Erica's eyes darted around, looking for options. Finding none, she slumped in defeat. "I yield."
The buzzer sounded, and the arena erupted in chaos. Students from 1B were jumping and screaming, while 1C looked on in stunned silence.
Noah stepped back, offering Erica a hand up which she reluctantly accepted. "Good fight," he said.
"How did you..." she began, then shook her head. "Never mind. I'll figure it out next ti,"
Noah smiled but said nothing as dical staff approached to treat their injuries. His HP gauge showed 296/600—painful, but a clear victory.
In the stands, Sophie was beaming with pride, already making her way toward the arena exit to et him. Around her, students were buzzing with questions and theories.
"Did you see how fast he moved?"
"That can't be just chi, can it?"
"The zombie boy's got more than just survival instincts!"
Noah took a deep breath as healing staff began treating his dehydrated skin. His secret system was still safe, and he'd advanced to the next round. More importantly, he'd proven that he didn't need his system abilities to kick ass. He did that expeditiously every ti, against anyone he was pit against.
As Sophie reached him, wrapping him in a careful hug mindful of his injuries, she whispered, "Impressive ass kicking, as always."
She was slowly becoming his hype woman and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Noah grinned. "Just wait until the actual tournant. I'm only getting started."
___
The main hall buzzed with excitent as students crowded around the newly updated tournant brackets. The digital display refreshed with a soft chi, revealing the standings after Stage 1's completion.
Noah pushed through the throng of students, scanning the first-year rankings with Sophie at his side. His na sat firmly at the top of the list:
YEAR 1 RANKINGS - STAGE 1 COMPLETE
1. Noah Eclipse (1B) - 15 pts ★★★
2. Akira Tetsuo (1A) - 13 pts
3. Lila Valentine (1B) - 11 pts
4. Adrian Albright (1B) - 11 pts
5. Erica Vasquez (1C) - 11 pts
6. Marco Gonzalez (1A) - 9 pts
7. Jin Park (1A) - 9 pts
8. Eliza Chen (1A) - 8 pts
9. Derek Wolfe (1C) - 7 pts
10. Layla Kincaid (1A) - 7 pts
"Three stars," Sophie pointed out, nudging Noah's shoulder. "That ans you had perfect knockouts in all your matches. Impressive for a supposed non-combat first-gen."
Noah shrugged, but couldn't hide his smile. "Just got lucky with my matchups."
"Lucky my ass," a voice ca from behind them. Adrian Albright, Noah's classmate, crossed his arms with a grin. "You're making 1B look good, Eclipse. Keep it up."
Noah nodded awkwardly. Despite being classmates, he and Adrian had barely exchanged words before the tournant began. The Vice headmaster's son had managed to remain out of Noah's radar. And for the most part, he was thankful because he didn't want anything to do with another Albright.
Lila joined them as she positioned herself between Noah and Sophie. "Look at us dominating the board. Three 1B students in the top four? Miss Brooks must be ecstatic."
Sophie's smile tightened almost imperceptibly as Lila's shoulder brushed against Noah's. "Don't get cocky," she warned, her tone light but her eyes sharp. "Stage 2 gets much more intense."
Lila held Sophie's gaze a mont too long before turning to Noah. "We should celebrate tonight. Just us 1B qualifiers."
"Maybe another ti," Sophie interjected smoothly, her arm sliding around Noah's waist. "We already have plans."
Noah's eyes drifted to the Year 2 rankings, eager to break the sudden tension:
YEAR 2 RANKINGS - STAGE 1 COMPLETE
1. Kai Nakamura (2A) - 15 pts ★★★
2. Vivian Lance (2B) - 13 pts
3. Oliver Reed (2A) - 13 pts
4. Zara Khan (2C) - 11 pts
5. Finn Blackwood (2B) - 11 pts
6. Maya Sinclair (2A) - 9 pts
7. Theo Spencer (2A) - 9 pts
8. Jasmine Wu (2C) - 8 pts
9. Hunter Brooks (2B) - 7 pts
10. Aiden Frost (2C) - 7 pts
"Nakamura's dominating Year 2," Noah observed. "Isn't he the one who can manipulate gravity just like Micah?"
Sophie nodded. "In small areas, yes. Extrely dangerous in close quarters." She pointed to the Year 3 bracket:
YEAR 3 RANKINGS - STAGE 1 COMPLETE
1. Lucas Grey - 15 pts ★★★
2. Oba Adebayo - 13 pts
3. Bailey Chen - 13 pts
4. Dante Rivers - 11 pts
5. Naomi Ellis - 11 pts
6. Viktor Ivanov - 9 pts
7. Chloe Morgan - 9 pts
8. Ezra Kim - 8 pts
9. Amara Johnson - 7 pts
10. Ryder Blake - 7 pts
Noah noticed Sophie's na was missing from the list. "You're not on here."
Sophie shrugged, seeming completely unfazed. "Lost my last match. So only got 4 points in total,"
"Aren't you upset?" Noah asked, surprised by her calm deanor.
Sophie's lips curved into a mysterious smile as she leaned against the wall. "I have my reasons for not being too concerned. Besides," she playfully ruffled Noah's hair, "watching you fight is more entertaining anyway."
Lila rolled her eyes slightly at the display of affection, but kept her comnts to herself.
Noah wanted to press further, but Miss Brooks appeared, clapping her hands to gather 1B students.
