Days passed, and Kateku's training continued under Liora's guidance. As a test of his growth, they embarked on a hunt through the dense forest. During their search, they discovered magical scrolls, both of C-class and A-class rarity, a rare find in their small corner of the world.
Kateku held the scrolls, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Are these rare?" he asked Liora.
"Very rare," she replied. "But be careful. They hold great power, and not everyone is ready for it." Liora left the forest.
Just as they were about to leave the area, a sudden rustle in the trees put Liora on high alert. Out of nowhere, a group of shadowy figures dressed as ninjas appeared, surrounding them. The ambush was swift, catching even Kateku off guard.
Before he could react, the ninjas attacked with deadly precision. They killed the slave girl who had been with them, swiftly taking the magical scrolls. Kateku was struck down, his vision going black as he collapsed to the forest floor.
---
When Kateku awoke, he was alone in the forest. Blood stained the ground around him, and his body trembled with fear. His heart pounded in his chest, and he scrambled to his feet, panic surging through his veins. "No... no... I don't want to die yet... It's too early to die!"
He ran, pushing through the dense trees, his legs carrying him faster than he ever thought possible. His thoughts were a whirl of fear and confusion, but one thing drove him forward—he had to survive.
Back at the mansion, Kateku told Liora everything that had happened. She listened calmly, then placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kateku. Did you know that the seven families would do anything to stay in power?"
Kateku clenched his fists. "Are you saying it's the seven families who killed her?"
Liora nodded. "In this world, magic is everything. No one can survive without it. People believe magic is limitless, but they are wrong. It's limited by the world itself. If you want to surpass those limits, to become truly powerful, you need to become something more—a higher being."
---
**Time Skip – Two Years Later**
Now three years old, Kateku's life had changed significantly. His father was discussing something important with a man of equal stature—the head of the 5th family, one of the great powers of the kingdom. They had come to an agreement, a proposal that would pit their sons against each other in a test of strength. The winner would receive 1 million gold coins, and the fight was scheduled in five days.
Liora was tasked with convincing Kateku to participate in the fight.
"You should fight," Liora said. "It's a chance to show your strength."
Kateku scoffed, uninterested. "I have better things to do."
"I'll give you money if you do," Liora offered, a sly smile on her face.
Kateku's eyes sparkled at the prospect of gold. "Alright, I'm in," he said, grinning.
---
**Five Days Later – The Fight**
The arena was filled with spectators from both families, all eager to witness the duel. Nobles, guards, and even some merchants crowded the stands. Kateku stood at one end, his opponent, Drakon, at the other. Drakon was the son of the 5th family—tall, broad-shouldered, and known for his aggressive fighting style. He sneered at Kateku, clearly underestimating him.
"Let's end this quickly," Drakon said, cracking his knuckles. "I have better things to do than waste time on a spoiled brat."
Kateku, unfazed by the insult, simply nodded.
The signal was given, and the battle began. Drakon wasted no time, launching a barrage of earth spikes from the ground. The jagged rocks sped toward Kateku, intending to skewer him, but Kateku remained calm, dodging the attack with a quick sidestep. His eyes narrowed, analyzing Drakon's movements.
Drakon smirked. "Too slow!"
He followed up with a fireball, larger than most mages of his age could produce. The searing flame roared through the air, aimed directly at Kateku. With a swift movement, Kateku raised his hand, summoning water magic to douse the fireball. Steam filled the arena, temporarily blinding the crowd.
From within the mist, Drakon charged forward, his fists crackling with lightning. He swung at Kateku, aiming for his head, but Kateku ducked at the last second, rolling to the side. He responded with a blast of ice magic, freezing the ground beneath Drakon's feet.
Drakon slipped, but quickly regained his footing, anger flashing in his eyes. "You're good... but not good enough!"
The two clashed in a rapid exchange of blows—fire, water, earth, and ice filling the battlefield. Their elemental attacks collided, sending shockwaves through the arena. The spectators watched in awe, unable to predict the outcome. Each strike from Drakon was met with a counter from Kateku, and neither seemed willing to back down.
Drakon, growing frustrated, summoned a massive boulder and hurled it toward Kateku with a shout of rage. Kateku raised his arms, summoning a wall of water to deflect the boulder, but the sheer force of the impact knocked him back. He stumbled, but quickly regained his balance.
"You're starting to look tired," Drakon taunted, his smirk returning. "Maybe you should quit while you're ahead."
Kateku wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes still sharp. "Not yet."
Drakon's overconfidence began to show as he charged recklessly, leaving himself open. Kateku seized the opportunity, sidestepping the attack and using a blast of ice magic to throw Drakon off balance. The crowd gasped as Drakon stumbled, but quickly caught himself before falling.
With both fighters growing more desperate, they pushed their magic to the limits. The air around them crackled with energy, the ground beneath them trembling from the sheer power they were unleashing.
Finally, with one last burst of power, they launched simultaneous attacks—Drakon with a massive firestorm, and Kateku with a tidal wave of water. The two forces collided in a massive explosion, sending shockwaves through the arena and forcing the spectators to shield their eyes.
When the dust settled, both boys stood in the center of the arena, panting heavily. The ground was scorched and soaked, evidence of the fierce battle they had just fought. Neither could claim victory. The fight had ended in a draw.
The crowd was silent, stunned by what they had witnessed. The heads of both families exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that the contest had not produced a clear winner.
