Infernal Entity: Evolving With My Demonic System-Chapter 73: Tougher Opponent

Axel and Kinsey walked down the hallway. Halfway through, Axel let go of her hand. Neither of them said a single word, causing an awkward silence to hang between them.

Aurora, of course, decided to immediately seize the moment.

"Wow! Just... wow. Amazing! This is spectacular! We have two younglings walking like robots, not a single word coming out of their mouth. Would they perish if one of them uttered a single word? Let’s find out in the next episode of ’Infernal Academy.’"

"Infernal Academy? Did you just come up with that?" Axel couldn’t help but ask inwardly.

"This is your idea of bonding, Imp?"

Axel grumbled. "I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to say."

"You can start by asking her if she’s okay! Rescue mission done, and you’re just staring ahead like a rock. Come on, Imp! Basic manners, at least. You have to. That’s common courtesy, even for a demon."

"I already asked her if she was okay, remember?

"No, no, no. That was under duress. She was cornered. You still need to ask again, properly this time."

Axel groaned silently. He debated with himself for a few steps, thinking if he should even say something. He opened his mouth, ready, then Kinsey spoke first.

"Thank you," she said quietly, her eyes flicking toward him. "For... saving me back there."

Axel paused. "Uh... no problem," he said, shrugging. Then he asked, "Those girls... do they always bother you?"

Kinsey shook her head slightly, a small smile on her lips. "Yes... but it was just nagging. I could handle it... mostly. But after today... I doubt they’ll bother me anymore."

Axel raised a brow. "Why’s that?"

"Because now... I’m friends with Axel Vaelon, of course. The famed student who defeated a Firestarter," she said softly.

Aurora snorted in Axel’s mind. "Yes, congratulations. You’ve officially become untouchable to the first and second years. The fame precedes you, knight in shining armor."

Axel was wearing a Lumina 3 badge, but because of his earlier victory against an Apex, no one would even dare bother him or try to prey on him.

It was safe to say that Axel Vaelon existed outside the school hierarchy within the second and first years.

He pondered within himself if that would bring some sort of unwanted attention from the third years or potentially, the fourth years. It was common knowledge that the fourth years were basically apathetic towards the activities of the lower years.

So if a fourth year sudden showed interest in something, then something had to be extremely important.

As they approached the underground pits, Kinsey’s tone grew serious.

"Axel... if you’re fighting for someone like Dasha, you need to be careful. If you keep winning against tougher opponents, you’ll attract attention. People will want to know who you are, what you can do." She warned.

Axel slowed slightly. "So... how do I avoid that? Can I even?"

"Yes, the best thing you can do is to conceal your identity when fighting," Kinsey explained.

"Would Dasha even agree to that?" Axel asked.

"Dasha herself would suggest it, just watch. If you become her prized fighter, she wouldn’t want anyone coming for you. She would want to make sure your face is covered every fight."

Axel gave a small, approving nod. "Makes sense."

They walked into the underground pits. A small scanner read their membership IDs at the entrance, beeping as each passed.

As they entered, Axel’s eyes flicked around. He saw a small leaderboard hanging above on the walls, showing the top fighters and their ranks.

Kinsey pointed to it and spoke. "The Orion Prince is on the top thirty. After yesterday... after he fought you... he dropped to top 200."

Axel’s lips curled into a faint smirk.

"Looks like you ruined someone’s life, Imp," Aurora muttered. "Remember the last time you did that? Dane Cornwall tried to kill you."

Axel’s smile didn’t falter, but his mind ran through the memory briefly. He shook it off and focused on the pits.

The two of them moved further inside, the shadows of the arena stretching ahead, the faint roar of distant fights echoing in the underground.

Axel and Kinsey were stopped again. The same two Apex guards from last time blocked their path, arms crossed, just like before. Except this time, they didn’t try to subdue them. That’s what happens when you work for their boss.

They led Axel and Kinsey down a narrow path, the walls dimly lit, echoing their footsteps. Axel glanced at Kinsey, who looked calm but tense.

"Looks like your little knight routine just got upgraded. Hold on, Imp." Aurora giggled.

The path ended at a massive door. As it opened, a huge room revealed itself. A glass panel ran along the wall, overlooking the entire fighting pits. From this height, the arena looked small, the chaos of fights below contained and neat.

"Ah... the best view in the pits. I could watch every beating from here."

At the far end, Dasha sat behind a large desk.

"Axel Vaelon!" she said. "Welcome."

Her eyes landed on Kinsey and her brows furrowed instantly. "And what... is she doing here?" she asked. She turned to the Apex guard. "Get her out, ASAP." she ordered

Axel stepped forward quickly. "She’s with me. If I’m here, she’s here." he proclaimed.

"She shouldn’t be. I only have use for you."

"If you want me to stay then she stays. No arguments." Axel wasn’t backing down and it was obvious to Dasha.

"Fine. She stays." Dasha said finally.

Aurora cackled softly in his head. "Ah, my knight in shining armor. Look at you, waving your sword for someone else’s safety. That is cute."

Axel ignored her and focused on Dasha. "Tonight, you’ll be fighting one of the toughest opponents we have. I’m being honest here, this will push you." Dasha revealed.

"How tough?"

Dasha’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Tough enough that if you win... for your sake, and for hers," she glanced briefly at Kinsey, "you’ll earn ten thousand CNT."

’Holy shit! Ten thousand?!’

Axel felt something stir inside him. Greed. Pure, undeniable greed. It swirled through him, warm and exciting, and he couldn’t hide the grin forming on his face.

Kinsey stepped forward cautiously. "Axel... ten thousand CNT is huge. That opponent might be too strong."

Axel shook his head slowly, eyes locked on Dasha. "I don’t care about strong. I care about money."

Dasha reached into a drawer and pulled out a mask. She held it toward him. "You’ll need this. I don’t want anyone identifying you. Especially if you become my prized fighter." She said.

Looks like Kinsey was right after all.

Axel examined the mask. It was shaped like a demon’s face, horns curling upward, features sharp and menacing.

’Feels like staring at a mirror’ He couldn’t help but smirk.

"Who am I facing?" Axel asked.

"Today... you’ll be facing someone called Luke Fern."