BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 48: Kael vs. The Crown Prince

The arena was packed with expectant whispers as two 12-year-old prodigies took center stage. On one side stood Kael Veyrin—the determined, steadfast practitioner of the Arcane Sigil—while on the other, Crown Prince Lucian Eldoria exuded the raw power of his Draconic Heritage. Though both were children, the magnitude of their abilities made every moment feel monumental.

Kael's crimson eyes burned with resolve as he surveyed the field. Across from him, Lucian's golden gaze held quiet confidence—and something else: an unmistakable thrill at the prospect of a true test of his might. Today, the duel would be more than a contest of strength; it would be a dance of magic and willpower.

Kael's Stats:

Strength: 21

Dexterity: 21

Endurance: 24

Mana: 47

Intelligence: 42

Charisma: 30

Abilities:

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

Arcane Resilience: 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: Rapidly heals minor to moderate injuries.

Arcane Server: A condensed mana slash that disrupts magical defenses.

Despite his young age, Lucian's bearing was every bit that of a future king. His Draconic Heritage manifested in every confident stride and every burst of fiery magic. Today, as he prepared to engage Kael, his eyes shone—not with arrogance alone, but with the quiet satisfaction of a warrior who relished a challenging duel.

Round One: The Opening Clash

At the sound of the signal, Lucian surged forward. A torrent of Draconic Fire erupted from his hand—a controlled yet overwhelming display of power. The flames, though intense, were delivered with a precision that hinted at years of disciplined training, even at just 12.

Kael reacted instantly. With a deep breath, he activated his Arcane Sigil. Five vivid runes burst to life along his arm, forming a shimmering barrier that intercepted Lucian's fiery assault. The impact sent sparks flying, and the crowd gasped as the inferno was repelled.

For a split second, the two fighters exchanged measured glances—Kael's determined, and Lucian's carrying a subtle, approving smile. It was as if the Crown Prince, while confident, genuinely enjoyed the challenge before him.

Emboldened by the duel, Kael stepped forward. He activated Berserker's Ascent, and for a brief time, his body surged with enhanced strength, speed, and endurance. With his muscles coiled and his mind razor-sharp, Kael darted toward Lucian. His blade flashed as he slashed, every movement a calculated risk.

Not content with mere speed, Kael invoked his Crimson Sigil. Scarlet runes shimmered across his skin as he paid the price in mana—and a small, determined pinch of his own blood—to channel a devastating magical assault. At the same moment, he unleashed an Arcane Server, sending a concentrated slash of mana slicing toward Lucian's side.

Lucian's eyes widened momentarily at the unexpected onslaught, but he recovered quickly. He met Kael's attack with a parry, his own power surging as he redirected a burst of Draconic Flame to counter the blow. As the two forces clashed, the air shimmered with raw magic and youthful determination.

Even as Kael's attack disrupted the flow of Lucian's protective aura, the Crown Prince's expression never hardened into anger. Instead, behind his focused gaze, there was a glimmer of admiration. Lucian relished the duel—a rare moment where his full power was truly tested.

The duel escalated rapidly. Kael layered additional runes from his Arcane Sigil, each one a testament to his training and ingenuity. The protective barrier shifted dynamically as he combined his Arcane Resilience with desperate bursts from Berserker's Ascent. His Crimson Sigil attacks blazed forth repeatedly, each strike designed to chip away at Lucian's seemingly invincible defenses.

Lucian, for his part, fought with measured precision. Each time Kael landed a hit that forced him to falter, the Crown Prince's eyes flickered with a quiet thrill. He adjusted his stance and responded with a renewed burst of Draconic Fire that sent waves of heat across the battlefield. Though his power was overwhelming, even he was forced to respect the relentlessness of Kael's offense.

Yet, as the battle wore on, the toll on Kael became evident. His mana reserves dwindled, and every invocation of his Berserker's Ascent and Crimson Sigil left him more vulnerable. His movements grew slower, and the once-crisp focus in his crimson eyes began to waver.

Sensing his opponent's fatigue, Lucian surged forward with the full force of his heritage. A mighty blast of Draconic Flame erupted—a final, awe-inspiring wave of heat that bathed the arena in fiery light. Kael, summoning his remaining strength, tried to hold the line with one last desperate activation of his Arcane Server. The concentrated slash sliced through the air with brilliant intensity, briefly disrupting Lucian's defenses and leaving a scar along his aura.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though Kael might turn the tide. But the relentless surge of Lucian's power proved too much. Overwhelmed by the intensity of the final attack, Kael's body gave out. He collapsed to one knee as the searing flames enveloped him.

When the flames finally subsided, Lucian stepped forward. The Crown Prince's face, still marked by the remnants of battle, bore an expression of quiet satisfaction. With a measured tone, he offered his hand to the fallen Kael.

"You fought exceptionally well," Lucian said softly, his voice carrying both authority and genuine respect. "Today, you pushed me further than I expected."

Kael, panting and battered, accepted the hand with a small, resilient smile. "I'm not finished yet. I'll keep getting stronger."

The crowd erupted in murmurs of approval and awe. Though Kael had lost the duel, he had forced Lucian—a prodigy of the royal line—to exert every ounce of his power. In doing so, he had earned not only the Crown Prince's admiration but also the lasting respect of everyone in the arena.

In that moment, both boys, though only 12 years old, understood that this was not an end but a beginning—a spark that would fuel their rivalry and their growth in the days to come.