CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 51 – WEB OF EYES

The academy was no longer just an institution of learning for Riku Aoyama. It was a stage, a battlefield, a labyrinth—each hallway whispering with rumors, each classroom hiding eyes that watched a little too long, each teacher’s compliment laced with veiled curiosity.

The day began with an unusual buzz. The weekly schedule had been changed. Practical spell duels, originally assigned by year level, were now combined across ranks. First-years, second-years, even a few third-years would all compete in randomized brackets—a move justified as "preparation for inter-academy events."

But Riku knew better.

[System Notification: Host has been marked for observation. Certain challenges may be manipulated. Proceed with caution.

He smirked. "Let them come."

---

In the Coliseum Grounds

Massive stone rings were laid out across the grassy plains of the academy’s southern field, each one encased in a mana barrier. Spectators gathered in stadium seats, while faculty took their positions as referees and observers.

"Participants for the first round, report to the central gate!" barked the announcement.

Riku walked toward the gate with calm steps, surrounded by murmurs.

"That’s the guy who rewrote the Thunder Spear formula, right?" "He destroyed a reinforced training dummy." "I heard he beat a fourth-year in a simulation."

He ignored it all. His opponent stood across the ring—a second-year named Kenji Maro, known for his wide-area suppression spells. Tall, tan, with a smug grin and too many fans in the crowd.

"Hope you’re ready to get humbled, first-year," Kenji called.

Riku only cracked his neck. "Hope you’re ready to learn something new."

---

[Duel Start!]

The arena flashed.

Kenji moved first, slamming his staff into the ground. "Cascade Bind!"

A wide net of red light erupted, aiming to paralyze Riku’s lower body. Most first-years would’ve frozen—but not this one.

[Skill Activated: Phantom Step Lv. 2]

Riku vanished and reappeared three meters away. The bind fizzled into the dirt.

Kenji gritted his teeth. "Fine. Try this! Flare Barrage!"

Seven firebolts formed overhead and shot toward Riku.

[Skill Used: Mana Channel Shift] [Item: Elemental Redirect Ring - Equipped]

Riku raised a hand. A twisting aura of wind wrapped around him, redirecting the firebolts midair. They spiraled and struck the ground harmlessly.

Then it was Riku’s turn.

"Storm Pike."

A lance of lightning and compressed wind launched from his palm, striking Kenji’s shoulder and tossing him back like a rag doll.

The crowd gasped. A faculty member raised his hand—"Match concluded! Winner: Riku Aoyama!"

---

In the stands, Ayumi watched silently. She wasn’t cheering like the others. Her eyes were locked on Riku.

"Every move is calculated," she murmured. "He’s not just strong—he’s surgical."

Beside her, Kira crossed her arms. "Told you he’s trouble. Good trouble, though."

---

In the Faculty Observation Room

Professor Yano stood beside a trio of scouts and mages. Footage of the match replayed from multiple angles.

"He didn’t use raw power," Yano said. "He used timing, positioning, and resource synergy. This boy has training beyond what we teach."

One of the scouts scribbled in a notepad. "And you say he’s unaffiliated? No sponsor, no house, no guild background?"

Yano nodded. "Just an orphan with a quiet start and a sharp climb."

---

Later That Night

Riku sat in the moonlit courtyard, the grass cool beneath him. His system floated translucent before his eyes.

[New Rewards Available: Spell Voucher x1, Attribute Booster - Intelligence +2, Hidden Skill Scroll]

He claimed the Hidden Skill Scroll immediately.

[You have learned: Mirror Veil Lv. 1] [Effect: Creates a delayed illusion of the user’s last 3 movements. Confuses observers and slows tracking magic. Duration: 6 sec.]

He smiled. "Perfect."

From behind a tree, Ayumi hesitated. She’d followed him unintentionally, curious.

"You always train alone?" she asked.

He turned. "Not always. Just when I need clarity."

She stepped forward. "You’re different lately. Sharper. Braver."

"Pressure does that," he said. "Or maybe I’m just finally becoming who I was supposed to be."

They shared a quiet moment before Ayumi sat beside him.

"You know," she said, picking at the grass, "everyone keeps comparing themselves to you. I’m starting to hate it."

"Why?"

"Because it makes me notice you more."

Riku blinked.

Ayumi turned away quickly. "Forget it. Dumb thing to say."

He chuckled. "Not really. I notice you too."

She looked back, startled—then smiled.

---

Elsewhere in a Hidden Hall

Rei Kanzaki watched a projection of Riku’s battle on a crystal screen.

"You’re strong," he muttered. "But you’re not the only genius in this academy."

He turned to a shadowed figure behind him. "Tell the council to advance the plan. It’s time we test how far this Riku Aoyama can go."

