Kael felt the surge of energy flowing through his body: Level: 100. But the real impact wasn't his. The power of the Lawbreaker Lineage, at this threshold, unlocked the ability to awaken or enhance a Lineage in another person.
"Hold on... This is crazy. It's not an upgrade for me, but a tool to upgrade others," Kael thought, feeling a shiver of terror. If the wrong people found out, they would use him as bait, forcing him to use his power to awaken others.
He decided that he must keep it hidden for now. His family's freedom was paramount.
His eyes fell upon the Portal's floor. The armor of the Night Duke Vlad had disintegrated, but one object remained: Vlad's Chains.
—Yes! —Kael exclaimed with euphoria—. Finally, a weapon! Chains! It couldn't have been a better day!
Touching them, he felt a resonance. He left the portal with new resolve.
Vlad's Chains (Night Duke Weapon)
Description: Ancient restraints forged to subdue a Night Duke. They conduct Mana exceptionally well.
Type: Heavy weapon (long range, flexible).
Base Stats:
Physical Damage: +5
Mana Conduction Power: +10 (Increases the effectiveness of elemental abilities channeled through the weapon).
Passive Ability: Nocturnal Binding:
[Power: The chains increase in weight when binding a target with Mana, hindering their movement.]
Active Ability: Thunder Transformation:
[Power: Allows the user to infuse their ability element (Thunder) to transform the chains into a secondary form (blades, whips) and electrify their surface, increasing damage and attack speed.]
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Kael took a taxi to the Guild ,he wanted to sell the new materials there , still in his armor. "I look like a professional. It feels good to wear it."
He went up to the third floor. In the reception area, a couple of novices greeted him with respect.
—Welcome back, Captain Kael! —they saluted.
Kael approached the Logistics counter.
—I need to drop off these things for sale. They are the armor and weapons from the portal I completed. And where is Lilith? —Kael asked.
A woman in charge of Logistics nodded and took note of the pile of objects Kael left. —You can leave everything here, Captain. Master Lilith is in her office; I think she's finishing an important call.
Kael went up to the office. He heard Lilith: —Of course, you'll see it can be done. Just give me one more day, and I'll confirm it for tomorrow. Don't be impatient.
Lilith sighed and hung up just as Kael entered.
—Wow, look at you! That armor suits you well, Kael!
Kael laughed. —Did something happen?
—Nothing I can't handle. Rather, why did you come back so fast? Wait —seeing Kael's smile—. Don't tell me you've reached Level 100 already!
—Of course. How did you guess? Haha —Kael replied.
Lilith leaned back. —I was planning to make you a Portal tomorrow! This is too fast. Tomorrow there will be a big event: the Guild Captains' Competition, televised in The Black Sun Colosseum. There will be prizes. We have new members. You'll have to choose your team or go alone. It wouldn't hurt to get to know those in your guild.
"It's time to learn how to lead. It's a step forward."
—It's settled. When the new recruits are together, introduce them, and I can assess their performance.
—That's the spirit! That's the attitude. Now, most importantly, I have a gift.
Lilith stood up and walked to a small, concealed safe. She opened it and took out two rolled-up scrolls, placing them reverently on the table.
—Kael, these are not common grimoires. These are high-value assets that the Guild has held onto. We need you to demonstrate unquestionable power tomorrow, so I entrust them to you. The first is offensive, and the second is defensive.
Lilith unrolled the first, revealing a scroll with an unstable lightning symbol.
—Offensive Ability (Thunder): This is a base thunder grimoire, Thunder Orb. It's a classic, but effective. It requires a bit of casting time to manifest, but the stunning potential is your ace up your sleeve. It's what you need to start defining your element.
* [Grimoire: Thunder Orb]
* [Power: The user must cast for 3.5 seconds to launch a thunder orb that deals 180 base damage and has a 20% chance to stun the enemy for 1 second.]
* [Restriction: The summoner must wait a 20-second CD.]
Then, Lilith showed him the second, a pale blue color that seemed to vibrate.
—Defensive Ability (Mental Agility): This one is more subtle, Mental Acuity. It's crucial in high-level combat, where mind attacks are common. Its restriction is what makes it "affordable" for us.
* [Grimoire: Mental Acuity]
* [Power: After suffering mind attacks, the ability can be used to shake off the attack.]
* [Restriction: You will receive 100 fixed physical damage as a cost upon activation.]
