(Alden's POV)

The day of the first official ranking duel had finally arrived. The academy's courtyard was transformed into an open arena, surrounded by enchanted barriers and illuminated by soft, ambient light. Every student gathered in clusters around the duel platforms, murmuring with excitement, anxiety, and anticipation. I could feel the weight of expectation—and the sting of whispers—bouncing off the walls.

My status window had already confirmed it: I'd been challenged twice in the past week, and today, a third challenger would step forward. I'd been training relentlessly—improving my aura control, refining my telekinetic abilities, and pushing my dagger arts to their current limits. But there was still a nagging weakness: I could only control my weapons through telekinesis as a projectile, not as an extension of my very being. I hadn't yet mastered the ability to coat them directly in aura without physically holding them. And while I could cover my entire body in aura for a maximum of five minutes, every second of that window felt like a race against my own exhaustion.

I stood near one of the duel platforms, scanning the gathered crowd. My heart pounded steadily, my black eyes fixed on the scene before me. My sunglasses hung low on my face—my constant shield against prying stares about my unusual eyes. I wasn't ready to reveal too much yet.

A murmur of voices broke through the background noise. "Alden's up again," someone said. "He's got three challenges this month, right?" Another whispered, "If he loses, he drops from S-Class, you know… just like that."

I ignored the chatter and focused inward. I recalled my training: the countless hours of lifting coins with telekinesis, the intense sessions in the aura chamber where I'd learned to push my limits, and the repetitive practice of my dagger art—the basic throw, the fleeting control that wasn't yet full mastery. I took a deep breath. Today was about proving that I wasn't just an accidental S-Class member.

Then, the announcer's voice boomed from the platform: "The next duel will be between Alden Blackwood and his challenger! Please welcome… Bennett Hawthorne!"

A ripple ran through the crowd as a tall, lean figure stepped forward. Bennett Hawthorne had the look of a seasoned fighter, his eyes alight with ambition. His posture was confident—almost smug—and he carried a lightweight training sword that glinted in the sun. His hair was cropped short, and a thin scar ran along his jawline. It was clear he wasn't intimidated by my presence; if anything, he had an air of determination that promised a fierce fight.

I squared my shoulders, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. "Let's do this," I thought.

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The Duel Begins

The duel platform was a circular patch of enchanted ground marked by a shimmering ring. The rules were simple: push your opponent's sphere of influence out of the ring using only your skills— just raw technique and control. In our case, students have a mana suppression which will make fighter same level that meant relying on our aura, telekinesis, and weapon arts. For a ranking duel, every move counted; a single mistake could cost me not only victory but my standing in S-Class.

Bennett bowed stiffly. "Good luck, Blackwood." His tone was courteous but edged with challenge.

I returned a curt nod, then positioned myself. I could already feel the familiar hum of mana circulating through me, my aura shimmering faintly around my body. I gripped the hilt of a dagger in my right hand—the one I normally controlled telekinetically, but today I'd try something new. I planned to launch it as a projectile, then catch it mid-air to simulate that elusive connection I hadn't mastered yet.

The duel began with a signal—a sharp clang of a bell. Immediately, Bennett advanced. He moved with precision, his training evident in every step. He swung his training sword in a controlled arc aimed at my torso. I pivoted on my left foot, activating Shadow Step Footwork to evade his attack. I countered by summoning the dagger with telekinesis, propelling it forward toward his midsection.

For a split second, our weapons met—a clashing of metal and pure willpower. I could feel the rush as the dagger cut a path through the air, its trajectory altered slightly by Bennett's own defense. He deflected it with a swift twist of his wrist, the dagger whizzing past him by mere inches.

I didn't pause. Instead, I followed up with a series of rapid movements: a feint to his left, then a quick dash to the right, trying to catch him off-guard. My movements were fluid, driven by hours of daily training in the courtyard and the aura chamber. Every step was measured, every breath synchronized with the surge of energy flowing through my veins.

Bennett's eyes narrowed. "Not bad," he muttered as he parried another swing of my dagger. He advanced again, this time testing my defenses with a series of quick jabs that forced me to rely on my enhanced perception. I managed to block and deflect each one, the impact of each blow reverberating through my arms.

Inside, I could feel the strain—my telekinetic control was holding, but I was pushing my limits. I shifted my focus, trying to maintain a stable connection with the dagger. I needed to get the timing right; if I could truly catch it mid-flight, it would demonstrate a mastery beyond the basic projectile throw.

