Chapter 31 (continued): Ren Enters the Battlefield (Part 1)
The stone beneath Ren's boots cracked with each step, raw energy coiling around him like a living storm.
Kael Veylor surged forward first, sword blazing with crimson runes. His House cheered behind him—a chorus of blood and pride.
Ren moved almost lazily, yet every shift of his body carried a coiled precision, like a predator conserving strength for the kill.
Kael struck first.A sweeping arc meant to cleave Ren in two.
But Ren was no ordinary opponent.
Step.
Ren tilted his body a fraction, letting the blade pass harmlessly by, the wind of its swing tugging at his coat.
Kael snarled and unleashed a burst of force magic, aiming to blast Ren backward.
Ren simply raised one hand.
The Codex flared silently, a translucent glyph forming in the air.
The force dispersed, crumbling into harmless motes before it even touched him.
The Nullborn students watching from behind gasped.
"Impossible…"
"Did he just nullify Kael's magic—without chanting?"
Kael gritted his teeth, rage flashing across his face."You think tricks will save you, wretch?" he barked.
Ren's eyes, cold and detached, finally locked onto him fully."No," Ren said softly. "I don't need tricks."
I am the anomaly you fear.
Without warning, Ren crossed the distance between them in a blink—Voidstep.
His palm struck Kael's chest—not with physical force, but with a pulse of inverted mana, unraveling the enchantments around Kael's armor.
Kael staggered, his sword arm faltering for a heartbeat.
It was all the opening Ren needed.
Crack!
Ren's fist connected with Kael's ribs, sending the larger boy flying backward across the plaza, crashing into a pillar with a thunderous boom.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Even the House Ardent warriors lowered their weapons in awe.
Kael groaned, struggling to rise—but Ren was already moving again, dark glyphs swirling around his feet.