"Some people train in the sunlight. Others, apparently, prefer dramatic lighting and existential threats."
Midnight: Duel Grounds of the Forgotten Courtyard
The moon was a cold spectator above the abandoned courtyard, casting silvery light over shattered tiles and forgotten statues cloaked in ivy. Here, where old champions once clashed in secret trials, Yuuji now stood… wildly regretting all his life choices.
"Why is it always the spooky courtyard," he muttered, staff in hand, heartbeat doing cartwheels in his chest.
Across from him, Rafe stood motionless, masked and hooded like a discount villain from a prestige drama. His arms were crossed. His aura? Smug with a hint of theatrical menace.
"You accepted the duel," Rafe said calmly. "No turning back now."
"I thought it was metaphorical!" Yuuji protested.
Rafe pointed. A glowing barrier hummed to life around the courtyard. Wards snapped into place, sealing them in.
[System Notice: You Have Entered a Ranked Private Duel]➤ Opponent: [Rafe]➤ Tier: Unknown➤ Conditions: First to Incapacitation or Concession➤ Reward: ???➤ Suggested Action: Survive.
Yuuji's staff sparked uncertainly in his grip. "Do I get a warm-up lap or maybe a motivational speech—?"
Too late.
Rafe moved.
A blur of motion—shadows condensed around his arms as he hurled a wave of dark-blue mana that split into five needle-sharp glyphs midair. Yuuji yelped and ducked, rolling behind a crumbling statue of what was probably some long-dead heroic squirrel knight.
"You're fast for a tutor," Rafe called. "But are you teachable?"
Yuuji popped out and fired a Pulse Glyph. It wobbled, then exploded three feet in front of him with the enthusiasm of a wet firework.
Rafe tilted his head. "...Was that a warning shot or a cry for help?"
[System Alert: Glyph Malfunction – Coordination Stat Underwhelming]➤ Suggestion: Aim. Not just vibe.
Yuuji ducked again as a second volley came his way. One glyph nicked his sleeve and froze the air around it. Frost magic?
"Wait—you're mixing elements? That's illegal!"
"No," Rafe replied smoothly, "just advanced."
Yuuji gritted his teeth and focused. Okay, think. Can't out-speed him. Can't out-power him. But maybe…
He slammed his staff into the ground.
"Come on, baby. Work with me here—!"
A burst of mana flared outward—Reactive Glyph Pulse! Not precise, but it disrupted the ambient energy. Just enough.
Rafe's next spell shimmered, destabilized, and exploded off-center.
Yuuji sprinted in. He didn't try to win. He just tried to surprise.
A feint left. A panic-roll right. A desperation smack with the staff that somehow clipped Rafe's knee.
Rafe stumbled back. "Huh. That was unexpected."
Yuuji panted. "Good. Let's both agree to end this here. I'll fake a nosebleed, you pretend I hit you with a fatal technique, and—"
"No deal."
"Didn't think so."
[System Alert: Critical Learning Threshold Reached]➤ New Skill Unlocked: Instinctive Deflection➤ Description: Involuntarily flinch with such desperation that it counts as defense.➤ Cooldown: Only when terrified.
Rafe laughed. "You're something else, Yuuji."
His mask shimmered—and for a moment, Yuuji saw strange glowing lines beneath it. Glyph tattoos?
Rafe raised both hands. The shadows behind him surged.
Time slowed.
Yuuji braced for the worst—
—and then a voice rang out from the shadows.
"That's enough."
Elira Vortemer stepped forward, eyes glowing faintly, frost lacing her fingertips. Kael followed behind, cloak swirling unnaturally as if the night itself parted for him.
"Elira!?" Yuuji gasped. "Kael!?"
"You're out past curfew," Elira said evenly.
"You're dueling without snacks," Kael added. "Both offenses punishable by death. Or at least detention."
Rafe chuckled and lowered his hands. "Well. Seems your guardians have arrived."
Elira's gaze narrowed. "Who are you, really?"
Rafe offered a theatrical bow. "A friend. A rival. A future problem."
Then he vanished in a swirl of shadows and wind.
Aftermath: Ice Tea & Existentialism
Back in their dorm suite, Yuuji sat wrapped in a blanket burrito of shame and confusion. Elira poured him tea. Kael meditated while levitating a lemon.
"So," Yuuji said, sipping. "Who was that guy?"
"Rafe," Elira said. "New transfer. House Sylvaeon, but not registered in any class rosters."
Kael opened one eye. "He smells like prophecy. And unresolved subplot."
[System Update: Rival Character Detected – Codename: Rafe]➤ Narrative Role: Nemesis? Ally? Romantic Obstacle??➤ Alignment: ???➤ Mystery Level: [High]➤ Suggested Action: Prepare. The plot thickens.
Yuuji groaned into his mug. "I don't want the plot to thicken. I want it to gently simmer and leave me alone."
Elira gave a rare smile. "Not in this school."
[Bonus Objective Updated: Make Elira Laugh (Progress: 3/5)]
Morning: Rankings and Repercussions
The academy's magical bulletin board—a floating panel of runes and glowing parchment—now hovered above the central hall.
Students clustered in tense silence, necks craned.
Yuuji approached like a man walking to his own execution.
[System Alert: Inter-House Rankings Posted]➤ Current Top Five Teams:
Team Shadowfang – House Nocturne (32 Points)
Team Everhart – House Aetherlight (28 Points)
Team Sylphrain – House Sylvaeon (26 Points)
Team Drakesoul – House Draconis (25 Points)
Team 5 (Yuuji, Elira, Kael) – Mixed House (22 Points)
Yuuji blinked. "Wait… we made top five?"
"Barely," Elira said.
"Amazing," Kael added. "We're adequate."
[System Update: You Are Now Ranked]➤ Title Earned: "Rising Wildcard"➤ Reputation Spread: Campus-Wide➤ Optional Perk: Free Lunch Voucher (Redeemable Nowhere)
"Do we get anything for this?" Yuuji asked.
"Nope," Elira replied.
"Just more expectations," Kael intoned ominously.
Yuuji deflated. "Great. My reward is stress."
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out from the crowd.
"HEY! YUUJI!"
Liam Everhart, face no longer bruised but still pride-dented, stepped forward.
"I demand a rematch! Public duel. This time, no tricks!"
Gasps. Murmurs. Kael sighed. Elira rubbed her temples.
Yuuji took a deep breath and turned to face the crowd, the challenge, and fate itself.
[New System Quest: Accept Duel From Liam (Again)]➤ Objective: Don't Die. This Time, Try Winning On Purpose.➤ Optional: Become Campus Meme. Again.
"…Why does everyone want to fight me!?" Yuuji yelled to the heavens.
"Because you keep winning when you shouldn't," Elira muttered.
"Because the stars demand blood," Kael whispered happily.
Rafe, somewhere on a rooftop, probably smirked.