The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of night-blooming flowers across House Silver Star 's estate. The sky stretched endlessly above Lucien , speckled with constellations that whispered secrets of the arcane. Tonight, however, his gaze was not set upon the stars.
Tonight, his focus was on the battle that would solidify his mastery.
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### The Challenger: Lord Alric Varos
Age: 12 Years | Rival House | Tactical Mage Specialization
Alric had never trusted Lucien . From the moment their paths crossed at noble gatherings, there had been an unspoken battle of wits—a silent rivalry between the two most gifted heirs in the city.
He was sharp, cunning, and exceptional in combat magic, favoring tactical precision over brute force. His influence among the lesser noble circles had been growing steadily. If left unchecked, he could become a threat—not through direct confrontation, but through the slow erosion of Lucien 's unseen control.
That was unacceptable.
Thus, Lucien engineered the perfect scenario: a formal duel, under noble law.
A contest where no one could question the result.
A moment to demonstrate that there was no one in their generation who could rival him.
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### The Duel Begins
They stood at opposite ends of the estate's private arena. Magical wards shimmered around the edges, ensuring this would be a fair fight, free of external interference.
Alric's stance was steady, calculating. He didn't rush forward; instead, he waited, studying Lucien 's movements like a scholar analyzing an ancient text.
"Your reputation precedes you," Alric said, voice cool, sharp. "But words only hold value when backed by action."
Lucien smiled, but there was no warmth in it—only calculated amusement.
"Then let's rewrite history."
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### Dimensional Step – Active
The moment the duel began, Lucien disappeared.
A pulse of magic ripped through reality, pulling him through space.
And then—
He reappeared behind Alric, untouched, unseen, untraceable.
Alric didn't hesitate. The moment Lucien materialized, a precise blast of wind magic lashed out, forcing him to pivot and sidestep.
Even without space magic, Alric was proving himself dangerous.
But Lucien wasn't here to dodge. He was here to prove domination.
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### Control Over Reality
He activated Dimensional Step again, weaving through space as though he no longer obeyed the rules of existence.
Alric tracked every movement, countering each step with waves of precision magic.
Lightning cracked against the warded air. Shadows twisted, recoiling from the raw energy unleashed between them.
But in the end—
Lucien 's mastery of movement was too precise.
One final teleport—six feet forward—placed him within Alric's guard.
A single arcane strike landed against his opponent's chest.
The duel was over.
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### The Aftermath
Alric stared at Lucien , breath heavy, mind reeling. His calculations had been perfect—his counters flawless, yet still, he had lost.
"This is beyond standard magic," he murmured, eyes narrowing. "You weren't moving. You were controlling space itself."
Lucien didn't deny it.
Because he had won. And now, all noble society would hear of it.
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### What Comes Next?
With his victory solidified, Lucien has now proven his undeniable superiority in spatial magic.
But Alric's words linger—because someone intelligent enough to recognize the truth is also dangerous.
Should Lucien eliminate him quietly, or should he turn him into an asset?
Or perhaps, there's a greater rival on the horizon, one whose influence runs deeper than even Alric's…