The Azure Clash moved to its second day, and the Academy's arena was livelier than ever. Merchants sold enchanted snacks, fans waved Kael-themed banners (for some reason), and bets were flying left and right.
Kael, as usual, was asleep.
This time, under a tree behind the arena.
Lyra found him there, his arm covering his face, half a sandwich still in his hand.
"We're fighting again today," she said, gently kicking his leg.
He didn't move.
She sighed. "There's food."
He opened one eye. "What kind?"
"Roast mana-bun with melted mist cheese."
Kael stood up. "Lead the way."
---
The Match Announcement
At the arena, a magically amplified voice echoed:
"Match 8: First Year Alpha vs Second Year Noble Assembly!"
There was a collective "Oooohhh…" from the crowd.
The Noble Assembly was a group of second-year students with elite bloodlines and too much money. They wore matching cloaks, gold-stitched uniforms, and smug expressions.
Their captain, Prince Orien of House Virell, stepped forward with a gleaming rapier and a confident smile.
"I wish to duel the one they call Kael."
Kael blinked. "The who?"
Lyra nudged him. "You. He means you."
Kael rubbed his temples. "Why?"
Orien raised a hand dramatically. "To uphold noble honor!"
"I don't even know you," Kael said.
"Which offends me further."
---
Duel: Kael vs Prince Orien
They stood on a raised stone platform surrounded by magical barriers.
Orien twirled his rapier, sending streaks of mana into the air. His movements were fast, elegant, practiced.
Kael scratched his neck.
The crowd held their breath as the signal rune flared—
DING!
Orien moved in a flash, sword thrusting toward Kael's chest.
Kael bent over to pick up the sandwich he dropped earlier.
Orien flew past him, missed completely, and skidded across the platform.
The crowd gasped.
Kael took a bite of his sandwich.
Orien jumped back, embarrassed. "Trickery!"
Kael chewed slowly. "Mhm."
Orien roared and unleashed a wave of sword aura.
Kael stepped behind one of the decorative columns.
The aura hit the stone and rebounded—right into Orien's face.
BOOM.
He flew off the platform, landing in the Noble Assembly's fruit stand.
Covered in peach jam, he tried to stand up.
Kael peeked out. "Did I win?"
---
Audience Reaction
The crowd went wild.
Some thought Kael used an advanced redirection spell.
Others believed he summoned an invisible guardian spirit.
One senior instructor whispered, "He's using anti-predictive footwork… it's rare… but genius…"
Meanwhile, Kael just finished his sandwich and looked around for a pillow.
---
Elira's Watch
Up in the observation stands, Elira was scribbling in her notebook.
"Every time," she muttered. "He doesn't dodge. The world dodges for him."
Beside her, Raen frowned. "I trained for ten years under a blade master. He defeated a noble prince by tying his shoelace."
Elira calmly replied, "The sandwich was the turning point."
---
Lyra's Discovery
Back at the camp, Lyra noticed something strange about Kael's old ring—the one he always wore.
She took it while he was napping and examined it with a basic mana lens.
It glowed faintly. But the signature wasn't of regular enchantment.
It was deep. Ancient. Like something bound not just to mana, but to fate itself.
Her eyes widened.
"No way. This ring is sealing something."
She looked at Kael, peacefully drooling in his sleep.
"…Who even are you?"
---
The Exploding Sandwich Incident
Later that day, a student from the Culinary Division tried to recreate Kael's "battle sandwich" as part of a new food line.
Something went wrong.
The first bite triggered a mana reaction and exploded in green smoke.
The cafeteria had to be closed for repairs.
Students called it: "The Sandwich of Fate."
Kael slept through the entire event.
---
End of Day Two
That night, as the stars twinkled above the Academy, a shadow moved silently through the forest nearby.
A figure cloaked in silver robes held a parchment.
On it was a symbol: a spiral of wings around an open eye.
They whispered: "He's awakened too early. We must act before the door opens fully."
Another voice behind them said, "Then we proceed with the Crimson Trial."
---
Kael rolled over in his bed, mumbling, "No more stairs…"
Unaware that fate had already placed him at its center.
Again.
---
End of Chapter 18