"Pwahahhaah."Salvius let out a laugh.
"A duel? You want to challenge me?"
Neira stepped forward. "Kael, stop this! You're not thinking straight!"
Kael glared at everyone. "Stay back! This is between us!"He looked back at Salvius, hand trembling with fury."I challenge you to a duel. Right here. Right now."
Salvius stared at him, then smirked."Pfft… what a foolish thing to say. Ask yourself, Kael—can you really defeat me?"
Kael's knuckles turned white as he gripped the sword tighter.
"No. Maybe I can't. But it doesn't matter. I'll risk everything."
There was silence.
Then Salvius laughed again—this time, slower. Amused. Curious.
"Well then…" he said, cracking his neck. "I'll gladly accept."
He turned away.
"Let's go to the training grounds."
Salvius turned without another word, walking ahead of the group toward the training grounds. His lazy demeanor was gone—replaced by something colder. Focused.
Kael followed in silence.
This is better, he thought.But something felt off.
Why wasn't the Ash Crow saying anything? No warnings. No growls. No lectures.Does that mean… I have a chance to win?
Salvius glanced back with narrowed eyes. "You'd better not back out, Cadet Kael. You're the one who demanded this duel."
His voice was calm, but his expression had sharpened—boredom replaced by seriousness.
Kael hesitated, then clenched his fist.
"I'm not backing down. I'll gladly accept whatever comes."
Salvius gave a slow nod and kept walking.
Behind them, Emilio groaned and facepalmed. "Seriously? This guy—his temper's way hotter than I thought."
Serina gripped Emilio's arm. "Emilio…"
He glanced down at her—and froze. She was clinging to him, her soft white hair brushing against his shoulder. Her wide violet eyes looked up at him, full of worry.
His heart skipped.
"Y-yes, preciosa?"
"Please… stop Kael," she whispered. "He'll get hurt."
Emilio sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Damn, she was really worried.And when a pretty girl pleads like that, what can a man do?
He gently held her hand. "Don't worry, preciosa. I'll go. After all… I am his friend."
Neira crossed her arms with a quiet sigh. "You shouldn't get involved."
"Huh? Why not?" Emilio asked.
"I didn't like him from the moment we met," she said, eyes narrowing. "He gives off a strange energy."
Emilio raised a brow. "How can you tell?"
"My divine beast is from the feline lineage," she said. "We can sense when something carries bad luck."
That caught Emilio off guard. Neira didn't usually say much—and this was the most he'd heard from her.
Still, hearing her call Kael a curse? He didn't want to believe that.
"…Kael's just hurt," Emilio muttered. "He'll calm down after this duel. I know he will. He's my friend."
Neira glanced at him sideways. "Does he consider you a friend?"
Emilio froze.
He didn't answer.
"Come on," Neira said, turning away. "Let's go."
******
—The Duel Ground—
After a short walk, they arrived at the academy's training zone. Kael immediately noticed three distinct areas, each built for different forms of combat.
But Salvius walked straight toward the center arena—a wide, circular wooden platform surrounded by low benches. Several students were already gathered, and among them were members of the elite houses.
Of course they're here.
Great. An audience.
Instructor Zane looked up as Salvius approached.
"You again? We're already using this space," he muttered—but then stopped.
Salvius's face was different. No yawns, no laziness. Cold focus.
Zane followed his gaze and spotted Kael trailing behind him, eyes burning with fury.
"Let me guess," Zane said, sighing. "That kid's doing."
"Sorry," Salvius replied casually. "I'll just borrow the ring for a quick match. Won't take more than ten seconds."
Ten seconds.
Kael heard it like an insult—but stayed quiet. He stepped onto the ring without flinching.
"If that's what you want," Zane said. "Make it quick. My students are waiting."
Ryven crossed his arms and watched with interest. "Huh. Didn't expect a fight. This could be fun."
Lyssandra said nothing, but her eyes were locked on Kael. She wanted to see what he was made of.
"This is the duel ground," Salvius said, walking over to the weapon rack and selecting a wooden sword.
Kael's voice cut through the air. "I don't care about your 'ground.' I'm here to challenge you."
Salvius didn't even glance at him. "Zane, you witnessing this?"
Zane nodded.
Salvius turned, sword in hand. "Alright then, traitor's son. Let's see what you've got."
Just as Emilio and the others arrived, they froze at the edge of the ring. Serina clasped her hands in front of her chest and whispered a silent prayer.
Kael closed his eyes and raised his sword.
Zane blinked.
Salvius raised an eyebrow.
That stance…It was flawless. Not just practiced, but drilled—relentlessly. Efficient, balanced, honed.
What kind of life has this kid lived? Salvius wondered.
Lyssandra turned her face away. Pathetic. Coming here with the Veyron name was already a disgrace—now he was going to get humiliated in front of everyone.
Kael waited, searching for an opening.
Nothing.
Salvius didn't move—his posture was loose, almost lazy. Then, deliberately, he dropped his guard. A wide opening appeared on his left side.
What?