—They look very good, Lilith. Thank you. They are exactly what I need to complement my current stats —Kael told her, feeling the weight of the support.
Lilith patted him on the shoulder. —Use them wisely. I hope you prove to me tomorrow that you are the best Captain of all.
Kael nodded.
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Kael arrived home before nightfall. The first thing he did was take off his armor and sit down to dinner with his children. The newly repaired table felt warm.
—Dad, is tomorrow a normal school day? —Lyra asked.
—Normal, Lyra. You have classes tomorrow, and I want you to be very well-behaved —Kael replied, serving her hot soup.
Eryx, quieter, took courage. —Dad... What happened to the old crack in the kitchen?
Kael smiled, relieved to see them finally noticing the small details. —I made sure it disappeared. We finally have a safe place, right?
—Yes —Selene murmured, with a genuine smile.
After putting Lyra to sleep and chatting briefly with Eryx and Selene about school, Kael retired to his small room. The clock struck 11:30 PM. It was time to assimilate the new power in silence, preparing for the event that his children didn't know about, and he didn't know they would attend.
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Kael sat on the floor, surrounded by the silence of his home. He carefully opened the scrolls. It wasn't just about absorbing the Mana from the grimoires, but allowing his Lawbreaker Lineage to transform them.
Offensive Ability: Thunder Orb
The ability mutates to Unchained Bolt (Ráfaga de Rayos). Kael can now generate and launch these thunder orbs at any time and instantly with 300 base damage, eliminating the casting and CD.
Defensive Ability: Mental Acuity
The ability mutates to Mental Shock.
It allows Kael to instantly shake off any mental attack. Surprise: The physical damage cost is eliminated, and the ability adopts the thunder element, creating a controlled discharge that removes negative effects instantly.
Kael closed the grimoire, feeling the power resonate in his limitless Mana.
"An instant burst with no cost... and a pain-free mental defense with my Thunder element. I transformed an ability without an attribute into one with an attribute, and it didn't hurt! This is not just power; it is an unfair advantage, one I must use for my family."
A new emotion, distinct from fear and necessity, overwhelmed him: pure anticipation. Tomorrow was not just a competition; it was an opportunity to prove his newfound worth.
With his children in mind and the roar of thunder beneath his skin, Kael went to sleep. The clock struck midnight.
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The next morning, Eryx, Selene, and Lyra were in the kitchen. The atmosphere was lighter.
—Look at this! —Selene said, showing a new cereal box—. And look at the bread! It's the good one from the bakery.
Eryx took a drink of milk. —Dad is working hard.
I saw him this morning; he looked different, with more energy. It's good that we are improving...
Lyra nodded. —And yesterday he bought me a new notebook.
The three siblings left. On the corner, they met their two friends, Kian and Noah. They were like them, young people without a prominent Lineage and with low Mana levels.
—Hi, Kian, Noah! —Selene greeted.
—Hello, guys. Ready for school? —Kian asked.
—We're going to have a long day today; I don't know what surprise the teacher has for us —Eryx said.
The five continued their journey to school, joining the line of students.
The teacher welcomed them.
—Good morning, young people! Today there will be no tedious Mana classes —he said—. The school has reserved seats for us to go to the Black Sun Colosseum today. You will have the privilege of watching battles of true high-level hunters. Today you will see the real life that awaits you.
Upon hearing the announcement, a wave of excitement swept through the line of students. Murmurs turned into excited shouts about seeing the Guild Captains and the legendary arena.
—Great! It's the first time we've been on a field trip! —shouted a student with Fire Lineage, excited to see heroes in action.
—I hope Captain Ice fights today!
Eryx felt a knot in his stomach. The "real life" the teacher spoke of was terrifying, not inspiring. Kian and Noah could only look at each other, the others' anticipation contrasting with their own anxiety.
It was at that moment of noise and excitement that Maximus, the boastful Earth Lineage student, laughed and approached the Ardent's line.
—Are we taking those who will only be a burden in the future? They don't even have a future! Look at the Ardents and their pets —he said, pointing to Kian and Noah—. If their father doesn't even have a worthy Lineage, what do they expect?
Eryx clenched his fists. Kian and Noah shrank, their faces reflecting shame.
Maximus continued. —You, the Lineageless. When you graduate, you'll be cleaning up the garbage from the portals, if you're lucky. You should be thankful we allow you to sit near people like us!
Selene, unable to bear it, stood up abruptly.
—Shut up, Maximus! You have no right to talk to them like that!
