ONLINE: Blades of Eternity - Chapter 89

Chapter 89: RUTHLESS

Kaelen gave Sofia a nod of encouragement as she ascended the stage, her grip tightening around the ornate scepter that had been her faithful companion throughout the tournament. “You can do this,” Kaelen said firmly, his gaze steady and reassuring.

Sofia offered him a brief, grateful smile before her eyes steeled with determination as she turned to face Julian. The air between them was thick with tension, the arena humming with anticipation. The audience sat in silence, awaiting the clash between two formidable talents.

Julian, standing tall with an almost indifferent expression, unsheathed his blade. His movements were graceful yet lethal, and the ease with which he carried himself exuded a quiet but palpable arrogance. Sofia raised her scepter, channeling her magic into it, ready to unleash the light and ice magic that had brought her this far.

“Begin!!”

And so, the battle began with a burst of speed from Julian, his blade flashing like lightning. Sofia countered with a barrier of ice, intending to slow him down, but Julian shattered it with a single, precise strike. Sofia retaliated with a brilliant beam of light from her scepter, forcing Julian back for a moment. She used that brief opening to summon a whirlwind of freezing winds around him, attempting to trap him in a vortex of frost.

But Julian’s response was ruthless. He cut through the storm with a powerful swing of his sword, the sheer force of his strike sending a shockwave across the stage. Sofia staggered back, struggling to regain her balance as Julian pressed his advantage. His blade was relentless, slicing through her defenses with terrifying efficiency.

Despite Sofia’s best efforts, she was overpowered. Her scepter clashed against Julian’s blade, but with a final, overwhelming surge of strength, Julian broke through her last defense and sent her crashing to the ground. The crowd gasped in shock at the ruthless display.

As the dust settled, Sofia lay on the stage, defeated. Julian stood over her, his expression cold and unfeeling, as if the victory had cost him nothing. The Vice Chancellor, watching from the VIP section, clenched his fists in anger, his face contorted with fury. “This cannot stand,” he muttered, the words laced with barely restrained rage.

Vlahiç, sensing the rising tension, placed a calming hand on the Vice Chancellor’s shoulder. “Let it go, for now,” he advised quietly. “There’s more at play here than just this fight.”

The Vice Chancellor exhaled sharply, his gaze still fixed on Julian. Though his rage simmered beneath the surface, he heeded Vlahiç’s words and reluctantly calmed himself. But his eyes remained narrowed, filled with suspicion and frustration as he watched Julian leave the stage.

Meanwhile, as the tense duel between Sofia and Julian raged on in the coliseum, General Cao made his way to the VIP lounge where the Headmaster of the Valen military academy resided. His expression was stone-like, his gaze unwavering as he entered the extravagant lounge. The opulence of the room contrasted starkly with the raw energy emanating from the coliseum, where the battle below could be heard echoing through the corridors.

The Headmaster, a tall man with broad shoulders and a menacing presence, sat leisurely on an intricately designed chair. His dark, heavily embroidered uniform bore the insignia of the Valen military academy, and behind him stood the military prodigy who had been a shadow at his side since his arrival. The Headmaster had an air of arrogance about him, his lips curling into a smirk as General Cao approached.

“Ah, General Cao,” the Headmaster drawled, his voice dripping with condescension. “I was wondering when you might come by. I trust you’re enjoying the tournament so far?”

General Cao’s eyes narrowed, but he maintained his composure. “I won’t waste time with pleasantries,” he said, his voice firm and authoritative. “I know you’ve placed a spy in this tournament. Whatever you’re planning, I suggest you stop now. This academy and its students are under my protection.”

The Headmaster chuckled softly, his smirk widening. “A spy? My dear General, you make it sound so… nefarious. I’m simply ensuring that Valen’s interests are well represented. After all, this tournament is an opportunity to measure the strength of our future generation, is it not?”

General Cao clenched his fists behind his back, resisting the urge to let his emotions get the better of him. “You’re undermining the integrity of the competition, and we both know it.”

The Headmaster waved a hand dismissively. “Integrity, you say? What does integrity matter when power is the only thing that rules this world? We’re simply making sure the strongest rise to the top. Or do you doubt the skill of your own students?”

Before General Cao could respond, a loud cheer from the coliseum below interrupted the conversation. The Headmaster’s smirk faltered for a moment as he turned his gaze toward the arena. General Cao followed his line of sight, his eyes narrowing when he realized what had caused the commotion.

