Aron and his sister, their forms mere blurs of chaos and calm, descended upon the Pacesetter Academy like a storm. Their arrival was swift, unannounced, and devastating. As they breached the outer barrier of the academy, a ripple of energy surged through the wards protecting the grounds, but it was no match for the raw dominance they wielded.
The skies above darkened unnaturally, clouds swirling as Aron’s chaotic aura clashed with his sister’s unnerving tranquility. Their presence felt like a force of nature—an impending calamity—and the academy trembled under their pressure.
"Who goes there!!!?"
"Halt!!"
At the front gate, guards stationed to keep watch over the academy were the first to encounter them. Seeing that Aron and his sister aren’t stopping, they raised their weapons, but before they could even react, Aron’s energy exploded outward. The ground beneath him cracked, and the air distorted as his chaotic mana surged, sending shockwaves in every direction.
The guards were thrown back like ragdolls, their defenses shattered as they were swept away by the force.
Bang!!!
Boom!!!
"Hey!! What’s going on!?"
His sister, moving like a wraith in perfect harmony with his power, landed softly beside him. Her calm demeanor was in stark contrast to the destruction Aron wrought, yet there was a deadly grace in the way she walked, as if everything in her path would cease to exist.
Her eyes scanned the courtyard of the academy, where students and instructors alike were beginning to realize the magnitude of the intrusion.
"Aron…" she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper, but filled with authority. "Do not overdo it. We are here for Kaelen. Nothing more."
Aron grinned, his eyes wild with excitement. "I’m not here to play it safe, Selene. We’re Dragonyx—we take what we want, and we leave nothing standing."
With that, Aron raised his hand to the sky, and an overwhelming surge of chaotic energy gathered above him. A massive storm began to brew, lightning crackling and swirling in the dark clouds. The air buzzed with tension, thick with the promise of destruction. As he brought his hand down, the storm crashed to the ground like a tidal wave, sending tremors through the academy.
Boom!!!!!
Rumble!! Rumble!!
"Ahhh!!!"
"Everyone gather around me!!"
Buildings shook. The pristine training grounds, once filled with students practicing their skills, were ripped apart by the sheer force of Aron’s power. Students screamed, running for cover, while the instructors rushed to protect them, throwing up shields of mana to hold back the onslaught.
Aron’s chaos had turned the academy into a battlefield in moments.
Selene, though far more composed, stepped forward with her own quiet but equally dangerous presence. She extended her hand, and a cold wave of energy spread outward. The air around her seemed to freeze, and a deadly stillness overtook the courtyard as her power wrapped around the students and faculty. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but it was terrifying in its silence.
The students, those close enough to feel the reach of her mana, found themselves immobilized, unable to move or even cry out for help.
"They’re nothing," Aron growled, his eyes darting around the academy grounds. "Kaelen isn’t even here to see this. What a waste."
Selene, still calm and poised, glanced at her brother. "He’ll come. We’ve made enough noise."
Just as her words left her lips, a force unlike anything they’d felt before exploded outward from the heart of the academy. It was like a wave of energy, both disciplined and ancient, rising to meet the chaos they had unleashed. The power was immense, and it sent a jolt of excitement through Aron.
From across the academy, figures began to emerge—top ranking students, Senior instructors, and more importantly, the Pillars of the academy: General Cao, Vlahiç, Carmilia, and Bowel. Each of them bore expressions of grim determination, their mana flaring as they realized the scale of what was happening.
General Cao was the first to arrive at the scene, his formidable presence like a mountain as he glared at the intruders. "Who dares to attack the Pacesetter Academy?" His voice boomed, his eyes locking onto Aron and Selene.
Aron chuckled darkly, his chaotic energy still swirling around him. "Finally, some real opponents." He raised his hand, preparing another strike. "We’re here for the disgrace of our family. Bring him to us, or we’ll turn this entire place to dust."
Vlahiç stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You must be out of your minds if you think you can just waltz in here and demand a student like that."
Selene, still calm, turned to face them. "We’re not here to negotiate. Kaelen belongs to us, and we will take him—whether you resist or not."
As the Pillars of the academy squared off against the intruders, the tension in the air became almost suffocating. Aron’s grin widened, his chaotic energy building up for another attack. The ground beneath him trembled once more, and it was clear that if a fight broke out, the destruction would be immense.
Selene remained silent, but her eyes flickered with deadly intent as she surveyed the opposition.