Maximus smiled scornfully. —Look at the defensive puppy. What are you going to do? Use your weak Mana to throw stones at me? Your father is an outcast, and you are no better. Better sit down, girl, pets don't bark in the colosseum.
Lyra pulled her sister's sleeve tightly. Eryx could only look at the ground, feeling the humiliation burning his neck. He was as powerless as his friends.
—To the bus, please! Get ready! —the teacher said, uncomfortable.
The five young people boarded the bus.
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The Black Sun Colosseum was a colossal structure, vibrant with energy. The crowd roared with every match. In the center, a grand hostess in ceremonial attire and an amplified Voice Lineage addressed the audience.
—Welcome, hunters, civilians, and especially, our young students who are witnessing the future of society today! —her voice boomed across the arena—. Today is the Guild Captains' Competition!
—This tournament is a sacred tradition! You will see the leaders of Sector 4's most important guilds face each other in 1-on-1 combat for supremacy and the right to the best portal contracts.
—In total, we have ten participating guilds!
The Iron Hand
Night Wing
Flame Brotherhood
The Light Guild
The Breeze Army
The Rock Shield
Water's Sons
The Steel Legion
Order of the Bond
And last, but not least, the recently promoted... The Ash Guild!
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—Now, as we prepare for the main event, we will see a warm-up! Three new recruits from each guild will fight in direct elimination duels. The top three places will win valuable grimoires and Mana supplies for their guilds. Let the preliminary battles begin!
Kael was in the recruits' common room, which was little more than a small room with folding chairs. He was waiting for the three new members: Aric, Zia, and Bram. It was his first official day as Captain, and the pressure felt heavier than any armor. "I'm a Level 100 rookie leading other rookies. What am I doing?" he wondered, feeling that his 32 years didn't grant him natural authority.
Lilith entered with a folder, followed by the three young people. They looked nervous and impressed.
—Listen up! This is Captain Kael Ardent —Lilith announced, with an authority Kael envied. Then, addressing Kael, she said: —Kael, they are Aric (archer), Zia (martial artist), and Bram (elemental mage).
Kael stood up, trying to appear larger than he felt.
—I am Captain Kael —Kael introduced himself, extending his hand to Aric, who took it shyly.
Zia, a girl with hawk eyes, crossed her arms and disguised her whisper to Aric, although Kael heard it perfectly with his enhanced hearing.
—He's old. And look at him, he doesn't even have an aura of respect. He looks like the guild's janitor.
"Ouch. That hurt", Kael thought, but he forced a smile. He couldn't afford to show weakness. He had to be the leader they needed, the one he himself never had.
Kael cleared his throat, deliberately injecting confidence into his voice. He addressed the three, ignoring the comment.
—It doesn't matter my age, guys, or whether you come from big or small Lineages. In the Ash Guild, what matters is potential. And discipline. I see you are nervous about the Captains' Competition.
—Captain, what is the plan for us? —Bram, the mage, asked with a shaky voice.
—The plan is simple: learn by observing and prove your worth —Kael said, with a firmer tone—. And you also don't stop dreaming! If you are here, it's because Lilith saw something in you. Prove it to her and yourselves.
Lilith smiled, approving Kael's speech.
—Alright! The format is 1 vs 1. Represent Ash!
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The first round was a surprise.
1. Battle: Zia (Ash) vs. Light Guild Recruit (Shield)
Zia, the martial artist, faced a recruit who relied entirely on a shield grimoire. With unexpected speed, Zia closed the distance and attacked the blind spots, forcing him to surrender.
—Good! Strong and decisive —Lilith commented.
—But too dependent on brute force —Kael observed.
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—A point for the Ash Guild! Unbelievable! —a civilian in the stands shouted.
—It's just luck. Look at her technique; it's pure brute force, with no refined Lineage —mumbled a student with Fire Lineage.
2. Battle: Bram (Ash) vs. Breeze Army Recruit (Wind)
Bram, nervous, cast an ice spell that the opponent easily dodged. But Bram, remembering the training, used his Mana to cover the arena floor with a thin layer of ice, forcing the opponent to slip and, eventually, surrender.
—Smart, Bram! He used the terrain! —Lilith exclaimed, surprised.
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—Damn! The Ash Guild, the new one, is winning again —a student muttered.
Maximus frowned, looking at Eryx. —Two victories. This means nothing. The guild is still a nest of second-raters. True hunters don't rely on cheap tricks, but on their Lineage. Right, Eryx?