---

The sun hung low over the academy’s sprawling battle arena, casting elongated shadows across the marble floor. Students filled the spectator stands, their chatter a low roar of excitement, curiosity, and the occasional bet on who would emerge victorious. The underground tournament had finally breached the surface, and what began as secret matches was now openly sanctioned as "advanced combat practicals" for the elite classes. A clever move by the faculty to save face, and an even cleverer one by those who profited from the spectacle.

Riku Aoyama stood at the edge of the arena floor, his gaze calm yet piercing. Clad in a customized academy uniform enhanced by a few of the system’s discrete upgrades, he looked every bit the prodigy that rumors described. Behind him, Ayumi watched anxiously, arms crossed, her usual composed demeanor slightly fractured by concern.

"Don’t show off too much," she said under her breath. "You know you’re already being watched."

Riku glanced back and gave her a small, confident smile. "Too late for that. They already think I’m something special. Might as well give them a reason."

His opponent entered from the opposite side of the arena: Leon Calderas, a third-year known for his brute strength and mana infusion techniques. A mini-antagonist who’d taken every opportunity to downplay Riku’s rise. His smirk was as arrogant as ever.

"Hope you’re ready to eat the dirt you walk on, freshman," Leon sneered, cracking his knuckles.

The announcer, a faculty member named Professor Vane, raised her hand. "Begin when ready."

Riku’s system buzzed quietly in his mind.

[Skill Slot Available: Insert New Skill] [Available Coupon Detected: ’One-Time Rare Skill Pull’]

He mentally activated the coupon.

[Skill Acquired: Voidstep Mirage - Movement Technique | Rank: Rare]

Riku felt the knowledge flood his body, muscles already adjusting to the intricacies of the footwork. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. This was going to be fun.

"Begin!"

Leon wasted no time, charging forward with a roar and swinging his mana-enforced fist. A technique known as Fist of the Boiling Core. Heat shimmered around his hand.

Riku vanished.

Gasps erupted from the crowd as his figure blurred and reappeared behind Leon, who stumbled forward in confusion.

"Voidstep Mirage," Riku said softly, as if testing the name on his tongue.

He struck. Not with brute force, but with Pulse Lance, a system-acquired skill that focused kinetic energy into a single, devastating jab. It connected with Leon’s back, sending the older student sprawling.

Leon rolled to his feet with a snarl. "Lucky shot!"

"No," Riku replied. "Calculated one."

Leon launched into a barrage of strikes, each one a masterful display of aggression. But Riku danced between them, his movements flowing like water, with flickers of his form left behind by Voidstep Mirage. The illusionary afterimages confused not just Leon, but even some of the spectators.

Ayumi leaned forward, breath held. She wasn’t just worried about Riku’s safety. There was something more now, an unfamiliar ache whenever she saw him smile at others, a flutter when his eyes locked with hers. She hadn’t admitted it aloud, but the feeling was growing.

Leon tried to pivot and unleash his ultimate move, Crater Smash, a ground-based AoE that could knock even advanced mages off balance. But Riku had already moved.

"Right behind you," he whispered.

This time he used a combo a Pulse Lance into Disrupting Palm, a newly fused skill that threw off mana flow for a few seconds. Leon groaned, stumbled, and dropped to one knee.

Professor Vane raised her hand.

"Match goes to Riku Aoyama!"

The crowd exploded in applause and murmurs.

Riku turned toward Ayumi, whose eyes were wide with awe and something else she hadn’t voiced yet. He offered a slight bow.

Later that evening, in the dormitory lounge, several girls gathered around Riku. Some were seniors, others from different sections. Each one had questions, praises, and not-so-subtle flirtations.

"You moved like a shadow!"

"Was that an original skill? Can you teach me sometime?"

"What kind of training do you do?"

Riku laughed softly, deflecting with practiced ease. "Just a lot of practice."

From a corner seat, Ayumi watched, arms folded, lips in a thin line. Her fingers tapped against her arm with restrained annoyance. It wasn’t jealousy, she told herself. Just... concern. He was getting too popular too fast.

From the top floor of the dorm building, a man watched Riku from the balcony.

"So you’re the anomaly," he whispered. "Let’s see how far you can rise..."

Back in his room, Riku reviewed his system status.

[Points: 2,130] [Inventory: Skill Sync Voucher, 1x Random Coupon, Territory Management Token] [Active Skills: Voidstep Mirage, Pulse Lance, Disrupting Palm, Danger Sense Lv.1]

He let out a breath and leaned back on the bed.

Tomorrow’s fight would be harder. But he welcomed it.

Because every battle made him sharper. Stronger. Closer to the truth behind the system.

And closer to building a kingdom that no one could take from him.