The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 116: The Ghost Returns – Rebel Club Prepares for Semifinal Showdown

Chapter 116: The Ghost Returns – Rebel Club Prepares for Semifinal Showdown

Both had their arms crossed, glaring at him like they were about to devour him.

Alex blinked.

"Hello. Can I help you guys?"

Selene sat down first. Rina followed, still standing with a stiff posture.

Selene asked in a calm, composed voice,

"Where were you?"

Alex looked at both of them and replied,

"I was... dealing with personal matters. And, by the way—congratulations. I heard you two became the top rookies."

Pride broke through their stern expressions, softening their faces into faint smiles.

Selene nodded.

"Yes. We’re one of the best. This Monday is our semifinal match against the Noctshade Club. Will you be participating?"

Alex took a bite from his sandwich and replied after swallowing,

"If the captain lets me, then yes."

Rina responded, her tone clipped but controlled.

"That... would be great, I think."

Alex nodded, finished his meal, and stood. Hati jumped down and followed.

"Good night. See you both tomorrow," Alex said as he walked toward the cafeteria door.

As he disappeared down the hallway, Selene turned to Rina with narrowed eyes.

"Did he ever tell us where he actually was?"

Rina sighed and shook her head.

Selene clenched her fists, her voice a low mutter.

"That bastard..."

Next Day

Alex stood at the door of the Rebel Club. He knocked using the simple iron knocker.

Click-clank.

The door opened to reveal a lazy-eyed young man with a cheeky smile. His eyes widened in surprise.

After a moment of dazed silence, a thunderous voice erupted from his skinny frame:

"HOHOHO! CAPTAIN, LOOK WHAT I FOUND WALKING AROUND IN THE HALLS!"

Without waiting, he dragged Alex inside and presented him dramatically in front of everyone.

All training stopped. Dozens of eyes froze, staring at him.

Someone shouted, "Ghost! It’s our ghost member!"

The cheeky boy added, "Damn right! Our ghost member is back!"

Darian’s booming laugh echoed through the hall.

"Hahahahaha! Alexander, you’re alive?! I thought you jumped into the sea from the academy’s tallest tower!"

He strode over and slapped Alex’s back.

SLAP!

The sound echoed. Everyone flinched, feeling phantom pain ripple across their own backs.

Alex snapped,

"Captain! Are you trying to kill me?! That hurt—I’m not immune to pain!"

"Hahahaha!" Darian laughed louder.

"You seem okay," he said, still chuckling.

Tina Drakthorn stepped forward, her crimson eyes glowing beneath her long red hair, which only added to her intimidating aura.

"You told me you’d be back in one or two days," she said coldly, "but here you are—after one month?"

Alex gave an awkward smile, scratching the back of his head.

"Sorry, Vice-Captain. Unforeseen circumstances..."

She stared for a second longer, then nodded, letting it go.

"Do you want to participate in the semifinal?" she asked.

Alex’s face turned serious.

"If you let me, I will. But I don’t know if I’m up to standard. I don’t want to take the spot of someone who worked hard to get here."

Darian smiled.

"That’s a good attitude. That’s why I like you."

He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"How about this—you compete with Luther and me. If you show something better, I’m sure we’ll find a place for you."

He looked at Alex like a predator eyeing prey.

The cheeky brat piped up loudly,

"Captain, if you want to beat up our ghost, just say it! Why go all roundabout?"

Alex gave Darian a deadpan look, sighed, and turned around.

"Come on, Hati. We’re leaving. Captain clearly isn’t serious today."

Darian dashed over and grabbed Alex’s shoulders.

"Hehehe, don’t go! Just beat up that cheeky brat and you’re in!"

A loud protest followed:

"Hey hey, Captain! I’m not made for fights! I’m the strategy guy! STRATEGY!"

Captain Darian ignored him and grinned at Alex.

"So... what do you say?"

Alex turned back with a smile, cracking his knuckles.

"That sounds awesome."

The cheeky brat stepped forward confidently, stood face-to-face with Alex—

—then raised both hands and shouted,

"I GIVE UP! I GIVE UP!"

Laughter erupted through the hall. Even Darian joined in.

Alex put a hand on the cheeky brat’s shoulder, his smile turning menacing.

"You’re not allowed to give up."

The brat backed away nervously, pointing at Alex.

"Hey! Give up means no fight! NO FIGHT!" he shouted, voice cracking at the end.

Tina stepped forward and sighed.

"Enough fooling around. We’ve got serious training to do. You—" she pointed at Alex, "—we’ll watch your performance in training, then decide."

Alex nodded with a solemn face. Everyone returned to training, but as Alex stepped forward, Darian stopped him with an arm.

"Come with me," he said.

Later That Evening...

Alex was dragging his aching body through the corridor, one hand gripping the wall for support.

"Fuck, it hurts... I’m exhausted," he muttered.

"I used up all of my wood elemental energy. I can’t even heal this pain."

He exhaled sharply.

"That wasn’t training—it was a beatdown."

After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached his dorm room and collapsed face-first on the bed, not even bothering to remove his shoes.

Meanwhile, in the Noctshade Club Hall...

Moonlight streamed through the high windows, casting silver lines across the battle arena. The air echoed with the sounds of clashing energies and shouted commands.

Standing atop a raised platform was Meika Noctshade, a striking figure with long black hair, deep dark eyes, and a tight leather uniform that emphasized every sharp curve of her athletic frame.

Her cold gaze swept across her team as they trained below.

"Vishal!" she barked.

"Use your element properly! And you—look at others before jumping to the next column!"

From the sidelines, Ethan, her younger brother, stepped forward. His expression was hesitant.

"Can you let me on the semifinal team?" he asked.

Meika’s eyes narrowed.

"No, brother. I won’t risk the Noctshade name again. We’re only here because Father removed you, and I became captain."

Ethan scowled.

"But I’m your brother."

She gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"That’s the only reason you’re still alive."

Ethan glared, turned with a huff, and stormed out, grumbling under his breath:

"Fucking bitch... if Father hadn’t interfered, I’d be the one leading."

Meika’s smile deepened as she watched him leave.

"If Father hadn’t pulled you out," she muttered, "you would’ve dragged the Noctshade name through the mud."

Her eyes burned with fury as she turned her gaze back to her team.

"We’ll train all night again—no exceptions!"

The team flinched. In that moment, Meika didn’t look like a girl. She looked like a beautiful demon.

Next Morning...

After breakfast, Alex walked briskly down the corridor, Hati trailing behind, looking much more cheerful after eating.

Alex looked over his shoulder.

"Hurry up, Hati. We have to grab a technique from the Elemental Library, then head to the Rebel Club for another... beatdown. Not much time today."

Hati yawned and padded faster.

They arrived at the Academy Library—an old, towering structure with grey-black stone walls, worn smooth by time and history. It loomed like a relic of an older world.

As Alex stepped through the aged wooden door, a familiar smell filled his nostrils—aged paper, warm air, and a faint sting of floor cleaners.

Inside the Library...

Alex stepped toward the wooden counter just beside the entrance. It stood against the wall, bathed in the warm glow of embedded yellow stones—soft lights that gave the old counter a gentle, golden hue.

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