Chapter 5 Chapter 5
The Price of Victory
The pair of crimson eyes vanished, just like that.One moment they were there, staring at me from the darkness above the arena.
The next moment, they were gone. A cold feeling settled deep inside my chest.
The system warning remained floating before me.
[Hidden Threat Detected.] [Multiple Assassins Have Entered The Academy.]
[Primary Target: Rowan Ashford.]
My jaw tightened, who were they? and why were they targeting me?
The system remained silent.The final match against Lucas was delayed after the chaos caused by Scorpion.
Several instructors were still investigating how a dark mage had managed to enter the tournament.
Others were treating injured students, the entire academy was in an uproar.Nobody was talking about anything except one thing.
Me, the former cripple, the weakest student in the Ashford family.The boy who somehow defeated Scorpion.
Everywhere I looked, people stared, some looked amazed, some looked afraid.
Others looked suspicious.I could hear whispers following me from every direction.
"That's him." "The one who beat Scorpion." "He healed during battle."
"How did he become so strong?" "Wasn't he crippled?" I ignored them.
The less attention I paid to them, the better. Unfortunately, fate seemed to have other plans.
Hours later, the academy's central arena was packed again.
The award ceremony had begun. Thousands of students filled the seats. Professors stood proudly near the stage.
Even noble families had gathered to witness the conclusion of the tournament.
I stood at the center platform while the academy director stepped forward.
His voice sounded throughout the arena.
"Today we witnessed something extraordinary." The crowd immediately erupted into cheers.
The director smiled. "Many participants showed remarkable talent." His eyes landed on me. "But one student exceeded every expectation."
More cheers followed. I felt uncomfortable.
The attention was becoming too much, the director raised a golden medal.
"This year's champion of the Imperial Arcane Academy Entrance Tournament..."
The crowd already knew the answer. "Rowan Ashford!"
Thunderous applause exploded, students jumped to their feet, some chanted my name.
Others simply stared in disbelief, the director placed the medal around my neck.
The metal felt surprisingly heavy, perhaps because of what it represented, not long ago, everyone had mocked me.
Now they were applauding me, funny how quickly people changed.The director smiled.
"Congratulations." "Thank you." Then another notification appeared before my eyes.
[Ding.] [Tournament Champion Achievement Unlocked.]
[Rewards Available.] [Would You Like To Claim?]
My heartbeat quickened, the system again.Without changing my expression, I mentally selected yes.
Instantly more messages appeared. [Reward Obtained,][Advanced Mana Breathing Technique.]
[Skill Fragment: Arcane Sight.] [50 System Points.]
[Hidden Reward Unlocked.] [Future Threat Detection Activated.]
My eyes narrowed slightly. Future Threat Detection The system continued.
[Warning.] [Host Has Attracted Attention From Powerful Forces.]
[Current Threats Identified.] [Eclipse Order.]
[Unknown Assassins.] [Dark World Survivors.] [Ancient Entity Observation Active.]
A chill ran down my spine. Ancient Entity?
Was that connected to the crimson eyes? Before I could think further, another notification appeared.
[Survival Probability: 18%.] I almost choked. Eighteen percent?
That wasn't reassuring. Not even remotely. The system disappeared.
The ceremony continued. Yet I could feel danger approaching from every direction.
Meanwhile... Lucas Ashford sat silently among the spectators.
His face looked twisted. Every cheer aimed at me felt like a knife stabbing into his pride.
The more the crowd celebrated me... The more hatred grew inside him. His hands clenched tightly.
Rowan... Rowan.......Rowan........
Everywhere he listened, people only talked about Rowan, nobody cared about Lucas anymore, and nobody remembered his achievements.
His jaw trembled, then he suddenly stood up, without waiting for the ceremony to finish and without speaking to anyone.
He turned and left, and his eyes burned with hatred.
"I'll make sure you die."
Hours later, the Ashford Estate, Lucas burst into his father's office.The heavy doors slammed open violently.
Cedric Ashford looked up from his desk.The family head frowned.
"Lucas." His voice carried authority. "Explain yourself."
Lucas was breathing heavily. His face was red with anger.
"You need to hear this." Cedric raised an eyebrow.
"What happened? Lucas immediately began speaking.
Everything, the way he defeated opponents stronger than himself and the way he was able to walk again, after being crippled for years.
The more Lucas spoke, the darker Cedric's expression became.
By the end of the story, silence filled the office. Cedric slowly stood." Repeat that."
Lucas swallowed, "He defeated Scorpion." Cedric froze.
Scorpion. He knew exactly who that was. Years ago, he had crossed paths with the dark mage.
Even Cedric had struggled badly against him. The battle nearly cost him his life. And now Lucas was claiming Rowan defeated him?
Impossible...... Absolutely impossible. Cedric stared out the window.
