Chapter 44: The Weight of Expectations


    <hr>


    The Morning of the Finals


    Axel woke up before dawn.


    Not because he wanted to.


    Because he couldn’t sleep.


    The night before had been a mess of thoughts. Valeria’s words, her warnings, her cryptic way of saying just enough to leave him questioning everything.


    <blockquote>


    "The ones who make sure people like you don’t last."


    </blockquote>


    Axel sat up, rubbing his face.


    What the hell did that even mean?


    Tempo, sprawled across the small dorm couch, cracked one eye open. “You look like you saw a ghost.”


    Axel exhaled. “Might as well have.”


    Tempo grinned. “Let me guess. Valeria?”


    Axel ran a hand through his hair. “She knows something. Something about what’s happening to me. What’s happened to others before.”


    Tempo sat up, stretching. “So what’s the plan? Beat her senseless until she talks?”


    Axel smirked. “Tempting. But no.”


    Because deep down, he knew.


    Valeria wasn’t going to give him answers just because he wanted them.


    She wanted him to take them.


    To prove he was worthy of knowing.


    And that meant—


    He had to win.


    <hr>


    The Academy Stirs


    The entire school was buzzing by the time the sun rose.


    This wasn’t just a tournament final anymore.


    It was a moment in history.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Axel wasn’t just an underdog anymore.


    He was the anomaly.


    The one who shouldn’t be here—but was.


    Students whispered as he passed, their eyes full of excitement, curiosity—fear.


    Because the truth was setting in.


    If Axel Mercer could rise this fast…


    What did that mean for everyone else?


    As Axel stepped into the main plaza, he heard the familiar cocky voice behind him.


    “Look at you. The center of attention.”


    Axel turned—Jace.


    Still bruised from their fight, but grinning.


    “You ready for this?” Jace asked, crossing his arms.


    Axel smirked. “You sound invested.”


    Jace scoffed. “Look, man. If I lose, I’d at least like to say I lost to the champion.”


    Axel chuckled. “That confidence in me?”


    Jace’s grin faded slightly.


    “More like a warning,” he muttered. “Valeria… she’s not like the others.”


    Axel frowned. “I know that.”


    Jace shook his head. “No. You think you do. But you don’t know what she’s really capable of.”


    Axel’s jaw tightened. “Then I guess I’ll find out.”


    Jace sighed, then clapped him on the shoulder. “Just… don’t die, alright?”


    Axel smirked. “No promises.”


    <hr>


    A Moment with Iris


    Before the match, Axel made his way toward the training grounds—only to almost crash into Iris.


    She stood there, arms crossed, waiting for him.


    Axel raised an eyebrow. “You following me now?”


    Iris smirked. “Please. You’re predictable.”


    Axel leaned against the wall. “Let me guess. You’re gonna warn me about Valeria, too?”


    Iris exhaled. “Not exactly.”


    She hesitated, then glanced at him.


    “I just… don’t want you to get caught up in whatever she’s involved in.”


    Axel frowned. “And what do you think that is?”


    Iris bit her lip. “Something bigger than this tournament.”


    She stepped closer, her violet eyes serious.


    “You don’t realize it, but you’re attracting something dangerous.”


    Axel didn’t respond immediately.


    Because he felt it, too.


    Like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.


    Iris sighed. “Just—come back in one piece, alright?”


    Axel smirked. “I don’t break that easy.”


    Then—before he could react—


    Iris leaned in, her lips brushing just barely against his cheek.


    Soft. Quick.


    And then—she was gone.


    Tempo, perched on his shoulder, wheezed. “Dude. Two girls in two days?”


    Axel sighed. “I don’t have time for this.”


    But his face was definitely warm.


    <hr>


    The Final Arena


    The Helix Coliseum had never been this packed before.


    The entire academy—hell, the entire city—was watching.


    Axel stood in the fighter’s entrance tunnel, rolling his shoulders.


    Tempo tuned his guitar-axe. “You good?”


    Axel exhaled. “Yeah.”


    Then—the announcement boomed.


    <blockquote>


    "FINAL MATCH: AXEL MERCER VS. VALERIA NIGHTSHADE!"


    </blockquote>


    Axel stepped onto the battlefield.


    And there she was.


    Valeria stood at the opposite end of the arena, her Abyssal Wraith shifting around her like a living shadow.


    Her red eyes met his—and she smirked.


    Axel clenched his fists.


    This wasn’t just a fight.


    It was a test.


    And he was going to pass it.