SYSTEM ASCENSION

”He’s unawakened. It’s safer that way.”

For a moment, Claude’s statement sent shivers down their spines. His expression told me that he wasn’t bluffing.

His father, preserved as one of the strongest people in Salvador empire, was a simple unawakened one.

”Isn’t that a harsh thing to say about your father?” Davon asked.

”It’s not offensive.”

Fayera was looking at Elias. ”What is he doing?”

The question she asked, grew their attention to Elias.

He was swirling his finger in the air. A ring of light appeared. Exactly like Claude had seen earlier, the ring drew energy from the air, and a portal spun into existence.

Those who haven’t seen Elias did this before, moved back.

”A portal opened?” Tyler tickled his brows.

”Apparently, it’s normal for him.” Claude shrugged.

”Normal? Is opening a portal normal?” Tiana yelled.

Elias had already stepped through it, leaving them behind. The portal began to swirl and reduce in size.

”Hmm, ain’t we supposed to go in too?” Fayera asked.

”...”

They all dashed forward at the same time, forcing themselves in. Kael entered last, before it shut completely.

The exit was the temple they were just talking about. Elias had already gone ahead and opened the door.

”You train here everytime?” Tiana raised her head and asked Claude who was staring at the paintings.

”More like getting beaten up. It’s just been a few days.”

Kael trailed a finger on the painting of Liumin. ”This is the one I saw.”

”Looks like some sort of celestial being.” Fayera mumbled.

”The wings are convenient though.” Tiana said.

They followed behind Elias, and entered the temple.

He was staring at the paintings. They all lined up beside him and stared at it too.

”This...are the people the person mentioned?” Davon asked.

”Am I supposed to answer that based on names?” Kael narrowed his eyes.

Elias gazed at the paintings, so long that the voice faded behind his ears. It was just him, the paintings and the space between them.

”I’m leaving.” He suddenly turned around.

”What?!” They all chorused.

Tiana grabbed his hand. ”You’re supposed to tell us about the paintings.”

”I don’t feel like it.”

”You don’t feel like it?!” Davon slapped a hand on his face. ”I see why the system forsook you.”

”Let’s not be rude,” Fayera held up her hand. ”Elias, where are you going?”

”The academy.”

”I thought you didn’t want to go.”

”I want to try out something.” He continued walking.

”Wait,” Quil called. ”I was hoping we could have a duel here.”

”Not interested.”

”C’mon,” Quil walked to him and pulled him back. ”Let’s make it a team battle. All of us here can go all out, without hiding. It’s a rare opportunity.”

”I think it’s a good idea.” Tyler nodded. ”But we’ll be thrashing this temple.”

”There is an open space outside the temple and forest around it,” Claude shrugged. ”Let’s just use everything.”

”I’ll pick teams! I’ll pick teams! Me! Me!” Tiana jumped.

”Fine, pick teams.” Claude answered.

”Then, me and Elias. Compulsory!” She grinned. ”I already use fire, so Tyler should stay on team two.”

”Are you just trying to push me away?”

”Yes.” She beamed. ”Next, Tyler can already fly so Kael is on team one.”

They all glanced at him.

”You can fly?”

He shrugged.

”And since Davon is noncombatant, Elias’ ridiculous strength can make up for it, so Davon is on team one.”

”I’m not noncom—”

”Shut up Davon.” She shut him up.

”So,” Claude spoke. ”For team one. Elias, Tiana, Kael and Davon. Team two, Tyler, Fayera, Quil and me. Sounds good.”

”What’s the catch?” Quil asked. ”do we just fight till death do us apart?”

”How about knocking each other out?” Fayera asked. ”If we knock out everyone on the second team—”

”Absolutely not!” Kael and Claude chorused.

”Knock this guy out?” Claude pointed to Elias. ”Are you trying to destroy this empire?”

The image was still fresh in their minds. The disposal who had stabbed him, and how he bled out, the tear afterwards and the creature that crawled out.

”Pick something else.”

”Then, just trip your opponent. If your back touch the ground, you’re out.” Quil suggested.

”Fair enough.” Claude nodded. ”let’s split up. We’ll start in five minutes.”

Elias walked away leaving his team members to follow. The rest were left behind.

”So, it’s Tyler taking Kael?” Quill asked.

”I want to take Kael.” Fayera raised her hand.

”You want to take Kael.” Claude repeated.

She nodded.

They didn’t press further.

”Alright.”

”I’ll take the shortie. I want to see more of her blood ability.” Quill said.

”She’s not a shortie.” Tyler snapped.

”Right...”

”Then you’ll take Elias.” Claude pointed to Tyler.

The prince frowned. ”It’s tempting to fight Elias, but I feel like you’re pushing responsibilities on me right now.”

”You’re the Crown prince,” Claude smiled. ”Responsibility is always on you.”

”Bullshit! I’m not fighting Elias.”

”President, shouldn’t you fight Elias?” Fayera asked.

”My abilities don’t work on him.” Claude shrugged.

”You’re lying.” Tyler countered with a suspicious gaze.

”Actually, I’m dead serious. I tried it. He didn’t even flinch.”

”All the more reason for you to fight him, president,” Fayera said.

”A...alright. Fine.”

”I guess I’m taking Davon.” Tyler mumbled.

Fayera suddenly smiled and patted his shoulder. ”Good luck. Don’t lose before you start.”

”Lose before I start?” Tyler shivered. ”I don’t like this. Give me Elias.”

”Already picked. No change.” Claude bounced on his heels a few times before dashing off.

”Bye.” Fayera followed behind.

Quill and Tyler were left behind, standing side by side. They exchanged glances and frowned at themselves before dashing off.

**The duel.**

The whole forest was an arena, tall trees and forest roots obscuring everyone’s view. Tiana dashed through the forest, with Kael flying ahead. He went up above the trees and gazed around. He was half expecting to see Tyler, but the latter was nowhere to be found. Instead, he saw Quill running through the forest.

Kael flapped his wings and descended.

”That direction. Quill.” He pointed left.

Tiana grinned. ”I’ll take him.” She changed course and went after him.

Kael’s wings flapped, and he looked up to soar the sky again, when something held him back.

He looked down and saw tentacles wrapped around the ankle.

”There you are.” Fayera walked out from behind a tree. ”It’s rude to go up when your opponent is down here.”

He continued to stare at the slimy restraint around his ankle, then back to the source. It was her hand. From the elbow down had been transformed into dark tentacles.

He landed and folded his wings.

She smiled, her voice coming sweet and smooth. ”Stay and play with me.”