The arena crackled with residual energy, its edges scorched and trembling from the last exchange. Students lined the outer platforms, silent and tense, their eyes locked on the two figures at the center.
Harvey Vandrel stood calm, his breathing steady, blades reversed in both hands. His uniform was cut in several places, streaked with soot and blood, but his posture was unshaken.
Opposite him, Jin Rhaegar of the Crimson Sky Sect pulled back his blade, its surface glowing with crimson qi. His aura burned hot—arrogant, overwhelming, traditional. Around him, the signature of a cultivation technique began to form: a crimson dragon curling behind his back like a phantom wraith.
A storm of whispers buzzed from the spectators.
> "He's really using the Nine Heavens Blood Dragon Art…"
"No one below Core Formation should survive that."
"Why isn't Harvey activating any martial technique?"
Harvey's system pulsed silently.
> [Analyzing: Crimson Sky Sect Secret Technique – Nine Heavens Blood Dragon Art.]
[Progress: 92%... 95%... 100%.]
[Skill Copy Available.]
[Adaptation Mode: Activated.]
He didn't speak. He didn't posture.
He moved.
A single step.
Crack!
The ground split beneath his feet from the sheer force.
Jin reacted instantly, swinging down his crimson-forged blade, its qi screaming like a falling star. The red energy dragon behind him surged forward, its maw wide open, aiming to devour Harvey whole.
But Harvey didn't dodge.
He entered the attack.
Gasps echoed. Teachers rose from their seats.
The dragon slammed into him—only to shatter like glass.
A counterforce erupted. Harvey emerged through the broken aura, blades humming with condensed system-imbued wind and spatial manipulation.
> [New Skill Learned: Blood Dragon Rend – Tier S]
[System Enhancement: Overclock – Temporal Layering (5 seconds)]
[Speed increased by 180%]
In five seconds, Harvey moved faster than the eye could follow.
A dozen slashes.
Three high kicks.
One reverse grip stab—aimed directly at Jin's left shoulder.
Boom!
The two clashed again in the center, a shockwave bursting outward and sending weaker spectators tumbling. Dust shot into the sky. For a moment, no one could see.
When the smoke cleared—
Jin was on one knee, coughing blood, his blade broken.
Harvey stood behind him, blade inches from his neck.
"I adapted your technique before you finished your chant," Harvey said coldly. "You're too slow."
Jin gritted his teeth. "Monster…"
"Wrong," Harvey replied, sheathing his blade with a sharp click. "I'm just… efficient."
He walked away as the crowd fell into stunned silence. Not a cheer. Not a word. Just awe and fear.
A new name began to spread among the students.
> "He's not just a system user…"
"He's a breaker. He breaks techniques."
"How do you beat someone like that?"
In the shadows of the upper balcony, Rina watched with wide eyes, clutching her pendant. "So… that's what he's capable of."
And beside her, a taller figure stepped forward—Zaine Vandrel.
His eyes glowed with a golden hue, lips curling slightly.
"Little brother," he whispered. "You're finally showing your fangs."
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