The gym buzzed with noise.
Damn, I'm first? No build up to my fight?
Ehh, cool, Vael thought to himself.
Students filled the seats murmuring.
"Yeah he a pretty boy now, let's see if he can fight."
"He probably getting mopped."
Some even made bets.
The circular mock combat ring activated. Rune pillars glowed faintly at the edges forming a barrier that prevented lethal damage.
Pain? Allowed.
Death? Blocked.
The instructor, a beastkin man with scarred arms, already pissed off at Vael for always skipping, spoke loudly:
"Mock combat determines your rank and lets me see what you capable of. Don't hold back — but don't try to kill each other either."
A glowing board lit up behind him.
Academy Ranking System
F Rank – Untrained
E Rank – Basic students
D Rank – Above average
C Rank – Talented
B Rank – Elite
A Rank – Prodigies
S Rank – Rare monsters
Students whispered.
Rank mattered for:
• Resources
• Teacher attention
• Mission access
• Reputation
Mr. Gale looked at his clipboard.
"Mr. Vael. Glad to see you actually came. And hmm… did you get a new haircut? Something different about you. Eh whatever. Step in the ring."
Vael got up effortlessly and calmly swaggered in, causing some ladies to bite they lips.
"Aight, let's do it."
"Mr. Tyler, in the ring."
A human boy stood up with short blond hair and a cocky grin.
"Name Tyler. Don't take it personal. Gotta beat you to a pulp. Your face kinda irritating."
Vael shrugged.
"Yeah yeah. Imma punch you in yo shit."
The Fight Begins
Bell chime.
Tyler activated a body reinforcement rune.
His speed jumped.
He rushed Vael fast.
"Oh shit he fast."
Tyler swung.
Vael's body reacted on instinct, stepping aside smoothly.
Tyler's punch smashed the ground, cracking it.
The crowd murmured.
"Shit he almost broke his face."
"Too late to take my bet back?"
Tyler frowned and kept attacking faster.
Vael kept dodging — until Tyler grazed his arm and sent him skidding.
That pissed Vael off.
His eyes glowed.
Then it happened.
Power Slip
Vael felt power surge through his body.
Tyler suddenly felt the floor tilt.
"What is this—?"
His balance felt off.
Distance looked wrong.
His punches missed by inches.
He started sweating.
Panicking.
He threw his strongest attack — hit nothing.
Vael didn't even realize he triggered Velvet Reality.
He just moved.
Then tapped Tyler's chest and knocked him back.
The instructor narrowed his eyes.
"…interesting."
Desire Sense
Vael felt it.
Tyler's frustration.
His need to win.
His embarrassment.
That emotional heat flowed into him.
His movements sharpened.
He stepped in rocking Tyler's shit with a psychotic smile, combo after combo until—
"Enough!"
The P.E. teacher stepped in.
"Winner — Vael Soryn. Placement: C Rank."
Students shocked.
"Goddamn."
"First mock a C rank??"
"Glad I ain't fight him."
Vael walked off with a neutral gaze.
His ahh was doing too much. Had to do it to him.
Rival Notice
Upper nobles clapped, some looking displeased.
One muttered:
"Couldn't be me letting a broke pretty boy beat me."
A dragonkin girl with sharp red eyes and folded arms watched quietly.
Her presence heavy.
She jumped down and stared at Vael.
"That wasn't normal."
Vael shrugged.
"An ass whoopin."
She laughed.
"Hm. Funny. I'll be watching you."
Vael waved her off.
"Yeah yeah, I'll be watching you too… all that ass."
She blushed in embarrassment.
Desire Ledger
Desire Absorbed:
Minor (Pride, Embarrassment, Frustration)
Effects:
• Perception boost
• Reaction boost
Status:
Incubus Bloodline — Stirring
New Skill Unlocked:
Emotional Awareness (Lv.1)
Vael blinked.
"…nah. I got a system too?"
He smirked.
This world just got more fun.