The soft wind rippled through the garden beside the river, stirring petals from the blooming lilies. Sunlight danced on the water's surface, and the faint sound of rustling leaves gave the air an almost sacred calm. But beneath that serenity, tension built — sharp and palpable.
Kaelen stood a few steps from the fence, eyes locked with Ashen's. The young man's expression burned with pride and challenge, his hand still gripping the hilt of his training sword. The old man — his master — stood between them, quiet yet stern, as if weighing what had just been said.
Ashen's jaw tightened. "You think I'm scared? That because my master said no, I'd just hide behind his robes?"
Kaelen's tone was steady, almost teasing. "Didn't say that. But from where I'm standing, it looks that way."
A faint vein pulsed at Ashen's temple. The master's sigh was long and resigned, his gaze flicking briefly toward Kaelen — then to Luna, who sat just behind him, tail curled neatly, golden eyes calm and curious.
"You mock him," the old man said finally, "but perhaps… you need to be taught the difference between arrogance and strength."
Kaelen smiled faintly. "If you're that confident, why hold him back?"
The man's sharp eyes glinted. "Confidence is not recklessness. My student has not yet awakened his bloodline — but even so, he is level twenty, and his training is far beyond what most could achieve at that level. You, adventurer, I sense, are barely sixteen. What could you possibly hope to prove?"
Kaelen crossed his arms. "That level doesn't decide everything."
Ashen's smirk returned, pride flickering in his gaze. "Then prove it. I'll give you the fight you want."
The master studied the two for a long moment. The breeze rustled his dark robes before he finally nodded. "Very well. You've both made your intent clear. You shall have your spar."
Kaelen's grin widened slightly, but the man raised a hand before either could move.
"However," the master said slowly, "a fight without consequence is just wasted energy. There should be a wager — something that gives meaning to victory and weight to failure."
Kaelen arched a brow. "A wager?"
The man's tone was calm, deliberate. "If you lose, you forfeit that dragon."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Kaelen froze. "Luna?"
Luna looked up at him, sensing the sudden tension. Her small wings twitched — uncertain, questioning.
The old man continued, "That creature beside you… it is no ordinary pet. The legends speak of dragonkin capable of bending fate itself. For such a companion, losing should cost you dearly. If you are willing to risk her, then perhaps this duel will mean something."
Kaelen's mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out. His heart pounded against his chest, unease crawling through his veins.
Luna wasn't just a companion or an asset. She was… more than that. A partner. A reason. The first real bond he'd formed in this world.
Ashen tilted his head, grin widening. "What's wrong? You're the one who wanted this, right? Or are you scared now that there's something on the line?"
Kaelen's grip on his sword tightened. "You're bluffing. That's not a fair wager."
The master's smile was thin. "Then decline. Walk away. No shame in that."
Kaelen's teeth clenched. His instinct screamed to turn it down — but his pride, that quiet flame burning inside, refused to back down now.
Then the air shifted.
A sudden gust rolled through the garden, carrying a faint golden shimmer. The old man's expression changed instantly — his posture straightening, eyes snapping upward. Ashen followed his gaze, blinking against the sudden brilliance.
A vast presence descended from above, regal and commanding.
The sky rippled open like a veil, and from within it, a golden figure emerged — radiant wings unfolding, eyes like molten suns.
Lord Aurelius.
The divine dragon's voice resonated like thunder wrapped in silk.
"I have heard the terms of your wager."
Both Ashen and his master immediately bowed their heads. The sheer pressure that filled the air was overwhelming — divine authority pressing against every breath.
Kaelen stood his ground, though he could feel his pulse racing. Even after meeting Aurelius before, the awe never faded.
Aurelius's gaze fell upon the master first. "You wish to stake the dragon heir on this contest. A bold, if foolish, proposition."
The old man lowered his head further. "Forgive my presumption, Lord Aurelius. But the boy must learn humility — both of them, perhaps."
Aurelius's eyes flicked toward Kaelen, then to Luna, who had instinctively bowed her head, small as she was, before the ancient dragon's presence.
The great being's tone deepened. "If a wager must be made… then it shall be equal."
Golden light shimmered in the air between them. "Should Kaelen lose, you may claim the dragon heir for one months bond of servitude. But if he wins…"
Aurelius's gaze shifted to Ashen. "Then you shall offer a drop of your essence blood."
