Vaelin did not act immediately after their private conversation.
He waited.
That told Kael something important.
Vaelin was cautious.
But caution mixed with wounded pride created impatience.
Kael didn't push further.
He trained.
He attended council normally.
He avoided open hostility.
He let Vaelin think he still had room to maneuver.
Five nights later, the second assassination came.
This one was different.
Not an external mercenary.
An internal blade.
Kael sensed it before the strike.
The faint fluctuation of Qi behind the corridor wall.
He didn't stop walking.
He waited until the attacker committed.
A thin sword pierced through the wooden panel toward his spine.
Kael shifted half a step.
The blade grazed cloth instead of flesh.
He turned instantly.
The attacker wore Viremont guard armor.
One of Vaelin's personal retainers.
Foundation Peak.
Strong.
The guard didn't hesitate.
He lunged again.
Kael blocked with forearm and redirected the blade downward. Sparks flashed.
"You chose poorly," Kael said calmly.
The guard attacked again, faster.
Kael did not retreat.
He compressed his Qi and met the blade directly this time.
Their energies collided.
The guard's Foundation Peak pressure was heavy.
But unstable.
Anger clouded control.
Kael stepped inside the attack and struck his chest with open palm.
Blood Devouring Art activated.
This time, he did not drain slowly.
Crimson threads surged and latched onto the guard's meridians.
The guard's eyes widened.
"You—"
His Qi began collapsing.
Kael held him upright as the drain continued.
Not messy.
Not loud.
Within seconds, the guard went limp.
Dead.
Foundation Peak essence flowed into Kael's dantian.
Wild.
Strong.
He guided it immediately into circulation.
Refined.
Compressed.
His Foundation trembled violently.
Pressure rose.
He closed his eyes and focused fully.
The breakthrough came quietly.
Foundation Late.
Stable.
He opened his eyes.
Stronger.
Heavier.
Controlled.
He did not hide the body.
He dragged it directly to the central courtyard.
Placed it openly.
Summoned the council.
The elders arrived quickly.
Morvain's expression darkened when he saw the corpse.
"This is Vaelin's retainer," someone said.
Kael stood calmly beside the body.
"He attempted to assassinate me."
Vaelin arrived last.
His expression was unreadable.
"That is a serious accusation," Vaelin said.
Kael looked at him directly.
"It is not accusation."
He lifted the guard's sleeve.
Underneath was a private marking—Vaelin's faction insignia.
Morvain's gaze shifted slowly to Vaelin.
"Explain."
Vaelin did not immediately answer.
The courtyard was silent.
Finally he spoke.
"A rogue act. Without my knowledge."
Kael stepped forward.
"He entered restricted heir corridors. Used internal access seals."
Silence deepened.
Those seals required elder authorization.
Morvain's voice hardened.
"Vaelin."
Vaelin's jaw tightened.
"You think the boy is ready to lead?" he snapped. "He destabilizes everything!"
Kael did not raise his voice.
"You attempted murder."
Vaelin's aura flared briefly.
Core Formation Mid.
Powerful.
But isolated.
The other elders did not move to support him.
Morvain spoke slowly.
"You crossed the line."
Vaelin looked around.
No allies stepped forward.
His faction had weakened after the caravan losses.
He understood.
He had miscalculated.
Kael walked forward calmly.
"You said I lacked strength."
He released his Foundation Late aura fully.
Dense.
Compressed.
Dominant.
Even the elders felt the difference.
"You moved too early," Kael finished.
Vaelin stared at him.
"You would kill an elder?"
"If necessary."
No hesitation.
No anger.
Just clarity.
Morvain raised his hand.
"This will be handled according to clan law."
Vaelin's position was stripped immediately.
House arrest.
Investigation.
His faction dissolved within hours.
Some aligned with Kael.
Some withdrew.
None resisted.
Power respected strength.
That night, Kael stood alone again.
Foundation Late.
Internal opposition removed.
Not fully dead yet.
But neutralized.
He did not feel satisfaction.
Only progress.
One obstacle gone.
Many remained.
Across the city, Aric Vale received news.
"An elder attempted to assassinate him. Failed."
Aric's expression darkened.
"He's accelerating."
"Yes," his master replied quietly.
"The timeline is shifting."
Kael looked toward the distant imperial palace lights.
Three years until destruction.
But now—
The story was no longer predictable.
And that was exactly how he wanted it.