Chapter 4: Void Unsealed
The stone arena pulsed with divine magic.
Students from all four Houses crowded the coliseum-like stands, whispering excitedly. Trial duels weren't rare, but this one had heat. Everyone wanted to see if the so-called "cursed mistake" would survive his first public test.
In the center stood Ren Kamizuki, arms folded, expression calm.
Across from him towered Kael Itharyon, body wrapped in scorched bandages, wielding a jagged halberd that smoked with crimson fire—Ashwrath.
[System Notice: Mock Trial Accepted]
[Opponent: Kael Itharyon – Rank: Top 10]
[WARNING: Combat risk exceeds threshold. Void Protocol preparing defensive override.]
From the stands, Lira Myndwell watched silently, seated atop a floating platform conjured from pages. Beside her, Auron Velcrest smirked.
"This won't take long."
Kael lunged first—fast for someone so tall, the halberd carving a line of molten stone as it swung.
Ren dodged without blinking. The system's prediction matrix fed him attack trajectories. But Kael was faster than expected—his follow-up sweep clipped Ren's shoulder, sizzling cloth and skin.
Ren exhaled.
[Void Protocol: Sync Rate 17%]
[NULLFANG: Seal Weakening…]
"You hold back," Kael growled, halberd spinning. "Why?"
Ren looked him dead in the eyes.
"Because I'm not sure what I'll do to you if I stop."
Ashwrath came down again—this time, Ren didn't dodge.
The blade hit his chest—
—and shattered.
The arena went dead silent.
Black mist pulsed from Ren's body, curling like a storm around him. His eyes glowed with inverse light.
[NULLFANG SEAL BROKEN — STAGE I: Awakened]
[Skill Gained: Voidrend Slash]
[Skill Gained: Reality Null]
[Weapon Type: Void-Class | Sentient Blade]
A shape formed in his hand—a sleek, black blade etched with moving runes.
NULLFANG had awoken.
"I don't fight to prove anything," Ren said, his voice layered with something ancient. "I fight because I was made to survive."
With one step, he crossed the arena.
With one strike, he dropped Kael to his knees