The courtyard of Draconis Keep buzzed with quiet anticipation as Kai stood in the center, his shirt off and a training blade in hand. The scars of his first battle were still raw, but he didn't flinch.
Across from him stood Sylvera, her eyes sharp, arms crossed, sword gleaming at her side.
"You think one kill makes you worthy of Valkyros?" she asked, voice dripping with disdain.
Kai smirked. "No. But it proved I don't need to hide behind a bloodline."
She drew her blade.
"I'll be the judge of that."
---
> [Sparring Initiated: Sylvera Drakonis – Level 12]
Training Mode: Lethal Hits Disabled
Opponent Perk: [Blade Dance – Rank D]
Warning: Opponent has actual combat experience.
---
Lucius stood off to the side with Ariadne, both observing silently.
"This is foolish," Ariadne said. "He hasn't even refined his Slayer Core."
Lucius's eyes didn't waver. "He needs to understand power isn't given—it's taken."
The clang of blades drew their attention back.
---
Kai barely dodged Sylvera's first slash. Her movements were blinding—graceful yet deadly. Her sword danced like it had a mind of its own.
He blocked one strike, then a second—only to be kicked in the chest and thrown back.
"Too slow, little brother."
Kai rolled to his feet, panting. His ribs ached. His system thrummed with warning notifications, tracking microfractures and stamina drain.
---
> [Passive: Predator's Focus Activated]
+5% Reaction Speed
+Enhanced Threat Detection
---
The next time she lunged, he didn't defend—he redirected.
He ducked low and swept at her legs. She leapt—he surged forward and landed a glancing strike across her thigh.
Sylvera's eyes flared with surprise.
Kai grinned. "Gotcha."
She growled. "Beginner's luck."
---
The match continued. Kai learned with each strike. Each missed block honed him. Each dodge refined his timing. His Slayer Instinct processed patterns mid-fight, predicting trajectories, adjusting stances.
Within minutes, he was keeping up.
But Sylvera wasn't done.
She spun with a flourish, using her signature move—Blade Dance.
Seven strikes in a blur of motion.
Kai barely blocked the first five.
The sixth slashed his shoulder.
The seventh—
He stepped inside it.
And headbutted her.
Crack.
She stumbled, momentarily stunned.
Kai swept her feet and landed atop her, training blade at her throat.
"Yield."
Her jaw clenched. "You… cheated."
He smirked
Lucius stepped forward, arms behind his back. "Enough. Kai wins."
Sylvera shoved him off and stood, brushing her silver hair back. "Don't think this means anything."
Kai stood too, wincing slightly. "It means I can learn. And I'm not afraid of you anymore."
Her glare could cut stone—but beneath it was something else. Curiosity. Caution.
Respect.
---
Later that night, Kai sat alone on one of the ramparts, looking out over the dark forests beyond.
The stars sparkled like cold embers in the sky, and the moon cast long shadows over the battlements.
> [SYSTEM UPDATE]
New Trait Unlocked: Combat Adaptation – Rank F
Effect: Learns and improves moves during live battle.
Slayer Core (Feral Type): 3% Refined
Quest Unlocked: Enter Valkyros Academy
Reward: Slayer Skill – [Core Extraction]
He leaned back against the cold stone, heart still racing.
Three days until Valkyros.
A place where monsters in human skin honed their gifts.
A place where he would rise—or die trying.
---
Back in the war room, Lucius stared at a slowly unfolding map glowing with strange runes. Black tendrils pulsed near its western edge.
"Demon activity is increasing near the Red Scar," said Commander Darius, voice grim.
"And Kai?" Ariadne asked.
Lucius turned to her, eyes hard. "He'll be the storm we need. Whether he wants to or not."