BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 17: The Struggle Between Sigils

The moon hung high over the Veyrin estate, casting pale light through Kael's window. His room was eerily silent, save for the occasional rustling of papers as Kael sat hunched over his desk. The ancient book that had unlocked his Arcane Sigil System was now open before him, its faded pages glowing faintly with runes Kael couldn't yet fully decipher.

With a soft breath, Kael closed his eyes and focused. The tingling sensation in his palms returned, the familiar hum of magic swirling in his chest. He could feel the Arcane Sigil's presence there, a calm, focused energy that was unlike anything he had ever known. However, the rush of power from the Crimson Sigil was something entirely different. It burned through him like wildfire, feeding off his blood and mana, while the Arcane Sigil felt like the steady flow of a river—controlled, efficient, yet somehow distant.

Tonight, Kael was determined. He needed to find a way to combine them.

He took a deep breath and held his hand over the open book, drawing a Crimson Sigil rune with a flick of his fingers. A crimson mark appeared, and the air around him buzzed with raw power. His mana reserves dipped slightly—nothing he couldn't handle. He then reached for the Arcane Sigil System, focusing his attention on the system's interface. The screen in his mind lit up:

ARCANE SIGIL SYSTEM – STATUS WINDOW

Name: Kael Veyrin

Title: None

Rank: Novice Sigilist

Mana Reserves: 80/90 (Below average for a Veyrin)

Physical Strength: 7

Dexterity: 10

Intelligence: 15

Arcane Mastery: 5

Rune Proficiency: 2 (Unlocked)

Sigil Techniques: None (Locked)

The familiar window felt reassuring, but Kael had no time to waste. He had a plan now.

His first goal was simple: Integrate the two systems. He attempted to draw a Crimson Sigil rune for an offensive spell—something explosive. But instead of just drawing a single rune, Kael envisioned using his Arcane Sigil to stabilize it. He reached into the system and chose a protection rune, one he had unlocked earlier. As he focused, the Crimson Sigil rune began to pulse in the air before him. He quickly inscribed the Arcane Sigil rune beneath it, layering them both.

His heart raced as he whispered the incantation, combining the explosive power of the Crimson Sigil with the stability of the Arcane Sigil. His mana dropped even lower, but he pushed forward. The runes glowed together, the balance between the two systems fragile yet beautiful. The Arcane Sigil supported the Crimson Sigil, creating a layered effect that kept the explosion in check.

The moment Kael completed the incantation, the air hummed, and the sigils flared to life. The combined spell surged outwards, but instead of the violent eruption he feared, the energy twisted into a controlled burst. It was more powerful than a typical Crimson Sigil attack, but it didn't drain him nearly as much.

Kael stood still for a moment, breathless, his eyes wide with disbelief.

He had done it. He had successfully merged the Arcane Sigil and the Crimson Sigil into something new—something far more efficient.

His eyes flicked to his mana reserves. The total hadn't dipped as drastically as it usually did when using Crimson Sigil, thanks to the Arcane Sigil's stabilization. His heart swelled with excitement, but he couldn't afford to revel in his success just yet. He needed to refine this.

SYSTEM MISSION UNLOCKED

Mission: Create a stable hybrid rune that combines both sigils for a defensive and offensive spell.

Reward: Rune Proficiency +1, Mana Pool Increase

Failure: Mana Overload, System Crash

Kael's eyes sharpened as the system provided him with a new goal. This was it. He could feel the weight of the mission pressing on him, and he knew that every step forward would test his limits. But he had learned something important tonight—something crucial. His Arcane Sigil System could coexist with the Crimson Sigil, but only if he learned to control them both.

He stood up from his desk, his eyes bright with determination. Tomorrow, he would practice again. The next time, he would make the hybrid spell even more powerful.

But for tonight, Kael smiled. The road ahead was long, but he had taken his first real step toward mastering the powers of both sigils.

The next morning, as the sun rose over the Veyrin estate, Kael walked through the hallways with renewed purpose. His father, Duke Alistair Veyrin, was away on business, as usual, but Kael's mind was far away from the quiet estate. He was thinking of the next step—the next challenge.

And there was more to come. The academy loomed ahead, and the world was full of opportunities. But Kael had to get stronger first. To master both sigils. To prove himself as more than just the youngest, weakest son of the Veyrin family.

For now, however, Kael kept his secret. No one could know about the Arcane Sigil System—not yet, anyway. There was still so much to learn, and so much at stake.

But Kael was ready. He was prepared to face the challenges of the future, armed with both the Crimson Sigil and the Arcane Sigil. And no one—no one—could stop him now.