Chapter 123: [Spin-off] Twilight battle between Crystalbearers
Chris is buzzing with anticipation.
Alexia’s words keep echoing in his mind like a sweet, lingering melody.
Just the thought of doing something special with his sister tonight makes his heart race.
The two of them are walking through the vast park in the northern part of the island where the academy stands—a little paradise filled with greenery and shimmering ponds.
Alexia holds onto his arm, pressing herself close.
Her large, soft chest squishes against his shoulder with every step.
Strangely, Jasmine isn’t with them today.
The three of them are usually inseparable, but this afternoon, Alexia specifically asked her to stay behind.
She wants this time alone with Chris—to make up for all the moments she neglected him.
Jasmine, knowing how much Chris missed Alexia, gladly gave them that moment of intimacy.
The orange glow of the sunset reflects off the clear waters of the small artificial lakes, painting the air with soft, warm colors.
Everything feels quiet and peaceful—like a dream.
«This place gets so beautiful in the late afternoon,» Alexia says softly. «It feels... romantic. I’ve always dreamed of walking through all this green with you.
I’m so happy to finally have you here, little brother.»
Her smile is wide, warm, and completely genuine.
Chris’s heart starts pounding wildly at her words—so full of love and tenderness.
He holds her even closer.
«Me too, big sis... I’m really happy to be with you,» he replies, his eyes glossy, captivated by her smile.
But that smile is not meant to last.
A tall, slender figure steps out from behind a tree along the path.
Zayn Bekan.
Chris immediately feels Alexia tense up.
«And here I thought you’d be strolling hand in hand with your precious Kellen Wynne. Oh, right... he must still be in the infirmary after the lesson I gave him this morning,» Zayn sneers, his tone dripping with malice.
~So... she came here with Kellen too...~
That thought darkens Chris’s heart.
He had believed this walk was something special, just for them.
Apparently, he was wrong.
«What do you want from me, Zayn?!» Alexia snaps, her face twisted with irritation.
«What’s wrong? On your period or something? You didn’t seem so annoyed when I invited you to my room last night,» Zayn says, his voice tinged with bitterness.
~Big sis... in his room? Why...?~
«It was... it was a mistake! A mistake that won’t happen again!» Alexia shouts back.
«A mistake you keep making, my sweet Alexia...» Zayn says, stepping toward her slowly.
«Must’ve really enjoyed that little mistake,» Zayn adds, his smile stretching wider, his gaze turning darker.
«This time... it’s a ’never again’ for real! Get lost, Zayn!» Alexia growls, trying to sound threatening.
But Zayn’s presence, his power, makes her tremble.
Chris finds his courage.
«D-Don’t... don’t ever talk to my sister like that again!» he yells.
Zayn, nearly half a meter taller, looks down at him with scorn.
«Didn’t anyone teach you not to interrupt adults, you little bug?»
«Don’t you dare talk to my little brother like that again! Or else—»
«Or else what?» Zayn cuts her off, mocking.
«If you’re dying to be with your precious Kellen, just say it. I’ll gladly send you to join him in the infirmary.»
Alexia clenches her fists.
She grits her teeth.
She wants to strike back, but no words come out—Zayn terrifies her.
Chris slips from her grasp and steps in front of him.
«I told you to stop talking to my sister like that!» Chris shouts, standing firm.
«Little brother, please... don’t provoke him...» Alexia pleads.
But Chris doesn’t listen—he’s blinded by rage.
Zayn looks at him again with pure disdain.
«You’re starting to annoy me. Time to teach you how to respect your betters. I’ll crush you, little bug!»
The Sacred Flame erupt from Zayn’s body.
He lunges forward, aiming a knee strike to Chris’s face.
Chris manages to dodge just in time, jumping backward.
«Zayn, are you insane?! Student duels are forbidden outside the arena!» Alexia shouts, now also surrounded by white flames—ready to protect her brother.
Zayn smirks.
«This isn’t a duel. This is a massacre.»
