The carriage moved through the western district without obstruction.
The Viremont crest on its side was enough to clear the road.
Inside, Kael sat quietly, eyes closed, reviewing memories.
The family that mocked him most during the duel was the Halcrest family. A mid-tier noble house with decent influence. Their young master had been among the loudest spectators when Kael fell.
Not powerful.
But ambitious.
And ambitious families were useful examples.
The carriage stopped.
A servant rushed forward to greet him.
"Young Master Viremont! What an honor—"
"I'm here to see Darien Halcrest," Kael said calmly.
The servant stiffened.
"Yes. Please follow."
Inside the Halcrest courtyard, several guards stood tense.
Darien Halcrest arrived quickly, wearing expensive robes and an expression that tried to hide nervousness.
"Kael," Darien said with forced ease. "You've recovered."
Kael looked at him quietly.
"Yes."
Darien laughed lightly. "That duel was unfortunate. You should be careful next time."
Kael stepped forward.
"You laughed," he said plainly.
Darien's smile froze. "It was just a reaction. Everyone laughed."
"Not everyone," Kael replied.
The courtyard grew silent.
Servants stopped moving.
Darien's expression hardened slightly. "You lost. People react. That's normal."
Kael nodded once.
"You're right."
Darien relaxed slightly.
Then Kael continued.
"But I don't like normal."
Without warning, Kael released a small wave of pressure.
Not explosive.
Just enough.
Foundation Realm energy spread across the courtyard.
Darien's eyes widened.
"You stabilized already?" he asked.
Kael didn't answer.
He stepped closer.
"Since you enjoy public displays," Kael said calmly, "let's make one."
Darien's pride flared. "You want another duel?"
"No."
Kael raised his hand slightly.
Blood Devouring Art activated.
A faint crimson thread flickered around his palm.
"Just a lesson."
Darien attacked first.
His Foundation Realm Mid cultivation burst outward. He had been confident after humiliating Kael days earlier.
Their fists collided.
Darien expected weakness.
Instead, he felt density.
Kael's Qi did not explode.
It pressed.
Heavy.
Controlled.
Darien stumbled back.
Shock crossed his face.
Kael advanced without rush.
Every strike precise.
Every movement calculated.
He did not waste energy.
Darien attempted a defensive technique, but Kael's chaotic flow disrupted the rhythm of it.
The Blood Devouring Art flared faintly when their Qi clashed.
Darien felt something draining.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
Kael didn't respond.
He stepped inside Darien's guard and struck his abdomen.
Darien collapsed to one knee.
Blood rose in his throat.
The courtyard was silent.
Halcrest elders watching from a balcony hesitated.
Intervening would escalate matters.
This was technically a "private dispute."
Kael crouched slightly and looked at Darien.
"You laughed."
He placed his palm against Darien's chest.
The Blood Devouring Art pulled lightly.
Not fully.
Just enough.
Darien's Foundation wavered.
His Qi weakened noticeably.
Kael withdrew his hand.
Darien collapsed fully.
Alive.
But shaken.
Kael stood and looked toward the balcony.
"I came only for him," he said calmly.
No shouting.
No threats.
Just statement.
He turned and walked away.
The courtyard remained silent until the Viremont carriage left.
Inside the carriage, Kael closed his eyes.
He had not killed Darien.
Not yet.
But he had tested the Blood Devouring Art.
It worked.
When he drained that small amount of essence, he felt his own Foundation respond.
Slightly stronger.
Slightly denser.
He exhaled slowly.
The protagonist in this world gathered allies through kindness.
Kael would gather fear first.
Fear was faster.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, a young man stood in a quiet training yard.
His name was Aric Vale.
The empire's rising genius.
He had heard about Kael's visit to the Halcrest estate.
He frowned slightly.
"That's unusual," Aric muttered.
The villain was not supposed to recover so quickly.
Kael looked out the carriage window calmly.
The game had begun.