My Borderline Supervillain-Slash-Hero System-Chapter 159 Second Phase Of Tournament Begin

With Sword Baby in hand, Shelby began harvesting the heads of Titan Warriors as if he were cutting grass.

One after another, the massive heads rolled across the crimson-stained ground. The Titans' blood pooled over the streets until the entire city seemed painted in red.

For three relentless hours, Shelby continued his slaughter. By the end, every Titan Warrior had fallen — all except for the ten Titan Lords, the strongest of their kind.

Zane was in awe. Shelby had felled every warrior with a single swing. For Zane, each one would've taken at least three strikes to bring down.

He couldn't help but anticipate what Shelby would do against the Titan Lords.

The group pressed onward, entering the towering castle of the first Lord — Redcliff Octane.

Zane remembered this one vividly. In his own training, it had taken him over a hundred blows to finally bring Redcliff down. Now, he watched closely, eager to see how Shelby fared.

Shelby didn't hesitate. He simply stepped forward, swung his sword once—

—and Redcliff's head tumbled to the floor.

Zane was flabbergasted. Xoxo, too, was speechless.

And it didn't stop there.

From one Titan Lord's fortress to the next, Shelby cut them all down with a single effortless swing. Eleven castles. Eleven Lords. Eleven strikes.

When the final Titan Lord fell, the mission concluded.

In an instant, they were pulled back to Solaris City. The world spun violently around them as they shifted through dimensions ten times in succession, leaving both Shelby and Zane clutching their stomachs.

They hit the ground and immediately vomited.

After gulping down some water and catching their breath, Shelby passed the sword back to Zane.

"No doubt," Shelby said, still panting. "This is the best weapon I've ever seen. Or maybe I should call it the bane of the Titan species."

"Bane of the Titans, huh? I like that." Zane sheathed the sword across his back, then asked curiously, "One question though. Even with this sword, I still struggle to kill Titan Lords. But for you, it only took a single strike. What's your secret?"

Shelby's grin turned sly. "Can't tell you."

"What? I thought we were friends."

"We are," Shelby replied, his tone softening. "But some things can't be said here. Still, I can teach you the technique—once we're back on Earth."

Zane nodded, understanding. Even though Xoxo had been nothing but kind, Shelby didn't trust her entirely. Revealing the secret of his technique in front of a sentient AI from Atlantis didn't sit right with him.

Xoxo, however, didn't press the matter. Her curiosity burned silently, but she respected his choice.

Zane turned to her and said, "Xoxo, I think it's time for me to go home. I'll be back for the next training phase."

The first part of his sentence made her expression dim, but his promise to return brought back her smile.

She raised her left hand, and a beam of golden light shot from her palm — forming a small, glowing key. The key flew straight into Zane's chest.

Shelby tensed instantly, readying his stance.

Zane quickly waved him off. "It's okay."

"What was that?" Shelby asked warily.

"It's my imprint," Xoxo said. "A replica of myself. I know there's a low-tier system sleeping inside you. If you trust it, let it absorb my replica. It will evolve and help you control the seed within your body. And… there's also a teleportation program in it — so you can return anytime you wish."

Her tone softened. "It was nice meeting you."

Before either of them could respond, Xoxo waved her hand.

A brilliant light engulfed Zane and Shelby, and in the next instant, both were hurled upward into the sky—

their figures vanishing as the city of Solaris faded beneath them.

Suddenly, the green cards in their pockets activated. A teleportation portal shimmered open in midair, and the two were drawn into its swirling gate.

Xoxo stood silently, gazing at the empty sky for a long while. There was longing in her eyes—an ache that never truly faded.

"What are you, Brother Zane?" she murmured. "I can sense something ancient in your bloodline… something close to a Titan, yet beyond them. One day, you might be the key to my freedom. So I'll help you grow as fast as I can. Only then… can I finally leave this place."

Her voice faded into the cold, metallic air of Solaris.

Fresher Meet Village, Earth

Today marked the beginning of the second phase of the global tournament.

All 29,500 freshman students had gathered in the grand stadium of Heroic Pavilion, the same arena where legendary challenges were held every year.

This time, the event was massive. Countless important figures from across the world had been invited, and over ninety-five percent of the seats were filled with ticket-holding spectators.

A teacher stepped forward to the center of the stage and spoke into the mic, his voice booming across the entire arena.

"Hello, everyone!"

The crowd erupted into cheers.

"I welcome all of you to witness the second phase of the Fresher Tournament! It's a proud and joyous occasion for our academy—and for the entire world!"

Thunderous applause followed.

He smiled and stepped back as another student—a confident third-year—walked onto the stage and took over the announcement.

"The first six hundred rankers, please step forward!"

A surge of students moved from the crowd, walking proudly to the center of the arena. Their faces shone with excitement and determination.

"Other freshers who are not on the list, please clear the field!"

The remaining students quickly exited the playground, leaving only the chosen six hundred standing under the bright lights.

"Next, I request our honored teachers to construct the five battle stages. Please begin."

Over a hundred academy teachers stepped down from the stands and took their positions across the ground. Sitting cross-legged, they began chanting in unison.

A heavy silence settled over the stadium.

The air buzzed with mana as bright, colorful energy lines spread across the floor like a living web. Moments later, the ground rumbled. Five enormous battle platforms rose from beneath the earth, each forged with the seamless fusion of advanced technology and ancient magic.

The crowd gasped in amazement.

Above the circular stadium, hundreds of floating holographic screens flickered to life, displaying the names of the top five hundred rankers.

Among them—

Zane's name glowed brightly.

The audience roared, fireworks bursting high into the air as cheers filled every corner of the arena.

The third-year announcer continued, his voice steady despite the excitement.

"The umpires for today's matches will be selected from our senior teachers—chosen at random."

The screens shifted, showing the faces of dozens of senior faculty members. Names shuffled rapidly before stopping on fifteen selected teachers.

Among them was Professor Ronaldo, one of the academy's most respected veterans.

The chosen teachers descended gracefully onto the five stages, taking their places as the umpires.

A fleet of silent drones buzzed overhead, ready to broadcast every angle of the matches.

Then came the final shuffle—this time, among the students.

The first match appeared on the screen:

Guldy Heisenberg (Rank 347) vs. Maroon Velsingsky (Rank 346)

The crowd cheered wildly as the two combatants stepped forward, their auras flaring in anticipation.