CHAPTER 33: LUCAS VS EDEN (2)

Suddenly, my anger subsided, replaced by a sadness... or rather, a desire to make others feel a heartbreaking sorrow. The same feeling as when I faced Sahara.

"Ahhhh... What’s happening to me... I have this urge to hear people... SCREAM! To make them cry in agonizing pain. I think... I’m losing... my rationality. It’s becoming... harder and harder to think..."

*Shadow Resonance*

At that moment, I could no longer hear, speak, or even think. A calm yet violent voice resonated in my soul.

An unconscious smile formed on my lips as I repeated it.

I felt power engulf me, but at the same time, my consciousness faded gradually. Before closing my eyes, I noticed the shocked looks of others and Eden quickly backing away.

End of POV

"Interesting," Eden thought as he retreated.

At first glance, his appearance was rather frightening: his body was enveloped in a black miasma, the whites of his eyes had turned black with smoke escaping, and he wore a wide smile while remaining still, his face slowly evaporating to reveal a mask of shadows.

Some students looked at him with fear and disgust, but others, like Daemon, seemed clearly intrigued.

Students called for the fight to stop, fearing it would escalate.

"Lucas seems possessed by Lucifer, so I’m ending the fight." As the Saintess prepared to intervene, Eden, lost in thought, spoke up.

"I ask you to reconsider this decision. There’s still no winner. And I wish to see the power of his affinity."

"Don’t be stubborn, and..."

"I’m still myself, and no one possesses me," Lucas retorted excitedly with an annoying smile.

The room gave him a strange look; his slightly eccentric attitude wasn’t at all credible.

With a slight smile, Eden nodded and commented: "As you can see, he’s not possessed. It’s just the use of his affinity, and no affinity is forbidden at the institute. We can’t break this rule and discriminate against our prince."

Luxia: "..."

She wasn’t convinced at all.

’This would be a rare opportunity to observe the capabilities of this cursed affinity, and I could take note of Eden’s abilities. If the situation escalates, I’ll intervene.’

After a few seconds of reflection, she declared: "Very well, you may continue."

The fact that Lucas hadn’t attacked Eden sneakily gave her the benefit of the doubt. But Scarlett was unhappy with the decision and a bit worried for Eden.

Eden nodded and turned his gaze to Lucas, who had apparently disappeared.

A fraction of a second later, Lucas’s ethereal hand grabbed Eden’s throat from behind, and he whispered in his ear:

"What did he call you again... Ah yes, a mistake. Let me show you my curse. What do you think?"

***

Eden’s POV

"Let me show you my curse. What do you think?" he said, his hand gripping my neck.

Frankly, I didn’t expect it, but I managed to retaliate with an elbow strike. My arm passed through his face as if he were intangible, before his blurry silhouette dispersed and reappeared a meter away.

"This miasma makes him intangible, apparently... That’s what you’d expect from a special affinity."

Obviously, I was curious about the capabilities of the affinity opposite to mine. I decided to take the initiative.

"Ice Magic: Hasta," I murmured. An ice lance formed in my left hand, and I attacked while limiting my level to the second. As expected, he didn’t move when my lance pierced his chest, still intangible. Then he grabbed the weapon and attempted a dark thrust. Probably "Aura Sword: Darkness." I managed to dodge it, but barely, already too close. I immediately dropped the lance and pivoted to create distance.

Seeing me with a thin cut on my cheek, he smiled: "Tss... arrogant, this guy."

"I wonder what caused this sudden change in behavior," I thought as he muttered something.

"Alright, let’s finish this quickly. I’m starting to slack off," I replied, preparing to attack. Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me and instinctively turned left.

*Whoosh*

Behind me stood a silhouette—or rather, a shadow structure with scythe-like hands. Apparently, it had emerged from my shadow. While I was still in shock, Lucas didn’t miss the opportunity and attacked with renewed vigor. His aura now rivaled that of a 3-star swordsman. That was the advantage of the Incarnation Affinity, one of the special affinities.

It was practically a 1-on-2 fight, and I’d have to use my full power to end it, even if it was unfair. The rules required me not to exceed my opponent’s level. But since I didn’t consider him a threat, I didn’t have my weapon. My movement technique required at least 30% mana control, and I already had to use 20% to limit myself. In other words, I was at a disadvantage. My mistake had been underestimating him. I decided to drag out the fight, even though he had the advantage. He couldn’t beat me, and with every passing minute, he’d tire, while my endurance far surpassed his.

End of POV

...

Umbra Caten

"I got you..." Lucas declared as the shadow fighting Eden suddenly transformed into chains, binding his wrists and ankles and pinning him to the ground, defenseless. He calmly approached with satisfaction, then placed his blade against Eden’s neck, like an executioner ready to behead a condemned man.

"What are you talking about? You’re clearly not thinking straight right now..."

As he spoke, a look of contempt flashed across his face, and cold mist escaped his mouth. Lucas frowned, withdrew his sword, and cautiously stepped back. But he stayed in place—the arena had turned into an ice rink, and moving meant losing balance.

Lucas was stunned. "When...?!"

Eden glowed slightly, his level-4 aura (nearing the fifth) electrifying the audience—all except Luxia, who wore a curious expression. After all, the higher the level, the slower the progress, and his affinities weren’t the easiest to master.

The chains disintegrated, and before Lucas could understand what was happening, his face was violently grabbed, the light slowly dissipating the miasma.

"...know your damn place, trash." Eden commented, slamming Lucas to the ground with brutal force.

*Crack*

The shockwave pulverized the thin layer of ice on the ground.

"Weak." Eden muttered, looking down with disdain at Lucas, consumed by jealousy, half-unconscious but still stubborn.