Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

Yellow River Academy:

A sense of tension hung in the air. The rivalry between Mike Curtis and Vincent Carey was no secret. Everyone knew it had been brewing for some time, but today, with Mike Curtis standing at the dorm’s entrance, things had taken a new turn. The students couldn’t help but feel a rising excitement, mixed with a certain unease.

Mike Curtis, a known prodigy from the Taboo Hall, had reached Level-6 in his magical abilities—a feat that had cemented his reputation as one of the academy’s top talents.

Yet, the crowd had no idea how far Vincent Carey had progressed. His training had been more secretive, his power levels a topic of endless debate. Some claimed he was nearing Mike’s level, while others believed he had surpassed him long ago.

Today, though, everyone was waiting for a confrontation, an answer to the question that had been on their minds for weeks: Who was the stronger wizard now? Mike Curtis had made his move, and the crowd sensed something big was about to happen.

The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as all eyes were on the dormitory, waiting to see if Vincent Carey would emerge.

…

Meanwhile, outside the Men’s Dormitory:

Carolina Slate arrived at the scene, her steps quick and her expression tense. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face among the sea of students.

But there was no sign of her Senior Brother, Gilbert, and the longer she stood there, the more her worry gnawed at her. Why hadn’t he arrived yet? Gilbert was always the calm, strategic one, and his presence would have brought some reassurance to her fraying nerves. Without him, the situation felt even more unpredictable.

She found herself standing among a group of female wizard students, all of them whispering excitedly about the unfolding drama. They huddled together, their eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

The sight of Mike Curtis, infamous and intimidating, speaking to a few dorm students just steps away, had them buzzing with speculation. Carolina could hear their hushed conversations, their hopes for what might happen next.

“Do you think they’ll duel? Vincent Carey and Mike Curtis?” one of the girls whispered, her voice quivering with excitement.

“I hope so! Can you imagine? Two of the academy’s strongest wizards, right here!” another added, her eyes wide with thrill.

Carolina’s lips curled into a sneer. “Fools,”she thought, her disdain evident in the cold snort that escaped her.

“Harumph.”

She had little patience for their naivety. The idea of a magic duel excited them as if it were some form of entertainment, like a show they could gawk at from the sidelines. But Carolina knew better.

A duel between two powerful wizards like Vincent Carey and Mike Curtis wouldn’t just be some flashy spectacle—it could be dangerous, unpredictable, and potentially catastrophic.

She folded her arms across her chest, her brow furrowing as she shot a glance toward Mike Curtis. His mere presence set her on edge. There was something about him, an aura of menace that lingered even in his calmest moments. He wasn’t like the other students—aloof, yes, but there was a darkness about him, something that made her instincts scream to stay on guard.

Still, her thoughts drifted to Vincent Carey. She didn’t know him well, but his recent rise in prestige had caught everyone’s attention, hers included. He was a wildcard in this situation—powerful, yet so much about his abilities remained shrouded in mystery. What had he been working on behind the scenes? How strong had he truly become?

Carolina felt the tension building around her. The students were restless, their whispers growing louder as they sensed something brewing in the air. The rivalry between Mike and Vincent was no secret, and the possibility of it coming to a head here, today, was becoming more real with every passing moment.

But Carolina wasn’t here for a spectacle. She was here because she knew that, without Gilbert, she would need to be the one to intervene if things went too far. She couldn’t let the situation spiral out of control—not with so many students gathered, and certainly not with two powerful wizards on the verge of a potential clash.

Her mind raced as she weighed her options, her gaze flicking back and forth between Mike Curtis and the dormitory entrance. If Vincent Carey showed up, if a confrontation did happen, she needed to be ready.

…

On the other hand, in a secluded corner of the campus: Discover more stories at empire

Gilbert Reese found himself facing an unexpected obstacle. A group of Level-7 wizards from the other Halls had intercepted him, their expressions unreadable, but their intentions unmistakable. These were not just any wizards—they were his old rivals, ones he had clashed with countless times during missions.

They had always competed fiercely for prestige, power, and recognition, but something about this encounter felt off.

Gilbert’s sharp mind immediately sensed the shift in the air. His footsteps slowed as he studied the wizards in front of him, suspicion prickling at the back of his mind.

Typically, their rivalry played out on the battlefield or during missions, where victory meant advancement and failure was never an option. But now, to see them gathered here, blocking his path with no apparent reason—it was unusual, and unusual meant danger.

His eyes narrowed, taking in the subtle cues. Their stance was casual, yet their gazes were too focused, too deliberate. They were trying to act nonchalant, but Gilbert wasn’t fooled. These wizards didn’t waste time on pleasantries or idle chatter. The fact that they were stopping him now, of all times, meant there was a deeper motive at play.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Gilbert asked coolly, his tone sharp but controlled. His muscles tensed beneath his robes, ready for whatever might come. He wasn’t the type to shy away from confrontation, but he wasn’t foolish either. Something about the way they were behaving made his instincts scream for caution.

The lead wizard, a tall figure from the Bloodline Hall with a smirk that never quite reached his eyes, stepped forward. “Relax, Reese. We just wanted a little chat,” he said, his voice dripping with false friendliness. “It’s been a while since we’ve crossed paths outside of a mission.”

Gilbert’s eyes flickered with recognition, but his mind was racing. “A chat?” These men weren’t the type for small talk. Every interaction with them had always been laced with competition, with power plays. There was no way this was just a casual run-in.

Behind the lead wizard, the others stood silent, but their presence alone was intimidating. Wizards from the Elemental Hall, the Weapon Hall, and the Beast Hall, each one known for their unique skills and formidable power. They, too, had faced Gilbert in the past—sometimes as opponents, sometimes as reluctant allies. Now, they were united, blocking his way with a clear purpose.

Gilbert remained calm, but his thoughts churned. They were stalling him. But why? He was supposed to meet with Carolina at the dormitory, where tensions were already brewing between Vincent Carey and Mike Curtis. His eyes flicked toward the distant dorms, realizing now what this was really about.

They weren’t here for him—they were trying to keep him away from whatever was about to unfold at the dormitory.

His jaw tightened. The pieces were falling into place, and it made his pulse quicken with alarm. If they were keeping him here, it meant they didn’t want him involved in whatever conflict was brewing between Mike and Vincent. And if they were going to such lengths to stop him, it meant things were about to escalate, fast.

“I don’t have time for games,” Gilbert said, his voice cold now, his patience wearing thin. His magical aura flared slightly, a warning that he wasn’t in the mood for distractions.

The lead wizard’s smirk faltered for a moment, but he didn’t back down. “Oh, come on, Reese. No need to rush. You wouldn’t want to miss out on what’s about to happen, would you?”

The underlying threat in his words was unmistakable, and Gilbert’s suspicions solidified into certainty. This was a coordinated effort to delay him, to prevent him from reaching the dormitory in time. Something big was about to go down, and they wanted him out of the picture.

Gilbert’s eyes hardened as he weighed his next move. He had no doubt that this group was strong, perhaps even stronger than him individually. But he couldn’t waste time here, not when the situation at the dormitory could spiral out of control. Carolina was waiting, and Vincent Carey was about to face off with Mike Curtis—two wizards whose power could level half the academy if they weren’t careful.

With a surge of determination, Gilbert made his decision. He wasn’t going to let these old rivals keep him from intervening. Whatever their plans were, he would break through them. One way or another.