Bennett saw his opening as I concentrated. He lunged forward, swinging his sword in a powerful downward arc. Instinctively, I activated a burst of aura, coating my body briefly, and attempted to catch the dagger. In that critical moment, I managed to intercept it, though my grip was less sure than if I were holding it physically. The sensation was electric—a collision of my mind's will and the raw energy of my aura.

For the first time, I held the dagger in a sort of limbo—suspended in a tenuous grip that wasn't full control, but more than a mere throw. It was unstable; I could feel its trajectory wavering as I struggled to maintain the connection.

Bennett's eyes widened as he saw my momentary lapse. He quickly pivoted, his sword slicing through the air with precision, aiming for the gap in my defense. I barely had time to react. I kicked off with my left leg, attempting to divert his momentum. Our blades clashed again, sparks flying as his steel met my aura-enhanced weapon.

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Every second in the duel felt like an eternity. My heart pounded, and the pressure of the moment surged through me. I knew that if I lost control even for a moment, Bennett would exploit it and force me out of the duel—and out of my coveted S-Class ranking.

"Not... yet," I whispered to myself, forcing focus back into the dagger. I willed it to steady, to become one with my hand even though I wasn't physically holding it. The connection grew stronger for a moment, and I managed to deflect another of Bennett's fierce swings.

The duel became a rhythmic exchange of attack and defense. I used my Shadow Step Footwork to dodge and reposition, my telekinetic control flaring with each movement. Bennett was relentless, his own techniques sharp and honed from years of training and ambition. Every time he attacked, I countered with a combination of rapid dagger throws and aura bursts designed to keep him off balance.

At one point, I tried to use a fragment of my Phantom Edge Sword art—a quick, precise slash with the dagger, meant to simulate the cutting motion of a sword. It wasn't perfect, but it caught Bennett's attention, causing him to stagger back slightly from the unexpected angle of attack. I seized the moment, launching a series of rapid, short-range strikes, each one powered by a measured surge of aura.

The crowd around us was silent, their eyes glued to the duel as if watching a high-stakes performance. I could hear murmurs: "He's doing it!" "Look at his control!" "He might actually win this!" The noise was a double-edged sword—it fueled my determination, yet it reminded me that every misstep was being watched.

Bennett wasn't giving up. With a grunt, he intensified his assault, his sword coming in a flurry of precise cuts. I had to defend with everything I had. My aura flared, wrapping around me in a protective shell that lasted only moments. I felt its warmth and strength—but I was acutely aware that once the five-minute window expired, I would be left vulnerable.

Desperation set in as I realized Bennett was beginning to gain the upper hand. His technique was flawless, and his timing impeccable. I needed a breakthrough—a final move that would tilt the balance in my favor.

I centered my focus, drawing upon every bit of mental strength and discipline I had cultivated over the past month. I closed my eyes for a split second, inhaling deeply as I envisioned my aura merging with the dagger. In that fleeting moment, time seemed to slow. I could see every detail: the shimmer of the metal, the subtle pulse of my own energy, the determined gleam in Bennett's eyes.

Then, I acted.

With a burst of sheer willpower, I sent the dagger spinning in a wide arc—its trajectory carefully controlled by my telekinetic focus. I let it fly directly toward Bennett's side, a move that combined the raw speed of a weapon throw with the refined precision of my developing weapon art. The dagger sliced through the air, its path glowing faintly with a red aura.

Bennett reacted instantly, parrying the attack with a raised sword. The impact was violent—a resounding clang echoed as my thrown dagger struck his blade and deflected off to the side. For an instant, the force of the collision sent a shockwave through the duel arena. I felt the sudden jolt in my arms as I maintained control, every muscle screaming in protest.

Bennett, however, was thrown off balance. His eyes widened in surprise as he staggered backward. Sensing my opportunity, I shifted my stance, surging forward with renewed determination. I activated a short burst of aura to bolster my speed, closing the gap between us in a heartbeat.

Now was the moment of truth. I tried to catch my dagger mid-flight—this time, striving to secure a continuous connection with it rather than just using it as a projectile. My mind focused on the metal, the energy, the sensation of it becoming an extension of myself. For a few agonizing seconds, I felt as if time had slowed to a crawl.

Then, with a final, decisive thought, I pulled the dagger back toward me. The connection held—albeit fleetingly—and I managed to grasp it, though it was still hovering, not fully integrated into my grip. This was the closest I'd come to achieving true mastery of telekinetic control over my weapon.

Bennett recovered quickly, his eyes flashing with renewed aggression. "Not bad, Blackwood! But you're still holding back!" he roared, launching another series of attacks, each one faster than the last.