He launches himself toward Chris again—this time even faster.
In an instant, he grabs Chris by the hair and lifts him off the ground.
Chris struggles, trying to break free, but the pain, his smaller frame, and Zayn’s overwhelming strength make it impossible.
Then Zayn draws back his fist and aims straight at Chris’s face.
He’s about to land the blow...
...but Alexia’s hand grabs Zayn’s wrist, stopping the punch just in time.
«Mind your own business, filthy whore!»
Zayn kicks her in the stomach with brutal force.
Alexia is thrown backward, collapsing to the ground.
She writhes in pain, blood pouring from her mouth.
«B-Big sis...» Chris whimpers, tears streaming down his face.
His eyes, filled with rage, lock onto Zayn.
«I’ll make you regret hurting my big sister!»
A sudden burst of energy explodes from Chris’s body—so strong it forces Zayn to let go and jump back.
But it’s not Sacred Flame.
It’s a storm of wind, water, and ice.
Zayn stares in disbelief.
«And what the hell kind of power is this...?»
His eyes widen further as massive ice-colored wings spread from Chris’s back, and his skin becomes covered in sapphire scales.
Zayn’s shock turns into excitement.
«Of course... you’re a Crystalbearer. Judging by that form, you must have Thural’s crystal—The Restless Storm.»
«After destroying Kellen, I thought no one in this stupid academy could entertain me anymore...
but I guess I was wrong.»
Flames erupt again as Zayn summons his burning sword into his hand.
«Come on then... make this fun for me!»
Chris spreads his wings wide—almost two meters each—and with a single, powerful flap, he whips up a gust strong enough to force Zayn several meters back.
A moment later, Chris is already on him, diving at full speed, a massive ice stalactite clutched in his hand as a weapon.
He tries to strike Zayn again and again, but every blow is blocked with ease.
«Such power in the hands of a worthless brat... what a waste,» Zayn murmurs with contempt, slamming his boot into Chris’s stomach and sending him flying.
«Chris, please, stop!» Alexia pleads, tears in her eyes.
But Chris refuses to listen, blinded by rage and hatred toward Zayn.
He gets back on his feet without much effort—as if that kick hadn’t hurt him at all.
Around him, the wind grows even sharper and colder, freezing the grass in a wide circle.
Chris extends his open hand toward Zayn, and a large sphere of water forms around it.
An instant later, a thin jet bursts forth at incredible speed and pressure—an attack meant to kill, not something for a student duel, authorized or not.
Zayn is ready.
He dodges with a leap, and before landing, huge black wings burst from his back—like a dragon’s, yet not quite, the wings of a wyvern.
~Those wings... that power... is Zayn a Crystalbearer too?!~
Electricity surges through his body.
With a single beat, Zayn unleashes a devastating thunderstorm aimed straight at Chris.
It’s too fast—there’s no way to dodge.
Alexia screams in despair.
But...
—SLASH!
The storm is torn apart by a sword strike so powerful that the air pressure alone cancels Zayn’s attack and throws both fighters back, ending the battle.
Between them stands Professor Tendo, gripping a blazing white sword.
Alexia blushes at the sight of him but also exhales in relief—she had feared the worst.
«Zayn, I’m disappointed... A final-year student—the best in the academy—picking on someone five years younger. I won’t report this, because they wouldn’t expel you anyway, so it’s a waste of time. But if you want to fight so badly, I’m right here. Attack me.»
Zayn grits his teeth.
His wings fold away, and both the Sacred Flame and the electricity vanish from his body.
«You’re not the strongest Monster Reaper in the world, Shin Tendo. I will surpass you—it’s only a matter of time. And when that day comes, we’ll see if you still want to fight me.»
Shin smirks, almost mocking him.
«Try before I die of old age, though.»
Zayn walks away, followed by Shin—only after checking that Alexia and Chris are unharmed.
Neither needs medical care.
Finally, Alexia and Chris leave as well—it’s almost dinner time.
