BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 52: A Commoner's Resolve vs. A Dragon's Might

The entrance duels had reached their climax. The entire academy, from students to instructors, gathered for the final match—one that no one had expected. Mira Valcroft, a commoner with no noble blood, would face Crown Prince Lucian Eldoria.

The tension was thick in the air as Mira stood in the center of the arena, gripping her sword. The sun cast long shadows over the polished stone floor, the faint scent of sweat and magic lingering from the previous battles. Across from her, Lucian stood, calm and composed, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

"This is unexpected," Lucian mused, rolling his shoulders. He wasn't mocking her—his voice held genuine curiosity. "You've done well to make it this far."

Mira didn't flinch. Instead, she raised her sword, her stance unwavering. "I didn't come here just to 'do well.' I came here to prove that where I come from doesn't decide how strong I am."

Lucian's smirk widened. "Good answer. Let's see if you can prove it to me."

The announcer's voice rang through the arena.

"Final match of the Entrance Duels—begin!"

Spectators and Reunions

From the stands, Kael, Darius, and Cassian sat together, all eyes locked on the battle. Behind them, Selene and Evelyne returned from the infirmary, looking slightly pale but determined to see the final fight.

"You're up?" Darius glanced at them, surprised. "Shouldn't you both be resting?"

Evelyne crossed her arms. "Like we'd miss the last match."

Selene, standing beside her, barely reacted to the conversation. Her gaze was focused entirely on Kael, watching his profile as he observed the match.

Cassian, of course, noticed immediately. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he leaned in close to his sister. "You're staring too much, Selene. Getting attached already?"

Selene's composed expression twitched for a fraction of a second before she turned away with a sharp "Tch."

Cassian chuckled. "You can't hide it from me, dear sister. Your heart's already caught."

"Shut up, Cassian," Selene muttered, but her voice lacked any real bite.

Kael, oblivious to the teasing, continued watching the match.

The duel begins

Mira dashed forward first, her blade flickering in the sunlight as she aimed straight for Lucian's side.

Lucian didn't move.

At the last moment, he sidestepped, effortlessly avoiding the strike. His posture remained relaxed, yet there was a sharpness in his gaze that sent a clear message—he was studying her, testing her.

Mira didn't stop. She pivoted, bringing her sword upward in a controlled arc, but Lucian parried with his bare hand, his draconic strength making it look effortless.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Did he just block a sword with his hand?!" one student shouted.

Kael narrowed his eyes. No... he reinforced his skin with mana at the last moment.

Mira, however, didn't allow herself to be shaken. With a flick of her wrist, she disengaged and launched a rapid barrage of strikes, her sword dancing like a whirlwind.

Lucian finally moved. With the elegance of a seasoned warrior, he weaved between her attacks, parrying some and dodging others. His movements were precise—he never wasted energy, never overcommitted.

Then, with a single step, he was behind her.

Mira barely turned in time before a sharp impact struck her side—Lucian's palm, infused with mana, sent her skidding across the floor.

Blood dripped from Mira's lip, but her grip on her sword tightened. She wasn't done.

She rushed forward again, but this time, Lucian met her attack head-on. Their swords clashed, and Mira felt the sheer weight of his strength press against her. It was like trying to stop a tidal wave with a wooden shield.

But she refused to fall.

Mana surged through her body, her sword glowing with pure force. She poured everything into her strikes, forcing Lucian to actually block instead of evade.

From the stands, Darius leaned forward. "She's strong. Even if she's outmatched, she's not backing down."

Kael nodded. "She fights like she's trying to prove something more than just skill."

Selene, arms crossed, spoke quietly. "She is."

Cassian smirked. "If you're fighting the prince, you kind of have to."

Mira let out a battle cry, spinning into a powerful overhead slash.

Lucian sighed, almost disappointed.

Then, he moved.

In a blur of golden energy, he caught her sword mid-swing—his bare hand gripping the blade as if it were nothing.

"That's enough," he said.

Before Mira could react, a shockwave of mana erupted from Lucian's body, sending her flying backward. She tumbled across the floor, her sword clattering beside her.

A heavy silence fell over the arena.

Mira groaned, struggling to push herself up, but her body refused to move. Every muscle screamed in protest.

The referee stepped forward. "Mira Valcroft is unable to continue! The winner—Crown Prince Lucian Eldoria!"

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Lucian stepped toward Mira, offering her a hand.

She looked up, panting, sweat dripping down her forehead. For a moment, she hesitated—then, reluctantly, she took his hand.

"You fought well," Lucian said, helping her up. "You're strong, but don't let your anger be the only thing driving you. Strength isn't just about proving others wrong."

Mira clenched her fists. She wanted to argue, to say that he wouldn't understand what it felt like to be looked down upon. But the truth was, she had done everything she could. She had fought until her body gave out.

And yet, he had barely even tried.

Kael, watching from the stands, exhaled. "It's over."

Darius crossed his arms. "She held out longer than expected."

Cassian, smirking, leaned back. "Well, now we know not to pick a fight with the prince unless we want to end up flying across the room."

Selene remained silent, but her gaze lingered on Kael for a moment before looking back at the arena.

As Mira walked off the stage, head held high despite her loss, she whispered to herself, "Not yet. I'll get stronger. Strong enough that even he can't ignore me."

The entrance duels had ended, but for many, their real battles were only beginning.

And for Kael Veyrin, watching the Crown Prince's overwhelming strength, a new determination settled in his heart.

He would not be left behind.