The air was thick with anticipation.
Kael stood in the middle of the Drayven Training Grounds, his sharp gaze locked onto the two noble brats before him. The courtyard was spacious, its floor a mix of polished stone and sand, stained by years of countless duels. Wooden dummies and weapon racks lined the edges, though Kael had no intention of using any.
A few scattered onlookers had gathered—servants, guards, and a handful of noble heirs who had come for their morning training.
They were now staring at Kael instead.
The two nobles he had challenged were brothers—Gareth and Luden Vale. Sons of a minor noble family, but arrogant as hell.
Gareth, the older one, sneered. "You sure about this, Kael? You've barely woken up from your little accident. Wouldn't want you to pass out again."
Luden chuckled. "Maybe we should take it easy on him, brother."
Kael rolled his shoulders, his smirk sharp. "Go ahead. Try."
The crowd murmured. Was he serious?
Gareth scoffed and grabbed a wooden training sword. "Alright then, let's make this quick."
Kael didn't move as Gareth strode forward, weapon raised.
A normal noble duel followed a pattern. A show of footwork, a few exchanged blows, and a decisive strike to win. But Kael?
He had no intention of playing by the rules.
The First Strike
Gareth lunged, swinging his sword in a wide arc—predictable, slow.
Kael stepped in, closing the distance instantly.
[Phantom Step Activated.]
THWACK!
Kael's palm slammed into Gareth's chest like a hammer, sending him skidding backward across the ground.
The crowd gasped.
Gareth groaned, struggling to push himself up. "What the—?"
Luden's eyes widened. "That speed…?"
Kael tilted his head. They weren't expecting this.
Good.
Gareth snarled, gripping his sword tightly. He rushed again, this time faster, angrier.
Kael's foot barely shifted.
A single movement—smooth, effortless.
[Silent Blade Arts – Flowing Evasion]
Gareth's blade whiffed through empty air.
Before he could recover—
Kael stepped in again.
[Falling Moon Palm]
BAM!
His palm struck Gareth's ribs. Not hard enough to break bones, but enough to make the noble collapse onto his knees, coughing.
Luden gawked. "Gareth?!"
Kael barely paid attention. His mind was on something else—
[System Alert: Falling Moon Palm Mastery Increased!]
So real combat accelerated his skill growth even more.
Kael's lips curled.
This was going to be fun.
A New Challenger
Before Luden could react, a slow clap echoed across the courtyard.
Kael turned.
A tall figure stood near the entrance, her long crimson hair flowing like silk. She wore a fitted combat uniform, and her sharp violet eyes locked onto him like a predator.
Seraphina Drayven.
Kael's older sister.
Unlike Elara, Seraphina had never acknowledged him as a sibling. She was the pride of the Drayven family—a warrior blessed by the System, her Class already awakened.
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"You seem… different," she murmured, stepping forward.
Kael met her gaze, his smirk unfaltering. "Do I?"
Seraphina's eyes flickered toward Gareth, who was still struggling to breathe.
Then back to Kael.
"You're strong now." Her tone was even, unreadable. "Stronger than before."
Kael simply shrugged. "So what?"
Seraphina tilted her head, studying him. Then she grinned.
"Then fight me."
The crowd fell silent.
Kael exhaled slowly. Well, this escalated quickly.
Seraphina wasn't just strong. She was one of the strongest noble heirs in the region.
In a normal fight, he wouldn't stand a chance.
But this wasn't a normal fight.
Kael had already started breaking the rules.
His smirk widened. "Alright. Let's see how this goes."
The First Clash
Seraphina didn't wait.
The moment Kael accepted, she moved.
[Crimson Flash Step]
Her figure vanished.
She's fast.
Kael barely had time to raise his arms before—
BAM!
Her fist collided with his guard, sending him skidding back several meters. His arms tingled.
[System Alert: Damage Taken.]
He shook out his hands. "Huh. Not bad."
Seraphina grinned. "Let's see how long you last."
Kael exhaled. Alright.
Let's go.
Breaking the Limits
The duel began.
Seraphina came at him with lightning-fast strikes. Her combat style was refined, every motion flawless.
Kael dodged, weaved, and blocked, using his Phantom Step and Silent Blade Arts to keep up.
But Seraphina was adapting.
She feinted left—then struck right.
Kael barely twisted his body in time, but—
CRACK!
Her knee slammed into his ribs.
He staggered, pain lancing through his side.
[System Alert: Minor Fracture Detected.]
Tch. She was stronger than he thought.
The crowd was silent, tense.
Seraphina smirked. "Is that all?"
Kael grinned back, wiping blood from his lips. "Not even close."
He focused.
And then—he moved.
[Silent Blade Arts – Phantom Rend]
A feint. A flicker of motion.
Kael vanished—
And reappeared behind her.
Seraphina's eyes widened.
Too slow.
Kael's palm slammed into her back.
BAM!
She stumbled forward, but before she could react—
Kael's leg hooked around hers.
[Falling Moon Palm – Disrupting Strike]
Seraphina lost her balance.
She hit the ground hard.
The crowd exploded in disbelief.
Kael exhaled slowly.
His body ached, but he was grinning.