When cursed blood meets its reflection, only one can remain unchanged."
---
Vanguard Combat Dome – Noon
The audience gathered in silence.
Thousands of students, instructors, and hidden operatives filled the viewing tiers. The announcement had shocked the academy—Cassiel Thorne, one of Vanguard's golden elite, challenging a Zeta-class unknown?
But no one was laughing now.
Not after Kael Draven had survived Tier-1 forbidden zones, defeated a Guardian-class wraith, and triggered two global system events.
Even those who didn't believe the rumors could feel it.
Something ancient was moving beneath his skin.
---
Inside the combat dome, two figures stood on the elevated dueling platform.
Kael. Hood low, cloak trailing behind him, crimson veins faintly visible on his neck. His breathing was controlled—but deep, almost predatory.
Across from him stood Cassiel Thorne.
White uniform. Silver trim. A long, sheathed blade strapped to his back. His platinum-blonde hair fluttered slightly in the artificial wind of the arena.
His eyes weren't arrogant.
They were calculating.
Like Kael, he was hunting.
---
> [Duel Protocol Initiated]
Type: Unrestricted Class Exhibition
Suppression Fields: Disabled
Core Limits: None
Fatal Damage: Automatically Halted at 1% HP
Bloodline Restraint: Lifted (Both Combatants)
Spectators: Tiered and System-Synced
---
The First Strike
Neither moved for five seconds.
Then Cassiel vanished.
> [Blink Step – Advanced Form: Arc Trace]
He reappeared behind Kael, sword halfway drawn.
Kael ducked, sweeping low.
> [Blood Pulse – Counter Reflex Triggered]
BP Consumption: 5
He launched backward, spinning in the air, and landed on all fours like a beast.
The crowd gasped.
> He's not human.
Cassiel slashed forward—seven quick arcs of light.
Kael weaved between them like he'd trained for this moment all his life.
He hadn't.
It was instinct.
No, more than that.
It was ancestral memory.
He kicked off the ground and went on the offensive.
---
Crimson Versus Steel
Kael's fists blurred, each strike infused with compressed Blood Energy. He didn't just punch—he shredded the air around his blows.
Cassiel dodged most, parried two—but Kael's third hit slammed into his ribs.
He flew across the stage.
But didn't fall.
He landed, flipped back, and grinned.
> "You're stronger than I expected, Kael Draven. But still undisciplined."
He drew his sword fully now. The blade glowed white-blue, humming with core light.
> "Let me show you what discipline looks like."
---
System Notification – Rival Detected
> [Bloodline Resonance: 97% – Conflict Threshold Exceeded]
Initiating Tier II Trial: Evolution Through Combat
Status: Critical
Winner absorbs rival's latent power
Morality Divergence locked during battle
Kael felt something tear inside his chest.
Not flesh.
Not spirit.
The lock.
The one holding his next evolution back.
> "Now or never," he whispered.
---
Kael's First Evolution – Phase I
> [Bloodline Tier II – Triggering Mutation]
Subpath: Sovereign of the Hollow Vein
Transformation: Partial
Traits Unlocked:
Vampiric Exoskin (Lv.1): Physical defense increased by 30%
Pulse Howl: Emits shockwave of corrupted blood energy
Adaptive Rage (Passive): Power increases the more damage is taken
Warning: Overuse may induce berserk state
Crimson markings lit up across Kael's arms, like molten script.
His nails blackened, lengthened. His pupils sharpened into slits.
He looked less like a man…
And more like something born from the blood moon itself.
The crowd fell silent.
Cassiel raised his blade.
"I see," he murmured. "You're further along than I expected."
Kael answered without words.
He attacked.
---
The Turning Tide
The second phase of the battle was pure chaos.
Kael moved faster, hit harder, and absorbed Cassiel's energy with every successful strike. His Blood Siphon didn't just steal—it learned. His body began adapting to Cassiel's rhythm, his angle shifts, even the faintest muscle twitches.
Cassiel, meanwhile, was using more advanced techniques.
> [Celestial Draw – Lv. 3]
His sword shimmered as he combined light essence with predictive countering, aiming to wear Kael down.
The duel escalated into a storm of silver and red.
Metal and blood.
Precision and rage.
---
But it couldn't last.
Cassiel overextended—just slightly.
Kael caught him in mid-lunge, slammed a fist into his gut, then delivered a Pulse Howl directly into his chest.
> [Pulse Howl – Successful Hit]
Cassiel's HP: 7%
Knockback Distance: 9 meters
Internal Disruption: 64%
Cassiel flew backward—hard—slammed into the arena barrier.
He coughed blood.
The match should've ended.
But Kael walked toward him, slowly.
No, not Kael.
Not anymore.
His eyes were glowing fully crimson. His skin was marked by dozens of flickering glyphs.
His breathing was gone—replaced by the low hum of ancient energy cycling through him.
The crowd sensed it.
> He wasn't stopping.
---
System Divergence Trigger
> [Moral Divergence: 74% – Cursed Path Stabilizing]
Kill threshold reached. Execution possible.
> Warning: Killing a rival heir in this state will finalize Sovereign of Ruin path.
Are you sure you want to proceed?
Kael stood over Cassiel, energy trembling in his hands.
He could end it.
Now.
Right here.
He could absorb everything—Cassiel's bloodline fragments, his latent memories, his powers. He could burn a rival out of existence.
But then…
he saw himself.
Lina.
Bleeding. Afraid.
Lyra, pulling him back from the edge.
The chained figure on the Throne…
Whispering:
> "One more step, my heir. Claim what is yours."
Kael's hand shook.
Then—
He pulled away.
---
> [Fatal Blow Canceled]
Morality Shift: +5%
Path of Dusk Stability: Weakened
Cassiel spared
Rival Link: Maintained
---
Cassiel lay gasping, barely conscious.
Kael whispered, low enough that only they could hear:
> "This blood doesn't own me. Not yet."
Then he turned, walking off the platform.
The crowd didn't cheer.
They stood frozen.
In awe.
In fear.
And above them, the blood moon cracked.
---
Elsewhere – Inquisition Stronghold
A man in a crimson hood watched the duel replay through a crystal lens.
He smiled.
"Both heirs awakened," he said.
"They'll tear each other apart eventually."
Behind him, a shadow moved.
"And if they don't?" the voice asked.
The man's smile grew wider.
"Then we'll unleash the third heir."
---
End of Chapter 11