The Villian Who Broke The Story

The deafening cheers from Kael’s battle had only just begun to settle when another atmosphere took over the stadium. The medical staff hurriedly carried the unconscious Tigerkin away while the arena itself repaired the damage left behind by the previous clash through layers of restoration magic.

The tournament, however, did not stop.

Every battle simply flowed into the next.

Below the VIP lounge, where the Vice Principal was currently giving both the Principal and Lyra the scolding of their lives, two figures sat quietly in the special seating reserved for the Academy’s upper student authorities.

One wore the formal black uniform of the Disciplinary Committee, while the other was dressed in the elegant white-and-blue attire that symbolized the authority of the Student Council President.

Faint echoes of Lyra’s miserable cries could still be heard from above.

”...Please, I can explain!”

”Principal! Say something!”

”No! Don’t tell the Vice Principal!”

Cairo shivered involuntarily before letting out a relieved sigh.

”Thank goodness...” he muttered while placing a hand on his chest.

”I wasn’t caught.”

The Student Council President slowly turned her head toward him, narrowing her eyes.

”...Don’t tell me you actually participated in it.”

Cairo blinked.

”In what?” He asked.

”The gambling.”

She folded her arms.

”You’re the Head of the Disciplinary Committee. You’re supposed to stop things like that, not become one of the perpetrators.”

Cairo rubbed the back of his head with an embarrassed smile.

”Well...”

”My mentor always told me that we shouldn’t waste our time worrying about every minor crime committed inside the Academy.”

He shrugged.

”At the end of the day, no matter how hard you try, you can’t stop crime completely.”

”Especially among hormone-powered teenagers that can use magic.”

The Student Council President sighed.

”That’s a terrible lesson.”

”It actually makes sense.”

Cairo replied casually.

”The truly dangerous criminals are the ones we should focus on.”

”Everything else is... manageable.”

He leaned back in his chair before remembering something.

”Oh.”

”I heard you met him during the preliminary rounds.”

The Student Council President nodded immediately.

”Yeah.”

”I did meet him.”

”But only briefly.”

”He seemed to be hunting the previous Student Council President.”

Cairo nodded to himself as if that answer was exactly what he expected.

”He must still be looking for a rematch.”

”Their previous battle was interrupted before either side could determine a winner.”

The Student Council President agreed.

”That would explain it.”

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Both simply watched the arena where the officials were already preparing the next match.

The restoration mages completed their work.

The damaged sections of the arena floor returned to their original state.

The announcer stepped forward once more.

The crowd gradually quieted.

Cairo smiled.

”Looks like the next fight is about to begin.”

”It seems... unique.”

The Student Council President also shifted her attention toward the arena.

Her calm expression finally changed.

”...Interesting.”

Two contestants walked onto the battlefield.

One was an elegant elf carrying a polished wand.

The other...

Was a dwarf.

Cairo blinked twice.

”...What?”

”A dwarf is planning on fighting?”

His voice carried genuine surprise.

The Student Council President, being an elf herself, immediately observed the dwarf with far greater scrutiny than anyone else in the stadium.

Around them, whispers quickly spread throughout the audience.

”A dwarf?”

”Since when do dwarves participate in combat tournaments?”

”I thought they only became blacksmiths.”

”It can’t be...”

Unlike the ignorant assumptions of many students, both Cairo and the Student Council President knew the truth.

Dwarves were anything but weak.

In fact...

They possessed naturally stronger physiques than every other intelligent race.

Their bodies were incredibly durable.

Their natural resistance to magic made them ideal front-line knights.

If one looked purely at physical ability...

A combat-trained dwarf was among the most terrifying opponents anyone could face.

Which was precisely why their appearance puzzled everyone.

Long ago, after the war against the Demon Race intensified, the Humans, Elves and Dwarves had signed a military treaty.

Under that agreement, the Dwarven Kingdom chose to support the alliance primarily through crafting.

Legendary weapons.

Magical armor.

Artifacts.

Runic equipment.

Everything necessary for war.

Their combat forces, however, remained within the borders of their own kingdom.

The agreement had benefited every side.

The dwarves possessed relatively few elite warriors compared to the overwhelming number of master craftsmen among their people.

Their greatest contribution to the war had always been the equipment that allowed the other races to continue fighting.

Which made the young dwarf currently standing in the arena...

An anomaly.

Cairo slowly looked toward the Student Council President.

”I know I practically live under a rock and everything...”

”But as the Student Council President...”

”You should know the students under your jurisdiction.”

She frowned slightly before shaking her head.

”I honestly don’t remember him.”

”Every dwarf admitted into the Academy passes through the Principal’s office and the Master Forge Department, since most of them enroll as artisan apprentices rather than combat students.”

She stared thoughtfully at the arena.

”So...”

”Maybe the Principal knows who he is.”

Both of them instinctively turned toward the VIP lounge above.

”...”

