Jackson and Xavier exit the auditorium, the weight of the upcoming duels lingering in the air. The energy around them is electric, with students buzzing about their matches, some eager and others clearly anxious. Xavier, however, has only one thing on his mind: finding out more about Selene.
Turning to Jackson, he voices his thoughts. "Jackson, do you know anything else about Selene? Anything that might help?"
Jackson shakes his head, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced with a more serious tone. "Wish I could tell ya more, sugar, but Selene’s a mystery. Even to folks who’ve been here a while. If you’re that curious, you’ll have to dig around on your own. I’ve got some business to handle, so we’ll meet back later."
With that, Jackson gives Xavier a reassuring pat on the shoulder and strides off, leaving Xavier alone in the corridor. Determined not to go into his duel blind, Xavier decides to use his investigative skills to learn more about Selene. He wanders through the academy, approaching various students but meets with little success. Most either ignore him or respond with curt, dismissive answers, clearly uninterested in helping someone from Invictardor.
Frustration begins to settle in as Xavier roams the hallways, wondering if he will find anyone who can provide some insight. Just as he is about to give up, he spots a larger man leaning against one of the marble pillars. The man’s appearance is imposing, his face rugged and etched with scars. He has a rough, almost dangerous aura about him that makes others keep their distance.
Gritting his teeth, Xavier approaches the man, steeling himself for another likely rejection. "Excuse me, do you know anything about Selene Vael?"
The man looks down at Xavier, his eyes narrowing with irritation. His silence is heavy, and Xavier can feel the hostility radiating off him. The tension between them grows thicker with each passing second.
"What’s it to you, kid?" the man finally grunts, his voice low and gravelly. "Ain't none of your business."
Xavier feels a surge of anxiety but refuses to back down. "I’m supposed to duel her, and I just want to know what I’m up against," he explains, trying to keep his voice steady.
The man's expression shifts slightly at the mention of the duel, and his demeanor softens, though only slightly. He looks Xavier in the eyes, his gaze hard and unforgiving. "Selene, huh? Someone must have it out for you."
Xavier holds his ground, waiting for the man to continue. After a moment, the man seems to relent, as if he recognizes something in Xavier's persistence that reminds him of himself.
"She’s been around this school for years," the man begins, his voice still rough but now tinged with something resembling respect. "But don’t think that means she’s easy to beat. She ain’t never passed, but that’s not 'cause she lacks the skill. If anything, it’s the opposite. Selene’s a Nosferatu—one of the oldest, most feared vampire races out there."
Xavier’s eyes widen as the man continues, each word adding to the growing weight in his chest.
"I was her sparring partner last year," the man says, his voice dropping to a near whisper, as if the memory itself is enough to haunt him. "Thought I could handle her—been around the block, seen more than my fair share of fights. But Selene? She nearly killed me before they stopped the duel. And when I say 'nearly,' I mean I was seconds away from being a corpse. That girl’s got a kind of power that ain’t natural. Pure, raw strength, and no mercy to go with it."
The man leans in closer, his eyes locking onto Xavier’s with a deadly seriousness. "If I were you, understand that you're not trying to win—you’re trying to survive."
Xavier swallows hard, trying to keep his composure. "Thanks for the warning," he says, though his voice betrays the unease gnawing at him.
The man gives a curt nod before turning to walk away, leaving Xavier standing alone in the corridor. He knows now that his duel with Selene will be a fight against something truly monstrous.
As Xavier stands alone, trying to process the information he’s just received, the sharp crackle of another announcement breaks through his thoughts. The voice of the announcer, full of energy and charisma, echoes through the halls:
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time! The moment you’ve all been waiting for—the duels are about to begin! Get ready to witness the fiercest, most electrifying matches this academy has ever seen! All students, make your way to the arena! It’s showtime!"
The excitement in the announcer's voice is undeniable, urging everyone to move quickly. Xavier, still feeling the weight of his earlier conversation, decides to clear his mind and make his way toward the arena.
As he walks through the winding corridors, his thoughts racing, he suddenly spots Selene standing alone, her presence almost ghostly in the dimly lit hallway. Summoning his courage, Xavier approaches her, hoping to break the tension between them.
"Selene," he begins, his voice calm but earnest, "I just wanted to say that I hope we have a good match."
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Selene turns to him, her eyes soft yet distant. For a moment, she seems to hesitate, as if searching for the right words. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she responds, "I’m sorry." Without another word, she turns and hurries away toward the arena, leaving Xavier standing there, more confused and uneasy than before.
Shaking off his unease, Xavier continues toward the arena, trying to calm his racing thoughts. As he approaches the entrance, he spots Jackson leaning casually against the wall, waiting for him.
“There ya are,” Jackson greets, pushing off the wall. “Ya find out anything useful?”
Xavier hesitates, the weight of his earlier conversation still fresh in his mind. “Yeah, but... it’s not exactly comforting. I ran into someone who told me Selene’s been at this school for years and has never passed. Apparently, she’s a Nosferatu—one of the oldest and most dangerous kinds of vampires.”
Jackson’s playful demeanor fades as he listens, his brow furrowing. “Well, that’s just great, ain't it?”
