Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series-Chapter 119 : Tuning Up [2]

As soon as the duel began, Ullr wasted no time.

A translucent force field erupted around him, forming a near-perfect spherical barrier. It shimmered under the unstable battlefield like a solid wall of protection that would keep him untouched no matter what happened.

The terrain could shift, explosions could go off, and he would not be touched.

It was a good strategy.

It should have worked.

But before anyone could even process what was happening...

"Winner: Tachyon Takhús!"

The Great Hall fell into complete silence.

For a single moment, all that could be heard was the hum of the force field as it flickered out. Ullr still stood in the middle of the labyrinth, perfectly still- like a statue frozen in time.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

And then the murmurs started.

"Wait- what?!"

"What do you mean he won? Ullr didn't even get hit!"

"Did something explode? I didn't even-"

The entire crowd leaned forward, squinting through the rising dust as the battlefield slowly settled.

That's when they saw it.

A thin, almost invisible cut ran along Ullr's shoulder. It wasn't deep. Barely even a scratch. But it was enough.

A hit was a hit.

Aiden's eyes darted around, searching for Tachyon in the labyrinth, only to feel a sharp drop in his stomach.

Tachyon wasn't in the battlefield anymore.

He was in the stands.

Sitting there, smug as ever, one leg draped lazily over the other. His wild black hair was messy as usual, and his goggles now rested on his forehead. He twirled a small pocket knife between his fingers, his grin stretching wider as the realization settled over the crowd.

Aiden felt a chill run down his spine.

Adrian shot to his feet. "What the hell just happened?!"

"He moved before we could even see it."

It all clicked.

Tachyon hadn't just used super speed to win.

He had used it to end the match before it even began.

The very second the announcer had said begin, he must have already moved- dodging every shifting hazard, weaving past the explosions before they could even go off, reaching Ullr before his force field had completely stabilized.

A single, precise cut.

And then?

He left.

He had already exited the battlefield before Ullr- or anyone- could even register he had moved.

Ivara sucked in a breath. "No way."

Lochan, sitting a few rows ahead, tilted his head. "He was faster than my predictions."

Aiden's stomach twisted when he heard what Lochan said.

Even Lochan didn't see it coming?

Shiloh clicked his tongue in annoyance, crossing his arms. "Tch. Show-off."

Ullr had finally moved. He rolled his shoulder, staring at the faint cut before letting out a harsh exhale.

The force field flickered out completely, vanishing like it had never been there. Without a word, he stepped off the battlefield, his expression unreadable.

Aiden turned his gaze back to Tachyon, who was still sitting there, grinning at everyone like this was just another casual afternoon.

Sevan muttered under his breath, "That guy is a problem."

Adrian finally sat back down, still watching the second-year like he was trying to burn a hole through him. "I'd say he's a cocky bastard, but… he has every right to be."

Ivara looked between them, gripping the edges of her seat. "You think he could beat Emmeranne if they fight?"

Sevan's jaw tightened. "I don't know. But if he fights like that every time…"

None of them wanted to finish the thought.

Aiden sat back, rubbing his temples. He was still trying to understand what just happened.

He was used to seeing fights. To breaking down movements. Even against Magi, even in the worst of moments, he could still follow the flow of battle.

But with Tachyon?

There was no battle.

Just an instant- a moment- and it was over.

The announcer finally moved on, listing the next fight between two third-years.

The murmurs in the stands started to settle, shifting focus. But even as the battlefield reset itself, the group couldn't shake the feeling that they had just seen something they weren't supposed to.

Something beyond them.

Something that reminded them just how far they had to go.

As the crowd settled, the announcer's voice boomed across the arena once more.

"Final duel of the day here at the Labyrinth is another challenge for the number one spot!"

Aiden straightened, fully focused again. His thoughts about Tachyon's win were forgotten as a new wave of excitement coursed through the stands.

"Let me introduce to you all, the reigning champion and first-placer, Marionette Florence, the Doll Queen!"

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience.

Aiden's eyes immediately found her standing in the labyrinth.

Standing was generous- she was completely motionless, like an actual doll placed in the middle of the battlefield.

She looked… unreal.

Her pale skin was flawless, her large blue eyes eerily still, framed by thick, dark lashes. Her golden blonde bob sat perfectly, like a porcelain doll's wig. And her dress... Aiden wasn't even sure how to describe it.