3. Battle: Aric (Ash) vs. Water's Sons Recruit (Water)
Aric, the archer, overcame his nervousness. He used low-level arrows with precision to distract and, at the right moment, launched a magic net grimoire that Lilith had given him, trapping the opponent in a puddle of water.
—A tactical victory! —Lilith said, relieved.
Kael nodded. "All three passed the first test. Coordination, although basic, is better than nothing."
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The luck of the draw paired them with the most feared guild: Iron Hand.
1. Battle: Zia (Ash) vs. Iron Hand Recruit (Fighter)
The Iron Hand recruit was a mountain of muscle, wearing heavy armor and superior damage resistance. Zia attacked with her speed, but every blow was absorbed. The fighter immobilized her and disarmed her, forcing her to surrender.
--------------------------------
—See that! That's the difference with elite guilds! —a student shouted with fervor.
Eryx bit his lip, looking at Maximus, who smiled arrogantly.
2. Battle: Aric (Ash) vs. Iron Hand Recruit (Shield Bearer)
Aric faced the recruit who used a reflective shield similar to the one that had scared him before. Aric hesitated for a microsecond. He shot an arrow, which bounced back. His mind froze. The Iron Hand disarmed him and forced him to surrender.
--------------------------------------
—Aric relied on his precision. When the arrow bounced, his mind froze. He is not used to his initial plan failing —Kael said, analyzing the error. "They need more than strength; they need mental resilience."
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Maximus leaned over to Eryx. —There it is. See what happens when you don't have the Lineage to back you up, Ardent? You freeze. You're a burden. Your future will be the same as that ash guild's. Just failure.
Eryx, with clenched fists, wanted to reply, but Selene whispered: —It's not worth it.
3. Battle: Bram (Ash) vs. Iron Hand Recruit (Earth Mage)
Bram was the last one standing. He faced a mage who could summon rock walls. Bram tried his ice trick, but the Earth mage dodged it, summoning a wall that blocked his line of sight and cornered him with a projectile spell. Bram surrendered to avoid a serious injury.
The defeat was swift. None of the Ash recruits managed to advance to the final, which would be dominated by Iron Hand and Night Wing.
—No problem, guys. It's your first experience. We'll analyze the mistakes later —Kael said, trying to be Captain and maintaining composure for his recruits, although he felt the weight of the collective humiliation.
In the Stands, Maximus's laughter exploded, loud and cruel.
—Ha! See that! The Ash Guild is as pathetic as its name. A guild of losers. The Iron Hand recruits ate them alive. This is what happens when you're nobody.
The rage of the Ardent children grew to the point of humiliation. The public failure of the Ash Guild became the mirror Maximus used to reflect the supposed failure of their own father... who was about to enter the arena.
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The hostess waited for the crowd's silence and then shouted: —It's time for the main event! The Captains' round!
In the Break Area, Lilith looked at Kael with a frown.
—This is suspicious, Kael. Iron Hand again? It is the guild with the most weight.
Kael put on his armor. —Yes. I'm afraid this wasn't just bad luck for the recruits. Iron Hand and Captain Korvus must have made an arrangement or paid to ensure we faced each other first. They know what happened last time in the portal. They want to publicly humiliate us after our recruits lost.
—Exactly. They want to clear their name. Blow them to pieces, Captain! —Lilith said.
—Of course. I'll make them pay for that arrangement and for humiliating my recruits. —Kael affirmed with a new and cold determination.
The hostess shouted: —The first match is a rematch battle! Straight from the powerful Iron Hand Guild, a man with more than fifty Portals cleared! Captain Kooorvuuus!
In the Stands, the ovation was deafening. Korvus was a celebrity.
Maximus swelled with pride. —Korvus is the man! He's already reached Level 100, he's the elite, with a high-resistance Earth Lineage. His victory is a sure thing.
Another student commented: —The Captain of Ash must be a nobody. He doesn't even dare to come out.
Maximus addressed Eryx, his eyes full of contempt. —Watch and learn, Ardent. This is the difference between a man who has everything because of his Lineage, and one who has nothing. A true hunter doesn't waste time with a guild like Ash. The captain of Ash is going to be easy pickings for Korvus, and that's what you'll be one day: an easy meal.
Eryx felt his chest burn, the humiliation was unbearable. "Why do we have to be us? Why can't we just have a normal Lineage?", he thought. The world always reminded them of their insignificance.
