Mystica: Reincarnated Into A Novel As A Villain With 3x Reward System
Chapter 35: The Tournament

Chapter 35: The Tournament

Arvian’s fist slammed into Zaryx’s gut. For the first time—Zaryx staggered back.

Arvian didn’t stop. His palm was a blaze of energy as he flashed behind him. "Fulgur... Spheara!"

A massive sphere of red lightning formed, and the air hummed with strength. Then he rammed it directly into Zaryx’s chest.

CRAAAAAAAAACK!

A dazzling burst of lightning ripped through Zaryx’s flesh. A dazzling burst of lightning ripped through Zaryx’s flesh. A dazzling burst of lightning ripped through Zaryx’s flesh. The bleeding on the ground stopped. Zaryx coughed up black blood and dropped to one knee.

There was silence for a moment.

Then—he grinned.

"Hah... You actually won."

Standing above him, Arvian’s body ached and his breath was labored.

Zaryx raised his head, something unreadable burning in his eyes. "I will obey you."

And then—

A bright screen materialized in front of Arvian.

Before he could react, his vision blurred.

In an instant, he was back in his room.

[Duel Completed!]

Congratulations! You have defeated Zaryx, The Bloody Demon King in battle.

[Rewards Earned]

1. Full Control Over Zaryx’s Power:

You can now access all of Zaryx’s abilities at will.

Zaryx is bound to obey your commands.

2. 10000 Novel Store Points Acquired.

3. New Title Unlocked:

"King of the Bloody Demon King"

Grants +20% increase in dark energy control and dominance over demonic entities.

___

Arvian was still catching his breath...

***

Time passed, and soon, the long-awaited Academy Tournament arrived—a battle to determine the top 10 students who would join the elite inter-academy war training program.

There was a roar of excitement in the underground stadium. The enormous arena was packed with thousands of spectators, whose voices blended into a cacophonous hum. The air buzzed with tension and anticipation.

The professors and senior officials of the academy kept a close eye on the battlefield from inside a sealed glass box at the highest point.

Abruptly, a loud voice broke through the cacophony—

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO THE GRAND TOURNAMENT!"

Through the use of magic-infused speakers, the commentator’s voice reverberated throughout the stadium.

"Today, the strongest warriors of our academy will clash in a battle for glory! Only ten will stand at the top!"

As the excitement surged like a storm, the crowd cheered.

"LET THE TOURNAMENT... BEGIN!"

When the tournament officially started, the crowd erupted, shouting and cheering with excitement.

"The first match of the tournament... LIOREN VARKHALI vs. JAXYN NYXBOURNE!"

The waiting room was suddenly enveloped in silence.

As their gazes met, Lioren and Jaxyn’s expressions changed from astonishment to disillusionment.

Only one of them would move forward, even though they had trained and fought together.

The seriousness of the situation hit Lioren and Jaxyn as they stepped onto the battlefield. Voices blended into a sea of excitement as the stadium roared.

They faced each other, determination shining in their eyes. The referee put up his hand between them.

"Are both fighters ready?"

The Clash of Titans: Lioren vs. Jaxyn

The referee’s hand dropped.

BOOM!

Lioren and Jaxyn vanished from their spots.

A shockwave burst through the air as their fists met in the middle. The sheer force cracked the stadium floor beneath them.

Jaxyn twisted midair, throwing a knee strike toward Lioren’s ribs.

Lioren blocked—barely. The impact sent him sliding backward.

Without hesitation, Jaxyn lunged forward, fists blazing.

Left hook. Right jab. A spinning kick!

Lioren dodged, weaved, and countered with a swift uppercut, catching Jaxyn’s chin.

BAM!

Jaxyn staggered but retaliated instantly—a palm strike to Lioren’s chest.

BOOOOM!

Lioren flew back, skidding across the ground.

But before he could stop, Jaxyn was already there—a brutal elbow strike descending like a hammer.

Lioren raised both arms—BLOCK!

The ground beneath him shattered.

The audience gasped.

This wasn’t just a fight.

This was war.

Elemental Awakening

Lioren exhaled sharply.

Jaxyn cracked his knuckles.

Their eyes met.

They both knew—pure hand-to-hand wouldn’t be enough.

Suddenly—the temperature shifted.

Lioren’s hands ignited with Celestial Flames, golden fire dancing between his fingers.

Jaxyn’s body crackled—dark lightning arced around him.

FWOOOOOSH!

CRACKLE!

Lioren launched a massive wave of fire.

Jaxyn countered with a thunderous bolt of lightning.

BOOOOOOOM!

The two forces collided, exploding in a storm of gold and violet energy.

Lioren dashed forward.

Jaxyn met him head-on.

Flame-covered fists.

Lightning-charged strikes.

They clashed over and over—each hit creating shockwaves.

Jaxyn swung a lightning-coated punch at Lioren’s ribs—it connected.

Lioren gritted his teeth—but didn’t back down.

Instead, he grabbed Jaxyn’s arm and ignited his entire body in golden fire!

WHOOSH!

Jaxyn was engulfed, but he didn’t panic.

Instead—he grinned.

BOOM!

An explosion of lightning blasted the fire away.

The two fighters lunged backward, their eyes blazing with ferocious determination.

But then—something went wrong.

The Unexpected Twist

Lioren suddenly froze.

It was something else that made his body tremble, not fatigue.

A strange greenish mist seeped from his skin.

His heartbeat—unsteady.

His vision blurred.

Then—a deep, guttural voice echoed in his mind.

"It’s time..."

Lioren’s eyes widened. His entire body twitched. A phantom-like face with screeching teeth was formed by the violent ripples of the green energy.

The entire stadium fell silent.

Jaxyn’s eyes widened.

"...No way."

The audience whispered in confusion. The professors in the glass box stood up.

Something was wrong.

Lioren clutched his chest. His breathing turned ragged. And then—his body began to change.

The Demon King’s Power...—was awakening.

Lioren’s eyes swirled with endless spinning lines, and his body jerked violently as a monstrous green energy encircled him.

Jaxyn made a move, but Lioren was behind him in an instant, slamming a knee into his back and sending him tumbling to the ground.

Lioren’s foot landed before Jaxyn could get up, but he barely managed to roll away before a green energy claw tore through the air and slashed across his chest.

Lioren’s hand effortlessly caught Jaxyn’s fist, crushing it like a vice as he struck forward with everything he had. Jaxyn clenched his teeth, lightning rushing around him.

Lioren threw Jaxyn across the stadium with terrifying strength, sending his body tumbling like a rag doll before slamming into the barrier with a loud crash.

When Jaxyn coughed, his eyesight went awry, but he forced himself to stand up, only to find Lioren standing in front of him, striking his stomach with such devastating force that the air burst from his lungs.

As Lioren lifted his hand, green energy contorting into a huge sphere, prepared to end the battle, Jaxyn fell to his knees, gasping for air.

In a flash, the referee was between them, both hands up, his voice piercing the confusion—"STOP! The match is over!"

As the green energy dwindled and his breath became labored and uncontrollable, Lioren finally took a step back, his hand shaking and his body struggling against itself.

Jaxyn fell to the ground, barely conscious, his body battered and burned and no longer able to stand.

Stunned by what they had seen, the audience went silent for a moment before bursting into a chorus of whispers and applause.

The commentator’s voice finally broke through—"WOW! I didn’t even get a chance to do my commentary! What kind of insane battle was that?! Lioren Varkhali wins!"