BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 18: Testing Limits

The morning sun bathed the Veyrin estate in a warm, golden hue, and Kael stood at the edge of the training grounds, his mind racing with thoughts of the hybrid spell he had created the night before. His eyes focused on the target ahead—a wooden practice dummy, weathered and worn from countless training sessions. Today, Kael would test his new technique.

Kael had learned something important last night. The Arcane Sigil System was far more than just an extension of his magical abilities. It was a tool that, when used properly, could change the very way he wielded magic. The possibility of layering runes, combining the destructive power of the Crimson Sigil with the controlled stability of the Arcane Sigil, had given him a glimmer of hope. A hope that he could one day surpass the limitations of his bloodline.

His hand hovered over the book again, though he had already memorized most of its contents. He didn't need to consult it now—he had grown familiar with how the system operated. With a quiet hum in his chest, he activated the Arcane Sigil System.

ARCANE SIGIL SYSTEM – STATUS WINDOW

Name: Kael Veyrin

Title: None

Rank: Novice Sigilist

Mana Reserves: 85/90 (Below average for a Veyrin)

Physical Strength: 7

Dexterity: 10

Intelligence: 15

Arcane Mastery: 6

Rune Proficiency: 2

Sigil Techniques: None (Locked)

Kael had leveled up his Arcane Mastery during his previous practice sessions. He was now able to draw runes with more precision, even without the assistance of the system's automatic guides. His Rune Proficiency was still low, but the recent combination of the Crimson Sigil and Arcane Sigil had unlocked new potential.

He began by channeling his Crimson Sigil, feeling the heat rise within him as he drew the first rune in the air with a flick of his fingers. The familiar rush of power surged through him as the air crackled with raw energy. A wave of heat washed over him, and his mana dropped by a small amount—but he could handle it. He didn't stop there.

Quickly, Kael reached into the Arcane Sigil System, choosing a protection rune to stabilize the growing magic. As his fingers traced the glowing symbols in the air, the runes fused into one, each one pulsing and vibrating with new energy.

He could feel it in his veins—the burn of both sigils merging together, the force of the Crimson Sigil balanced by the Arcane Sigil's efficiency. This was it. This was the spell he had been working toward.

With a deep breath, Kael finished the incantation and released the spell.

The resulting blast was powerful, but far more controlled than any previous use of the Crimson Sigil. The magic surged forward, a swirling orb of fire and arcane energy, crashing into the target with an explosion that sent wood and splinters flying in every direction.

Kael staggered back as the spell's residual force pushed him off his feet, but he remained steady, watching the now-smoldering remains of the dummy. The spell had worked—better than expected, even. Not only had it been more potent than a normal Crimson Sigil attack, but it had also used far less mana.

SYSTEM MISSION COMPLETED

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 felt a rush of excitement as the system rewarded him with another Rune Proficiency level and an increase in his Mana Pool. His mana reserves had now risen to a more acceptable level, though he still had a long way to go before he could match his family's vast stores of mana.

"Not bad, Kael," came a voice from behind him.

Kael whipped around, startled. Standing in the doorway of the training grounds was his older brother, Rheon. His face was unreadable as usual, his gaze locked on Kael with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

Rheon was dressed in his usual training clothes, a longsword strapped to his side. His tall, lean frame radiated quiet strength, a stark contrast to Kael's shorter, leaner physique. Kael had always looked up to his older brother, despite their differences. Rheon was the heir to the Veyrin family, the one who would inherit everything, while Kael was always seen as the lesser son.

"You've been training here all night?" Rheon asked, walking toward the target Kael had just obliterated.

"I... I just wanted to test something," Kael stammered, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I'm still figuring it out."

Rheon glanced back at him, raising an eyebrow. "Figuring what out?"

Kael hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. His brother didn't need to know about the Arcane Sigil System—at least, not yet. If Rheon found out about his secret system, Kael was sure his older brother would try to use it to his advantage.

"I was experimenting with a new technique," Kael said simply. "Something different."

Rheon didn't press further. He just nodded, his expression unreadable as he inspected the remnants of the target. "Well, it looks like it worked. But you need to be careful, Kael. Magic isn't something to play with. It's dangerous. Even the smallest mistake could cost you everything."

Kael nodded. He knew Rheon meant well, but Kael also knew that he had to push beyond the boundaries of traditional magic if he was ever going to surpass his family's expectations.

"I understand," Kael replied, keeping his voice steady.

Rheon didn't say anything else, his attention now on the damaged target. After a moment, he turned back to Kael. "Just don't overdo it. You're still young, and your body can't handle the strain that comes with using that kind of magic."

Kael swallowed hard. His brother had no idea what he was truly capable of. The Arcane Sigil was more than just a tool for power—it was a means to control and refine his magic, something his family had never understood. If he could master it, he could become more than just a mere shadow of his older brother.

Kael took a deep breath. "I'll be careful."

Rheon gave him a final, piercing look before turning to leave. "Good. Don't let me see you get hurt."

Kael watched his brother disappear into the distance. A feeling of determination filled his chest. He knew what he had to do. He had to train harder, faster, smarter—because he wasn't going to stay in his brother's shadow forever.

Not when he had the power to create something entirely new.