The only thing they heard was another scream.

”VICE PRINCIPAL, PLEASE HAVE MERCY!”

”...”

Cairo quietly looked away.

”So...”

”We’re not asking.”

The Student Council President nodded immediately.

”Definitely not.”

Sometimes...

Ignorance truly was bliss.

While Cairo and the Student Council President quietly observed from the stands, the announcer’s voice echoed throughout the stadium.

”Ladies and gentlemen, the next match of the First-Year Ranking Tournament is about to begin!”

”On the east side of the arena, representing the Mage Division...”

”Elliot Sylvas!”

Polite applause spread through the audience as a handsome elf carrying an elegant silver wand stepped onto the stage. His emerald-green hair swayed gently in the wind, and the embroidered crest on his academy robe marked him as one of the higher-ranked first-year mages.

”The west side...”

”...Hulk Ironhammer!”

The moment the second name was announced, the atmosphere became noticeably quieter.

A short, broad-shouldered dwarf walked onto the arena with a massive steel mallet resting casually on one shoulder.

Every step he took produced a dull thud against the stone floor.

Unlike the composed elf standing opposite him, Hulk wore a permanent scowl, his thick eyebrows furrowed as though the entire world had personally offended him.

His fiery orange beard was tied into two braids, while countless scars covered his muscular forearms.

The spectators couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

”So that’s the dwarf...”

”He really is entering the tournament.”

”I’ve never seen him before.”

”He looks... dangerous.”

Hulk paid absolutely no attention to the murmurs.

His eyes were fixed entirely on the elf standing several meters away.

The difference in height between them was painfully obvious.

The elf merely stood there calmly, but from Hulk’s perspective...

He looked like he was looking down on him.

A vein bulged on Hulk’s forehead.

His grip tightened around his mallet.

”You damn long-ears...”

he growled.

”Always looking down on people because you’re taller.”

His voice became louder with every word.

”Do you think you’re better than me just because you’re taller?”

Without waiting for an answer, Hulk took off towards the elf.

Boom!

Cracks spread beneath his feet as he charged forward with astonishing speed.

The spectators gasped.

”He started already!”

Before Hulk could cross even half the distance...

A transparent barrier instantly rose between the two contestants.

Bang!

His mallet slammed against the barrier, sending ripples across its surface.

The referee frowned.

”The fight has yet to begin.”

”Calm yourself.”

Instead of calming down...

Halk slowly turned his head toward the referee.

His eyes narrowed.

”...Are you telling me what to do?”

The referee blinked.

”Excuse me?”

Halk pointed accusingly at him.

”Just because you’re taller than me?”

The entire stadium fell silent.

”...”

”...”

”...”

The referee had officiated hundreds of matches throughout his career.

This...

Was a first.

Hulk suddenly shifted his stance.

”If you’ve got a problem with me...”

”I’ll fight you first!”

He actually prepared to charge the referee.

The referee’s expression twitched.

Without wasting another second, he raised his hand.

”The battle begins!”

The barrier vanished instantly.

At the same time...

The referee disappeared from the arena using movement magic.

Hulk’s eyes widened.

”...Hey!”

”Come back here, you tall coward!”

”Where do you think you’re going?!”

Instead of attacking his actual opponent...

The furious dwarf began running around the arena searching for the referee.

”I know you’re hiding somewhere!”

”Come out and fight me!”

Several students burst into laughter.

Even Cairo struggled to keep a straight face.

”I...”

”I don’t even know what to say anymore.”

The Student Council President sighed.

”I think...”

”He genuinely forgot he was supposed to fight the elf.”

Meanwhile...

Elliot remained rooted to the spot.

His confident expression from earlier had completely disappeared.

”...He’s insane.”

The elf muttered under his breath.

”I never thought I was going to be fighting a dwarf.”

”Especially...”

”...whatever this is.”

He swallowed nervously.

”This dwarf definitely needs a therapist.”

”...And a lot of anger-management classes.”

He watched Hulk continue searching for the referee across the arena before exhaling quietly.

”If this wasn’t a tournament...”

”I’d honestly feel bad for him.” Elliot muttered.

Unfortunately...

Those words were spoken just loudly enough.

Hulk suddenly stopped moving.

Slowly...

Very slowly...

He turned his head toward Elliot.

Their eyes met.

An unsettling grin spread across the dwarf’s face.

”...Now...”

”It’s a crazy dwarf that has its attention on me.” The thought echoed In Elliot’s head as he tightened his grip on his wand.

”...But I can handle this.” He said to clam his racing heart.

He immediately began circulating mana through his body.

Blue magical circles appeared around the tip of his wand as freezing mana condensed into countless razor-sharp shards.

”Ice Spell...”

”Ice Spikes!”

With a wave of his wand, dozens of crystalline spikes shot across the arena toward Halk.

The real battle...

Had finally begun.

