The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 96: Academy Tournament – Rebel Team

Chapter 96: Academy Tournament – Rebel Team

The healers rushed into the third column, swiftly lifting the screaming attackers who clutched their bleeding legs, the game continued undisturbed.

Riven violet eyes still burned with fury.

His gaze drifted to Aslan, who only gave him a nonchalant shrug, as if to say, "What else could we do?"

The whistle blew again.

"TIME UP — WINNER: VEYLOR CLUB!"

A cheer erupted from their team’s side of the stands.

Riven exhaled, shaking his head to calm the storm inside. The fury ebbed slowly, like the tide pulling back from the shore. He turned and stepped out of the arena.

Lyra stood at the base of the platform, waiting. When she saw him, she smiled—gently, warmly.

And just like that, Riven’s world brightened.

But before he could speak, it appeared.

[DING]

A familiar, irritating blue screen flashed before his eyes.

[MAIN MISSION PROGRESS: 1.5%]

[REWARD: THUNDER GOD – A MYTHICAL GOD, IMMORTAL; LIVED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. ERASED FROM EXISTENCE A FEW DAYS AGO.]

Riven’s eyes widened.

"What?" he whispered. "who did it?"

No answer.

Riven clenched his fists.

"Fucking trash system," he growled under his breath. "Always giving crumbs."

In another arena, Alex stood in one of the many WW arenas, he looked around with tired eyes. Most of the team members were slumped on the stone platform, catching their breath.

After three back-to-back matches, they were all drained. Not once had they won the toss—and because of that, they had been forced to fight as the attackers every time.

No one wanted to be the attacker against the Earth Dragon itself.

Darian returned, and the moment he stepped into view, every team member glared at him with visible resentment.

He scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly.

Alex voiced what everyone was thinking. "You lost the toss again?"

Darian grinned. "Yeah, I lost the toss, but hear what—"

"WHAT!"

A chorus of frustrated screams cut him off.

Tina sighed and stepped forward, the katana resting on her shoulder. "Attacker team, huddle up."

"Hey, hey, let me finish my sentence first!" Darian protested, waving his hands.

Luther muttered in an exhausted tone, "We’ll do that after this match, Captain. We’re really tired of being attackers. Just once, we want to stand and defend."

The umpire’s voice echoed through the arena. "Defender team, please take your positions in the arena."

All of the Rebel Club froze—then instinctively gathered into a quick huddle.

"Same strategy?" Alex asked.

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes."

Then came another announcement from the umpire: "Rebel Team, please take your positions as defenders."

Alex blinked, confused. "Did you guys hear what I just heard?"

Everyone’s eyes widened, and for a moment, no one responded.

Then Darian burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Yes! Those morons actually chose to be the attackers against us!"

Luther came running and slapped a hand over Darian’s mouth. "Don’t say that out loud—they might change their minds!"

Darian pulled Luther’s hand away and grinned. "Come on, defender team! Let’s show our attacker team how to win with ease!"

The rest of the team, who had been lying around yawning or half-asleep, slowly stood up.

"Is it finally our turn?" a cheeky brat asked, rubbing his eyes.

Darian nodded. "Yes, it is. Same strategy. Luther, Alex—you’re with us this time."

Alex’s eyes widened. "Wait, when did I sign up for the defender team?"

"Oho oho, so the newbie’s with us?" the cheeky brat teased, raising a brow.

Alex pointed at him. "Look, I’m not like these guys. I might not be defender material."

Darian chuckled. "You’re a good anchor. We’ve already practiced for this. You’ll be in the second-to-last column. Luther will cover the last."

As Darian turned and began walking toward the WW arena, he called back, "Maybe your turn won’t come, but it’s a cyclone zone—so just be careful."

"WHAT?!"

"Hey! Hey, Captain! That’s the most vital information!" the cheeky brat yelled, sprinting after Darian. "You should’ve started with that!"

Tina sighed and moved to the edge of the arena, sitting down and closing her eyes for a quick rest. The rest of the attacker team followed her lead and sprawled out beside her.

Alex and Luther exchanged glances filled with resentment.

Alex glanced at Selene’s smug smile across the platform.

Why do I want to kill her and hug her at the same time? he wondered.

With a sigh, he followed Luther, both of them dragging their feet and shoulders in mutual defeat.

