"The Fated Rival of the Moon"

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[You have completed your daily training.]

[Rewards: +2 Stat Points, 15 System Points.]

Azrael Kaelthorne exhaled sharply, his breath misting in the cold morning air. His muscles burned, his body ached, and yet he felt a sense of progress.

Pain was a constant companion, a lingering aftereffect of the curse that had once sealed his talent. But now, it was merely another obstacle to overcome.

He glanced at the System panel hovering before him.

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[Abyssal Crown System]

Name: Azrael Kaelthorne

Level: 2

Aura Level: 1 (Blade Aura)

Mana Cycle: 2

Titles: Abyssal Crown of Fated Eclipse Tyrant

Stats:

Strength: 12

Agility: 18

Endurance: 30

Mana: 17 (+250 Locked)

Spirit Energy: 1

Senses: 16

Aura: 16

Available Stat Points: 2

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"System, allocate 2 points to Endurance."

[Endurance: 32 → 34]

A surge of energy coursed through his body, dulling the relentless pain. It wasn't gone, but it was better.

The Abyssal Crown System rewarded discipline and effort through daily quests, pushing him to his limits.

---

[Daily Quest: Training Routine]

Objective: Complete the following training regimen

✔ 1,000 horizontal slashes

✔ 1,000 vertical slashes

✔ 2 hours of meditation in freezing water

✔ 100 push-ups

✔ 100 sit-ups

✔ 20 km run

Rewards: +2 Stat Points, 15 System Points

---

The System wasn't generous. It was efficient.

If he rejected a quest, the punishment was brutal—forced training until he collapsed.

Azrael didn't mind. Survival was all that mattered.

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A Familiar Presence

He was about to begin another round of training when he sensed a presence approaching.

"Training again, little brother?"

Azrael turned, his crimson eyes meeting Lyra Kaelthorne's.

She was his youngest step-sister, older by a year and a half. Despite that, she was already at Aura Level 3 and Mana Cycle 4—a genius among nobles.

Her long silver hair flowed behind her as she stepped onto the training grounds, dressed in the black-and-gold Kaelthorne family combat uniform. A confident smirk rested on her lips.

"You should take a break, you know," she said lazily. "It's not like you'll ever catch up."

Azrael remained silent, his gaze cold.

Lyra's smirk widened. "Still too arrogant to talk? Well, I'm bored. Let's spar."

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[New Quest: Duel Against Lyra Kaelthorne]

Objective: Defeat Lyra Kaelthorne in a duel.

Rewards: +3 Stat Points, 20 System Points.

---

Azrael narrowed his eyes. A duel with Lyra?

She was stronger, faster, and more skilled. But this was an opportunity.

"Fine," he said.

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You're actually talking today?"

She stepped onto the training field and drew her curved blade—a sleek, one-edged sword similar to a katana, but forged in the Kaelthorne style.

"I'll even go easy on you," she said with a grin. "Since you're still stuck at Aura Level 1."

Azrael remained silent, unsheathing his own black-forged blade. Unlike her refined weapon, his was a simple but durable kaida, a curved blade forged for speed and precision.

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The Duel Begins

Lyra moved first.

She vanished from her spot, dashing forward with explosive speed. Her blade shimmered with blue Aura, her attack cutting through the air.

Azrael barely blocked. The impact rattled his bones. She's faster.

Her strikes came faster than he could counter. Each clash sent shocks through his arms. She was pressing him, testing his endurance.

"You're barely keeping up, Azrael!" Lyra taunted.

Azrael did not react. He endured. Observed.

Waited.

Then, he saw an opening.

A flicker of deep blue light surrounded his blade.

[Blade Aura: Level 2 Activated.]

Before Lyra could react, Azrael shifted his stance and slashed diagonally at her exposed side.

Lyra's eyes widened. "Wha—"

She tried to block, but Azrael's attack came faster than expected. The force behind it knocked her off balance.

He didn't hesitate. He stepped in, twisted his body—and struck her wrist.

Her sword flew from her hands, embedding itself into the ground.

Silence.

Lyra stared at him, shocked. "You... actually won?"

Azrael exhaled, his grip tightening around his kaida. He was still far weaker. But this was only the beginning.

---

[Quest Completed!]

Rewards: +3 Stat Points, 20 System Points.

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Azrael turned away. "You were going easy on me," he said simply. "Next time, don't."

As he walked off, the Abyssal Crown System chimed in his mind.

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[The road to power is long, Host. But victory is only the first step.]

Azrael knew that better than anyone.