My All Powerful System

”Begin.”

The entire arena held its breath. Phones were already recording.

”Yo, get this on Instalite.”

”This is the 5-affinity freak.”

”Kael’s gonna wash him.”

Kael Drayton cracked his knuckles and grinned. He was 6’1, broad shoulders, his golden Blessed sigil shining on his forehead. His Year 2 uniform was tight on him.

”New guy,” Kael said, voice low. ”You talk too much. I’m gonna put you on your ass in 10 seconds.”

Lynx just stood there. Hands in his pockets. His black and white Academy uniform was neat, his hair moving with the wind.

He looked at Kael, then at the edge of the arena 20 meters away.

’I’ll end this in one blow,’ he thought.

The crowd started chanting.

”KAEL! KAEL! KAEL!”

Kael was already kind of popular in class. And Lynx hasn’t even attended the Fire affinity class up to three times.

Kira stood in the spectator stands, arms crossed. She didn’t chant Kael’s name like those stupid guys or kept drolling over Lynx like the girls. She just watched. Her heart was beating fast for some reason, but of course she knew Lynx would win. Still, her palms were sweaty.

Rose raised her hand. ”Fighters, ready... go.”

Kael didn’t wait.

He exploded forward with a burst of fire under his feet.

BOOM!

Flames erupted and wrapped around his entire right arm. He roared and threw a straight punch at Lynx’s face. The air distorted from the heat. It was a proper A Rank Fire strike.

Phones zoomed in.

And Lynx... didn’t move.

Not until the last second.

He took one step to the side. That was it.

Kael’s flaming punch missed by an inch and slammed into empty air.

WHOOSH!

The shockwave scorched the ground.

Kael’s eyes widened. ”What...”

Lynx exhaled.

Then he moved.

Lynx didn’t chant, or make any fancy stance. Flame just ignited around his own fist. Not wild like Kael’s. It was controlled and quiet.

He stepped in and threw one punch. Straight to Kael’s chest.

CRACK!

The sound wasn’t from the ground cracking. It was from Kael’s bones.

Kael’s eyes bulged. His body jerked.

FWOOOSH!

Kael shot backwards like he’d been hit by a cannon. He slammed through the arena barrier and skidded across the stone floor of the spectator area, tearing a line 40 meters long before stopping.

Dust and smoke everywhere.

Silence.

For 3 whole seconds, no one breathed.

Then someone’s phone dropped with a ”clatter”

Kael groaned, rolling over. His uniform was torn and blackened at the chest. Right in the center was a perfect, circular burn mark through the fabric. Skin underneath was red and blistered.

Lynx made sure it wasn’t a lethal strike. It was just enough to say: ’you’re no match for me, and I could have ended you.’

Kael tried to stand, but he failed, then he passed out.

”...Match over,” Rose said quietly. Her voice was hoarse.

”Winner: Lynx Azarion.”

The Stands ERUPTED.

”WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!”

”DID YOU SEE THAT? ONE PUNCH?!”

”BRO, POST THAT! POST IT NOW!”

Even the girls were silent. But one thought filled their head. This guy is not only the most handsome in the academy. He is also very strong.

Phones were shaking. The students was screaming and replaying the 3 second clip.

Emily’s mouth was open. Lira had her hand over her mouth. Kira just stared, her fists clenched. Her cheeks were red, but not from anger.

’That’s my...’ she cut the thought off, biting her lip.

Lynx turned around and walked off the stage like nothing happened. He stopped in front of Rose.

”So,” he said casually, brushing invisible dust off his shoulder. He took his phone from his pocket and checked the time. It was already getting late. The other classes wouldn’t be starting their fights today.

”When will the Ice Affinity class start?” he asked her. Rose stared at him. Her stern mask was completely gone. Now she was starting to believe that maybe he wasn’t bluffing.

”...Tomorrow. 8AM. Ice Affinity Arena.”

”Okay. I’ll add you on Instalite,” he opened the app. ”What’s your username?”

”Rose Firehart.”

He searched for it. ”Done. I’ve followed you. Please just update me anytime I have a match here.”

”Okay.”

Lynx left and walked over to the stands. Straight to Kira. His classmates looked at him with renewed interest and fear.

”How was my performance?” Lynx smiled as he sat beside Kira.

”It was amazing,” Kira said, her voice was soft. ”I’m really curious to test how strong you are. First you took down that senior, now you eliminated Kael with one punch. Kael is definitely top 10 in our class.”

”I don’t care about those stuffs, he was weak” Lynx shrugged. ”We could train later to ease your curiosity. And don’t you think I deserve a reward?”

”What reward?” Kira frowned, but her ears were red.

”A kiss?”

Kira’s cheeks flushed instantly. ”Stop saying that!” She shoved his shoulder, but she was smiling.

