NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: THE DUEL
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the training grounds. The air was thick with tension as the cadets gathered in a wide circle, their whispers buzzing like a swarm of bees. At the center of the circle stood Ren, his arms crossed and a smug grin plastered across his face.
"Well, newbie," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "You've been practicing those basics long enough. Let's see if you can handle a real fight."
I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of the flames flickering in my palms. My **Firebending Proficiency** had increased to **35%**, and I'd spent the last few days grinding through the basic forms. But this—this was different. This wasn't just training. This was a test.
The system's interface flickered in the corner of my vision.
**[New Quest: Prove Yourself]**
**[Objective: Defeat Ren in a firebending duel.]**
**[Reward: 300 XP, +3 Firebending Skill Points, Unlock Skill: Fire Stream]**
I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. This was my chance to prove myself—not just to Ren, but to everyone watching. And to myself.
---
### **The Fight Begins**
Master Jiro stepped forward, his scarred face unreadable. "This will be a controlled duel," he said, his voice firm. "No lethal attacks. The first to land three clean hits wins. Understood?"
Ren and I nodded, our eyes locked. The cadets around us fell silent, their anticipation palpable.
"Begin!"
Ren didn't waste any time. He launched a fireball straight at me, the flames roaring as they cut through the air. I barely had time to dodge, the heat grazing my shoulder as I stumbled to the side.
"Too slow," Ren taunted, already preparing his next attack.
I gritted my teeth, focusing on the system's interface. My **Agility** stat was still low, but I had to make do. I shifted into the basic firebending stance, channeling my energy into my hands. A small flame erupted from my palm, weak but steady.
Ren laughed, easily deflecting it with a wave of his hand. "Is that all you've got?"
I didn't respond. Instead, I focused on my breathing, syncing it with the rhythm of the flames. The system's progress bar for **Firebending Proficiency** inched forward, reaching **38%**.
---
### **Turning the Tide**
Ren launched another fireball, this one larger and faster than the last. I ducked just in time, feeling the heat singe the tips of my hair. But this time, I was ready.
I countered with a quick burst of flames, aiming for his legs. The attack was weak, but it forced him to step back, breaking his rhythm. The cadets around us murmured, their interest piqued.
"Not bad," Ren admitted, though his smirk never wavered. "But you'll have to do better than that."
He shifted into a more advanced stance, his movements fluid and precise. The flames around his hands grew brighter, hotter. I could feel the intensity of his energy, and for a moment, I hesitated.
But then I remembered the system. The quest. The reward. I couldn't afford to lose.
I focused on the basic forms, channeling every ounce of energy into my next attack. The flames in my hands grew stronger, more controlled. My **Firebending Proficiency** jumped to **42%**.
---
### **The Final Blow**
Ren launched another fireball, but this time, I was ready. I sidestepped the attack, countering with a quick burst of flames aimed at his chest. The flames connected, forcing him to stagger back.
The cadets erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. Even Master Jiro looked impressed.
"One hit to Kael," he announced.
Ren's smirk faltered, replaced by a look of determination. He launched a series of rapid fireballs, each one faster and more intense than the last. I dodged as best as I could, but one of the flames grazed my arm, leaving a faint burn.
"One hit to Ren," Master Jiro said.
I gritted my teeth, ignoring the pain. I couldn't afford to lose focus. Not now.
Ren charged at me, his fists engulfed in flames. I waited until the last possible moment, then sidestepped and countered with a powerful burst of flames. The attack caught him off guard, sending him stumbling back.
"Two hits to Kael," Master Jiro announced.
Ren's eyes narrowed, his smirk completely gone now. He shifted into a more aggressive stance, his movements faster and more unpredictable. But I could see the frustration in his eyes. He wasn't used to being challenged.
I focused on the system, allocating the **+3 Firebending Skill Points** I'd earned from the quest. My **Firebending Proficiency** jumped to **50%**, and I felt a surge of energy course through me.
When Ren launched his next attack, I was ready. I deflected the flames with a wave of my hand, then countered with a powerful burst of fire. The flames connected, sending Ren sprawling to the ground.
The cadets erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. Even Master Jiro looked impressed.
"Three hits to Kael," he announced. "The winner is Kael."
---
### **The Aftermath**
Ren stood up, brushing the dirt off his uniform. For a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, he extended a hand.
"Not bad, newbie," he said, a hint of respect in his voice. "Maybe you're not as weak as I thought."
I shook his hand, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me. But I knew this was just the beginning. The system's interface flickered, showing a new message.
**[Quest Complete: Prove Yourself]**
**[Reward: 300 XP, +3 Firebending Skill Points, Unlock Skill: Fire Stream]**
I grinned, feeling the flames flicker to life in my palms. This was just the first step. I had a long way to go, but I was ready.