The duel was confirmed. The news spread like wildfire, and shockwaves rippled through the training hall.
"What? He accepted?"
"Is he serious? How can a weakling like him win?"
"This will become big news if Lucas actually wins."
Voices filled the room, ranging from concern to sinister glee. The implications of this duel were monumental.
If Lucas, a branch family member, were to defeat Andrain, the very structure of the noble families would be shaken.
He would gain authority over a direct descendant of the main family, an unprecedented event.
Feeling proud, Lucas made many bold claims to the people present, boasting about his imminent victory.
He relished the idea of finally stepping out of the shadow of his branch family and into a position of power.
Naz, observing from the shadows, was equally surprised but saw this event as an opportunity to gauge his brother's true capabilities.
Though he had seen flashes of Andrain's potential, this would be the first time he could witness it in a serious context.
Andrain, with a faint smile playing on his lips, made his way back to his room.
As he exited the training hall, he could hear the whispers and murmurs of those around him.
"Is he dumb? Why was he smiling?"
"He must have lost his mind."
These comments made Andrain's blood boil, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.
As he walked through the corridor, Naz suddenly jumped out from the shadows, attempting to startle him.
But Andrain didn't flinch, his senses heightened and his focus razor-sharp.
Meanwhile, the news of the duel quickly reached Lucas's father, the current head of the Vesa branch family.
He was surprised at first but quickly broke into a chuckle as thoughts of grandeur and luxury filled his mind. 'You have to win this duel, son,' he thought to himself, already fantasizing about the power and prestige this victory would bring.
Back at the Zelias estate, the atmosphere was tense. The patriarch, upon hearing the news, leaned back in his chair, his hand resting on his forehead. The weight of this duel was not lost on him.
"Haha, really, what are you planning, Andrain?" he muttered, a mix of curiosity and concern in his voice as he signed the official papers authorizing the duel.
The day ended, and cold winds began to blow across the beautiful city.
The streets were illuminated by countless lights, and the night sky was a canvas painted with a million stars.
Andrain retrieved his black long coat from his closet and made his way to the training hall, which had an open ceiling that allowed the stars to watch over him as he practiced.
He stood in the middle of the hall, his eyes gleaming with determination. Passion ignited within him as he began his training, trying to sense the mana around him and channel it into his attacks.
Boom!
A loud explosion echoed through the hall. Andrain was momentarily stunned by the power he had unleashed.
He had successfully learned to control basic-level magic spells, a feat that both thrilled and frightened him.
As he stood there, processing what had just happened, the gate slowly creaked open. Andrain's senses went into overdrive as he braced himself for whatever was coming.
'Who would come at this late hour?' he thought, his muscles tensing in anticipation.
"Yes, that's my question," a voice echoed from the shadows.
Andrain's heart skipped a beat. 'Did he just read my mind?' he wondered, but his fear quickly subsided when he realized it was Naz, who had come sneaking up behind him.
"Oh, it's you!" Andrain exhaled in relief, glad it was only his brother.
"What are you doing here? Practicing for the match?" Naz asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Andrain nodded and continued his practice, but Naz wasn't done yet. He had something he wanted to share, something that might help his brother in the upcoming duel.
"I have something that might help you," Naz began, but quickly added, "Ah, first hear me out."
Andrain squinted his eyes, a mix of curiosity and suspicion in his gaze. He didn't fully trust Naz's intentions, but he was willing to listen.
"First, try to feel the mana in the air and connect your body with nature," Naz instructed, his voice calm and measured.
Andrain followed his brother's advice, though he couldn't help but think this was all just some childish game.
But as he concentrated, he began to sense the mana flowing around him, a subtle but powerful energy that he could tap into.
"Now, concentrate the mana in your hand and slowly release some to establish a connection," Naz continued, his hands moving in demonstration.
Andrain's confusion deepened, but he followed the instructions. To his surprise, he felt the mana in his hand starting to take shape, bending to his will.
"Now, imagine it as a blade with sharp edges and try to mold it accordingly," Naz said, his eyes fixed on Andrain's hand with intense focus.
Slowly, the mana began to form into a sharp, pointed blade, a weapon that could easily pierce through flesh and even metal. Andrain's eyes widened in amazement.
"This is incredible!" Andrain exclaimed, astonished by the power he was wielding. But his amazement quickly gave way to suspicion.
Without hesitation, he asked, "How do you know about this?" His voice was cold, and his gaze pierced through Naz like a dagger.
Naz's eyes welled up with tears. "Sniffle… I don't know… I just know some things like this," he replied, his voice trembling.
Seeing his brother on the verge of tears, Andrain softened. He decided not to press the issue further, but he made a silent vow to uncover the truth behind Naz's mysterious knowledge.
The skill, as powerful as it was, was also incredibly dangerous. If used incorrectly or without proper control, it could backfire with catastrophic results. A single mistake could spell the end for the user.
After practicing for hours, Andrain was exhausted. The technique had drained his mana, leaving him panting and drenched in sweat.
Huff… Huff…
Andrain and Naz sat together on a bench, gazing up at the night sky, now slowly giving way to the light of dawn.
The stars began to fade as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon.
Naz, too tired to continue, eventually dozed off on the bench. Andrain, noticing his brother's exhaustion, gently draped his long coat over him to keep him warm.
He then resumed his training, pushing his limits until the sun fully rose.
Ding!
A soft chime echoed in Andrain's mind, followed by a message appearing before his eyes.
[New skill: 'Mana Shaping' learned.]
"This is unbelievable!" Andrain gasped, his surprise evident.
At that same moment, Naz, still half-asleep, saw the message before drifting back to sleep.
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