”WINNER: EMILY WATSON”

They heard Rose’s voice. On the arena, Emily stood tall, breathing steady. Her opponent lay across the arena with burn marks all over her uniform, groaning.

”She’s strong,” Kira said, eyes narrowing. ”Do you think I could beat her?”

Lynx glanced at the hologram display on the table. ”Maybe. You both are strong. And you’ll know soon enough.” He pointed. ”You and her are placed on the left side of the table. Just crush your way to the top and you’ll meet her.”

Kira nodded, determination burning in her deep orange eyes.

Lynx brought out his phone. His video was already everywhere. It was only Year 2 Fire Affinity class fighting today, so other classes and Years were watching the fights online.

The person that posted the fight already had over a million views and thousands of comments. In just one hour. The person tagged Lynx and Kael’s account to the video.

Lynx saw the notifications popping on his phone and cursed. ’How the fuck do people keep finding my new account?’

Then he heard it.

”... Vs KIRA LEWIS”

She stood up and he smiled at her. ”Crush your opponent.”

She smiled back at him and jumped to the arena, using her flame to propel herself. Bam!

She landed in a crouch, fire licking at her shoes.

”Hey, you know... you’re going to take a toll on yourself, fighting in all the classes,” Emily said suddenly, sliding into Kira’s seat.

”Even students with two affinities don’t fight in both their affinity classes. They fight in the class where their affinity is stronger.”

Lynx turned to his side and saw Emily sitting there. Her chest rose and fell as she talked. Her breast threatening to spill. ’Damn she’s fucking hot’

”Don’t worry. I got this. Thanks for your concern.” Lynx focused back on Kira’s fight.

Emily smiled and said no more. She also watched Kira’s fight... if it could be called a fight.

Kira’s opponent was a tall guy. He looked confident. Same Fire Affinity Class. Broad build, red hair, his sigil glowing on his forehead.

He cracked his neck and grinned. ”Finally. I’ll get to face the Kira. I’m not going easy on you cause you’re a woman.”

He slammed his foot forward.

BOOM!

A wall of fire shot from the ground straight at Kira.

”Thought you could...

He didn’t finish.

Kira stepped into the flames. Her own fire burst out from her body, burning hotter and brighter. She parted his wall with both arms like it was paper.

POW!

She closed the distance in two steps and drove her knee into his stomach. The air left his lungs.

”I thought you said you were not going to go easy on me because I’m a girl,” Kira said coldly, grabbing his collar and lifting him. ”You’re not even strong.”

SMASH!

She drove her fist into his face. Blood erupted. The guy flew backwards across the arena, screaming, his uniform catching fire from the impact.

He hadn’t even landed when Kira raised both hands. Three spinning fireballs formed above her palms.

”Go to sleep.”

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The fireballs slammed into him mid air and blasted him straight out of the arena. He crashed into the wall of the spectator area where his fellow classmates are and slid down, unconscious and smoking.

”THE WINNER: KIRA LEWIS”

Rose smiled faintly from where she was watching. Her training had paid off.

Kira headed back to her seat and saw Emily there. She took the one in front unoccupied.

”Nice fight,” Emily said, genuine.

”Yeah, you too,” Kira replied, sitting down. Her hands were still trembling slightly from adrenaline.

Lynx didn’t look up. He was focused on his phone, scrolling through comments of his fight.

The fights were soon over. He, Kira, Emily, and one other guy advanced to the next round.

”Be here by this time next tomorrow,” Rose’s voice echoed as she used her artifact and opened a portal.

Kira, Emily, and Lynx headed back to their dorms.

”When are the Year 3 and 4 students fighting?” Lynx asked Emily.

Emily, who was always updated on what was happening on Instalite, instantly replied. ”Yeah, it will be after Year 1 and Year 2 fights are over.”

”Sounds great. I guess I’ll see you later,” he winked at Emily, whose heart almost burst from excitement. But it died down as Lynx suddenly pulled Kira close and kissed her softly on the lips.

”And I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, then left. Leaving Kira’s cheeks flushed red and her heart racing.

In an awkward silence. Kira and Emily started walking toward the girls building.

”I thought you guys were related,” Emily asked quietly.

”Yeah, we are. But that doesn’t mean anything. But we’re not dating yet, though.”

”Yet?”

”Yes. I know you like him too. I mean, who wouldn’t? I’ve seen the way you look at him with those eyes... I don’t mind that. But don’t you ever trouble him. He already has a lot going on.”

”I won’t cause him trouble,” Emily said softly. ”See you later. Nice talking with you.”

”Hm.”

...

Step. Step. Step.

Rose had called for a meeting with the Year 2 teachers in the academy. She was one of the most influential in the Academy, so yes, she could do that.

She opened the door. The teachers were already there, seated and waiting for her patiently.

”Thank you all for coming,” Rose said, and took her seat.