Chapter 3
Kael and Clara sat cross-legged on the floor of her modest room, the unassuming walls a stark contrast to the mysteries that surrounded them. The book lay between them, its cover now adorned with the title "Kyo," pulsing with an otherworldly energy that both intrigued and terrified Kael. Clara's eyes sparkled with curiosity as they prepared to delve into the first chapter.
"Are you ready for this?" Clara asked, glancing at Kael.
He nodded, swallowing hard. "I've been waiting for something like this. But what if it's dangerous?"
Clara smirked. "What's dangerous is you dreaming about joining the Territory Expansion Unit but not being able to make it past the preliminary rounds. You need to know what you're up against, Kael."
"Yeah, well, Dorian isn't exactly a poster boy for the TEU either," Kael replied, crossing his arms defensively. "At least he made it to the main tournament."
"And what about you?" Clara teased, nudging him playfully. "You couldn't even beat a bunch of wannabe duelists. Maybe you should focus more on that than dreaming about glory."
"Shut up," Kael shot back, laughing despite himself. "Let's see what this book has in store."
As they began reading, they learned that Kyo was the fundamental life force energy existing in all things—plants, animals, and even the monsters they fought. The first practice they encountered was called **Samadhi**, the cultivation of their Kyo. They exchanged determined glances, and Clara took a deep breath, setting the tone for their focus.
"I feel like I could actually sense it," she murmured, closing her eyes.
Kael followed suit, inhaling deeply as they began the breathwork technique described as **Pranayama**. With each inhale, their auras flared up like flames, and with each exhale, they relaxed into the rhythm, the energy ebbing and flowing. As they practiced, Clara's eyes fluttered open, her brow furrowed.
"This is incredible," she breathed, sweat beading on her forehead. "Can you feel that?"
"Yeah, it's like something is... awakening inside me," Kael replied, his voice hushed.
Their focus broke when the sound of a door slamming echoed in the hallway, drawing them both back to reality. Clara looked concerned.
"What was that?"
Meanwhile, across the city, Lucian and Sir Thaddeus Wellingham-St. Clair stepped into the restaurant together. The nobleman looked around, a sneer already plastered across his face, his eyes gleaming with a sense of entitlement.
"Ah, the atmosphere here reeks of desperation," Thaddeus declared loudly, drawing the attention of patrons. "Such peasant food for the common rabble. I expect nothing less in this place."
Lucian kept his gaze low, feeling the weight of his master's scorn. "It's merely a restaurant, my lord," he murmured, trying to maintain his composure.
Thaddeus waved a hand dismissively. "Don't play the fool, Lucian. You know how much I enjoy making deals. The finer things in life are wasted on the unrefined. Speaking of unrefined, I've heard some very interesting things about the girl over there." He gestured toward Clara, who was blissfully unaware of their presence.
Lucian's heart sank. "She's just looking for a job," he replied, the defensiveness creeping into his voice.
"Is that what you think?" Thaddeus's smile widened, revealing a predatory glint in his eyes. "You should see her as more than just a peasant girl. With the right guidance, she could become so much more. There's a certain… innocence about her that I find intriguing."
Lucian shot him a warning glance. "My lord, I don't think—"
"Shut up, Lucian!" Thaddeus snapped, his voice low but menacing. "You need to learn your place. I can get her for a price—perhaps a few coins exchanged in the dark. Imagine what a delight it would be to teach her about the true power of the elite."
Lucian recoiled, disgust flooding through him. "You can't be serious."
"I'm as serious as I've ever been, boy," Thaddeus replied, leaning closer. "This little girl has potential. I could mold her into something exquisite—if you know what I mean." He chuckled darkly, relishing the twisted implications.
Just then, Kael and Clara entered the restaurant. Clara was momentarily distracted, her heart racing as she spotted Lucian. Kael, on the other hand, felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him when he heard Thaddeus's words.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kael shouted, anger flaring in his chest as he strode forward.
Thaddeus turned, feigning surprise. "Ah, the little street urchin. Do you really think you can protect her? You're not fit to polish my boots."
Kael's vision blurred with rage as he stepped closer, feeling an energy crackle around him. "You don't get to talk to her like that," he growled. "You think you can just take her?"
"Oh, I'm not just taking her, boy," Thaddeus said with a smug grin. "I'm offering her a future—one that you can't even dream of. She could have power, prestige, if only she were willing to—"
Before he could finish, Kael launched himself forward, the energy pulsing through him like fire. He struck Thaddeus square in the chest, the force sending the nobleman crashing through the booth, splintering the wood and sending chairs flying. Thaddeus hit the wall with a thud, the sickening sound of impact echoing through the restaurant.
Lucian's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell just happened?" he thought, his mind racing. How was this child so strong?
Kael grabbed Clara, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "We need to go, now!"
As they dashed out of the restaurant, Lucian watched them flee, a mix of envy and admiration swelling within him. He felt trapped in a life of servitude, while these two tasted the freedom he could only dream of.
Outside, chaos erupted as the guards flooded into the restaurant, rushing to help Thaddeus, who lay unconscious with blood pooling around him. Lucian hesitated, torn between his obligations and the fleeting image of the strength Kael had displayed.
"I wish I could escape too," he thought, envious of the freedom those two possessed, even as he remained shackled to his own fate.
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