Adrian rose from his seat, his gaze locking onto Natasha’s with unwavering intensity. “Fine. I accept."

Selena gripped his arm firmly. “Adrian, please think about this. There’s no need for violence."

Adrian turned to her, his hard expression softening for a brief moment. He placed his hand over hers. “I’m sorry, I know you mean well, but I have to do this.”

Selena's lips parted as if to protest, but whatever words she wanted to say faltered under the certainty in his eyes. She let her hand slip from his arms. “If you insist, but please be careful."

Adrian forced himself to look away, turning his attention back to Natasha, who watched the exchange with an expression that bordered on amused condescension.

“I’ll accept your duel, but I’ll choose where it takes place.” Adrian said.

Natasha raised an eyebrow and traced lazy circles on the rim of her untouched coffee cup. “How bold of you to assume you’re in any position to make demands. But I’ll indulge you. Pick whatever patch of dirt you like."

"I saw a courtyard not too far from here, let's go there."

"As you wish, it makes no difference to me."

Adrian stood and pushed his chair back under the table. I am not losing against some brat.

The café door swung open as Natasha strode ahead with effortless grace, her chin held high as though the world itself was beneath her notice. Behind her, Adrian and Selena followed silently.

The streets were eerily quiet, with a few lanterns casting dim pools of light. Adrian’s gaze remained steady as he walked. Whatever she’s planning, I need answers, and if I have to fight for them, so be it.

When they reached an open courtyard, Adrian came to a halt. The uneven cobblestones stretched wide, surrounded by looming dilapidated buildings.

He turned to Natasha, expression hardening. “We’ll settle this here.”

Natasha’s eyes flicked across the courtyard with an appraising look. She took in the space with an almost casual air before giving a slight shrug. “Functional enough, let’s not drag this out.”

Adrian crossed his arms, watching as Natasha shrugged off her outer garment and handed it to Selena, who took it without hesitation. Beneath, Natasha wore a fitted blouse that clung to her frame, designed for ease of movement. She flexed her fingers a few times as though testing the air itself.

Selena hesitated as she moved toward the girl. “Miss Natasha, is this truly necessary?”

Natasha shrugged. “This is a test, nothing more. And I suggest you step aside unless you’d like to be caught in the middle.”

Adrian glanced at Selena, whose worry was plain in the furrow of her brow and the tightness of her lips. “I’ll be fine, trust me."

"Adrian, are you really sure you want to do this?"

"I am, and… I'm sorry I have to make you worry."

Selena exhaled a weary sigh. "I… nevermind."

Adrian and Natasha moved to opposite ends of the courtyard. The air between them crackled with tension, heavy and charged. Adrian stopped, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Natasha as she stood with an air of unshakable confidence. Her violet gaze glinted with amusement, and a faint, mocking smile played on her lips.

“You're free to make the first move, I'll be ready." Natasha said.

Adrian didn’t respond. Instead, he studied her. She's too calm. What’s she hiding?

His eyes swept over her form, searching for any sign of her abilities. I can sense that she's a magic user, but not much else beyond that. Though it would be nice if she were just some talentless overconfident brat, I have this feeling that she might have some bite to back up all of that bark.

Either way, it doesn't matter. I will win. Adrian thought.

A blade of brilliant blue fire burst into existence in his hand, casting shadows across the courtyard. Adrian surged forward, the cobblestones beneath his feet cracking under the force of his stride. The flames of his weapon flared as he brought it down in a powerful, sweeping arc, aimed directly at her.

Natasha didn’t move until the last possible moment. Then, almost effortless precision, she raised a blade of her own to meet his strike.

The sound of the clash reverberated through the courtyard, sending a jolt through Adrian’s arms. He stepped back instinctively, his flaming blade flickering as his eyes widened in surprise.

The weapon in Natasha’s hand wasn’t made of ordinary steel. It glinted darkly in the faint light, its surface shifting like liquid. The crimson hue of the blade was unmistakable. A blood sword?

Natasha cocked her head, her expression one of mocking amusement. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’ve never seen blood magic before.”

Adrian narrowed his eyes but said nothing, leaping back to create distance between them. Natasha followed his movements with her gaze as she shifted into a duelist’s stance, holding her sword lightly in one hand. “I hope you’ll prove more entertaining than this."

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To think I'd be able to see blood magic in the flesh… this could prove to be very bad for me. Adrian clenched his jaw, pushing his thoughts aside. But first, I need to know what are her limits.

With a swift motion, his fiery sword dissipated, replaced by a glowing bow of blue fire. He nocked an arrow made of the same flames, the string drawn taut as he sprinted sideways across the courtyard. The arrow shot forth, streaking through the air like a comet, aimed directly at Natasha.

She sidestepped with uncanny ease, the arrow striking the ground and detonating in a burst of blue fire that sent shards of stone flying. Natasha’s laughter rang out as she straightened. “Two can play at that game."

Crimson spears materialized in the air around her, their jagged surfaces shimmering ominously. With a flick of her wrist, Natasha launched them toward Adrian. He darted through the courtyard, dodging and deflecting the projectiles with precise movements.

One spear came perilously close, grazing his cheek and drawing a thin line of blood. The sting burned, but Adrian barely acknowledged it. She hasn't tried once to mess with the blood in my body, which likely means that she is unable to do so. Good, this means I have a fighting chance after all.

