be able to move like that while running a fever… She must be enduring a lot.’
Northern exhaled quietly.
’It displeases me that I have to use Erasure… or should I say Oblivion’s Mark on her.’
That ability was meant as a last resort—something he reserved for monsters and opponents too resilient to break through with sheer might.
But he had no reason to hesitate.
Activating the ability, he moved.
His figure blurred—and before Ayuri Miu’s rod could even descend, he was already there.
…Intercepting her.
Ayuri Miu suddenly found herself face to face with the one person who had completely unraveled her composed interior.
Her heart lurched. Her breath broke with wide gaps. Her entire body quaked.
She felt as if she was about to evaporate into steam.
The cold air barely registered. Instead, the heat inside her body roared, boiling. As if several volcanoes had erupted around her, detonating in dazzling bursts of flame.
’Too close…’