His mind raced. The weak Rowan he knew couldn't accomplish such things.
Not in a thousand years, something had changed and something was very wrong. Lucas clenched his fists.
"Dad." Cedric turned. Lucas' eyes were filled with hatred.
"Get rid of him." "Throw him into the Dark World and poison him."
Cedric remained calm. "Lucas." "He embarrassed me."
"I know." "He humiliated me in front of everyone." "I know."
Lucas' voice trembled. "Everyone laughed at me." Cedric slowly walked toward him.
Then placed a hand on his shoulder. His voice became cold. "No one embarrasses my son."
Lucas looked up hopefully Cedric's eyes were icy. "Don't worry."
A dangerous smile appeared. "If Rowan has truly become a problem..." His gaze darkened. "I'll make his death slow." Lucas smiled.
Relief flooded his face. He trusted his father. After all... Cedric Ashford was one of the strongest spellbound mages in the empire.
Nobody escaped his judgment, no one dares.
The next morning. I had just returned to the Ashford Estate when a servant approached.
"Young Master Rowan." I looked at him. "What is it?"
"Lord Cedric wishes to see you." My eyes narrowed.
Of course. The timing wasn't suspicious at all.
Still, refusing wasn't an option. "Lead the way."Several minutes later, I entered Cedric's office.
The moment I stepped inside, I felt pressure, heavy pressure.
Lucas stood beside his father. His smirk immediately annoyed me. Cedric sat behind his desk.
I remained calm. "You wished to see me?" Cedric nodded
"Sit." I obeyed. Silence followed. A long silence. Then Cedric finally spoke.
"You've changed." Straight to the point. Interesting. I tilted my head slightly.
"People change." "Not this much." I smiled faintly.
"Perhaps I matured." Lucas scoffed. Cedric ignored him.
His eyes never left mine."You were crippled."
"Yes." "Now you're not." "Correct." "You defeated Scorpion." "Yes."
Cedric leaned forward. "How?" Dangerous question. I already knew that.Still, panic would only make things worse.
I shrugged. "I got lucky." Lucas exploded. "Liar!"
His voice sounded loud throughout the office. "Nobody gets lucky against Scorpion!"
Cedric raised a hand, Lucas immediately fell silent. Then Cedric looked back at me.
His gaze sharpened. "Who are you?" The room became quiet.
I met his eyes. "I'm Rowan Ashford." Cedric stared. I stared back, seconds passed, neither of us moved.
Finally... Cedric smiled. But there was no warmth behind it.
"Interesting answer." My instincts screamed danger.
Then suddenly—Cedric raised his hand. A silver magic circle appeared.
My eyes widened. Spellbound Magic. One of the most feared forms of mental magic.
The system flashed instantly. [Warning.]
[Mental Intrusion Detected.] [Danger Level: High.]
It was too late for me already, The magic struck. Pain exploded inside my head.
"Agh!" I collapsed to one knee. The room spun violently.
Voices sounded everywhere, transmigration. The Arcane Heir System.
Everything blurred together. Cedric's voice sounded through the chaos.
"Who are you?" My body trembled. The spell dug deeper, while breaking apart my thoughts.
Lucas laughed. "There it is." My vision darkened, I could barely think and barely breathe. The spell continued attacking my mind.
Forcing its way deeper. Then... Something changed. The system suddenly erupted with light.
[Host Mind Under Attack.] [Automatic Defense Activated.]
BOOM! Blue energy exploded throughout my consciousness.
The Spellbound Magic shattered instantly. Cedric's eyes widened. Impossible.
His spell had failed, the backlash struck him immediately. Cedric staggered backward.Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Lucas froze. "Dad?" Cedric ignored him. His eyes locked onto me.What exactly was protecting Rowan?
Meanwhile, inside my mind... A strange voice sounded, "Balance must be restored." My eyes widened. Who said that?
The voice continued. "The Arcane Heir has awakened."
The system flashed again. [Emergency Protection Successful.]
[New Title Unlocked.] [Chosen Of Balance.] [Future Threat Probability Increased.]
My heartbeat accelerated. Chosen Of Balance? What did that mean?
Before I could investigate further— BOOM!
A powerful explosion shook the estate. Everyone froze in fear, servants screamed outside. The ground trembled, another loud explosion followed.
Then another. Cedric immediately rushed toward the window.
His eyes widened. The estate gates had been destroyed.
Dark clothing people stood outside, they were like dozens, with black cloaks and silver masks and overwhelming killing intent.
The system flashed urgently. [Warning.]
[Eclipse Order Detected.] [Host Location Compromised.]
[Emergency Survival Event Activated.]
My blood ran cold immediately, the Eclipse Order, they had found me.
And standing at the front of the invading force, was a tall man with golden eyes. Lucian Veyl the leader of a dark organization called the Eclipse Order.