Kateku and Drakon glared at each other, neither willing to admit defeat. This rivalry was far from over.
Here's how the next chapter, titled **"After the Duel"**, could unfold, continuing from where the previous chapter left off:
---
**Chapter Title: After the Duel**
---
The aftermath of the duel between Kateku and Drakon was felt by everyone present. The arena stood silent, the scorched earth and dissipating steam a testament to the fierce battle that had just taken place. Neither Kateku nor Drakon had been declared the victor, but the tension between them lingered.
Kateku glanced at Drakon as they both stood at the center, panting heavily. His body ached from the strain of using so much magic, but there was a gleam in his eyes—a recognition of his own growth. Drakon, though breathing just as hard, returned the look with a cold smirk.
"You think you're better than me, huh?" Drakon sneered as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Next time, I won't hold back."
Kateku said nothing in response, keeping his emotions under control, but inside, he felt a surge of irritation. He didn't care about Drakon's boasting. To him, the fight had been nothing more than a test—a stepping stone. He hadn't shown his full potential either, and that knowledge kept him calm.
Both fathers, the head of the 7th family and the head of the 5th family, exchanged looks from their seats in the viewing area. There was no clear winner, but something had changed. A new rivalry had been born, and both families knew it.
After the officials announced the end of the fight as a draw, the crowds slowly began to disperse. Whispers of the battle filled the air, spreading quickly throughout the city.
---
**Later that Evening – The Mansion**
Back at the mansion, Kateku sat silently in his room, staring at his hands. His thoughts drifted back to the duel. He was stronger than he had been when he first started training with Liora, but the fight with Drakon had shown him something important—he still had limitations.
Liora entered the room quietly, sensing his reflective mood. She stood behind him, her arms crossed. "You did well today, Kateku."
Kateku didn't immediately respond. After a few moments, he looked up at her. "I didn't win."
"It was a draw," she said with a small smile. "And you didn't lose either."
"I don't care about winning or losing," Kateku muttered. "I just realized I'm not strong enough yet. If I couldn't finish someone like Drakon, what about the others out there who are stronger? The seven families… the nobles…"
Liora's eyes softened. "You've come far, but you're right. The world is filled with people far stronger than Drakon, but that doesn't mean you won't surpass them. You're only three, Kateku. You still have time."
Kateku clenched his fists. "I want more power. I won't stop until I have it."
Liora nodded, admiring his determination. "Then you'll have to keep training. But Kateku… there's something you need to understand. Power without control is dangerous. The more you grow, the more the world will take notice. People will come after you, challenge you, and some may even try to destroy you. Today's fight was only the beginning."
Kateku stood up, his resolve hardening. "Let them come. I'll show them all."
---
**The Days Following the Duel**
In the days after the duel, word spread about the young boy from the 7th family who had fought on equal terms with Drakon, the favored son of the 5th family. Many nobles were surprised that a child so young had such immense power, and whispers began circulating throughout the kingdom about Kateku's potential.
But not all attention was welcome.
Several families, particularly those higher up in the royal hierarchy, began keeping a close eye on the 7th family. The duel had drawn attention to Kateku, and that was something they couldn't ignore. Some saw him as a threat, while others saw an opportunity to exploit him.
---
**In the Capital – The Royal Palace**
Meanwhile, in the capital city, king Grox received reports of the duel. He sat on his ornate throne, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips as he read the letter from one of his informants. The news of his hidden son's potential intrigued him.
"Kateku Grox," the king mused aloud, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "It seems you're more promising than I thought. Let's see how far you can go."
The king's eyes glinted with interest. There was much at stake within the royal family, and the existence of a son like Kateku presented new possibilities. But for now, he would remain in the shadows, watching Kateku's progress from afar.
---
**Back at the Mansion – A New Mission**
Back at the mansion, Liora received a letter late in the evening. After reading it, her face darkened. She approached Kateku's room and knocked softly before entering.
"I have news, Kateku," she said, her tone more serious than usual. "We've been tasked with a new mission."
Kateku raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"
"There's been a disturbance in the eastern forests. Reports of a rogue mage terrorizing villages. The heads of the seven families are sending teams to deal with the situation, and they've requested our involvement."
Kateku stood up, his interest piqued. "A rogue mage? Do you think he's strong?"
Liora nodded. "Strong enough that they've decided to involve the noble families. It's an opportunity to test your power again… but be careful. This mage won't be like Drakon. He's experienced, dangerous, and has no rules to follow."
A small smirk appeared on Kateku's face. "Good. I need a real challenge."
---
**The Rogue Mage Hunt**
The following day, Kateku and Liora set out for the eastern forest, joined by a small group of elite soldiers sent by the family. As they ventured deeper into the woods, the air grew thick with tension. Something was off, and they could feel it.
After hours of tracking, they finally found the rogue mage—a tall, hooded figure standing in the middle of a clearing. His eyes glowed with a sinister light, and dark magic radiated from his body.
The soldiers around Kateku stiffened, clearly unnerved by the mage's presence. But Kateku stepped forward, unafraid.
"So, you're the one causing all this trouble," Kateku called out, his voice steady. "I've come to stop you."
The rogue mage chuckled, his voice deep and menacing. "A child? They've sent a child to fight me?"
Kateku's eyes narrowed. "I'll make you regret underestimating me."
---
**End of Chapter**