I created my own system

"You want to fight me?" Apollo asked, his voice even sounding amused. "Do you understand what you're asking for?"

The boy squared his shoulders, trying to appear unfazed. "I want to prove myself. Everyone says you're the strongest first-year, but I think it's just talk."

Apollo tilted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Very well. But don't say I didn't warn you." Stay tuned with empire

"Alright my name is Nelo Fernandez I am a third-year student and shall oversee this match"

Apollo and his supposed enemy both nodded as the so-called overseer or referee began explaining the rules of the match.

"None of you are allowed to use scrolls or any enchanted weapons or even potions. The only thing you can rely on is your own skills and no external help shall be allowed. The match will end once either of you is knocked unconscious or by surrendering"

He explained, and then he gestured to the two to get ready.

"My name is Apollo first year I hope we have a good match"

"Yunwo a third year"

"Both duelists, please be ready...."

Then, after giving the final signal, both fighters disappear, and a loud bang reverberates right after. The platform serving as the arena was suddenly attacked by a violent force, causing it to be dented. Dust was kicked off creating a cloud of smoke while a wave of shockwave hit the audience. Not far away from the open arena, a giant tree can be seen smoking as if something hit it with great seed; however, if you go even closer, then you will realize that, indeed, there was someone there. Embedded on the tree's giant trunk is a boy not much older than Apollo; that young man was none other than Apollo's opponent, Nelo.

The first years weren't really surprised, while the seniors had their mouths wide open.

"That's our rank one!"

"I lost who would have thought it would only last for a second"

"Come on didn't I tell you not to put a bet"

There was a small argument among the freshmen while the seniors were too stunned to speak, they all wanted to say something, but for some reason, their voices were restrained with something powerful.

The arena continued to erupt in cheers and whispers as Apollo emerged victorious, his opponent lying unconscious on the ground. The duel had been swift, too swift to be exact; however, his performance only made his dominance undeniable.

Apollo stood, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeves as he turned to the crowd. According to the rules, the victor was now allowed to call someone else to fight.

"I don't wanna fight anymore. It is useless, I felt like I was merely toying with them," he thought, so he was about to leave the stage and return to his friends when the referee spoke and urged Apollo to call out a name.

"Nah, I am good. One match is enough." he then turns to leave, his steps light as he prepares to rejoin his friends. But just as he reached the edge, a familiar sound stopped him in his tracks. It was the unmistakable rhythm of footsteps that belonged to someone who knows very well.

Apollo froze, his senses sharpening every step. He didn't need to look to know who it was. That confident, deliberate stride could only belong to one person.

A smile crept onto his lips. "What now..." he said under his breath, turning around slowly.

There he was—Eros Lionheart, his older brother, standing tall and proud. His presence alone commanded attention, and the murmurs in the crowd grew louder.

"I, Eros Lionheart, will be your opponent," he declared, his voice carrying across the arena.

Apollo's smile widened. He placed his hands in his pockets, tilting his head slightly as he studied his brother.

"I was thinking of sparing you," he said, his tone light but laced with mockery. "Well... this is not my fault."

Eros stepped into the arena, his every move exuding confidence. The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. The prospect of watching two Lionhearts clash was too tantalizing to ignore.

Apollo's friends watched with wide eyes, their earlier excitement replaced with unease.

"Is that his brother?" Aaron asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Keith nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah. This is going to be... interesting."

Apollo remained calm, his golden eyes locked onto Eros. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Of all people, it had to be him.

The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the duel.

Like before, two figures disappear, followed by an impact that sends a violent gust of wind.

The moment the signal was given, Eros moved first; his sword was filled with ki, and it hummed like magic, flaring to life in a dazzling display of power. The ground beneath him cracked as he launched himself like a flaming projectile toward Apollo.

But Apollo didn't flinch. He had already predicted it, after all; now he could either sidestep and dodge the attack or just receive it head-on.

A wide grin tugged his lips as he took out a sword to intercept the attack. A sound of something metallic hitting each other rang followed by a strong movement of air.

Eros looked at Apollo, not looking surprised; instead, he looked as if he had expected such an outcome. Two swords move again overlapping one another. Soon enough, their simple exchange of attacks already chipped the arena, causing those who were watching to feel amazed.

Eros moves his sword, aiming to disarm his brother; however, just like before, it was all well-read by Apollo. So with swift control, he rotated his wrist and slipped out of the disarming technique, and then, using the momentum, he made a counterattack. Eros narrowly dodged the strike, rolling to the side and coming to his feet in one smooth motion. However, as soon as he stabilized himself, a sword came aiming for a side slash. Eros was fast to react, forming his guard to block the strike; however, as soon as he prepared to receive the attack, it changed direction and went up, going straight to his face. Taken aback, a last-minute retreat to the back saved his face by getting hit by his younger brother's sword.

The series of exchanges was smooth and well-calculated. It was good and very exciting for the audience.

"Is that all you've got?" Apollo taunted, a playful smile on his face.

On the other hand, the tower mages and the Lower class were worried since one mistake, and a new heir to the Lionheart duchy could be announced. However, they also wanted to see how Apollo would handle the situation. Will he let his emotions take control of his decision and end up beating his brother, or will he be a rational person and just beat him in moderation.

Eros snarled, his pride wounded, but he still tried to remain calm. After all, many people were watching, and he didn't want to lose his composure. "Don't use such pathetic words, Apollo!" He charged forward, his blade igniting with flames as he swung it with deadly intent.

Apollo met the attack head-on, summoning a round of mana and ki around his sword to create a barrier that absorbed the blow. The force of the clash sent a shockwave rippling through the arena, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers.

"Still relying on brute strength, I see," Apollo said, his tone almost bored. "Come on show me some magic, brother."

Eros growled but kept it within him; his frustration was accelerating fast just by exchanging a few words with his brother. "Just shut up and fight!" He unleashed a torrent of fire, the heat intense enough to make the spectators shield their faces.

But Apollo was unfazed. With a flick of his sword, he summoned a whirlwind of energy that extinguished the flames effortlessly.

"I am getting bored. Can we finish this phase already?" Apollo said, his voice turning cold. "You've spent your whole life looking down on me, but look where we are now. We are facing each other but not as equals, but you know I am sure I am not the one who is on the weaker side."

"Alright..... let's end this .." Eros announced, lifting his sword high as if ready to summon something.

While the two brothers fight inside the arena, Isabella and Athena are inside the High-class dorm's greenhouse.

"Mom see this flower was given to me by my friend" Athena happily said holding a single red rose.

Isabella happily took the flower and saw that the rose in her hand is not was ordinary.

"This flower..." She mutters trying to remember what it was and where she had seen it.

While the two continued their mother-and-daughter bonding, a sudden noise caught their attention.

Hurried steps rushed to the greenhouse, which immediately attracted the attention of the two.

"Oh, it's you, Alvin. What are you doing, and why do you look like that," Athena asked, recognizing the person as one of her classmates.

"Aty quick you and your mother had to go and check the plaza..."

"Why?....wait breathe a little your gasping for air now"

Athena worriedly said, seeing her friend tired and taking so many breaths it becoming alarming.

"Just where did you come from the end you end up getting tired like this"

"Aty... listen your two brothers are fighting right now!" He manages to say, causing Athena and Isabella to get nervous.