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Conqueror of the Verse
By ColdLink Writer
Chapter IX — The Duel of Blood and Steel
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Morning arrived over the capital of Aetherion.
The academy training grounds were already alive with noise.
CLANG!
CLANG!
WHOOSH!
Steel struck steel as students practiced their techniques. Spirit energy flashed across the arena while instructors walked between groups, correcting posture and technique.
But today—
Something felt different.
Eyes kept drifting toward a particular training field.
At its center stood Kashihero.
His black cloak moved gently in the wind.
His father’s katana rested quietly at his side.
Across from him stood a group of noble students.
One stepped forward.
Tall.
Confident.
Golden hair tied behind his head.
His armor carried the crest of the Valerian noble house.
“Instructor,” the young noble said loudly.
“I request a duel.”
Students across the training grounds turned immediately.
Whispers spread.
“A duel?”
“He’s challenging an instructor?”
Lucas stood quietly beside the field.
His diamond-like eyes reflected sunlight calmly.
Arin stood beside him nervously.
“That noble… his name is Darius Valerian,” Arin whispered.
“He’s one of the strongest students here.”
Lucas smiled faintly.
“That will be interesting.”
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The Challenge
Darius stepped forward confidently.
“I’ve heard rumors about you.”
His gaze fell on Kashihero’s katana.
“You rely on tricks and blood enhancement.”
His voice sharpened.
“But swordsmanship should not rely on such crude methods.”
Some noble students behind him laughed.
Kashihero remained silent.
Darius drew his sword.
SHING.
Blue spirit energy wrapped around the blade.
WHOOSH.
“Show me if you are truly worthy of teaching here.”
An academy supervisor stepped forward and raised his hand.
“Duel approved.”
“First blood or surrender.”
Students quickly formed a wide circle around the field.
Excitement rippled through the crowd.
Arin clenched his fists nervously.
Lucas folded his arms calmly.
“This will end quickly.”
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The Duel Begins
Wind swept across the training ground.
WOOOO—
Darius moved first.
He dashed forward.
WHOOSH!
His blade sliced through the air with explosive speed.
CLANG!
Kashihero blocked effortlessly.
The sound rang across the courtyard.
Darius attacked again.
SLASH!
SLASH!
SLASH!
His technique was impressive.
Fast.
Precise.
The noble students cheered loudly.
“Yes!”
“Push him!”
Kashihero moved calmly.
Each attack was deflected with the smallest motion.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
No wasted effort.
No excessive power.
Only perfect control.
Darius’ expression slowly shifted.
“You’re… just blocking?”
He jumped backward.
Spirit energy exploded around him.
BOOM.
Blue aura surged violently.
“I’ll end this now!”
He rushed forward again.
WHOOSH!
His sword descended toward Kashihero’s shoulder.
At that moment—
Kashihero moved.
Not fast.
Just precise.
His katana flashed.
SHING.
One strike.
CLANG!
Darius’ sword flew from his hand.
It spun through the air.
THUD.
Silence fell across the training grounds.
Darius froze.
Kashihero’s katana rested against his throat.
Cold steel touched his skin.
The duel had ended.
In a single move.
Students stared in disbelief.
“That’s impossible…”
“He didn’t even use spirit energy…”
Lucas smiled faintly.
“Control.”
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The Lesson
Kashihero lowered his blade slowly.
CLACK.
He sheathed the katana.
Darius stood frozen.
His pride shattered.
Kashihero looked at him calmly.
“Power without control is noise.”
The noble students remained silent.
No one laughed anymore.
Darius clenched his fists.
But he said nothing.
He picked up his sword and walked away from the field.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
Yet whispers continued everywhere.
“That instructor…”
“He’s terrifying…”
Arin looked at Kashihero with admiration.
“You defeated him instantly…”
Kashihero walked past him.
“That was not a fight.”
Lucas chuckled quietly.
“Indeed.”
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Information from the Shadows
Later that evening—
Arin entered their quarters quietly.
His expression was serious.
“I found something.”
Lucas poured tea calmly.
“Speak.”
Arin lowered his voice.
“The instructors with the black rings…”
“They disappear every night.”
Kashihero looked up.
“Where do they go?”
Arin swallowed.
“I followed them.”
“They enter the Spirit Tower basement.”
Lucas’ eyes sharpened slightly.
“The academy has no basement registered in official maps.”
Arin nodded.
“That’s why I kept watching.”
Then he whispered something that chilled the room.
“I heard them mention a ritual.”
Kashihero’s scar pulsed.
THUMP.
“What ritual?”
Arin hesitated.
“They said…”
“The vessel has arrived.”
Lucas’ smile slowly faded.
Kashihero stood up.
The air in the room grew colder.
“So they already know.”
Lucas spoke quietly.
“Then we should eliminate them before they act.”
Kashihero shook his head.
“No.”
His gaze shifted toward the distant Spirit Tower.
“If they are preparing something…”
His voice grew calm again.
“Then we will watch them complete it.”
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
“You wish to see the enemy’s full plan.”
“Yes.”
A faint smile appeared on Kashihero’s face.
“Destroying enemies too early is inefficient.”
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Beneath the Spirit Tower
Far beneath the academy—
Deep underground—
A massive ritual circle glowed red.
MMMMMMMM—
Hollow Sigil elders stood around it.
Dark energy flowed through carved symbols.
At the center of the ritual—
A black crystal pulsed slowly.
THUMP.
One elder spoke.
“The vessel is stronger than expected.”
Another replied calmly.
“That does not matter.”
“The ritual will awaken soon.”
A third elder lifted his hand.
“The Demon King will finally observe him.”
The crystal pulsed again.
THUMP.
THUMP.
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Above the Tower
Inside the academy tower—
Kashihero stood silently beside a window.
His scar burned faintly.
His eyes remained calm.
But deep inside—
The System flickered.
> Hidden Ritual Detected
Threat Probability: Increasing
Kashihero whispered softly.
“Good.”
Lucas looked at him.
“You seem pleased.”
Kashihero’s gaze turned toward the dark tower.
“Yes.”
His voice was calm.
“But they should be careful.”
Outside, the wind roared across the academy walls.
WHOOOOOO—
“Because I enjoy destroying rituals.”
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— End of Chapter IX —
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