The dozens of ice spikes streaked across the arena with frightening speed, each one sharp enough to pierce reinforced steel.

The spectators expected the dwarf to dodge.

Instead...

Hulk swung his mallet.

BOOM!

The first ice spike shattered into countless glittering fragments.

He continued charging without slowing down, smashing every spell that came his way.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Ice exploded around him like fireworks, but none of it was enough to halt his advance.

”What terrifying physical strength...”

A teacher muttered from the stands.

”He’s breaking advanced magic through brute force alone.”

Elliot frowned.

”So that’s why combat dwarves are feared...”

He immediately poured more mana into his wand.

Layers of frost gathered around its tip as another spell formation appeared beneath his feet.

The arena temperature dropped several degrees.

”Ice Prison!”

Thick walls of ice erupted from the ground, attempting to trap Halk before he could close the distance.

Hulk merely snorted.

”You think a few blocks of ice can stop me?”

He raised his mallet overhead.

”Move!”

The mallet descended with overwhelming force.

CRAAASH!

The towering walls exploded into chunks of ice that scattered across the arena floor.

The audience erupted into cheers.

”What a monster!”

”He broke it in one hit!”

Elarion refused to panic.

The instant Hulk destroyed the prison, he had already prepared another spell.

Concentrating every ounce of mana into the tip of his wand, he fired a compressed blast of freezing energy directly at the dwarf’s weapon.

The spell struck the mallet perfectly.

BOOM!

The impact sent the massive weapon flying from Halk’s grasp.

It spun several times through the air before crashing onto the opposite side of the arena.

A smile appeared on Elliot’s face.

”I finally got rid of—”

He never finished the sentence.

Hulk looked at his empty hand.

Then...

He looked back at the elf.

”...You made me drop my hammer.”

There wasn’t anger in his voice anymore.

Only murderous calm.

Elliot instinctively took a step backward.

”...Wait.”

The dwarf disappeared.

”No—”

A fist suddenly filled his vision.

BAM!

The right hook landed squarely across the elf’s jaw.

The force lifted him completely off his feet.

Before his body could even fall backward—

BAM!

A straight punch slammed into his stomach.

The air exploded from Elliot’s lungs.

He doubled over in pain.

Hulk grabbed a handful of the elf’s long green hair before he could collapse.

”You were saying something...”

The dwarf growled.

”...About barbarians?”

With one brutal motion—

BOOM!

He smashed the elf’s face straight into the arena floor.

Stone shattered beneath the impact.

The crowd collectively gasped.

Elliot’s wand slipped from his fingers and rolled across the battlefield.

Before anyone could react...

Hulk planted one foot firmly against the elf’s back.

Then...

He repeatedly drove his boot into the side of Elarion’s head.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The brutality of the assault stunned the spectators into complete silence.

Even Cairo stared with widened eyes.

”...He’s not even trying to stop.”

”He’s just beating him up.”

The Student Council President pinched the bridge of her nose.

”...Someone end this already.”

A transparent barrier immediately appeared between the two contestants.

Halk’s next kick struck harmlessly against the magical shield.

”The battle is over!”

The referee announced.

”The winner is...”

”Hulk Ironhammer!”

The arena remained deathly silent.

No cheers.

No applause.

Everyone simply stared at the unconscious elf lying motionless on the ground.

Medical staff rushed forward almost immediately.

Hulk slowly turned toward the referee.

His eyes narrowed again.

”You...”

The referee’s expression stiffened.

”...Don’t.”

Hulk took one step.

”I still haven’t forgotten you.”

The referee sighed.

Without another word, he activated the arena’s teleportation formation.

A pillar of light enveloped Halk.

The furious dwarf pointed one last accusing finger at the referee.

”Wait!”

”I’m not done talking to you!”

”You tall—”

Whoosh!

He vanished before finishing the sentence.

The entire stadium remained silent for several seconds.

Then...

Someone burst into laughter.

Soon another followed.

Within moments, the entire audience was laughing—not at the defeated elf, but at the absurdity of everything they had just witnessed.

Even several teachers couldn’t hide their smiles.

Cairo let out a long sigh.

”I’ve seen serial offenders.”

”I’ve seen battle maniacs.”

”I’ve seen duel addicts.”

”But that...”

”...was my first time seeing someone declare war on height itself.”

The Student Council President nodded slowly.

”I suddenly understand why nobody mentioned him before.”

”...Everyone was probably too afraid to.”

The referee adjusted his robes before clearing his throat.

”The arena has been cleared.”

”The next match will begin shortly.”

As restoration mages repaired the cracked battlefield once more, conversations throughout the stadium shifted toward the upcoming battles.

Yet among all the discussions, one thing had become certain.

The first-year tournament was no longer proceeding according to anyone’s expectations.

Every match seemed capable of producing another unbelievable monster.

And with Kael, Zion, Aurella...

and now Hulk Ironhammer...

the battle for Rank One had become even more unpredictable.