Adrian skidded to a halt, flames swirling around him as he refocused. He thrust a hand toward the ground, igniting a circle of blue fire that expanded outward in a sudden wave. Natasha leapt back, the flames licking at her heels but failing to catch her.

Despite this, Adrian dashed forward, channeling his flames into his legs for a burst of speed. He leapt high into the air, conjuring twin daggers of fire as he descended, spinning toward Natasha like a whirlwind. She raised her blood blade to deflect the strikes, sending sparks of blue fire and crimson blood scattering in the air.

Natasha countered with a swift thrust, forcing Adrian to twist away. She then tried to pin him with another thrust, but he managed to leap back far enough thanks to a burst of fire from his feet.

She’s toying with me. How far can she push that blood magic? Adrian’s boots skidded across the uneven cobblestones as he came to a halt, his blue flames licking hungrily at the air around him.

The glow of his fire illuminated Natasha’s smirking face, her crimson blade held loosely at her side. Time to push things a little further.

With a sharp motion, Adrian thrust his hands forward, channeling his energy into a massive fireball. He hurled it with a force that sent a gust of searing wind rippling outward.

The fireball collided with the ground in front of her, exploding in a brilliant burst of blue light and roaring heat that seemed to consume the courtyard. Smoke and ash billowed into the air, obscuring Natasha from view. That had to at least rattle her.

Yet, when the smoke cleared, his stomach sank. Natasha stood untouched, a shimmering barrier of blood swirling protectively around her like a cocoon.

The liquid shield twisted and pulsed with a sinister vitality before dissipating in an almost lazy ripple. She dusted a fleck of ash from her sleeve, lips curling into a wider smirk. “Impressive effort, but you’ll have to do better than that.”

Adrian clenched his fists, his flames flaring slightly before settling. A small, rueful smile tugged at his lips. “I’ll admit that your pride isn't completely unfounded."

Natasha tilted her head, her smirk deepening as she regarded him with faint amusement. “You’re not too bad yourself, But I’m afraid…” Her hands moved with deliberate grace, clasping together as her blood blade dissolved into a rippling mist. “Our little game has to come to an—”

Suddenly, a piercing screech tore through the air, cutting her words short and reverberating through the courtyard like the wail of a banshee. Adrian winced, instinctively clamping his hands over his ears as the sound dug into his skull. What is that horrible sound?

“NATASHA, YOU COME HOME RIGHT THIS INSTANT!” The shrill voice rang out again, shaking the air with a force that felt unnatural.

Adrian turned toward the source of the voice, confused. On a nearby rooftop sat a massive vulture, its feathers a mix of dull brown and scraggly black. It swiveled its head toward Natasha with what could only be described as exasperation. What in the world is this? Is someone speaking through that thing?

Natasha groaned audibly, her confident demeanor dropping in an instant. “But Daddy, I was just starting to have fun.”

The vulture screeched again, cutting her off. “No buts! You’ve missed your curfew! Come home right now, young lady!”

Adrian stared with his mouth slightly open as he tried to process what was happening. Curfew? Is this some sort of joke? He looked back at Natasha, who now wore an expression of genuine irritation.

“I’m handling things perfectly fine here! You’re embarrassing me!” Natasha yelled back.

The vulture’s sharp gaze turned to Adrian, sizing him up with a disdainful glance. “And you, boy! You’re coming with her.”

Adrian blinked, the words taking a moment to register. “Wait, what? I’m not—”

Selena stepped forward, her expression composed but her tone insistent. “Adrian, I think it’s best if we follow along.”

Adrian turned to her, incredulous. “You can’t be serious. This whole situation—”

“Trust me. It’s better not to resist.”

The vulture squawked loudly, cutting through the conversation. “I’m not waiting all day! Natasha, move it! And boy, don’t make me come down there!”

Natasha sighed dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Fine, fine. Let’s go, then.” She glanced at Adrian, her earlier composure creeping back as she smirked. “Looks like you’re coming to meet the family.”

Adrian’s flames extinguished, and he reluctantly followed as Natasha headed toward the edge of the courtyard. The vulture hopped from the rooftop to a lower ledge, keeping an eye on them.

As they walked, Adrian cast a sideways glance at Natasha. “So, your dad uses a... vulture as a messenger?”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “Ugh, it’s a family familiar, don't think too much of it."

Adrian suppressed a grin, glancing at the oversized vulture as it hopped along the ledge, its piercing gaze never leaving him. This has to be one of the strangest days of my life.

He turned to Natasha. “If I’m coming to meet your family, can I at least bring my friends along?"

Natasha’s smirk faltered, replaced by an irritated frown. “Absolutely not. This isn’t a social gathering, and I’d rather not—”

The vulture cut her off with a loud screech, shaking its wings as it spoke. “The boy can bring whoever he likes.”

Adrian couldn’t hold back his chuckle, the sound drawing a glare from Natasha. She crossed her arms, her violet eyes narrowing. “Of course, you’d side with him,” she muttered under her breath.

“You’re the one who insisted on this duel,” Adrian pointed out.

Before Natasha could retort, Selena stepped forward. “Adrian, I’ll fetch your friends for you. It’ll be quicker if I go, and you and Miss Natasha can start making your way to the estate.”

Adrian hesitated, glancing at her with a flicker of concern. “Are you sure? They’re not exactly—”

“I’ll manage,” Selena interrupted, her gaze softened slightly as she added, “You’ve already got enough to handle. Just focus on staying calm.”

Adrian exhaled, nodding. “Alright. Thank you very much."