Morning came cold.
Snow blanketed the fields surrounding the farm, a thin layer of frost shimmering beneath the pale winter sun. The farmland lay silent, not with peace, but with the stillness before violence.
Vein stood alone in the center of the field, his breath drifting white into the air.
Across from him, Kael rolled his shoulders lazily, as if preparing for a simple morning exercise rather than a duel. The cold wind swept across the snow, but neither of them reacted.
Without a word, they removed their shirts. Steam curled faintly from their bodies in the freezing air.
Vein's body had changed. Three months ago, he had been thin, weak, and untrained. Now, muscle lined his shoulders, his chest had broadened, and strength ran clearly through his arms and core. Not yet the body of a seasoned warrior, but no longer the body of someone helpless.
His left arm rested at his side, still healing, still unreliable. So he would fight with only his right.
Across from him, Kael looked entirely different. Larger. Denser. Built like something forged rather than grown. His body was layered with muscle and marked with scars, each one a story, each one proof of survival.
The difference between them was undeniable.
Kael noticed.
And grinned.
"Don't worry," he said casually. "I won't kill you."
He bent down and picked up two swords. Not wooden training blades, but real steel. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed one toward Vein.
Vein caught it. The weight settled into his grip.
Real.
Kael rested the other sword on his shoulder.
"Last test."
—
Around them, people had gathered.
Rosa sat on Elna's floating chair, gripping its edges tightly. Elna stood beside her, while Sylva watched with her arms folded, her eyes sharp and unreadable. A few steps away, Johan leaned against the fence, silent, observing.
The farm had become an arena.
The sun climbed higher, scattering light across the snow. Two figures stood facing each other, waiting.
Then—
"Brother Vein! Good luck! Fight!"
Rosa's voice rang across the field.
Kael chuckled. "Looks like your fan club is ready."
Then his expression changed.
The laziness vanished, replaced by something colder, sharper. What stood there now was a Royal Knight.
"Come on, Vein," he said. "Show me what three months of hell did to you."
—
Vein moved first.
Snow exploded beneath his feet as he shot forward, his blade cutting through the air in a fast horizontal strike.
Kael blocked it effortlessly.
The sound echoed across the field as Vein stepped in again, striking without pause. Each movement was precise, each swing shaped by months of relentless training. His blade flashed again and again, but Kael barely moved.
Block. Redirect. Deflect.
Minimal effort. Like dealing with something trivial.
He even yawned.
"You're faster," Kael said calmly, knocking another strike aside. "But still predictable."
Vein's jaw tightened.
He stepped in again, feinting before twisting into a sharp diagonal slash.
This time, it landed.
A thin line opened across Kael's chest, and a single drop of blood slid downward.
Silence followed.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Kael glanced down, touched the wound, then laughed.
"Good."
When he raised his head again, his eyes had changed.
Sharp. Focused.
"Now it's my turn."
Kael vanished.
The next instant, steel collided with Vein's blade in an explosive impact. The force nearly tore the sword from his hand, his arm shaking violently.
Kael attacked again.
Faster. Heavier.
Each strike crashed down like a hammer. Vein staggered backward, snow scattering beneath his feet as Kael advanced relentlessly, closing the distance.
Then a kick slammed into his stomach.
The impact lifted him off the ground and sent him flying several meters before he crashed into the snow. A cloud of white burst into the air.
Rosa gasped. Sylva stiffened. Even Johan straightened.
For a moment, Vein didn't move.
Then his fingers twitched.
Slowly, he pushed himself up, breathing hard, snow clinging to his body.
But his sword was still in his hand.
He raised it again.
"Still standing?" Kael asked with a grin.
Vein didn't answer.
He charged.
Faster. Lower. Sharper.
Their blades clashed again at close range. Vein stepped inside, adjusted, twisted, then struck.
A precise blow hit the base of Kael's blade at the perfect angle.
Clang.
Kael's sword flew from his hand, spinning before landing far across the field.
Silence fell once more.
Kael looked at his empty hand.
Then he started clapping.
"Impressive," he said. "I didn't expect that."
Vein lowered his blade slightly, breathing hard. "So… I win."
Kael tilted his head. "Win?"
He chuckled. "You haven't even cornered me."
Vein frowned. "What?"
Kael spread his arms casually. "You knocked my sword away. So what? Come on. Let's continue."
Vein stared at him. "You're serious?"
Kael met his gaze calmly. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Vein tightened his grip. "Fine."
He stepped forward—
And something moved.
A blur of black.
A roar tore through the air as a Nightbound Beast lunged from the side, its claws aimed straight at his back.
Vein reacted instantly. He twisted and struck. Steel met claw, and the impact forced the creature back, its body skidding across the snow.
Vein landed, turned, his eyes sharp.
"…you brought a pet?"
Kael shrugged. "No rule against it."
Vein clicked his tongue. "Coward."
Nearby, Sylva moved, mana gathering instantly in her hand. Elna's expression darkened.
But before either of them could act—
"Stop."
Vein's voice cut across the field.
Sylva froze.
Vein didn't look back. "I don't need help."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Getting arrogant?"
Vein's gaze locked onto him, cold.
"It's not arrogance. You're the one being cowardly."
The beast growled beside Kael, snow shifting beneath its claws.
Kael smiled slowly. "Interesting."
He rolled his shoulders and stepped forward. The beast crouched beside him, ready.
The wind howled across the field, lifting snow into the air.
Kael raised his hand.
"Round two."
The beast roared.
And Vein charged.
—
swept through the open fields. The spectators stood in silence, watching as tension thickened in the frozen air.
The Nightbound Beast moved first.
With a deep growl, it lunged forward, massive claws tearing toward Vein. He raised his sword with his right hand, his left arm still hanging weak at his side. Steel met claw with a sharp clang, and the impact forced him several steps back, his boots carving deep lines into the frozen ground.
