Rise of the Chaotic Shadow Emperor

As Sidius darted through the arena, a surge of urgency pulsed through his veins.

'I need my daggers.'

He knew he would not stand a chance against Vince if he engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The current state of the berserker was inhuman.

Without a moment to spare, he raced towards the direction where he had thrown the weapons earlier despite the relentless pursuit of Vince.

Every thud of his feet against the ground resonated in his ears, echoing the pounding of his heart.

Finally, he snatched his daggers from the ground. Its cold, metallic touch filled his palms, providing a sense of reassurance.

In the midst of his frenzied escape, an idea ignited within him like a spark in the dark.

His two awakened skills, 'Outburst' and 'Absolute Concentration', have their own advantages and could compliment their contrasting powers, potentially granting him an edge over his situation.

One skill enhances his strength at the cost of sanity, while the other boosts his concentration in exchange for mind power.

'Perhaps... I can combine the two,' he thought.

'I don't know if that will work but the chance is not zero!'

As determination coursed through him, Sidius channeled both skills simultaneously.

A brilliant crimson aura surged from within, enveloping him with a power that felt akin to ascending a realm far beyond his current capabilities.

This temporary power felt like a forbidden force, eager to break free and wreak havoc on the outside world. It persistently sought to dominate Sidius' mind, but his other skill, a pure aura within his consciousness, acted as a shield to preserve his thoughts.

Despite the immense strength he gained, the exertion of his mind power weighed on him like a burden. However, he remained grateful. He could still think clearly and monitor his body's condition unlike before.

'I need to finish the battle quickly,' he thought while his mind power depleting rapidly as he run.

Determined, Sidius came to a sudden halt, swiftly dropping to the ground and maneuvering on all fours to face the approaching Vince. The berserker's thunderous footsteps resounded through the air, intensifying the gravity of the confrontation.

With a quick and calculated movement, Sidius used his left leg to intercept Vince's charge, destabilizing his balance. Yet, Vince's immense strength allowed him to use his great axe as support to prevent a complete stumble.

In that fast moment, Sidius flashed to Vince's side, unleashing a powerful kick. His foot shot forward like an arrow, seeking to find its mark on Vince's unguarded head.

However, like a demonic beast reacting on instinct, Vince twisted his body with inhuman agility, narrowly avoiding the full impact of the kick.

Sidius's strike still connected, but it failed to deliver the desired impact.

Vince momentarily lay on the ground before swiftly jumping back to his feet.

Seeing this, Sidius wasted no time. He dashed forward and expertly sliced a dagger across Vince's kidney, leaving the lingering taste of blood in the air.

The wound gushed crimson, yet Vince's eyes remained black, devoid of any pain or emotion. But Sidius refused to waver in the face of a formidable foe.

The ground shook with each mighty clash, and the atmosphere crackled with energy.

Sidius carefully observed Vince's actions, accurarely pinpointing different weaknesses to exploit. He attacked with precision, aiming for openings in Vince's defenses, yet the berserker's endurance and resilience seemed boundless.

The accumulated wounds on Vince's body started to take their toll, gradually slowing his once formidable speed. However, Sidius had yet to land a critical hit.

In the midst of their intense battle, Sidius felt his mind spinning and throbbing with pain, signaling that he was reaching his limits.

The combined power of his awakened skills, 'Outburst' and 'Absolute Concentration,' pushed his mind to the brink, a fleeting balance between strength and vulnerability.

'I can't keep this up much longer,' he gritted his teeth. 'But that guy Vince... he transformed into a demon!'

The berserker's flesh seemed oddly sturdy, almost like a body of a demon, carved with hidden runes that only became apparent up close.

Before he loses his mind, Sidius made a tough choice to run and never look back. His 'Absolute Concentration' urged him to avoid direct confrontation.

While fleeing from Vince's relentless pursuit, a loud commotion erupted from behind, but Sidius couldn't afford to glance back. If he stopped even for a moment, he knew it would be his end.

"THUD!"

Eventually, the sound of relentless footsteps faded, allowing Sidius to glance back while still on the run.

To his surprise, he saw the berserker lying unconscious with its face down.

Two distinct figures can be seen standing over him.

"You're not bad holding out against this berserker brat! Did you deceive me back then?" Michael, wearing a martial robe adorned with gold and white, questioned.

Sidius heard the professor and replied with raised eyebrows, adopting a guilty expression. "Would you believe me if I say no?"

"NO!" Michael retorted.

"Don't scold my student, Michael," Amelia, standing nearby, swiftly stepped in. Her legs was pinning Vince's head down as she addressed Sidius with narrowed eyes. "Tell us what happened."

...

"So that's what it is," Amelia, seated on the stadium sideline, nodded. Her face expressing understanding. "Rest for now, we'll handle the situation from this point onwards," she added before standing up.

Curious, Sidius asked, "Miss Morningsnow, are the demons invading the Human Domain?"

"You don't have to know, just focus on your strength," she replied with a firm tone. "Also, the headmaster is calling for you at her office."

Meanwhile, Michael glared at Sidius with narrowed eyes, as if to convey that their business was far from over. The fact that a mere student had fooled a renowned Heroic ranked chosen did not sit well with him.

After seeing the two left, Sidius let out a sigh. His low-key plan had been shattered. He knew he would now become famous within the academy, and the limit of his growth talent would be exposed once the headmaster investigated him.

Thinking about the future events that would follow, Sidius sighed once more. He had no choice but to revise his masterpiece plan.

Exiting the arena, Sidius witnessed the campus in disarray. He ignored the chaos and veered away from the crowds and eventually found himself in an alley beside the academy garden.

Sometime later, he sensed something. His instincts never betrayed him.

An invisible needle, the size of a finger, was hurtling towards him, but Sidius skillfully dodged the surprise attack.

"Come out," Sidius said calmly. "You've been observing me for a long time," he revealed, his was voice steady despite the tension in the air.