The tension in the room was thick as Olivia stepped back, clearing a space for the duel. I could feel the weight of the other club members' gazes on me, their expressions a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Across from me, Eric stood with a smug grin plastered on his face, drawing his sword—a beautiful weapon with a crimson blade that gleamed ominously in the light.
"Prepare to be humiliated, weakling," Eric taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You think you can stand against me with that pathetic B-rank potential? You're way out of your league."
I gripped my Black Sword, feeling its familiar weight settle in my hand. It was a weapon passed down through my family, and I had trained with it for years. I wouldn't let Eric's words get under my skin. Focus. This wasn't about his taunts—it was about proving myself.
"Let's see what you've got," I replied, my voice steady. "I won't back down."
"First form: Blood Strike!" Eric shouted, his voice cutting through the air. He lunged forward with impressive speed, his crimson blade flashing as it came down on me.
I barely managed to sidestep the attack, feeling the rush of air as the blade skimmed past me. Eric was fast—no doubt about it—but I wasn't going to let that intimidate me. I had my own edge.
"First form: Shadow Strike!" I called out, activating the first form of my Eclipse Blade. The blade pulsed with dark energy as I swung it at Eric, aiming for a quick counterattack.
The clash of our blades rang out, the force of Eric's strike pushing me back. I felt the resistance as his power tested my stance, but I stood my ground. His strength was real, but I wasn't finished yet.
"Is that all you've got?" Eric taunted, pushing me back with another heavy swing. "You're just a B-rank nobody trying to play with the big boys!"
I gritted my teeth, refusing to let his insults shake me. The energy of my Eclipse Blade surged within me, and I knew I had to tap into it fully.
"Second form: Gale Dance!" I shouted, focusing every ounce of my energy into the blade. The air around me seemed to shift as I activated the technique, and I felt my speed multiply.
With newfound swiftness, I darted forward, my sword moving like lightning as I struck from multiple angles. Eric barely had time to react as I unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one landing with pinpoint precision. His crimson blade struggled to keep up, and the surprise in his eyes was unmistakable.
"What—?" Eric stammered, his confidence cracking. "How are you—"
I didn't let him finish. Spinning on my heel, I used the momentum to strike at his midsection. The force of my blow sent him staggering backward. The realization hit him—he was losing control of this duel.
"Is this the best you've got, Eric?" I pressed, my voice calm and unwavering. "You underestimated me."
With one final, decisive strike, I aimed for his sword. The clash of our blades echoed in the room as I poured all my strength into the attack. To my surprise, Eric's sword flew from his grip, clattering to the ground.
The room fell into stunned silence. Eric stood there, his eyes wide with disbelief. I stood my ground, breathing heavily, my Eclipse Blade poised and ready.
"Enough!" Olivia's voice rang out, cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Noah wins the duel!"
The room erupted in applause, cheers filling the air. The rush of exhilaration was overwhelming, but I kept my focus, trying to keep my composure. I had done it—I had proven myself.
Eric, still reeling from the defeat, glared at me with a mix of anger and humiliation. "This isn't over," he muttered, but his voice lacked the earlier venom.
"Apologize," Olivia commanded, her tone firm and final. "You brought this upon yourself, Eric. Bullying is never acceptable."
Eric hesitated, clearly struggling with his wounded pride, but under Olivia's unwavering gaze, he eventually relented. "I… I'm sorry, Noah," he muttered begrudgingly. "I shouldn't have underestimated you."
"Apology accepted," I replied coolly, trying not to let the rush of victory show in my voice. "Just remember this moment the next time you decide to belittle someone."
Olivia stepped forward, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You fought well, Noah. Your determination and skill were impressive. You've shown everyone here that rank doesn't define your worth."
The other members began to approach me, their expressions shifting from skepticism to admiration. I could see the respect in their eyes, and it felt surreal. Just moments ago, I had been the target of ridicule, but now... I had earned my place among them.
"Welcome to the club, Noah," one of them said, slapping me on the back. "You've earned it."
As the noise of the room began to settle, I stole a glance at Eric. He was still recovering from the shock of his defeat, his face a mix of anger and embarrassment. It was clear that this experience had humbled him—for now, at least. I could see it in his eyes. Perhaps this would make him rethink his approach to others.
"Next time, I'll be ready," he muttered under his breath, though the fire in his eyes had dimmed. The arrogance was gone.
"Just remember, Eric," I said, my voice steady. "Strength comes from within, not from a title or rank. You might want to work on your attitude if you want to truly grow stronger."
Olivia nodded in agreement. "This is a lesson for all of us. We're here to support each other, not tear each other down. Let's make sure this is a place where everyone can grow."
As the meeting continued, I found myself surrounded by new friends, eager to share their skills and knowledge. I realized this was just the beginning of my journey. I had proven myself in the duel, but there was still so much more to learn and accomplish.
"Hey, Noah," one of the members called, pulling me from my thoughts. "Want to join us for some training? We could use someone with your skills."
"Absolutely," I replied, a smile spreading across my face. "I'd love to."
As I joined the group and immersed myself in their discussions, a renewed sense of purpose washed over me. I wasn't just a B-rank nobody anymore. I was Noah, a member of the Demon Subjugation Club, ready to face whatever came next. The duel with Eric had been a turning point, and now, I was ready to embrace the challenges ahead. With Olivia's guidance and the support of my new allies, I knew I could grow stronger and prove my worth, step by step.