Before he could recover, a shadow rushed in from the side.
Kael.
Unarmed, but no less dangerous. His fist shot forward like a cannon. Vein twisted just in time, bringing his blade up to intercept. The blow slammed into the flat of the sword, and the shock ran straight through the steel into his arm, making his muscles tremble under the force.
Even through a weapon, Kael's strength was overwhelming.
The beast attacked again, sweeping low toward Vein's legs. He jumped back, snow exploding beneath his feet as he repositioned. Two enemies. Two angles. And only one usable arm.
The Nightbound Beast lunged once more. Vein lowered his body, letting the claws pass just above his head, then spun immediately. His blade flashed in a clean arc, cutting into the creature's side. Dark blood splattered across the snow as it roared, its red eyes burning brighter with fury.
That moment was enough.
In less than a heartbeat, Kael was behind him. Two powerful arms locked around Vein's body, binding him like iron chains. Vein struggled, but the grip didn't budge. Kael forced his arms back with effortless control.
"Got you."
The beast charged, jaws open wide, fangs ready to tear through flesh.
Vein clenched his teeth. If he stayed like this, he would die.
Mana surged through his body as he activated strength magic. With a sudden burst of power, he bent forward and threw Kael over his shoulder, hurling him directly into the charging beast.
The collision shook the field. Both bodies crashed together, sending snow erupting into the air. For a moment, Vein's vision turned white.
He tried to move—
Pain exploded from his leg.
"Ghh—!"
The Nightbound Beast had still managed to bite him. Its fangs sank deep into his leg, forcing him down to one knee. His sword nearly slipped from his hand as his arm trembled under the strain.
Slowly, the snow settled.
Footsteps approached.
Kael walked toward him calmly, as if the outcome had already been decided. He stopped a few steps away, tilting his head slightly.
"Now," he said, "who's surrendering?"
Vein didn't answer. He stared at the ground, then slowly let his sword fall, the blade sinking into the snow. His right hand rose in surrender.
In the distance, Sylva froze. Elna pushed forward in her chair, calling his name, but Johan stepped in front of them, his voice calm and firm.
"Wait. This isn't over."
Kael raised an eyebrow and glanced toward the beast.
"Let go."
The Nightbound Beast obeyed.
Kael stepped closer.
One step.
Two.
Three.
Then Vein moved.
Mana exploded through his body as strength surged into his muscles. His fist drove forward with everything he had.
The impact struck like thunder.
Kael's body was launched backward, sliding across the snow. Vein immediately grabbed his sword again, ignoring the pain in his leg.
The beast was still in front of him, trying to rise.
Vein stepped forward and drove his blade into its stomach. The steel pierced deep, and the creature collapsed with a scream, unable to continue.
Across the field, Kael stood again.
Unarmed.
Still dangerous.
The fight wasn't over.
Vein forced himself to stand, blood dripping from his leg. His breathing was heavy, uneven, but his eyes remained sharp.
Kael stepped forward.
No weapon. Only strength.
They moved at the same time.
Their fists collided mid-air with a heavy thud. Vein staggered slightly. Kael didn't.
A brutal counter came instantly. Vein leaned back just in time, the punch slicing past his face. He retaliated with a strike to Kael's ribs, but it was blocked, and pain shot up his arm.
They exchanged blows relentlessly, fists slamming into flesh, snow bursting beneath their feet as neither gave ground.
Then something caught Vein's eye.
A reflection in the snow.
A sword.
Kael's sword.
For a split second, he made his decision and dashed toward it.
Kael reacted immediately, lunging forward and dragging him down before he could reach it. They crashed into the snow, rolling, grappling, striking. The sword lay only a few steps away.
So close.
Vein tried to crawl forward, but Kael pulled him back. Vein struck his jaw. Kael drove an elbow into his ribs. Snow scattered in every direction as they fought for control.
Then Kael overpowered him.
With a burst of strength, he shoved Vein away and lunged forward, grabbing the sword. Steel flashed as he pulled it free and turned, the blade pointing directly at Vein's throat.
Cold steel touched his skin.
"You lose," Kael said.
Vein didn't move.
Snow drifted between them.
"…No," he said quietly. "You're the one who lost."
Kael frowned, pressing the blade closer.
"Are you blind?"
Vein slowly raised his right hand.
"No," he said. "But you are."
Tiny particles of light gathered at his fingertips.
Then—
A flash of pure white exploded between them.
Kael shut his eyes too late. His vision was swallowed by light.
For a single moment, he couldn't see.
And that moment was enough.
Vein moved instantly. He grabbed Kael's wrist, twisted, and forced the sword free before catching it mid-fall. In the next second, the blade was already at Kael's throat.
The wind passed quietly across the field.
Kael opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was his own sword, pointed at him.
He stared at Vein for a long moment.
Then he laughed softly.
"…Well played."
He raised both hands.
"I surrender."
The spectators gasped.
The duel was over.
Vein had won.
For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted back to the previous night.
The quiet forest.
Moonlight between the trees.
Sylva standing in front of him.
Before leaving, Vein had stopped her.
"Wait."
Sylva turned back.
"What?"
Vein scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"…Can you teach me one spell?"
Sylva blinked.
"One?"
"Something simple."
"Even a small trick is fine."
Sylva studied him for a moment.
Then she sighed softly.
"…You really are strange."
She raised her hand.
A small light appeared above her palm.
"This is first-tier light magic."
"Not powerful."
"But enough to blind someone for a moment."
The light flickered gently in the darkness.
Sylva looked at him again.
"Pay attention."
The light flared—
And for an instant, the world turned white.
That single moment…
would decide everything in duel.