It was at that moment of suffocating silence in the stands, where defeat and mockery had reached their peak, that the hostess continued, her voice charged with a barely disguised tone of contempt:
—And his opponent... from the Ash Guild, who just had such a... memorable presentation...! Let's welcome Captain Kaeel Ardeeeent!
The sound of the name echoed throughout the Colosseum, a name that meant humiliation to Maximus, but everything to three children.
The three siblings shouted: —It's impossible! It's the same name!
Kael took the first step toward the arena when he heard the shouts. His head snapped around, scanning the stands until his eyes met the student section, where he saw the stunned faces of Eryx, Selene, and Lyra.
"I knew it. It was going to be televised; sooner or later they would have found out," Kael thought. His body stopped for an instant, his face filled with a mixture of genuine surprise and solemn acceptance. He could no longer hide it.
They saw Kael walk out, imposing in his Black Steel armor, the thunder resonating beneath his skin.
—It must be a joke! —Maximus said, paling. His mockery about "the guild of losers" froze in his throat. The voice that had just called the Ash Guild a failure was now introducing the father of the Ardents.
—It's Dad! —Eryx shouted. His voice cracked with awe and admiration, the humiliation forgotten.
—It's my Dad! Daaad! —the girls shouted, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Kael directed his gaze completely towards them, his smile no longer just a professional gesture, but a reaffirmation loaded with meaning. He raised his chained fist and gave them a thumbs-up for victory, a salute worth more than a thousand words: "Yes, it's me. And now I will make you proud."
Korvus approached, his face a map of anger and resentment.
--------------------------------------------------------------
—Hey, trash. I don't know how you reached Level 100 with that guild of losers. You must have used some trick! —Korvus spat, lowering his voice—. But you are going to pay for what you did to me in the Portal. You humiliated me in front of my guild. And now, you'll see how humiliation feels when I destroy your captain in front of the whole city. This is a lesson, outcast.
Kael didn't flinch. His voice was low, firm, and icy. —If you think repaired armor and a little anger will make you win, you've got the wrong person. I'll do you a favor: I'll kick you out of the guild so you don't keep staining Iron Hand's name with your arrogance.
The hostess announced: —Let the battleee begiiin!
Kael sighed. —Boring —He pulled out his chains—. You will have the honor of being the first person to be defeated by my new weapon.
Kael transformed Vlad's Chains into electrified blades.
The Fight:
Korvus covered himself with his Earth Lineage, anticipating a long-range attack or a direct elemental strike, just as had happened in the portal.
"I've got him. His Thunder ability has a limited range. If I keep him at a distance and use my Earth Lineage, I can hold out until he runs out of Mana or his ability is exhausted. There's no way that nobody...", Korvus thought, confident in his superior resistance.
At that instant, Kael activated his Unchained Bolt ability, transforming his body into a Thunderbolt for an extreme speed boost. It was not a shot; it was a transformation and movement.
The speed was inhuman. Kael vanished from where he stood and appeared behind Korvus. Before the Iron Hand Captain could react, Kael struck him in the back with the electrified Vlad's Chains.
The thunder discharge, powered by the chains, fried Korvus's armor from the inside. The Captain flew out, coughing a mouthful of blood, and rolled across the arena. The crowd was silent.
Kael gave him no time to get up. He moved again, firing three instant Unchained Bolts at Korvus's chest while he desperately tried to regenerate his Earth armor.
Korvus's armor cracked in multiple places. Kael approached the largest crack on his chest, concentrating his Mana and forming a giant Unchained Bolt in his palm.
—You lack level, Korvus —Kael said, and he pressed his palm against the crack, releasing the accumulated energy.
The lightning shattered the remains of the armor and sent Korvus flying against the Colosseum wall, where he collapsed, unconscious.
The reaction was immediate: the silence of the crowd was broken by a roar of astonishment and fear. It was only an instant, but the people saw a bolt of lightning move at an unimaginable speed, and instantly, Korvus, the heavy hitter of Iron Hand, flew out like a ragdoll.
In the stands, the murmurs became uncomfortable. Several students who had been laughing earlier turned to casually look at Eryx, Selene, and Lyra, thinking about the consequences of having mocked a family that, now, seemed ridiculously powerful.
The hostess came out. —And the winnerrr... Kaeel Ardeeent!
In the stands, Eryx slumped in his seat, trembling with absolute admiration. Maximus and his friends, in dead silence, turned pale.