.
.
The entire Heavenly Dao Academy held its breath.
Two geniuses stood at the center of the arena.
One was the strongest student of the academy.
Alexander Draven — The Sword Prince.
The other was the heir of the most powerful clan in the world.
Knox Void — The Future Villain.
Their swords pointed toward each other.
The next moment...
The world exploded.
BOOM!
Alexander vanished.
His sword moved faster than sound.
Heavenly Sword Art — Second Form: Starfall!
A rain of sword lights descended.
Every strike contained terrifying sword intent.
The audience watched in shock.
"Alexander is using a high-level technique immediately!"
"He is taking Knox seriously!"
Knox remained calm.
The Eyes of Ruin analyzed every movement.
Every sword.
Every angle.
Every possible outcome.
He stepped forward.
Void Step.
His body disappeared.
Thousands of sword attacks missed.
Alexander's expression changed.
"Again..."
"He predicted my movement."
Knox appeared behind him.
His sword moved.
CLANG!
Alexander blocked instantly.
The shockwave pushed both of them backward.
The arena cracked.
"You are not bad."
Knox smiled.
Alexander looked serious.
"Neither are you."
For ordinary geniuses...
Such a compliment would be impossible.
But both understood.
The person before them was someone worthy of respect.
Alexander's sword intent suddenly changed.
The air became heavier.
A golden mark appeared on his forehead.
The elders watching immediately stood up.
"That mark..."
"Impossible."
"The Draven family bloodline?"
Seraphina looked surprised.
"Ancient Sword Emperor Bloodline?"
Adrian frowned.
"Another monster..."
Knox observed carefully.
The system appeared.
[Ding!]
Hidden Information Discovered.
Target: Alexander Draven
Bloodline: Ancient Sword Emperor Descendant
Hidden Ability: Sword Heart Awakening
Future Potential: Emperor Realm
Knox smiled.
"So that's your secret."
Alexander narrowed his eyes.
"You know about my bloodline?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Knox shrugged.
"Good observation skills."
Alexander stared.
That answer was clearly not the truth.
The golden sword mark shone.
Alexander's aura increased dramatically.
Half-Step Nascent Soul Realm → Nascent Soul First Stage!
The entire audience became silent.
He broke through during battle.
The heavens responded.
Lightning gathered above the academy.
[Warning!]
Target has awakened hidden destiny.
Protagonist-like event detected.
Destiny Resistance increased.
Knox laughed.
The System considered Alexander almost like a protagonist.
Interesting.
"So destiny protects you too."
Alexander frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing."
Knox raised his sword.
"Let's continue."
Alexander's next attack was completely different.
No unnecessary movements.
No wasted energy.
Only one sword.
A sword that contained everything.
Ancient Sword Emperor Technique — Heaven Severing Strike!
The sword light traveled forward.
Space itself was cut.
The audience screamed.
Even Elder Tian became serious.
"This attack..."
"Can injure a Saint Realm cultivator."
Knox looked at the incoming sword.
For the first time...
He felt excited.
"Finally."
He placed his sword horizontally.
Void energy gathered.
The black sky above the arena turned purple.
The atmosphere became suffocating.
Void Emperor Technique — Endless Abyss.
A massive black vortex appeared.
The sword light entered the vortex.
For several seconds...
The two powers collided.
The entire academy shook.
Then...
Silence.
The dust disappeared.
Everyone looked toward the arena.
Two figures stood.
Alexander's sword was broken.
Knox's robe was slightly torn.
Both were injured.
But still standing.
The result shocked everyone.
A draw.
The strongest student and the new arrival...
Were equal.
Alexander looked at Knox.
Then he laughed.
"I understand now."
"Understand what?"
"Why everyone fears you."
Knox smiled.
"And?"
Alexander sheathed his sword.
"I don't fear you."
The crowd became shocked.
"You are interesting."
Alexander turned away.
"I hope we meet again."
[Ding!]
Battle Result: Draw
High-Level Genius Recognized.
Reward:
Villain Points +3000
Skill: Battle Analysis Improved
Alexander Draven's Favorability Increased
Knox looked at the notification.
"Favorability?"
The System explained.
[Not all destiny holders must become enemies.]
[Some may become allies... or future obstacles.]
Knox smiled.
Interesting.
After the battle ended...
Adrian approached Knox.
His expression was complicated.
"You really are impossible."
Knox looked at him.
"Is that a compliment?"
"No."
A pause.
"...Maybe."
Knox laughed.
For some reason...
The three of them—
Knox.
Adrian.
Alexander.
Were slowly becoming connected by fate.
A villain.
A hero.
A sword genius.
Three paths that should never meet.
That night...
Deep beneath Heavenly Dao Academy...
An ancient seal finally broke.
A pair of golden eyes opened.
A voice echoed through the underground ruins.
"The Void Emperor bloodline has returned."
"The Sword Emperor descendant has awakened."
"And the child of destiny is growing."
A dark smile appeared.
"Excellent."
"The era of chaos can finally begin."
Meanwhile...
Knox stood on the academy rooftop, looking at the stars.
The System appeared.
[New Main Quest Activated.]
Objective:
Discover the ancient existence sealed beneath Heavenly Dao Academy.
Reward:
System Upgrade
Unknown Authority Fragment
Knox smiled.
"So..."
"The academy wasn't just a place for geniuses."
His eyes turned cold.
"It was hiding something."
The villain's journey had entered a new stage.
End of Chapter 13