"Kaelen Dragonyx…" Aron said, his voice dripping with anticipation. "Come out and play, or we’ll tear this place apart piece by piece."
"That can only happen if I am dead" General Cao said in a ferocious manner as he as he took a step forward in the air while an palpable aura erupted around him.
"Are you sure about that?"
But just as the chaos in the academy courtyard settled momentarily with General Cao bold declaration, a serene yet ominous voice suddenly rang out as an aged man, who had remained at a distance until now with Aron and Selene, suddenly materialized in the vicinity.
His arrival was so swift and silent that even General Cao and the other Pillars were taken by surprise. The aura he emitted was not only oppressive but deeply unsettling, a quiet power that spoke of eons of experience and overwhelming strength.
The aged man, dressed in simple but immaculate robes, had an aura of silent authority that demanded attention. His face was weathered but his eyes gleamed with a sharpness that suggested he had seen countless battles and knew more than anyone in the academy about power and its use. His posture was relaxed, but every movement exuded an effortless dominance.
General Cao stepped forward, his expression hard and uncompromising. "If you think we’ll allow this academy to be your battleground, you are sorely mistaken. Take your chaos to the skies, away from our students and the Academy as a whole."
The aged man’s eyes flickered toward General Cao, and for a brief moment, the air seemed to still completely. Then, in a voice that was as calm as it was chilling, he said, "That won’t be necessary."
General Cao’s brow furrowed as he prepared to respond, but before he could, the man continued, "You wish for battle, but there’s no need for it to be fought by the elders here. Let the youth determine their fates. After all, it’s the young who will shape the future."
The suggestion hung in the air, and though it seemed logical, the way it was delivered left little room for negotiation. It wasn’t just a suggestion—it was an order disguised as a proposition. The Pillars of the academy, including General Cao, felt the weight of the man’s presence pressing down on them.
Even Vlahiç, who was rarely intimidated, found his hand unconsciously tightening around the hilt of his blade.
Bowel, who was known for his restraint and wisdom, spoke next. "You’re suggesting that the students fight for the academy in place of their mentors?"
The aged man nodded slightly, his eyes now focused solely on the Pillars. "Exactly. Let your best students face Aron and Selene. If they are as talented as you believe, they’ll stand their ground."
Selene, who had remained silent, glanced at Aron, whose grin only grew wider. The thrill of an impending challenge was etched all over his face. He clearly had no objections to this plan, and neither did Selene.
General Cao’s jaw tightened. The idea of putting students—no matter how gifted—up against the likes of Aron and Selene was a dangerous one. Yet, there was no denying the quiet pressure emanating from the aged man, and it was clear that resisting him could escalate the situation into something far worse.
The academy could not afford to be drawn into a full-scale battle, not with this man’s power looming over them like a shadow.
After a long pause, General Cao reluctantly nodded. "Fine," he said, his voice heavy with resignation. "But know this—our students are not to be underestimated. You may find them more than a match for your heirs."
The aged man offered a thin smile, though it did not reach his eyes. "We shall see."
Carmilia, who had been silent until now, leaned in and whispered to General Cao, "This is a dangerous game, General. Are we really going to let the students face off with these two? They’re practically walking calamities."
General Cao sighed, his gaze never leaving Aron and Selene. "We don’t have a choice. That man... he could level this academy if he wanted to. The fact that he’s suggesting this instead of a direct confrontation is a mercy. We’ll have to trust our top students."
Meanwhile, Aron was practically vibrating with excitement. "This’ll be fun," he muttered under his breath, clearly eager for the challenge. Selene remained composed, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of Kaelen.
General Cao took a deep breath and turned to face the academy buildings. "Summon the peak ranking students," he ordered one of the nearby instructors. "Tell them it’s time for a real test."
The aged man, now standing with his hands behind his back, watched in quiet satisfaction as the orders were relayed. His mere presence had forced the academy’s hand, and now the students would be the ones to fight.
As the Pillars prepared for what was to come, General Cao shot a glance at the aged man. "You seem confident," he said. "But don’t underestimate the will of this academy. Our students won’t go down easily."
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The aged man’s expression didn’t change. "I wouldn’t dream of underestimating them," he replied softly. "But neither should you underestimate the Dragonyx."
A tense silence fell over the courtyard as the preparations for the duel began. The future of the academy—and possibly Kaelen—hung in the balance.