[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical-":3,"chapter-sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-338":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","SSS-Ranked Awakening: I Can Only Summon Mythical Beasts",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1327039,1762,"Chapter 338: Damon's Hidden Move","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-338",338,"\u003Cp>Silence reigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a ceremonial silence, nor a respectful one. It was the type that usually came before the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the breath before war. The calm before disaster would strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dueling platform gleamed under the artificial twilight of the floating arena, casting long shadows behind the two figures at its center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis Dorne of Thornevale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon Terrace of ElderGlow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No announcer was needed. No speech. Every student, every spectator, even the Deans stood tense, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who'd you think would win, big brother Ashbourne?\" Lady Reyla asked her older brother with a simple smirk. She was the only one present who would dare to address Lord Terrace by his first name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed and turned to her. \"Damon but it'll be a hard battle. Judging by an array of factors if rather not talk about, that girl, Kaelis seems to be very experienced. To be honest, it'll be a close call if Damon manages to win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But who do you think will win?\" Lady Reyla asked again, seemingly interested in Lord Terrace's answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without looking at her, his eyes fixed on the arena, Lord Terrace replied. \"My son, Damon, of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence that followed after his response was chilling but everyone respected that silence and remained mute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two circles lit beneath their feet—standard for official academy duels. The moment both stepped forward, the match would begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis inhaled once, slowly, then exhaled through her nose. Her glaive—mid-length, curved-blade at the end of a long staff—hung loosely in her grip. She hadn't activated any essence yet. But her stance screamed readiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon rolled his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No blade in his hand yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a relaxed stance. His eyes half-lidded, reading Kaelis like a tactical report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then both stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the light vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis moved first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swept in a wide arc to the left, boots gliding across the smooth stone like she was ice-skating on combat instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her glaive arced low—a testing swing, not meant to hit, but to gauge Damon's footwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon didn't backpedal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped into the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a motion almost lazy, his wrist flicked, drawing a thin, jagged dagger from his belt, deflecting the glaive's shaft just enough to avoid the blade and redirect her path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis flowed with it, flipping the weapon mid-air, striking with the opposite end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Damon had already moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dagger slid beneath her grip, skimming the wooden haft of her weapon—and again nudging her angle off course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like dancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was anything but gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis stepped back now, eyes sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're reading my rhythm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis released her restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her wind-affinity essence surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp burst of compressed air exploded beneath her boots, launching her straight at Damon with renewed speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woooooshhh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blade whistled through the air—this time faster, heavier, imbued with force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon ducked under the first swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then blocked the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sidestepped entirely—pivoting on his heel, arm brushing her elbow to knock her slightly off balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Appeared behind her in a blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis spun and nearly struck his chest—but he caught the haft of her glaive in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essence clashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced it down. Just once. Just enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis backflipped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Landed on her feet with narrowed eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're fast,\" she muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon twirled the dagger once. \"You're stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, neither moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd held their breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Kaelis did something no one expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She raised her left hand, and her glaive's gem core began to glow red. The very air vibrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's going to use it,\" murmured Daveon from ElderGlow's booth. \"Her final move. She doesn't want to stress things. She'll run out of magic essence and stamina before Damon does.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's a big mistake.\" Celeste sighed. \"Well, it might work if Damon doesn't know what to expect.\" She ended up shrugging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pulse radiated from Kaelis' core—her entire glaive was reacting to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woooooonggg~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade shimmered with wind affinity, lightning curling around the edge as glowing runes ignited down the shaft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spell-form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A final strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just a technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a technique with execution delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too powerful to use instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too volatile to stop mid-way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anaya stood in the upper ranks. \"Damon...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Damon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Kaelis's voice carried across the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try to survive this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she dashed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blade glowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essence screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind cracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she neared Damon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his hand. \"Thanks but you're not the only one with a hidden move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered something beneath his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runes on Kaelis' weapon flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened. Celeste's eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glaive jerked in her grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy rebounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her arm twisted out of position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before she could release the attack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade exploded in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boooooooom!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A contained detonation, more forceful than lethal, launched her backwards, her body tumbling across the stone platform like a ragdoll tossed by invisible gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps rippled across the entire colosseum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell was that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Terrace immediately rose up from his seat, obviously shocked by what he'd just witnessed. However, he wasn't the only one. The Deans and guests were all stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The hell was that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dust settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis lay on her back, arms splayed, weaponless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burn marks laced her gloves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing was shallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But conscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And stared up at Damon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who now approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light blue rune glowed faintly on his right hand. Faint. Almost invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those attuned to essence could see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Reyla, watching from the balcony, stood upright in her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Godsthorn raised a brow. \"\"Did he just activate her own attack prematurely?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reyla narrowed her eyes. \"Authority over another's attack. That shouldn't even be usable unless—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Terrace said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a faint smile crept to his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dean Oryll reappeared above the dueling platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was no longer amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was reverent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The match is complete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Victor: Damon Terrace of ElderGlow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just stunned silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wooooooaahhhhh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damon! Damon!! Damon!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a thunderous roar shook the colosseum as the shock wore off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students began shouting. Some cheered. Some protested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none denied the result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damon offered a hand to Kaelis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at it for a long second…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then took it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He helped her up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She muttered, \"I was going to win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You almost did,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaelis smirked. \"Then I'll win next time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1090,"2026-06-05T19:28:51.149Z",1,"novelbin.me","fa42c10c3e82dccf972952f5da30176b8ae95a7a83ed60a5cbfc377900528f4e","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-339","sss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--chapter-337",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsss-ranked-awakening-i-can-only-summon-mythical--cover.jpg"]