Xavier chuckles nervously, though the tension between them is palpable. “At least we’re not going in blind. I just hope I can survive the match.”
Jackson claps him on the back, trying to lift the mood. “Don’t worry, sugar. You'll figure something out. But first, let’s see when we’re fighting.”
They head inside together, the grand entrance of the arena opening up to reveal the vast space filled with buzzing students. The air is thick with anticipation, the noise of excited chatter echoing off the high ceilings. Xavier’s eyes are immediately drawn to the large digital display hanging over the center of the arena. The screen flickers before displaying the names of the upcoming matches: Alexandre VS Melanie followed by Xavier VS Selene.
“Already?” Xavier mutters, feeling the pressure mount. His match is just the second one, leaving him little time to prepare. Still, he knows the first round will give him some time to observe and strategize.
“Looks like you’re up pretty soon,” Jackson remarks, noticing the order of the matches. “At least you get a front-row seat to see how these things go down before it’s your turn.”
Xavier nods, trying to steady his nerves. “Yeah, I'll make the most of it.”
They make their way to the Invictardor first-year section, finding a row of seats near the front. As soon as they sit down, Xavier notices that Jackson is already nodding off, his eyes drooping as he leans back in his chair. Within minutes, he is snoring softly, oblivious to the growing excitement around him.
Unable to resist, Xavier leans in close and pinches his side. “Good morning, princess. Have a nice rest?” Xavier whispers in Jackson's ear.
Jackson snorts awake, blinking in confusion. His eyes dart around before he realizes what has happened. “You’re gonna pay for that,” he grumbles, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. But the corners of his mouth twitch into a grin, showing that he isn’t really mad.
Xavier chuckles, the brief moment of humor easing some of his anxiety. “You looked too peaceful. I couldn’t resist.”
Before Jackson can retort, the lights in the arena dim, casting long shadows across the seats. The murmurs of the crowd die down, replaced by an expectant silence.
Suddenly, the stage lights flare to life, illuminating the large square platform in the center of the arena. The intricate designs carved into the surface of the stage begin to glow faintly, adding an otherworldly feel to the atmosphere.
The announcer’s voice booms across the arena, filled with energy and showmanship. “Ladies and gentlemen, students and spectators, welcome to the first match of the day! Get ready for an explosive battle between two of our finest first years—Alexandre and Melanie! This is a showdown you won’t want to miss!”
The crowd erupts in cheers, the energy in the arena skyrocketing as everyone turns their attention to the stage. Xavier leans forward, his eyes fixed on the platform where the first duelists are making their entrance. This is it—the beginning of the duels. He only has one match to figure out how to handle Selene.
Jackson glances over at him, noticing the tension in his expression. “You got this, Xavier. Just keep your cool and watch carefully. You’ll figure something out.”
Far above the stadium, in a secluded area overlooking the arena, a group of shadowy figures watches the proceedings in silence. The dim light barely reveals their features, keeping their identities shrouded in mystery. Among them, one figure stands out, a woman whose presence exudes an aura of authority and quiet menace—Lilith.
As the duelists prepare on the stage below, two of the figures exchange tense glances. Their low voices carry an undercurrent of rivalry, each one subtly challenging the other.
“Their skills might be impressive,” a masculine voice murmurs, “but let’s not forget where true strength lies.”
The other figure responds with a more feminine, yet cold tone, “We’ll see soon enough which of us has the edge.”
Before the argument can escalate further, Lilith’s voice cuts through the tension like a blade, smooth and chilling. “You’re both delusional if you think your students stand a chance against mine.”
“You think your students are so superior, Lilith?” the masculine voice sneers.
Lilith smiles, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “I’m willing to bet on it,” she says, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"I've got nothing to offer because someone stole my betting chip," the feminine voice sneers at the others in the room.
“What kind of bet?” the masculine voice demands, suspicion dripping from his tone.
Lilith leans forward, her smile widening. “Oh, I have something in mind. But first, let’s see how this first match plays out. Then we’ll talk terms.”
Before anyone can press her further, the scene shifts back to the arena, where the announcer’s voice booms, bringing the crowd’s attention back to the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the first duel is about to begin!” the announcer’s voice rings out with excitement. “On one side, we have Alexandre, a powerhouse from Aurexinia, known for his raw strength and precision! And on the other, Melanie, a rising star from Glaciaserpens, feared for her unique style and sheer speed! This is going to be a clash of titans!”
The crowd roars in anticipation as Alexandre and Melanie step onto the stage, their eyes locked in a fierce stare-down. They approach each other slowly and exchange a handshake. The tension between them is palpable, each determined to prove their superiority.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” Melanie taunts, her voice dripping with arrogance. “I’ve taken down opponents twice your size. You’re no different.”
Alexandre smirks, his confidence unshaken. “You talk too much, Glaciaserpens. Let’s see if your skills can back up that big mouth of yours.”
The announcer raises his hand, signaling the start of the match. “Duelists, take your positions!”
Alexandre and Melanie move to opposite ends of the stage, each adopting their combat stance. The atmosphere in the arena shifts, the crowd falling into an anticipatory hush as they wait for the first move.
“Let the duel begin!” the announcer’s voice thunders, and the stage erupts into action.