The moment Adrian heard the voice that had haunted his memories, a slow but intense aura began to emanate from him.
The atmosphere around the training ground shifted as the pressure became almost unbearable, heavy enough to suffocate anyone nearby.
The aura was dark, murderous, and it surrounded Adrian like a storm ready to break loose. His eyes, once calm, now flickered with a bloodthirsty rage.
Without hesitation, Adrian swung his sword with such ferocity that, in his mind, he beheaded the figure in an instant.
The satisfaction was fleeting, however, as reality crashed back. He blinked, the vivid image fading, and realized it was merely a projection of his thoughts. If he hadn't controlled himself, he might have actually done it.
Naz, practicing mana cultivation techniques in his room, felt the murderous intent emanating from the training grounds.
Concerned, he rushed to his window, peering out to see where the oppressive aura was coming from. His eyes widened in shock as he spotted Adrian standing alone, his figure enveloped in darkness.
'No way a young body like that can produce this much bloodthirst,' Naz thought, bewildered. 'To achieve this level of murderous intent, how many lives has he taken?'
The confusion deepened as Naz tried to reconcile the image of his brother with the aura of a seasoned killer.
Adrian, meanwhile, was struggling with his own emotions. The voice belonged to Lucas Vesa Zelias, a boy from a branch family notorious for bullying the weak and flaunting his power.
Lucas had tormented Adrian throughout his earlier years, treating him like a punching bag, humiliating him whenever possible.
Adrian's memories flooded back, each one stoking the fire of his anger. The abuse, the humiliation, the years of suffering at the hands of Lucas and his cronies—it all resurfaced, demanding vengeance.
'What do you think I am, your punching bag?' Adrian seethed internally, his rage simmering just beneath the surface.
Lucas, the youngest son of the Vesa branch family, stood smugly, unaware of the storm brewing inside Adrian.
The branch families, like the Vesa, were subordinate to the main families, offering their support in various capacities.
Unlike other noble houses where talent could elevate branch family members, the hierarchy within the imperial family was rigid and unforgiving. The branch families primarily handled administrative duties, ensuring the main family's dominance.
Adrian stared coldly at Lucas, his gaze icy and unyielding. A dark aura began to gather around his eyes, manifesting as cold blue flames.
"H-Hey, look! This trash has the guts to look me in the eyes!" Lucas stammered, attempting to mask his fear with bravado. The other children, always eager to side with the powerful, watched with a mix of curiosity and dread.
Lucas picked up his sword, a sinister smile creeping onto his face. He relished the opportunity to reassert his dominance in front of the others.
But before his blade could connect, Adrian blocked it with his hand. With a slight flex of his fingers and a pulse of mana, the sword shattered into pieces, the fragments falling uselessly to the ground.
Adrian's hand glowed with concentrated mana, his intent clear. 'Just die,' he thought, channeling the energy towards Lucas.
The boy's bravado crumbled as terror replaced it, his body trembling uncontrollably under Adrian's gaze. It was as if he had become prey caught in the jaws of a predator.
Just as Adrian was about to strike, an instructor intervened, grabbing his wrist and stopping the attack.
The air hummed with residual energy as the instructor quickly assessed the situation, realizing how close Lucas had come to death. "Seriously, if I was just a second late," the instructor muttered to himself, visibly shaken.
Lucas, seizing the opportunity to regain his composure, sneered, "Tsk! You got lucky this time, trash. I was just going to beat you." But his voice wavered, betraying the fear still gnawing at him.
The other children, who had been watching in stunned silence, began whispering among themselves.
They knew how bad things would have been for Lucas if the instructor hadn't intervened. Despite his attempt to regain control, it was clear to everyone that Lucas had narrowly escaped a beating, if not worse.
Adrian, his expression unreadable, turned on his heel and began to walk away. The crowd parted, no one daring to meet his gaze. But just as he was about to leave, Lucas's voice rang out, desperate and taunting. "I challenge you to a duel!"
Adrian paused, turning slightly to look at Lucas over his shoulder. "Why should I fight you? It's a waste of time," he replied coldly. "Even if I fight, what's the reward?"
Lucas, momentarily stunned by Adrian's dismissal, quickly regained his footing. "I swear on the name of my family, if I lose, I will become your servant. But if you lose, you have to serve me."
The stakes were high—an oath sworn on the family name was a binding contract, one that could change the power dynamics between the main and branch families.
Adrian considered the offer, his mind weighing the possibilities. He could see the desperation in Lucas's eyes, the need to salvage his pride in front of the others. After a moment's silence, Adrian nodded. "I accept."
The announcement of the duel spread quickly, sparking excitement and anticipation. Duels of this nature were rare, reserved for serious disputes, and required the approval of the patriarch.
The fact that Lucas had sworn on his family's name made the event all the more significant.
As the date was set—two days from now—Adrian's thoughts turned inward. 'This duel will prove everything. I'll show them all that I'm no longer the weakling they once knew.' Meanwhile, Lucas plotted his revenge, eager to finally humiliate Adrian in front of everyone.
But unknown to Lucas, Adrian had changed. He wasn't the same boy who had once cowered before him.
This time, the duel would be different. And as the day approached, a sense of foreboding settled over the estate. The outcome of this duel would not only determine the victor but would also shape the future dynamics within the family.
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