BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 20: Shadow of the past (2)

Kael's breathing was steady, the soft hum of his Arcane Sigil pulsing beneath his skin as he stared at the rune on his palm. He had spent countless hours inscribing, testing, and evolving his magic. Five months had passed since the awakening of the Arcane Sigil, and in that time, his power had grown beyond his expectations. Yet, so had the weight of the secret he kept from his family.

His body, though young, had begun to show the strain of his constant training. His mind was sharp, and his ability to understand the complex nature of his abilities grew with every passing day. But there was something darker lingering in his thoughts—something he could no longer ignore.

The offer from the Grimthorne family had been tempting, but Kael had refused. His pride, his loyalty to his family, and his growing sense of independence had all played a part in his decision. He would rise on his own, and no one, not even a powerful family like Grimthorne, could dictate how he used his power. But something nagged at him, something he couldn't shake.

How did they know about the Sigil?

Kael leaned against the wall, eyes narrowing as the thought took root. The Grimthorne family, known for their mastery of Titan's Resilience and monstrous strength, had been monitoring his progress. But how? His parents, Rheon, no one in his family knew about the Arcane Sigil—not in its entirety. So how could the Grimthorne family be so sure of his growth?

The answer came to him as if a veil had been lifted. He hadn't considered it before, but now it was clear: they had been watching him. Ever since the awakening of the Arcane Sigil, his power had been growing rapidly, and the Grimthorne family's network of spies and informants had undoubtedly picked up on the unusual surge of magical activity. It was their business to monitor powerful families, even those outside of their own reach. He had underestimated how much they could learn simply by tracking the flow of mana.

They knew not just of the Sigil, but of its hybrid nature, of his progression. His experiments with Crimson Sigil and the Arcane Sigil had not gone unnoticed. They had probably heard whispers of his rising strength, of the subtle anomalies that followed his every practice. The Grimthorne family must have a vast network of informants, possibly even within the Veyrin family, watching him at every turn.

Kael's fingers curled into a fist. They were watching him from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike with an offer he couldn't refuse. But he wasn't going to play their game.

No, he thought firmly. I will rise on my own terms.

Kael Veyrin's Stats (5 Months After Awakening):

[Kael Veyrin]

Class: Noble Sorcerer

Age: 11

Bloodline: Veyrin (Crimson Sigil)

Basic Stats:

Strength: 13

Dexterity: 14

Endurance: 12

Intelligence: 22

Wisdom: 18

Charisma: 16

Mana: 1,500/2,000

Magic Stats:

Sigil Mastery (Arcane Sigil): 50%

Mana Control: 40%

Rune Evolution: 10%

Rune Combination: 8%

Rune Proficiency: 12%

Crimson Sigil Affinity: 5% (Limited access)

Kael stared at his stats again. His Mana was strong—he had pushed the limits of his capacity to wield magic. The Arcane Sigil was growing more powerful, but it was still far from complete. Sigil Mastery had reached 50%, and he had unlocked the basics of Rune Evolution, but there was still so much to learn. His Crimson Sigil Affinity remained weak; the Veyrin family's bloodline magic was still foreign to him. He hadn't even begun to tap into its true potential.

But there was no time for hesitation. Six months were left before the academy would begin, and Kael would not waste a moment. He would prepare for the challenges ahead, not just the competition, but the secrets he had yet to uncover.

Timeline to Academy:

Kael had exactly six months left before the prestigious Eldoria Academy opened its gates. The academy, known for its rigorous training in magic, combat, and strategy, would be the ultimate proving ground for Kael. It was a place where the elite of Eldoria's nobility would send their heirs, a place that would determine who would rise and who would fall in the political and magical hierarchy.

The Countdown had begun.

Kael had always known that this would be the turning point in his life, the moment he would truly begin to shape his destiny. The academy would bring challenges unlike any he had faced so far, but it was also an opportunity to master his powers and uncover the truths behind his bloodline, the Veyrin legacy.

As the days dwindled down, Kael knew that the time for idle curiosity was over. He would need every ounce of power he could muster, every skill he could develop. And, more than anything, he would need to be ready for whatever awaited him within those walls.

Kael sank into a chair, the weight of his decision settling on him. The Grimthorne family's offer had been tempting, but he couldn't allow himself to be swayed by the promise of more power. He had seen enough of what deals with powerful families could do—what they could make one become. He wasn't some tool to be used for their ambitions.

No, Kael would grow on his own terms. He had already surpassed his family in many ways, and while he could still feel the pressure of his bloodline, the expectations placed on him, he knew deep down that his path had to be different.

He would enter the academy as Kael Veyrin, a noble sorcerer with a secret power none had expected. And he would rise—on his own terms.