*****
(Lyrium’s POV)
Nox lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with precision.
The sharp glint of steel reflected in my eyes as I stood motionless, my hands empty.
No weapon, no armor—just my instincts and my body.
’This guy… He has sky-high potential, but right now, he’s still an amateur—just like me.’
I stepped back, tilting my head slightly as his blade narrowly missed my cheek.
The wind from his strike brushed past me, rustling my hair.
He was fast, but not fast enough.
His footwork was solid, his intent was sharp, but he still hesitated between his movements.
A fraction of a second, but enough for someone like me to notice.
Clank—!
His sword came down again, but this time, I caught his wrist mid-swing.
My grip tightened, and his eyes widened in shock.
"You’re relying too much on your sword,"
I muttered, twisting his wrist slightly.
"What happens when someone takes it away from you?"
Before he could react, I pulled him forward, using his momentum against him.
My knee shot up—
Thud—!
A heavy impact landed on his stomach, forcing the air out of his lungs.
Nox staggered back, coughing, but he didn’t let go of his sword.
That was good—he had endurance.
"You—"
He started, but I was already moving.
I dashed toward him, weaving past his blade as he attempted a horizontal slash.
My left foot pivoted, and I stepped into his guard, my palm striking toward his chin.
He barely managed to tilt his head back in time, dodging by an inch.
’Good reflexes. He’s improving mid-fight.’
I grinned.
This was getting interesting.
Nox growled in frustration and spun, attempting a roundhouse kick to create distance.
I raised my arm to block, but the force behind his strike still pushed me back slightly.
My heels dug into the dirt as I steadied myself.
He was adapting.
But so was I.
I exhaled, lowering my stance.
"Not bad,"
I admitted, cracking my knuckles.
"But let’s see if you can keep up."
His grip on his sword tightened.
His deep blue eyes locked onto mine, filled with determination.
And then, he charged again.
*****
(Nox’s POV)
I dashed forward, my sword slicing through the air with deadly precision.
The weight of the blade in my hands felt natural, an extension of my will.
Yet, the bastard in front of me—Lyrium Blackwood—stood there, empty-handed, completely unarmed, like he didn’t even need a weapon to face me.
’He’s not taking me seriously.’
The thought burned in my chest, but I didn’t let it slow me down.
I swung my sword toward his neck, aiming for a clean strike—
Miss.
He tilted his head at the last possible moment, dodging with unnatural ease.
Not a single wasted movement.
It was like he had already predicted my attack.
I barely had time to recover before he stepped forward, closing the gap between us in an instant.
Clank—!
Pain shot through my wrist as he caught it mid-swing.
My grip nearly loosened, but I held firm.
"You’re relying too much on your sword,"
He muttered, his voice calm, almost amused.
"What happens when someone takes it away from you?"
’Damn him—!’
Before I could react, he pulled me forward, twisting my balance against me.
My breath hitched as his knee crashed into my stomach.
Thud—!
I stumbled back, gasping for air.
He didn’t even have a weapon, yet he was completely dominating the fight.
’This isn’t normal. He’s not just skilled—he’s something else entirely.’
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus.
"You—"
I started, but he was already moving again.
Fast.
Too fast.
He slipped past my defenses like a shadow, his palm shooting toward my chin.
I barely managed to dodge, tilting my head back just in time.
My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
’He’s analyzing me. He’s adjusting his attacks based on how I react.’
A cold realization settled in my mind.
He wasn’t just strong—he was learning mid-fight.
I clenched my jaw and spun, aiming a roundhouse kick at his side.
He blocked it with his arm, but I saw his feet slide back slightly.
’Got him.’
I pressed forward, tightening my grip on my sword.
My eyes locked onto his—calm, unreadable, yet filled with something terrifying.
Excitement.
The bastard was enjoying this.
I gritted my teeth.
’If he thinks I’ll just roll over and lose, he’s dead wrong.’
I charged forward again.
*****
The air crackled with tension as Nox lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with precision and deadly intent.
His movements were sharp, practiced—yet the one standing before him, Lyrium Blackwood, remained motionless.
Unarmed.
Unfazed.
It was infuriating.
Did he not see him as a threat?
With a fierce swing, Nox aimed straight for Lyrium’s neck, seeking to end the fight in a single decisive strike—
Miss.
At the last possible moment, Lyrium tilted his head just enough to let the blade pass harmlessly by.
His motion was effortless, as if dodging was second nature.
Nox barely had time to react before Lyrium stepped in, closing the distance in an instant.
Clank—!
Pain shot through Nox’s wrist as Lyrium caught it mid-swing, stopping the attack with nothing but his bare hand.
His grip was like iron, unyielding.
"You’re relying too much on your sword,"
Lyrium remarked, his voice calm yet firm, as if stating an undeniable truth.
"What happens when someone takes it away from you?"
