BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 44: The Duel of Foresight and Beasts

Match #46 – Selene Duskbane vs. Leonel Faelwyn

Kael's System Rewards & Reflection

Kael stepped off the battlefield, the echoes of his victory still lingering in the air. He could hear the murmurs from the stands, the shifting of students as they processed the match.

Then—

[System Notification: Stat Allocation Required]

[+5 Stat Points Earned]

[+1 Arcane Sigil Slot Unlocked]

A faint surge of energy coursed through him as his body adjusted to the upgrade.

Updated Status

[Kael Veyrin – Level 4 Arcane Sigilist]

Age: 12

Rank: Adept Mage / Apprentice Knight

🔹 Strength: 21 (+1)

🔹 Dexterity: 21 (+2)

🔹 Endurance: 24 (+2)

🔹 Mana: 47

🔹 Intelligence: 42

🔹 Charisma: 30

Abilities:

✔ Arcane Sigil – Level 4 (Competent Sigilist): Can inscribe and store five active runes for immediate casting.

✔ Arcane Resilience: Passively absorbs and redirects 10% of mana-based damage.

✔ Berserker's Ascent: Grants +10 to all stats for 2 minutes; usable twice per day.

✔ Crimson Sigil (Blood Runes): Enables instant rune casting at the cost of mana and blood.

✔ Healing Rune: Allows rapid healing of minor to moderate injuries.

✔ Arcane Sever: A condensed mana slash that disrupts magical flow and weakens mana-based defenses.

Kael clenched his fists, feeling the slight improvements in his body. His movements felt sharper, his endurance stronger. It wasn't a huge jump—but every advantage mattered.

"I'm getting stronger. But it's not enough."

Despite his win, he knew he had room to grow. He had fought well, but there were still gaps in his speed and decision-making.

His thoughts were interrupted by the announcer's voice.

"Match #46—Selene Duskbane vs. Leonel Faelwyn!"

A wave of murmurs rippled through the stands.

Kael's gaze snapped toward the battlefield.

Selene stepped forward, her silver eyes unreadable.

Leonel followed, his expression sharp and focused.

This wasn't just another fight.

This was House Duskbane vs. House Faelwyn.

Match #46: Selene Duskbane vs. Leonel Faelwyn

The tension shifted.

The Duskbane and Faelwyn families were both among the great noble houses, their members competing for influence in Eldoria's hierarchy.

"Selene's got Eclipse Sight, but Leonel's a Faelwyn—his beasts make him unpredictable."

"This is a battle of strategy vs. instinct."

"Leonel needs to redeem himself after losing to Kael."

Kael took his seat near Cassian, his crimson eyes never leaving the battlefield.

"This should be interesting," Cassian muttered. "Leonel's serious this time."

Kael nodded. "Selene doesn't make mistakes."

Darius chuckled. "I just want to see a good fight."

Selene Duskbane – The Shadow of House Duskbane

Selene strode forward, her silver eyes cold, her posture poised.

Her midnight-blue uniform, edged with silver, clung to her frame. Unlike some nobles, she wore no jewelry—only her House sigil on her sleeve.

Her short silver hair barely shifted in the breeze.

In her hands, she carried a sleek, dark silver spear—not as large as a knight's weapon, but built for speed and precision. The engraved shaft shimmered faintly, runes hidden beneath the metal.

She twirled the spear once, adjusting her grip.

Unlike Kael, unlike Evelyne, unlike Darius—Selene never looked eager to fight.

She looked prepared.

Leonel Faelwyn – The Beastborn Warrior

Leonel Faelwyn wasn't the same fighter Kael had beaten earlier.

Gone was the arrogant smirk, the careless stance.

Now, he walked with controlled focus. His forest-green uniform, embroidered with the Faelwyn crest, fit snugly over his muscular frame.

His **blond hair was tied back, revealing sharp, golden-brown eyes—**eyes that mirrored the instincts of the creatures his family was known for taming.

Beside him, his contract beast prowled forward.

A Shadowfang Wolf, its fur shifting like living mist, its golden eyes glowing with raw intelligence.

Faelwyns didn't fight alone.

Foresight vs. Instinct

Professor Draeven stepped forward, his mechanical arm gleaming.

"No killing. No running. No excuses," he said, voice firm. "Fight."

His arm dropped.

BOOM.

The Shadowfang Wolf lunged.

Leonel moved at the same time, charging alongside it.

The audience barely saw what happened next.

Selene stepped forward—just once.

And then—Leonel's blade cut through empty air.

Eclipse Sight Activates

Leonel's eyes widened.

Selene was already gone.

No—it wasn't that she had vanished.

She had moved before he even attacked.

Leonel twisted, slashing again—but Selene had already pivoted, her spear parrying his strike with minimal effort.

Every attack, every strike—she countered, redirected, or sidestepped effortlessly.

Not through speed.

Not through reaction.

Through foresight.

Her Eclipse Sight let her see glimpses of the future.

Leonel wasn't fighting her.

He was fighting someone who had already seen the battle before it began.

The Turning Point

Leonel gritted his teeth. He had sparred against foresight users before. They weren't unbeatable.

"If I can't hit her—then I'll overwhelm her."

He whistled sharply.

The Shadowfang Wolf howled—then split into three copies.

A phantom illusion technique—not magic, but beast instinct manipulation.

Selene's silver eyes flickered.

For the first time—she hesitated.

The Final Move

Leonel lunged. The three wolves attacked from different directions.

For a split second, Selene's mind processed the outcomes.

Then—she exhaled.

Her spear shot forward.

With one precise thrust, she struck the real Shadowfang Wolf, dispelling the illusions instantly.

Leonel swung his sword, aiming for her side.

Selene twisted—her spear spinning.

The butt of the weapon struck his wrist, knocking his sword away.

In one swift motion, she spun her spear and placed the tip at his throat.

Leonel froze.

If this had been a real battle—he'd be dead.

Silence.

Then—Professor Draeven raised his arm.

"Winner—Selene Duskbane."

Tournament Continues…

The crowd erupted.

Kael smirked. Selene never made mistakes.