Farmboy becomes King with the Lust System

The grand hall vibrated with the roar of the crowd, the air thick with the scent of polished wood and the faint tang of mana from the ongoing tournament matches.

The glowing orbs overhead cast a warm light across the arena, where Byun stood victorious, his blond hair glinting as the referee's voice boomed, declaring him the winner of the fifteenth match.

Jae sat among the top one hundred students in the special section along the side, his heart still pounding in his chest from watching Byun's flawless performance against Caen.

So, he's a shadow weaver, Jae thought, his eyes narrowing as he replayed the fight in his mind, dissecting every move with intense focus. Byun's shadows had moved like living, razor-sharp blades, numbing Caen's limbs with eerie, almost supernatural precision, his control so tight and effortless it seemed like second nature.

How do you even fight something like that? Jae wondered, his fingers drumming nervously on his thigh, his mind racing to unravel Byun's technique. Shadows were fast, intangible, and could strike from any angle, dodging them would be a challenge, and blocking them might be impossible.

He'd need a way to disrupt Byun's focus or match his incredible speed, but the answer slipped through his thoughts like smoke, leaving a tight knot of frustration twisting in his chest.

More matches followed in quick succession, each one a dizzying blur of flashing mana, clashing weapons, and powerful techniques, the crowd's cheers rising and falling like crashing waves in a stormy sea.

Jae's attention drifted, his thoughts torn between Byun's shadowy prowess and the looming reality of his own upcoming fight, his nerves buzzing with anticipation. Suddenly, the referee's voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding: "Jae versus Selric!"

The call sent a jolt through him, his heart pounding as he stood, his boots scuffing the stone steps as he descended to the arena.

His opponent, Selric, was already waiting, a tall boy with a wicked grin that made Jae's skin prickle. Selric's dark eyes glinted with malice, his stance relaxed but predatory, and before the match even started, a pool of shimmering water swirled beneath his feet, rippling with mana.

The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match, and Selric wasted no time, his hands weaving swiftly as the pool of water beneath him surged upward, forming sharp, gleaming water blades that shimmered like liquid steel in the arena's light.

With a flick of his wrists, he slashed the blades toward Jae, the air hissing sharply as they streaked forward with deadly precision.

Jae reacted instantly, dodging the first two blades with a quick twist of his body, his Phantom Step kicking in to blur his movements, his boots sliding across the polished wooden floor with a soft scrape.

He activated his Mana Blade, its vibrant blue glow flaring to life in his grip, the hum of its power steadying his racing heart. Charging forward, he met Selric's water blades head-on, their clash sending sparks and a fine mist spraying into the air, the droplets catching the light like tiny jewels.

The crowd gasped, their whispers rising in a wave of surprise as Jae matched Selric's blistering speed. Selric's movements were smooth and elegant, his water blades flowing like a graceful dance, each strike precise and controlled, while Jae's swings were rougher, less refined, but powered by raw determination and speed.

His heart pounded in his chest, his muscles burning with the effort as he kept pace, the students' murmurs shifting from doubt to awe at the sight of a commoner holding his own against such a skilled opponent.

Selric's grin widened, a flash of confidence in his eyes, and he upped the tempo of his attacks, his water blades moving in a relentless blur, slicing through the air with increased ferocity.

Jae's focus sharpened, his senses heightened by his training, but the sheer speed overwhelmed him, and small nicks and cuts began to open on his arms and sides, each one stinging sharply against his skin.

Warm, sticky blood trickled from the wounds, soaking into his clothes, and Jae gritted his teeth, refusing to back down despite the pain.

He activated Iron Skin, his body glowing faintly as his flesh hardened like steel, the cuts no longer piercing as deeply, the pain dulled but still present.

Swinging his Mana Blade again, he twisted and dodged Selric's relentless attacks, his boots scraping loudly as he pressed forward, his raw power compensating for his lack of polished technique.

The crowd leaned forward in their seats, their cheers growing louder, some shouting Jae's name with growing excitement, others still skeptical but clearly impressed by his tenacity.

Selric's grin faltered for the first time, a flicker of frustration crossing his face, and he switched tactics abruptly.

The water blades dissolved into writhing, snake-like tentacles that surged from the shimmering pool at his feet, their slick surfaces glinting in the light. They lunged forward, enveloping Jae's arm in a cold, slippery grip, wrapping tightly up to his shoulder and pinning his Mana Blade in place.

With a sharp flick of his hand, Selric froze the tentacles, the ice crackling loudly as it encased Jae's arm, the biting chill seeping into his skin and making him wince.

Selric laughed, a low, mocking sound that echoed through the arena, his steps slow and deliberate as he walked toward Jae, savoring the sight of his cornered opponent. "Got you now, commoner," he taunted, his voice dripping with smug confidence, the crowd's whispers turning nervous, some students shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

Jae's heart raced, his arm straining against the icy grip, the cold biting deeper, but he refused to let panic take hold.

With a surge of determination, he activated Gravity Touch, his fist glowing with a faint shimmer as he hammered the ice repeatedly, each punch sending cracks spiderwebbing through the frozen surface, the sound sharp and satisfying.

The ice shattered at last, chunks clattering noisily to the arena floor, and Jae shook out his arm, the lingering cold making his fingers tingle but his resolve burning hotter than ever.

His Mana Blade was still on cooldown, the system's timer ticking down in his mind, forcing him to make a split-second choice: close the distance and fight hand-to-hand.

With Iron Skin still active, his body tough as iron, he charged forward, his boots pounding the polished floor with heavy, determined steps, his eyes locked on Selric.

Selric's eyes widened in surprise, and he dodged Jae's first punch, his body twisting with that elegant, fluid grace that marked him as a skilled fighter.

But Jae was relentless, refusing to let Selric slip away, closing the gap each time his opponent tried to back off. His fists swung with raw, unyielding power, each punch heavy with the weight of his determination.

Selric tried to summon more water, his hands weaving frantically to call up his magic, but Jae's aggressive advance forced him to abandon his spells, meeting Jae's punches with his own in a desperate bid to keep up.

The crowd roared louder, the air crackling with excitement as Jae pushed Selric back step by step, refusing to give him the space to use his water techniques.

Each punch Jae threw was fueled by a burning resolve, his mind flashing to Sun's cruel taunts, Fin's blinding speed, and his own vow to never be powerless again, his heart pounding with the fire of someone determined to prove his worth in this unforgiving arena.