I Was Born With A Bloodline That Ended The World-Chapter 99: Dual Edge

"RHIAN LOCKE VS. ANYA SLADE."

The name echoed across the arena, loud enough to hush the side conversations and draw all eyes forward.

Most of those eyes flicked past Rhian and landed on the girl who stepped forward, her presence magnetic in the crowded space.

Anya Slade walked calmly to the center of the ring. Her hair was a deep brown, tied back in a tight braid that ran down her spine.

But what really caught everyone’s attention were her eyes, one an icy blue, the other a warm, fiery orange.

She was striking, but not in the fragile way some pretty girls were. Her shoulders were set with quiet confidence, and even the small smile she offered Rhian seemed more like a challenge than a greeting.

Rhian watched her carefully as she approached, his own expression steady and unreadable. He remembered her from the expedition.

She had been part of Justin’s team, and if the rumors were true, she was one of the few dual-elemental carriers at the academy.

The whispers in the crowd confirmed it. He could hear them murmuring about her abilities, ice and fire, two forces that rarely found harmony in the same carrier. But she had them both. And she had made them work.

Rhian’s lips curved into a faint smile. He didn’t mind the attention she drew. In fact, he welcomed it.

The more people who underestimated him because of her reputation, the more satisfying it would be when he proved them wrong.

He stepped forward to meet her in the middle of the ring. She paused, tilting her head just slightly, her mismatched eyes glinting with curiosity.

"Rhian Locke," she said, her voice calm and even. "I’ve been looking forward to this."

He just raised an eyebrow. "That makes one of us." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Rhian’s shoulders shifted slightly as he settled into a relaxed stance, his breathing even.

The crowd fell into a hush as the announcer’s voice cut through again. "BEGIN!"

They didn’t hesitate.

Anya moved first, her steps light and fluid as she circled him. She didn’t attack head-on, testing the distance with small, quick feints that showed how comfortable she was in a fight.

Rhian stayed calm, eyes locked on her every move. He knew she was fast, faster than most, probably faster than him in raw speed. But he had his instincts, and the strength to match her when she finally committed.

She did.

The moment the match began, Anya moved first. Her footwork was quick and deliberate, not wasting any motion as she circled Rhian with careful steps.

Her mismatched eyes never left him, and even when she lunged forward, it was precise, her movements fluid like water.

Rhian watched her, his breathing even. He had seen enough fights to know she was more than just speed.

She was reading him, waiting for him to slip up. He felt her intent in the way her shoulders shifted and the way her fingers flexed.

Anya attacked with a sudden swipe of her hand, sending a stream of ice shards directly at him.

Rhian moved back, using short, sharp steps to avoid the projectiles as they splintered on the reinforced floor. She didn’t give him time to settle, following it with a sharp twist of her wrist.

Flames erupted in her other hand, sending a wave of heat across the mat.

Rhian blocked with his arms crossed, feeling the warmth brush past him.

He countered by reaching for her shadow, his energy hooking onto it before she realized what was happening.

Her feet froze for a moment, and her eyes widened when she noticed the black shape pulling at her.

She reacted instantly, twisting her body to break the grip, her face showing surprise. She hadn’t expected him to use that. Rhian didn’t wait. He stepped in, his fist cutting the air as he went for her ribs.

Anya shifted, ducking low and rolling to the side. As she came up, she clapped her hands together.

A swirl of ice formed between them, then she thrust forward, sending a spear of ice towards him.

Rhian tilted his body, letting it whistle past his shoulder as he charged forward. He was done waiting.

He lunged, but Anya was fast. She twisted away, leaving a trail of frost as she skidded across the floor.

She swung her arm and fire erupted, the color a deep, unnatural purple.

The heat licked at his skin, and he felt the air shift as it cracked against the ground.

Rhian narrowed his eyes and moved to the side. He felt the heat but didn’t let it slow him.

He pushed forward again, this time bringing up his own arm. He used the illusion, a flicker of himself stepping one way while he went the other.

It was enough to throw her balance off, and he was inside her guard in a heartbeat.

His fist met her shoulder, solid and driving her back. She grimaced but didn’t stumble.

Her eyes met his, and she moved her hand to send another blast of ice his way. He didn’t give her the chance, stepping forward and twisting his body to catch her wrist.

She flinched as his fingers dug in, but she didn’t back down. She swept her leg, catching him in the thigh and forcing him to let go.

He stepped back, feeling the sharp pain of the strike but ignoring it. He didn’t mind pain, not in a fight like this.

Anya pressed forward, her eyes locked on his chest as she raised both hands. Fire and ice met together, swirling in a dangerous combination that she slammed forward.

Rhian raised his own hands, his muscles tightening as he braced for the impact.

The attack hit him, heat and cold crashing into his forearms. He grunted as he felt the burn of the fire and the bite of the ice, but he didn’t let it stop him.

He stepped through it, feeling his body strain but pushing anyway. He closed the gap between them and slammed his shoulder into her chest.

She stumbled back, her breathing ragged as she steadied herself. She looked at him with a spark of respect in her mismatched eyes.

Rhian didn’t say anything. He moved forward again, and she met him head-on.

She raised her hand and a wall of ice formed in front of him. He didn’t stop. He swung his arm, breaking through the brittle shield with raw force.

Shards of ice cut at his skin, but he didn’t care. He stepped forward, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her in close. She tried to move back, but he hooked her leg with his foot and brought her down with him.

They landed on the mat hard. She rolled, her hand glowing with heat as she tried to send another wave of fire at him. He twisted his body, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist and force it down.

For a moment, they were close, breathing hard, their eyes locked. She tried to pull away, but his grip held firm. Her face tightened, and she tried again to bring the fire up.

Rhian leaned in, his voice low. "You’re good," he said, his tone even. "But you’re not good enough yet."