BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 28: Forging Control

The training grounds of Veyrin Manor were eerily quiet at dawn, save for the rhythmic crackle of mana surging through the air.

Kael stood in the center, sweat dripping from his brow as he focused on the intricate Crimson Sigil glowing in his palm. His mana pulsed, unstable, flickering between control and chaos.

Across from him, Elira observed with arms crossed, her keen red eyes narrowing. "You're hesitating again," she noted. "Stop overthinking and feel the mana flow."

Kael gritted his teeth. "If I let it flow too freely, it explodes in my face."

"Then adjust. Magic is about control, not brute force."

Kael exhaled sharply. Over the past few days, he had trained relentlessly, focusing on refining his control over Crimson Sigil and his Arcane Sigil's evolving runes. But every time he pushed beyond his limits, his mana surged wildly, refusing to obey.

His father's words echoed in his mind: "Power without control is weakness."

Elira raised her hand, conjuring a Crimson Sigil of her own—a perfect rune, glowing steady and sharp. "Watch."

With a flick of her wrist, the rune formed into a chain of burning symbols, twisting into a spear. She threw it forward—the air sizzled as it struck a training dummy, burning clean through the chest.

Kael scowled. "You make it look too easy."

Elira smirked. "Because it is. Try again."

Kael closed his eyes. He reached deep into his core, feeling the pulse of his Arcane Sigil. Unlike Crimson Sigil, his power didn't demand instant consumption—it allowed layering, structuring, refining.

This time, he adjusted. Instead of forcing it, he shaped it.

A rune formed in his palm, stable and controlled. It pulsed gently—not burning wildly, but waiting.

Elira's lips curled into a grin. "There it is."

Kael nodded, relief washing over him—only for his system to suddenly flare.

[New Quest Generated.]

Quest: The Hunter's Trial

Task: Kill a ranked mana beast to prove control over Crimson and Arcane Sigil.

Target: Crimson Fang Wolf (Rank: Low Knight)

Location: Western Veyrin Woods

Rewards:

Rune Evolution Unlocked

Arcane Sigil Level Up

???

Kael's breath hitched. The timing was too perfect.

Elira raised an eyebrow. "What's with that look?"

Kael clenched his fist. "I just got my next test."

Elira smirked. "Then you'd better not die."