The words struck like lightning.
The old man's composure faltered for the first time. His eyes widened ever so slightly. "A drop of essence blood? That is—"
Ashen looked shocked as well. His fists tightened, brows furrowing. "That's… my life essence."
Aurelius's tone did not waver. "And what you risk is far less than what you ask. A single drop from one unawakened will not destroy you. Yet it holds great promise for the one who proves his worth."
The master hesitated, weighing the divine's words. Then he exhaled slowly. "If that is your will, my lord, we shall abide by it."
Ashen hesitated, looking at his master, then back at Kaelen. A spark of confidence returned to his face. "Fine. I accept. I don't plan to lose anyway."
Aurelius's golden eyes glowed softly. "Then the terms are set."
With that, the great dragon's wings unfolded once more, and his body dissolved into radiant particles, ascending back into the heavens.
The world fell silent again — save for the rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the river.
Kaelen exhaled slowly, gripping his sword. "So… that's how it is."
The old man raised his hand, signaling the start. "You may begin when ready. No killing blows — this is a spar, not a war."
Ashen smirked, stepping back across the garden's open space. His aura pulsed faintly, flickers of crimson flame swirling around him.
Kaelen took a steady breath, lowering his stance. Every nerve felt alive.
Ashen raised a hand, and the temperature in the garden spiked. Tiny embers began to spark in the air, drawn to him as if by gravity. The faint smell of burning grass filled the space.
"You ready?" Ashen asked, a smirk forming. The flames around him grew brighter, licking up his arms like living threads of fire.
Kaelen grinned. "You tell me."
The master stepped aside. "Begin."
The moment the words left his mouth, Ashen struck first.
A burst of flame roared forward, splitting into several blazing orbs that shot through the air like comets. Kaelen's eyes narrowed — his instincts kicked in. He lunged sideways, rolling behind a low stone border as the explosions sent waves of heat across the garden.
Fire affinity… and strong control for his level.
Ashen's next volley came without pause. "Try to keep up, dragon-boy!"
Kaelen darted from cover, using [Charge]. A blue aura burst beneath his feet as he surged forward — speed doubling in an instant. His sword flashed.
Ashen barely had time to react, conjuring a flaming barrier that shimmered before him. Kaelen's blade slammed against it with a metallic hiss, sparks scattering as the heat seared the air.
The barrier cracked — but didn't shatter.
Kaelen twisted, sweeping his blade in a wide arc — [Whirlwind Slash]. The strike connected, flames bursting around him as the impact sent Ashen stumbling back, his robe singed at the edges.
Ashen's eyes narrowed. "You're faster than I thought."
Kaelen grinned. "And you're softer than I expected."
Ashen's jaw clenched. The air around him pulsed again — flames roaring higher, forming a faint fiery aura that wrapped his body like armor. The old man's expression flickered, realizing his pupil was dipping into the early stages of his bloodline resonance.
"Then let's stop holding back," Ashen said, voice echoing with faint firelight.
The ground beneath him smoldered. A wave of heat surged outward — flames curling into spear-like shapes that hovered in the air, circling him like hunting beasts.
Kaelen tightened his grip. So that's his bloodline power, even if it's not fully awakened…
He moved quickly, weaving through the barrage. The fire spears struck the ground where he had been moments before, leaving charred black marks.
Ashen's control was sharp — too sharp for a normal level twenty. He wasn't just strong; he was trained.
Kaelen charged again, ducking under a blast and closing the distance. His sword flashed once more — a feint, followed by a spinning strike.
Ashen's flaming barrier shattered this time, sparks and embers scattering like fireflies.
The old man watched from the side, arms crossed. "He's reckless. His stamina will collapse soon."
Aurelius's voice — calm, omnipresent — drifted like a whisper from the sky. "Do not be so sure. Recklessness is often the mask of instinct. And instinct… is the first breath of mastery."
The master frowned but said nothing.
Kaelen and Ashen's attacks clashed again — steel against flame, sparks of red and blue lighting the garden.
Each movement brought them closer to the breaking point.
The old man's gaze tightened. "This boy… his eyes. He's not fighting for pride."
Aurelius's faint smile echoed across the heavens. "No. He's fighting for purpose."
Their words faded under the roar of power as Kaelen and Ashen collided again — and the garden erupted in light and fire.