"Excellent showing, everyone!" she bead, practically bouncing with excitent. "Three of our students in the top four for Year 1! I'm particularly impressed with Eclipse's perfect score."
Noah felt heat rise to his cheeks as classmates patted his back. Miss Brooks continued, "Stage 2 begins tomorrow. Two more fights each, and the points carry over. Rember, you need 15 total points to make the finals, but aim higher! The top-ranked students have advantages in the final matchups."
"Also worth noting," Miss Brooks added, "1A has five representatives in the top ten. Quite the rivalry brewing between our classes!"
As the crowd dispersed, Noah caught Erica Vasquez staring at him from across the hall, her expression a mixture of determination and calculation. Their eyes locked for a mont before she turned away, whispering sothing to her 1C classmates.
"She's planning sothing," Lila murmured, having noticed the exchange. She stepped closer to Noah, seemingly oblivious to Sophie's narrowing eyes.
Noah nodded. "Let her plan then. I'll be ready,"
That evening, as Noah checked the Stage 2 matchups on his phone, he smiled at the brackets. His path to representing Eastern Academy— school 12th among the Eastern District's schools—was clear. Two more fights, four more days, and he'd be facing the best students from across the district.
Sophie lounged on her room couch, scrolling through her own device. "Nervous?"
"No," Noah answered truthfully. "Just ready."
"Good." Sophie's eyes sparkled with sothing Noah couldn't quite identify. "Because I have a feeling you're going to need that confidence for what's coming."
----
The school grounds had quieted as evening fell, most students having retreated to dorms or the cafeteria. In a secluded corner of the training facilities, Commander Albright stood with perfect military posture, his uniform immaculate despite the late hour. Before him, Adrian stood with head slightly bowed, shoulders rigid, hands clasped behind his back in a stance that mirrored his father's but lacked the sa authority.
The family resemblance was unmistakable—sa sharp jawline, sa icy blue eyes. But where the Commander's face showed weathered confidence, Adrian's still held the softness of youth, currently tensed in anticipation.
"Second place," Commander Albright said, the words falling like stones. "Not even second. Fourth. Fourth place, Adrian."
"Yes, sir." Adrian's response was automatic, practiced.
"And who stands above an Albright?" The Commander's voice remained eerily level, making it sohow worse than if he'd shouted.
Adrian swallowed. "Akira Tetsuo, sir. Lila Valentine and Noah Eclipse."
"Eclipse." The Commander tasted the na like sothing rotten. "The boy with no combat ability on record. The one they call 'zombie boy.' Explain to how a nobody—a first-generation nobody—outranks my son."
Adrian's fingers dug into his palms behind his back. "He's... resourceful, sir. His chi control is exceptional, and—"
"Excuses." Commander Albright stepped closer, towering over his son. "Do you know what they're saying behind our backs? Generals I know, commanders of other academies, even your own headmaster , commander Owen. They're laughing, Adrian. The great Commander Albright's son, outperford by a civilian-born with no combat lineage."
A muscle twitched in Adrian's jaw. "It's early in the tournant, sir. I still have—"
"Three generations." The Commander cut him off again. "Three generations of Albrights have been notable figures in the defense force. Your great-grandfather. Your grandfather. ," He leaned in, his breath hot against Adrian's face. "And then there's you."
Adrian remained perfectly still, though sothing flickered behind his eyes.
"I pulled strings to get you into this academy. Even with the rule that goes against admitting a student who has blood ties with a person of high position," the Commander continued, circling Adrian slowly. "Called in favors. Assured my colleagues that the Albright legacy was in capable hands. And here you stand, diocre. Ordinary."
"I won't disappoint you again, sir." Adrian's voice was tight, controlled.
The Commander stopped, staring at his son with cold disappointnt. "You already have. Every day you wake up and fail to be exceptional, you disappoint ."
Adrian flinched as though struck.
"That Eclipse boy," Commander Albright continued. "No family connections. No pedigree. No prior training till this academy. Yet sohow, he not only qualifies but dominates. What does that say about you, Adrian?"
"I'll beat him," Adrian said, a new edge to his voice. "In Stage 2. I'll show everyone what an Albright is capable of."
"Words," the Commander dismissed. "I've heard your promises before. I need results."
Adrian finally looked up, eting his father's gaze. "I will not fail."
"You'd better not." The Commander's tone shifted, becoming dangerously soft. "Because if you can't even outperform a nobody like Eclipse, perhaps we've been wasting resources on the wrong child all these years."
Adrian's face paled. They both knew what that ant—his younger sister, only twelve but already showing remarkable potential.
"Perhaps Clara should be the focus of the family's attention going forward," the Commander continued, watching the impact of his words. "At least she shows promise."
"I will take first place," Adrian said, his voice suddenly hard with determination. "Eclipse, Tetsuo—they won't know what hit them."
The Commander studied his son's face, searching for weakness. "See that you do. The Albright na ans sothing in this Force. I won't have you tarnishing it with diocrity."
He turned to leave, then paused. "And Adrian? If you fail again, don't bother coming ho for the break. I won't have your sister exposed to weakness."
Without waiting for a response, Commander Albright strode away, back ramrod straight, leaving Adrian alone in the growing darkness.
Adrian stood there long after his father had gone, his hands now unclenched but trembling slightly. His eyes fixed on the distant dormitory where Noah Eclipse would be resting, unaware of the target now firmly placed on his back.
"I'll make you proud, Father," Adrian whispered to the empty air, his voice hardening with resolve—and sothing darker. "Whatever it takes."
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