On the coliseum stage, Sofia had just fallen, her defeat at the hands of Julian evident to all. Julian stood tall, his cold expression unchanging as he looked down at his fallen opponent. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a blade, and even from the VIP lounge, the charged atmosphere of the battle could be felt.

“Ah,” the Headmaster said, his voice tinged with mock amusement. “It seems your academy’s pride has taken quite the beating today. Such a shame, General. But then again, we at Valen know how to produce true talent.”

General Cao’s gaze darkened, but he remained silent, his focus now split between the Headmaster and the battle that had just transpired. The tension between the two men was palpable, each sizing the other up with silent animosity.

“I would tread carefully if I were you,” General Cao finally said, his voice low and filled with warning. “The tides of fortune change quickly, and arrogance has a way of turning against those who hold it too tightly.”

The Headmaster chuckled again, though there was a hint of sharpness in his tone. “We’ll see, General. We’ll see. But for now, enjoy the rest of the tournament. I’m sure it will continue to be… illuminating.”

With that, General Cao turned and left the lounge, his face set in a grim expression. He knew this confrontation was far from over, and as he made his way back to the Pacesetters Academy’s VIP section, his thoughts were filled with the looming threats posed by Valen’s presence.

Down in the coliseum, the tension still hung in the air as Julian left the stage. Sofia was helped off by officials, her expression one of frustration and disappointment. Kaelen watched her from the participants’ area, concern in his eyes, but also a growing unease as the tournament moved forward into ever more dangerous waters.

….

As Sofia was helped off the stage by the officials, Kaelen quietly made his way over to her. Her shoulders slumped in defeat, her scepter hanging loosely in her hand as her breaths came in ragged, frustrated bursts. The once radiant confidence Sofia held seemed dimmed after the ruthless beating she had received from Julian. Kaelen hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft and filled with sincerity.

“You fought well, Sofia,” he said, trying to catch her gaze. “That was an incredible effort. You pushed him harder than anyone else has. You should be proud of that.”

Sofia gave him a small, strained smile, though her eyes remained distant. “It didn’t feel like enough… It wasn’t enough,” she muttered, her voice heavy with disappointment. “Julian… he was just too strong.”

Kaelen swallowed hard, his hand still resting on her shoulder. He could feel the weight of her frustration, and in a way, it mirrored his own fears. He had seen the way Julian fought—ruthless, precise, and devastating. A chill ran down his spine as he thought about the possibility of facing him.

But he couldn’t allow himself to dwell on that now. He needed to be strong, not just for Sofia but for himself as well.

“Sometimes, it’s not about winning,” Kaelen continued, his words aimed as much at himself as at her. “It’s about pushing through, even when you feel like you can’t. You’re one of the strongest people I know, Sofia. You’ll bounce back from this, stronger than ever.”

Sofia blinked, her smile growing just a bit more genuine as she looked up at him. “Thanks, Kaelen… I needed that,” she said softly. Her voice regained a flicker of warmth. “You’d better go out there and give it your all. Don’t let up.”

Kaelen nodded, his heart a mix of determination and fear. He watched as the officials escorted Sofia toward the care area. But deep down, as much as he tried to console her, he was really trying to fortify his own resolve. His mind raced as he thought of what was to come.

Just as Kaelen tried to steel his nerves, the crowd began to stir. He looked up, his eyes following the crowd’s gaze to the large screen hovering above the center of the coliseum. The new matchup was being revealed. His heart pounded in his chest as the names slowly materialized on the screen:

Kaelen vs. Lira

Kaelen’s breath hitched. Lira was well-known for her deadly precision with the spear and her fluid combat style. She moved like the wind on the battlefield, unpredictable and fierce. He’d watched her earlier battles—she fought with an elegance and speed that few could match.

Kaelen’s jaw tightened as he clenched his fists. This would be no easy fight. Lira was as formidable as any opponent he’d faced, and the thought of what lay ahead sent a rush of adrenaline through his veins.

But there was no turning back now.

He looked up at the sky for a brief moment, drawing in a deep breath. “I can do this,” he whispered to himself. “I have to.”

With a determined nod, he straightened his posture and made his way toward the stage. The arena was calling him, and there would be no time for hesitation.

The next battle was about to begin.