Alex took his place in the second-to-last column. Behind him, Luther’s voice came softly, "Just rest a little until they reach here. This is our final match—then we’re done for the day."

Alex nodded.

The whistle blew.

30:0029:59

The timer began.

And with it, the cyclone erupted in the center of the arena.

Air pressure surged, compressing the atmosphere around them. The wind roared like a beast, sharp enough to slice skin. Vision blurred, eyes stung, and movement became a test of sheer will.

Alex clenched his teeth as the razor-like wind tore at his already ripped clothes.

How the hell am I supposed to rest in this storm?

All sound was drowned in the deafening whoosh of wind, as if the very air was screaming. The pressure pounded into their eardrums, not just with noise—but with invisible force.

Alex planted his spear deep into the ground, anchoring himself. The storm threatened to lift him off his feet.

Then, through the chaos, a muffled voice from the umpire somehow made its way to their ears:

"3 ATTACKERS—OUT!"

In the fourth column, the cheeky brat lay flat on the ground, minimizing wind resistance, waiting like a coiled snake.

An attacker entered the same column, crouching low and squinting through the raging wind. His movements were slow, cautious—one wrong step and he’d be swept away. He scanned the area.

No one in sight.

But beneath him, slithering silently along the ground, someone crept like a predator.

The moment the attacker stepped into the column—

Grab.

"KYAAAAAAAAA!!" a scream tore through the cyclone.

"Oh, you scream like a girl... but you’re not her," the cheeky brat sighed with disappointment.

Still in shock, the poor attacker was dragged straight into the cyclone’s wrath, limbs flailing.

1 ATTACKER OUT.

The cheeky brat muttered to himself, "I’m not that scary, you know... I’m cute and lovable."

If Alex had heard those words, he might have pierced his emerald spear straight into that boy’s back.

Alex stood motionless in his column, muscles tense. No one had made it past the frontline freaks.

He muttered, "Our defender team’s actually insane... no one’s even close to reaching me. Time’s almost up. I want to sleep so badly..."

DING DING

TIME UPWINNER: REBEL TEAM

As soon as the announcement was made, Alex and Luther moved without a word, not even glancing at their teammates.

Through the quiet, empty corridors, Alex walked toward his dorm. The sun had dipped low—day gone, night creeping in. Hati followed silently, his steps as soundless as the wind.

Just as Alex turned the corner, a chilling presence dropped over the hallway like a weighted veil. The light dimmed unnaturally.

And there she stood.

Serene Seraph.

Her mere aura made the corridor feel colder, darker. Shadows stretched toward her like worshippers.

Hati didn’t flinch—just stared at her with a blank, unimpressed gaze.

Alex, on the other hand, jolted back and yelled, "What the hell!?"

He took a deep breath, calming his nerves, then glanced at her appearance. She wore emerald green—tight, sleek, perfectly contouring her figure. Her thick thighs didn’t go unnoticed.

Alex narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?" he asked, voice laced with irritation.

Serene raised a delicate finger to her lips, her smile teasing. "That’s not how you greet your dear aunt, little nephew."

Alex exhaled sharply, jaw tightening. "Just get to the point. Why are you here... aunt?" His tone dripped with sarcasm.

Serene chuckled. The sound echoed softly in the corridor. "You know... you’re funny, right?"

Alex rolled his eyes, expression deadpan. "No, I’m not a funny guy. People do laugh at me, but never at my jokes... dear aunt."

Her smile faded. She sighed, her tone shifting serious. "Alexander, congratulations on reaching the main round. You did well... keeping most of your power hidden."

She paused, watching him intently.

Waiting.

Testing.

But Alex didn’t reply. He just stared at her, face unreadable.

The silence stretched.

Her eyes gleamed with understanding. Then, turning on her heel, she tossed a final remark over her shoulder:

"I look forward to facing you in the main round."

A soft giggle echoed down the corridor, haunting and playful.

Alex stood still, watching her walk away—hips swaying deliberately until the shadows swallowed her whole.

He sighed, rubbing his forehead as a dull ache spread behind his eyes.

"I can’t understand her," he muttered. "Why is she keeping an eye on me? My mother abandoned me... that’s a fact I can’t deny."

The words tasted bitter.

Dragging his heavy steps down the hallway, he finally reached his dorm. The door creaked open, and he barely made it to the bed before collapsing.

Bone-tired.

Hati padded in quietly behind him and leapt up beside him, curling into a ball without a sound.

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