The most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

It was poofy, with absurdly large skirts, layers of lace, and a corset-style bodice. It was something straight out of an 18th-century royal portrait, all frills and ribbons, making her look even more like a lifeless doll than a person.

"She looks…" Adrian started but trailed off, unsure how to phrase it.

"Like she belongs in a haunted house?" Sevan suggested.

"I was gonna say 'cursed mannequin,' but yeah, same thing," Adrian muttered.

Before they could comment further, the announcer introduced her opponent.

"And now the challenger- Xihir, the Nullifier, who is unplaced!"

This time, the reaction wasn't immediate cheers. Instead, there was a pause; a moment of confusion.

Aiden frowned. Unplaced?

Challenging for first place?

When Xihir stepped onto the field, Aiden understood why the audience hesitated.

He was completely unremarkable.

Dark, unkempt hair. Clothes slightly disheveled. No fancy modifications to his uniform, no confident strut- he looked more like someone who had wandered onto the battlefield by accident.

Yet, despite his unimpressive appearance, his eyes were sharp, scanning the battlefield with a strange, quiet intensity.

Sevan let out a low whistle. "Oh… this might actually be interesting."

Aiden turned to him. "What do you mean?"

"Look at their powers," Sevan pointed at the board listing their abilities.

Aiden followed his gaze, and he understood the reason why it was the first placer the challenger decided to challenge when he read them.

Marionette Florence – Puppeteering

Xihir – Void Resonance (Nullifies forced control)

His fingers twitched.

Aiden wasn't an expert on combat, but even he knew that was a direct counter.

Marionette, the undefeated champion, could control people like puppets. But Xihir? He could nullify that control.

Aiden clenched his jaw.

For the first time since these duels started, he seriously thought...

First place might actually fall today.

As the arena quieted in anticipation, the announcer's voice rang through the air.

"BEGIN!"

And still, Marionette Florence did not move.

Aiden watched closely, expecting some kind of immediate reaction from her like some subtle flick of a finger or a shift in her stance. But she remained eerily still, the wind barely rustling the absurd layers of fabric in her gown.

Across from her, Xihir took a single step forward.

Then another.

The audience held their breath, watching as the unplaced challenger approached the undefeated champion.

It was unnerving. He walked as if he knew there was no immediate danger. Like he was testing her.

And then...

His leg jerked out from under him, nearly sending him crashing to the ground.

Aiden's breath caught.

"She didn't move," Ivara muttered.

"She doesn't have to," Sevan said grimly. "She's a puppeteer..."

Xihir straightened, unfazed. He rolled his shoulders once, then took another step forward.

This time, his entire right arm snapped to the side, twisting unnaturally before he stopped it mid-motion.

So she's already controlling him.

Aiden's hands curled into fists, watching in anticipation. He wasn't sure what he expected, but it was clear that Marionette was not the type to make grand gestures or declarations. Her power had already reached Xihir the moment the match began.

Marionette's stillness wasn't a sign of hesitation.

It was a statement.

She didn't need to fight.

She only needed one thought to turn an opponent into her puppet.

Xihir tilted his head slightly, rolling his wrist as if testing something. Then, he took another step...

And suddenly, his entire body locked up.

His arms and legs stiffened, and his back arched unnaturally as if invisible strings were pulling him upward.

The audience gasped as he was lifted several feet off the ground, limbs stretched out like a marionette on display.

Only then did Marionette move.

She raised her hand- delicate, poised, like a conductor about to direct an orchestra.

And Xihir dropped.

He smashed into the ground, kicking up dust and debris from the force.

The audience erupted into cheers, already convinced of her victory.

But Aiden narrowed his eyes.

Because Xihir wasn't struggling.

In fact, when the dust settled, he laughed.

A low, amused chuckle.

Then, slowly, he lifted his head, and Aiden saw it.

A subtle shimmer around his body- something intangible, like a barely visible distortion in the air.

Void resonance.

A wave of unease crept up Aiden's spine.

Marionette must have felt it too. For the first time, her expression changed.

Her doll-like face twitched ever so slightly- just enough to show confusion.

And then Xihir snapped free.

His limbs jerked as if cutting invisible strings, and he landed on his feet in a single fluid motion.

The crowd fell silent.

Xihir tilted his head toward Marionette, his lazy smirk widening.

"That all you got, Doll Queen?"