Chapter 24: The Puppeteer’s Gambit

Words : 922 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 24: The Puppeteer’s Gambit The Announcement The platinum watch on my wrist chimed at dawn, its display flashing crimson: [TODAY: LIGHTNING TRIAL - SURVIVE 30 MINUTES] I rolled out of bed, the silk sheets whispering against bare skin. Moonlight still streaked through the windows, painting silver stripes across the obsidian tiles. My shadow stretched unnaturally long behind me, twitching with restless energy. [System: You’re up early. Nervous?] "Prepared," I corrected, striding to the window. The Lightning Colosseum loomed in the distance, its obsidian walls already crackling with energy. Today, the entire world would watch as Headmaster Evelyn tried to break me. A knock at the door. "Enter." Masha slipped inside, her uniform immaculate despite the hour. "M-Master Crimson! The trial preparations are complete. The Grand Council has arrived, and—" I held up a hand. "Who’s watching?" She gulped. "Everyone. The trial will be broadcast globally through mana-crystal relays. The Whitehounds secured front-row seats. The Nowa Empire sent envoys. Even the Elven Council is present." I smirked. "Perfect." Father’s warning scroll burned in my pocket—"Don’t embarrass me further." Oh, I wouldn’t. I’d do so much worse. The Colosseum The arena hummed with anticipation. The stands were packed with nobles in silks, mages in formal robes, and—most importantly—the floating mana-crystals that would project my face across continents. At the center stood Headmaster Evelyn, her silver braids coiled tight, her violet eyes crackling with energy. "Ashen Crimson." Her voice carried across the silent colosseum. "You have thirty minutes. Survive my attacks, and the world will acknowledge your worth. Fail..." Lightning arced between her fingers. "Well. At least your death will be educational." A massive timer materialized above the arena: [00:30:00] I cracked my knuckles. "Let’s begin." The First Strike Evelyn didn’t hesitate. Her first bolt came faster than thought—a searing lance of blue-white energy that should have vaporized me on the spot. I twisted aside at the last second, feeling the heat singe my cheek as it cratered the ground behind me. The crowd gasped. [System: She’s testing you. That was only 10% power.] Good. I wanted her to underestimate me. I lunged, shadows coiling around my fists. Evelyn didn’t move—just raised a single finger. "Storm Cage." Lightning erupted in a dome around us, the air itself vibrating with trapped energy. The cage tightened, forcing me closer. A predator corralling its prey. I grinned. "Shadow Step." My body dissolved into darkness, reforming behind her just as her next bolt lanced through where I’d been. The crowd roared. [00:25:12 remaining] The Mind Games Evelyn’s eyes narrowed as I avoided her fifth consecutive strike. "Running away, Crimson?" "Call it strategic repositioning." I wiped blood from my lip—a glancing blow had gotten through. "Though I’m flattered you’re so eager to keep me close." Her nostrils flared. The next attack was reckless—a massive arc that shattered the northern barrier. The audience screamed as debris rained down. [System: Got her. She’s angry.] I pressed harder. "Tell me, Headmaster... does the Council know you’re this emotional?" Another bolt. Another dodge. "Or do they just enjoy watching you lose control?" The storm above the colosseum darkened. [00:18:37 remaining] The Turn The first drop of blood wasn’t mine. I’d grazed Evelyn’s forearm with a shadow blade, the inky edge slicing through her robe to draw a thin red line. The wound was superficial, but the symbolism wasn’t lost on the crowd. A murmur rippled through the stands—"He touched her." Evelyn stared at the blood, then at me. Something in her gaze shifted. "Enough games." The temperature plummeted. The lightning cage expanded, consuming the entire arena in a maelstrom of blue-white fury. [System: WARNING. LETHAL VOLTAGE DETECTED.] I barely had time to activate Shadow Assimilation before the world turned white with pain. The World Watches Beyond the storm, millions watched their screens in stunned silence: In the Crimson estate, Regus’s grip cracked his armrest. Serena clutched her pendant, lips moving in silent prayer. In a dim tavern, Aurelia’s mug slipped from numb fingers, ale soaking her boots unnoticed. In the royal palace, Liora’s nails drew blood from her palms as she leaned closer to the broadcast crystal. Inside the cage, I was losing. Badly. Evelyn’s attacks came faster now, each bolt carving deeper burns through my shadows. My right arm hung useless at my side, nerves fried. Blood dripped from my nose, my ears, my lips. [00:07:59 remaining] [System: You can’t win this.] I don’t need to win. I just needed to— A boot slammed into my chest, sending me skidding across the arena. Evelyn loomed over me, her hand crackling with a sphere of condensed lightning. "Any last words?" I spat blood. "Just one." I grabbed her ankle—and unleashed every ounce of stolen lightning I’d absorbed. The explosion shattered the storm cage. The Aftermath Smoke coiled from the crater where we’d both been thrown. My vision swam as I forced myself onto one knee. Across the wreckage, Evelyn rose slowly, her robes torn, her hair unraveled. The timer flickered: [00:00:58] The colosseum held its breath. Then—impossibly—Evelyn smiled. "Time’s up." The mana-crystals flared, broadcasting the final image to the world: Ashen Crimson, still standing. Epilogue Back in my ruined dorm, Masha bandaged my wounds, her hands steadier than before. The platinum watch now displayed: [RANK 1: CONFIRMED. NEXT CHALLENGE AWAITS.] Outside, the first rays of dawn painted the academy in bloody light. The world had watched. Now it would obey. Visit freeweb(n)ovel.com for the best novel reading experience

Chapter 24: The Puppeteer’s Gambit

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