Kael stood on the training grounds, his chest rising and falling with anticipation. His eyes locked on Edward, the swordsman who had, up until now, dismissed him as little more than a spoiled brat. Edward raised his sword casually, the steel gleaming in the sunlight, his stance relaxed, confident in his ability to handle anything Kael could throw at him.

“Let’s begin,” Edward said, his voice steady, barely a trace of concern in it.

Kael didn’t hesitate. In the blink of an eye, he sprinted forward, his boots pounding the dirt with a sharp thud, thud, thud. His movements were quick, deliberate, his mind focused like never before. He could see every shift in Edward’s posture, every angle of his body, the slight tilt of his head, the way his feet were positioned. The weak spots were as clear as day. Kael’s grin twisted into something darker as he closed the gap in a flash.

The first strike came faster than Edward anticipated. Kael swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming directly at Edward’s left side. The sound of metal slicing through the air.

*Whoooosh*

Edward barely had time to react, but instinctively, he raised his sword to parry, the clash of their blades ringing out with a resounding.

*CLANG*

The impact was stronger than he expected, the shock of it vibrating up his arm. He stepped back, eyes narrowing as he looked at Kael.

‘Something’s different,’ Edward thought, his grip tightening on his sword. He hadn’t expected this level of intensity so early in the fight. He adjusted his stance, anticipating the next move.

Kael didn’t wait. His next strike came immediately—a thrust aimed for Edward’s midsection. The sound of the sword cutting through the air.

*SWWOOSH*

*CLANG*

As it collided with Edward’s blade. The force behind the strike was substantial, but Edward redirected the attack with a quick flick of his wrist, deflecting Kael’s sword just inches from his chest.

But Kael wasn’t done. He was relentless, his strikes coming faster and with more precision. Each slash felt heavier, each parry more controlled. The sound of metal clashing echoed through the grounds

*CLANG, CLANG, CLANG*

As the two swordsmen danced across the training field.

Edward, still underestimating Kael’s abilities, countered each strike with ease, his movements fluid, his experience evident. But Kael was faster now, his body moving with a newfound fluidity, his attacks landing with more force. Every time Edward deflected, Kael was already in position for the next strike, his blade cutting through the air with a deadly.

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*SWWOOOSH*

Edward’s eyes widened as he finally noticed the difference. ‘He’s not just reacting. He’s anticipating. He’s... reading me.’ The realization hit him like a cold splash of water. The boy was no longer the brat he had dismissed. Kael was becoming a threat.

Kael’s sword moved in a deadly arc, a whistling sound preceding the blade’s deadly path. Edward raised his sword to block, but Kael feigned the attack, pulling his sword back and shifting his weight to deliver a quick thrust towards Edward’s lower right side. The sword made a sharp

* CLINK *

It scraped off Edward’s armor.

Edward grunted, surprised by Kael’s unpredictability, but he quickly regained his composure. With a growl, he launched himself forward, meeting Kael’s attack head-on.

The two swordsmen collided in a flurry of strikes, their blades moving so quickly that the sound of metal striking metal was almost continuous—a relentless visual of raw power meeting raw power.

But Kael, now fully in tune with the flow of the battle, saw an opening. As Edward overextended, Kael slid to the side with a swift swish of his feet, his body flowing like water, then swung his blade low in a sweeping motion aimed at Edward’s legs. The sound of the sword cutting through the air was sharp and piercing, a whooosh followed by a crack as Kael’s blade grazed Edward’s thigh.

Edward jumped back, eyes wide with shock. He had been grazed, a small cut appearing just above his knee. Blood trickled down his leg. It was a small wound, but the fact that Kael had landed a hit sent a jolt of realization through him.

‘Damn it… he’s not just some brat anymore. He’s dangerous.’

Kael’s eyes gleamed with victory, his breathing steady, the adrenaline coursing through him. He could feel the difference now—he was stronger, faster, and more in control of his sword than ever before. He adjusted his grip, ready for the next round, as Edward slowly raised his blade, a look of respect starting to form in his eyes.

“Impressive,” Edward admitted, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ‘So this is the real Kael Varyn '

Kael smirked, not letting his guard down for a second. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

“Now that you seem to have an understanding of swordsmanship, let the real training begin,” Edward said with a smirk, his eyes glinting with a mix of challenge and approval. He had seen the shift in Kael’s movements, the focus and precision that had replaced his earlier recklessness. Kael had finally stepped up to the plate. Edward adjusted his stance, the air around him seeming to crackle with anticipation.

Kael stood tall, his grip firm on his sword, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Bring it on,” he said, his voice steady, but his heart raced in excitement. He had finally found his rhythm, his style of fighting, and now it was time to prove it.

From the roof above, Rowan watched their spar with a soft smile, his arms crossed over his chest. ‘He finally found his style,’ he thought, his sharp eyes tracking every move. ‘It’s awfully similar to mine, but that doesn’t matter.’ There was a quiet sense of satisfaction in Rowan’s chest—Kael’s growth was something he’d been waiting for. It had taken time, but the boy was starting to show his true potential.

Rowan vanished, his form dissolving into the air with a swift whoosh, reappearing back in his office. His eyes immediately flicked to the cluttered desk before him. Piles of paperwork were scattered across the surface, and his face twisted into a frown. ‘I love being Emperor,’ he thought with a hint of sarcasm, ‘but remind me why I have to do all this paperwork?’ The weight of the responsibilities pressed down on him as he glanced at the stack of documents. ‘Being the Emperor is one thing. Being a clerk is another.’

He sighed and rolled up his sleeves, ready to dive into the mountain of work that awaited him, even though his heart wasn’t in it. The paperwork would never end, but neither would his role as the ruler.

.....

Meanwhile, Travis had finished reading a book on mana. He closed the ancient tome with a soft thud, his mind buzzing with new knowledge. He now had a full understanding of mana, how it flowed through the world, how it could be harnessed, and how to manipulate it. The mysteries of magic, once elusive, were now clear to him.

With a satisfied exhale, he placed the book back in its proper place, running his fingers over the worn leather cover. He didn’t linger long, though; his stomach growled in protest.

‘Man, I’m hungry as fuck,’ he thought with a chuckle, but his smile faded as he remembered the one problem: ‘Sadly, I have no money to buy something to eat.’

As he walked through the halls of the castle, the familiar sounds of footsteps and distant chatter filled the air. But then, his sharp eyes caught sight of something unusual. Down the street, a group of thugs was dragging a man into a dark alley. Travis’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. ‘Well, here’s my chance to make some,’ he thought, already calculating how to turn this situation to his advantage.

Without hesitation, he slid into the shadows, moving quietly, his footsteps barely a whisper against the stone ground. He had no qualms about using this moment to fill his stomach.

‘A little pickpocketing never hurt anyone,’ he thought, his fingers twitching in anticipation.

TO BE CONTINUED