The two weeks leading up to the gathering were nothing short of grueling. Each day began before dawn and ended long after the sun had set, filled with relentless training and relentless battles. Alaric, Elira, Selene, and Kael pushed Damien to his limits, determined to sharpen his skills to a razor’s edge. The whispers among the soldiers had transformed into full-blown reverence as they watched Damien’s rapid growth.
MORNING: SPARRING AND STRATEGY
The first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon as Damien stood in the courtyard, drenched in sweat. Kael loomed before him, his broadsword raised high. Their sparring sessions had intensified, each clash of steel pushing Damien closer to mastery.
Kael grunted as Damien deflected another powerful swing, using the momentum to step in and deliver a strike of his own. Kael barely managed to block in time, the impact forcing him back a step.
“You’re learning,” Kael admitted, his breath steady. “But don’t get cocky.”
Damien smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
They continued, each exchange growing faster, more precise. Damien’s agility allowed him to stay just ahead of Kael’s powerful strikes, and his newfound strength meant he could meet the heavier blows without faltering.
When Alaric finally called an end to the session, the soldiers watching erupted in applause. Kael clapped Damien on the back. “Not bad. At this rate, you’ll be ready for anything.”
AFTERNOON: MONSTER HUNTS
After a brief rest, the afternoons were spent outside the estate’s walls, hunting down the creatures that roamed the outskirts of Valdris. Alaric led these expeditions, using the hunts to hone Damien’s combat instincts in real battle conditions.
“Remember,” Alaric said as they entered the dense forest, “monsters don’t follow the rules of sparring. They’ll strike from the shadows, use their surroundings to their advantage. You need to be prepared for anything.”
Damien nodded, gripping Ebonfang tightly. The blade pulsed in response, its runes glowing faintly.
The first encounter came quickly—a pack of feral wraithhounds, their eyes glowing a malevolent red as they darted between the trees. Alaric motioned for the soldiers to hold back, letting Damien take the lead.
The wraithhounds attacked in unison, their speed and coordination forcing Damien to adapt on the fly. He focused on staying mobile, using the terrain to his advantage. Each swing of Ebonfang was precise, the blade slicing through the shadowy forms with ease.
When the last hound fell, Alaric nodded approvingly. “You’re learning to trust your instincts. Good.”
The hunts grew more dangerous as the days went on, with Damien facing larger and more fearsome beasts. Each victory brought with it a surge of experience, pushing him closer to the next level.
EVENING: TACTICAL MASTERY
The evenings were reserved for tactical training. Elira guided Damien through complex scenarios, teaching him the art of battlefield strategy.
“You won’t always face your enemies head-on,” she explained, moving pieces across a map of Valdris. “Sometimes, the battle is won before the first blow is struck.”
Damien absorbed every lesson, his mind sharpening alongside his body. Elira’s guidance helped him understand the importance of positioning, timing, and the subtle ways to manipulate the flow of a fight.
THE BREAKTHROUGH
By the end of the first week, Damien’s progress was evident. His movements were more refined, his strikes more powerful. But it was during a particularly intense training session with Selene that he felt the breakthrough.
Selene launched a flurry of attacks, her daggers moving too fast for the untrained eye to follow. Damien responded instinctively, his blade parrying each strike with precision. Then, without thinking, he shifted his stance and delivered a devastating counterstrike that forced Selene to retreat.
The runes on Ebonfang flared brightly, and a surge of energy coursed through Damien. He felt his connection to the blade deepen, the power within him reaching new heights.
His Stat Window appeared before him, the numbers reflecting his rapid ascent.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Damien Ashenblade
Title: The Blade’s Chosen
Level: 40
Class: Celestial Bladebearer
---
CORE STATS:
Stat
Current Value
Strength
85
Agility
90
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Endurance
80
Intelligence
55
Perception
75
Vitality
78
---
Unique Trait:
Celestial Resonance
* Description: Bonded with the Celestial Blade, unlocking latent abilities and enhancing growth potential. The resonance allows the user to synchronize with the blade’s energy, exponentially increasing combat effectiveness and granting access to unique powers as they grow.
---
ABILITIES:
Ability Name
Type
Level
Description
Astral Slash
Active
5
Unleashes a powerful wave of celestial energy that cuts through multiple enemies.
Phase Step
Active
4
Shifts the user between physical and astral forms, allowing for instantaneous evasion or strategic repositioning.
Blade Echo
Passive
5
Every third attack creates a spectral afterimage that deals additional damage.
Celestial Aura
Passive
4
Enhances the user’s combat efficiency, increasing strength and agility while reducing enemy accuracy within its range.
Void Cleave
Active
3
A devastating close-range slash that disrupts enemy formations and deals massive damage, particularly effective against armored foes.
Ebonfire Burst
Active
2
Unleashes a burst of dark flames that surround the user, dealing damage over time to nearby enemies while providing temporary immunity to minor status effects.
Echoflame Barrage
Active
1
Channels Ebonfang’s energy into a rapid series of precision strikes, each attack leaving a burning afterimage that detonates shortly after impact.
Starlight Guard
Passive
2
Reduces incoming damage by a percentage, creating a protective aura that absorbs part of the energy from attacks.
Astral Reave
Active
1
A powerful, focused thrust that channels celestial energy, piercing through even the toughest defenses.
---
Damien stared at the screen, the sheer magnitude of his progress leaving him momentarily breathless. He dismissed the window with a flick of his hand, gripping Ebonfang tighter as its runes flared in response.
“I’m ready,” he said softly, feeling the energy surging through him. “Whatever comes next, I’ll face it head-on.”
THE FAMILY'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT
As Damien returned to the main hall, he found his family waiting. Alaric and Elira stood side by side, their expressions a mix of pride and anticipation. Selene leaned casually against a pillar, her usual grin in place, while Kael’s arms were crossed, his eyes sharp and assessing.
“You’ve pushed yourself harder than ever,” Alaric said, his voice carrying a note of approval.
“Let’s see the results.”
Damien activated the Stat Window again, this time for all to see. His siblings exchanged impressed glances, and even Alaric gave a rare nod of approval.
“Level 40 in two weeks,” Kael said, his tone laced with grudging admiration. “Not bad.”
Selene let out a low whistle. “You’re officially terrifying now.”
Elira smiled warmly. “You’ve exceeded all our expectations, Damien. You’re ready.”
Alaric stepped forward, his gaze piercing. “But remember, this is only the beginning. The gathering will test more than your strength. Stay vigilant.”
Damien met his father’s gaze, his resolve unwavering. “I will.”
THE PATH FORWARD
As the family prepared for their journey to the Nightraven estate, the atmosphere in the Ashenblade household shifted. Soldiers and staff alike treated Damien with newfound respect, their whispers of “The Blade’s Chosen” spreading through the estate and beyond.
In the quiet hours of the night, Damien stood on the balcony of his room, the cool wind brushing against his face. The stars above seemed to burn brighter, as if heralding the dawn of a new era.
He was no longer the cursed scion. He was a force to be reckoned with, and the world was beginning to take notice.
And in the shadows, far beyond the walls of the Ashenblade estate, the leaders of the other great families watched and waited, their own plans unfolding.
The gathering would soon begin, and with it, the next chapter of Damien’s journey.