Nox’s eyes flared with frustration.
Was this guy looking down on him?
He tried to yank his arm free, but Lyrium moved faster.
A sudden, fluid motion—
Thud—!
A sharp knee struck Nox in the stomach, forcing the air from his lungs.
He stumbled back, gripping his sword tightly to keep from collapsing.
’Damn it... That speed…’
He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to steady his breathing.
’He’s not just strong—he’s reading my every move.’
Lyrium, on the other hand, watched Nox carefully.
’He’s good, but he’s still holding back. Is it pride? Fear? Or does he simply not realize his own potential?’
Nox’s gaze flickered toward Lyrium’s stance. There—he saw it.
A minor shift.
A subtle reaction to his last attack.
’So he’s not untouchable after all…’
With renewed determination, Nox launched forward once more, this time spinning into a roundhouse kick aimed at Lyrium’s ribs.
Smack—!
Lyrium raised his arm in time to block, but the force pushed him back slightly.
Nox smirked.
’Got him.’
But then—he saw it.
Lyrium’s expression didn’t show pain. He wasn’t caught off guard.
He was excited.
His deep blue eyes gleamed with something unsettling—analyzing, calculating, adapting.
’This is interesting. How long can he keep up? Can he push me further? Or will he break first?’
Nox felt a chill run down his spine.
’He’s... enjoying this?’
A moment of hesitation.
Too late.
Lyrium struck.
With lightning speed, he grabbed Nox’s extended leg and twisted—
Crash—!
Nox hit the ground hard, but he gritted his teeth and rolled away before Lyrium could capitalize. He scrambled to his feet, breathing heavily.
’This guy… He’s a monster.’
But was that fear gripping his chest?
Or exhilaration?
Nox’s grip on his sword tightened.
’I won’t back down.’
He surged forward once more.
Lyrium smirked.
’Show me what you’ve got.’
*****
(Some Moments Earlier...)
"On whether you still think you can win."
For the first time, Nox’s smirk wavered.
It was subtle—barely noticeable—but it was there.
And Lyrium caught it.
He wasn’t expecting this.
He wasn’t expecting Lyrium Blackwood, the so-called 1st rank of 1st year, to be this… arrogant.
Or was it confidence?
A cold shiver ran down his spine as he studied the boy standing in front of him.
There was something unnerving about Lyrium.
It wasn’t just his strength or his reputation.
It was the way he stood, the way he looked at him, as if he had already won.
That unshakable composure.
That suffocating presence.
’What the hell is this feeling?’
Nox gritted his teeth, gripping his sword even tighter.
’He’s looking down on me.’
The realization burned inside him like fire.
He had fought plenty of opponents before—strong ones, talented ones, even monsters who could crush people’s spirits with just a glance.
But this was different.
Lyrium Blackwood wasn’t trying to intimidate him.
He wasn’t boasting or taunting.
He was just… stating a fact.
A fact that Nox would lose.
"Tch."
He took a deep breath, forcing his emotions down.
’No. I won’t be shaken that easily.’
Even if Lyrium was strong, that didn’t mean he was invincible.
Even if he had that terrifying presence, he was still human.
’There has to be a way to beat him.’
And if there wasn’t—
’Then I’ll just make one.’
His grip on his sword steadied as he took a step forward.
Then—
Ding—!
A sharp chime echoed inside Lyrium’s head.
"Hmm?"
His eyes flickered slightly as a translucent blue screen appeared before him.
[New Quest: Battle with Nox Sillon, Win, and Recruit Him]
[Difficulty: B]
[Reward: 100 EXP]
[Skill: Eve of Ruins]
Lyrium’s expression remained calm, but inside—
His heartbeat quickened.
’A new skill? Eve of Ruins?’
He didn’t know what it was yet, but if the system was rewarding him with it, then it had to be something powerful.
More than that—
"Yes."
A faint thrill surged through him.
’Finally. My level’s going up for the first time.’
He had been waiting for this.
Waiting for growth, waiting for progress—and now it was within reach.
But first—he had to end this fight.
His gaze shifted back to Nox, who was still standing firm, sword at the ready.
’He’s not backing down.’
That was good.
Lyrium didn’t want weak subordinates.
If he was going to recruit Nox, he needed to know if he was worthy.
Time to find out.
Nox inhaled deeply, steadying himself.
He could see it—Lyrium’s eyes changing.
That calm, piercing gaze.
That subtle shift in his stance.
’He’s about to make his move.’
Instinct screamed at him to react.
To do something—anything—before it was too late.
But before he could act—
New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.
Lyrium vanished.
His eyes widened.
What—?!
A blur of motion.
A cold chill against his neck.
Danger!
He swung his sword instinctively—but it was already too late.
A whisper of wind brushed past his ear.
A voice.
Smooth.
Calm.
Deadly.
"You’re too slow."
*****