BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 34: Final Trials & A Rivalry Born

The Last Month of Training

The Veyrin training grounds echoed with the clash of steel and the hum of mana.

Kael stood across from Duke Alistair Veyrin, his father. The air around them crackled with tension.

"You're stronger than before," Alistair said, his crimson eyes sharp with appraisal. "But strength alone won't make you unbeatable."

Kael exhaled, gripping his sword tightly. The past months had refined his skills—his Arcane Sigil had evolved, his Crimson Sigil was sharper, and his body had adapted to the brutal training.

Alistair raised his blade. "Come."

Kael rushed forward, activating his Arcane Sigil. Mana surged, enhancing his speed as he slashed.

His father parried effortlessly, redirecting the attack before countering with a precise thrust.

Kael twisted away, using Crimson Sigil to inscribe a repulsion rune mid-motion. The rune burst, propelling him backward to regain distance.

Alistair smirked. "Clever."

Kael wasn't done. He clenched his fist, activating Berserker's Surge. Power flooded his limbs—his speed, strength, and reflexes surged.

He vanished—his movement now too fast for an untrained eye to follow.

But Alistair was unfazed.

Kael swung—only for his father's sword to stop it cleanly.

Alistair's mana flared, sending Kael skidding back across the training ground. The force rattled his bones, but Kael grinned.

He wasn't the same boy from five months ago.

The training session continued, with Elira and Rheon stepping in to test Kael's limits. Against them, he pushed past exhaustion, sharpening his technique and refining his sigils.

Each battle brought him one step closer to mastery.

The Final Hunt

With only one week before the academy, Kael took on his greatest test yet—a high-tier mana beast hunt.

His target: A Shadowfang Ravager.

A Greater-tier mana beast, fast and lethal.

The beast lurked in the dense Veyrin Woods, its black fur blending into the darkness, eyes glowing like molten gold.

Kael's pulse quickened. He wasn't fighting a lesser beast anymore—this was a true predator.

The Shadowfang lunged, its fangs flashing. Kael barely dodged, its claws slicing through the air where he stood a moment ago.

He retaliated with Crimson Sigil, inscribing a rune into the ground—Flame Burst.

A pillar of fire exploded upward.

The Shadowfang snarled, leaping out of the flames unscathed.

Fast.

Kael activated Arcane Resilience, reinforcing his body just as the beast slammed into him.

The impact sent him crashing into a tree, pain exploding through his ribs.

He gritted his teeth. He had to end this quickly.

Kael's Arcane Sigil pulsed, forming a multi-layered rune sequence.

The moment the Shadowfang pounced again, Kael unleashed his new technique—

"Arcane Sever."

The air shredded around him, cutting through the beast's hide like a blade of mana.

The Shadowfang howled, stumbling as Kael closed the distance.

With one decisive strike, he plunged his sword into its throat—ending the battle.

His breath came in ragged gasps, adrenaline fading.

[New Skill Unlocked: Arcane Sever]

A condensed mana slash that disrupts magical flow and weakens mana-based defenses.

Kael grinned despite the exhaustion.

He was ready.

A Rival Appears

On his return to the manor, Kael was greeted by an unfamiliar presence.

A boy with silver hair and piercing blue eyes stood at the estate gates. His noble attire was pristine, but there was an undeniable sharpness to his posture.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

Darius Zephyrion.

The second son of Duke Zephyrion—one of the Seven Great Families.

Darius studied Kael, his gaze calculating. Then, he smirked.

"You're stronger than I expected."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Do I know you?"

Darius shrugged. "Not yet. But you will." He took a step forward, his expression unwavering. "At the academy, you'll be my rival."

Kael crossed his arms. "And what makes you think I care?"

Darius grinned. "Because strong people seek the strong. And you're the only one worth watching."

Kael couldn't help but smirk.

This academy year was going to be interesting.