I gritted my teeth. Every bit of training over the past month had led to this moment. I dodged, parried, and countered with a mixture of swift footwork and controlled telekinetic strikes. I could feel the strain in my mind—my focus was taxed to its limits, and I knew that if I pushed too far, my control over the dagger would waver.

Yet, I refused to yield. With each exchange, my confidence grew. I began to anticipate Bennett's moves with uncanny precision. I saw the slight twitch in his left shoulder before he swung his sword, and I predicted the angle of his thrust before he even executed it. My eyes—though hidden behind my sunglasses—blazed with determination, and for a moment, I felt truly in command of my abilities.

The duel became a blur of motion. Swords clashed, daggers flew, and the energy in the arena pulsed with every impact. I could hear the crowd's hushed gasps and exclamations, each one urging me on. Every second felt charged with intensity—a test of not only my skills but of my very will to remain in S-Class.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity compressed into mere minutes, I saw my chance. Bennett, confident in his final push, overcommitted to a powerful downward swing. That was the moment I had been waiting for.

Summoning every reserve of mental energy, I activated my telekinesis once more to severely alter the trajectory of my dagger. With a final, well-timed motion, I sent it slicing upward in a controlled arc that struck Bennett's exposed side with pinpoint accuracy.

The impact was swift and brutal. Bennett's eyes widened in shock as the dagger found its mark, and his sword clattered to the ground. He staggered, gasping, before finally collapsing onto the duel platform.

The crowd erupted in a mixture of cheers and stunned silence. For a moment, I could only hear the pounding of my heart in my ears. I slowly lowered my dagger, my breaths coming in rapid, measured bursts as I maintained control of my aura and telekinetic focus.

Professor Magnus's deep voice cut through the commotion. "Winner: Alden Blackwood."

A hush fell over the arena. I couldn't help but allow myself a brief smile—this was my victory, my proof that I could stand among the elite. But I knew it wasn't the end. There would be more duels, more challenges, and every time, I'd have to fight not only external opponents but also the limitations within myself.

As I helped Bennett to his feet, ensuring he wasn't badly injured, the instructor stepped forward. "Well fought, both of you. Remember, these duels are meant to test your limits, to push you toward excellence. Let this victory remind you that strength is earned through perseverance and determination."

I nodded silently, the adrenaline slowly ebbing from my veins. In that moment, every drop of sweat, every moment of doubt, every near-failure had led me to this victory. I glanced down at my dagger—a simple weapon, yet one that symbolized my ongoing struggle for mastery. I knew that my journey was far from over. The path to fully controlling my weapon through telekinesis, to seamlessly coating it in aura without direct contact, remained long and fraught with challenges.

I looked up to see some of my classmates exchanging glances. Alicia's golden eyes flickered with a mixture of admiration and challenge. Leon's confident nod acknowledged the fight as a stepping stone, while Seraphina's cool gaze held a hint of intrigue. Even Reynard, ever the provocateur, offered a sly smile.

Outside the arena, the murmurs continued. "Did you see how Blackwood turned the fight around at the last second?" "I can't believe he managed to catch his dagger in mid-air!" "He's getting serious now."

I felt the weight of their expectations settle on me like a cloak. I knew that every duel, every training session, every challenge was building toward something greater—a transformation that would define my place in Astoria Academy and in this unpredictable new world.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. The aura around me still shimmered, a testament to my perseverance. Even if I could only maintain that enhanced state for five precious minutes at a time, I had proven that I could push past my limits. And as I looked at my status window one last time in my mind, I felt a surge of determination.

I had won this duel. I had shown that even a disowned noble, underestimated by many, could rise through sheer force of will and relentless training. My journey was just beginning, and there were many more battles ahead—both on the dueling platform and within myself.

As the arena slowly emptied and the echoes of cheers faded into the night, I walked away with a sense of quiet pride. I knew that the ranking duels were just one step in a long, arduous journey toward mastery. But for now, I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction—a moment to acknowledge the growth that had brought me here.

In the cool evening air, I activated my telekinetic control one last time, letting the dagger hover gently at my side as I made my way back to the academy dorms. Each step felt lighter, each breath a little steadier. I could already see the path ahead, filled with challenges, duels, and endless opportunities for growth.

I silently promised myself that I would not only keep my current strength but surpass it. I would learn to control my aura, extend its duration, and finally integrate my weapons fully as extensions of my own body. The journey was long, but I was ready for it.

And as I stepped off the dueling platform, my thoughts returned to the whispered words of the professor: "Strength is earned through perseverance and determination." Tonight, that message burned in my heart. I was Alden Blackwood—disowned by fate, yet destined for greatness—and I would fight every day to secure my place among the elite.

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To be continued…