Hudson understood. A cocky rival makes you want to fight harder. But someone stronger and magnanimous? Someone who doesn't belittle you, but simply stands taller? That could make you forget about competing altogether. Make you slip, unknowingly, into his shadow.

"If Marcus were just another Kensington, I'd say fine—let him follow. Better to trail a Whisper Syndicate leader than no one. But he isn't. He's our brightest talent. If he loses his fire now, we risk losing him forever."

Hudson gave a slow nod, impressed despite himself. "So, Uncle… you want Marcus to fight Axel. To rebuild what he lost."

"Exactly." Howard's tone cut like a blade. "That's the rule of the Dragon Pond. Marcus himself once said Axel was on par with him. Fine. Then Axel can prove it. If he beats Marcus, he earns the right to use the voucher."

A thin smile played at Howard's lips. "That way, no one can say the Kensingtons gave a backdoor to anyone."

Hudson nodded. When Marcus had first entered the War Academy, he hadn't even completed his third soak in the Dragon Pond, nor had he fully taken advantage of the family's sword techniques or elixirs. His strength now was worlds apart from back then. If he won, the fighting spirit his uncle spoke of would definitely return.

"But if Axel loses," Hudson muttered, hesitating, "do we deny it?"

Howard gave a small, knowing smile and shook his head. "You're too rigid. If he loses, just wait until the spectators clear out. Then make an excuse—a draw, maybe an 'evenly matched battle'—and let them in anyway. That's enough."

Hudson blinked, then chuckled with admiration. His uncle wasn't chosen as acting head by Grandpa for nothing. "Uncle, wise as always."

Howard's chest swelled at the praise. He tried to keep his face composed, nodding with deliberate calm, but once Hudson left with a respectful bow, the corners of his mouth betrayed him. Alone, he couldn't suppress his grin.

"Marcus," he murmured to himself, stroking his beard, "don't make me regret setting this up for you. When it comes to wisdom, old man, I've still got it." He let out a low, self-satisfied laugh.

The door creaked open. Hudson had come back for something he'd forgotten—and froze. His mouth twitched at the sight of Howard smirking to himself. "Uncle, I just came back to grab something. Don't worry—I didn't hear anything."

Howard's smile stiffened instantly. "Get it and get out."

.......

"Brother, you looking for me?"

Marcus emerged shirtless from the gravity chamber of Ebonreach, bamboo sword in hand. Sweat streamed down his lean, sculpted torso, muscles taut and defined. Compared to just a few months ago, he looked steadier, sharper.

"Training for a Level Three promotion?" Hudson asked.

Marcus gave a silent nod.

"Not bad," Hudson muttered with a mix of pride and envy. At Marcus's age, his own strength hadn't even compared to their youngest cousin. "Come with me. There's a challenger at the Dragon Pond today. It's your turn."

"Me?" Marcus blinked in surprise. "Don't we usually have family members who deal with Level Two challengers?"

Hudson smiled faintly. "You'll see when we get there. Trust me—you'll like this opponent."

Marcus shrugged, pulled on his coat, and followed Hudson to the car waiting outside.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Hudson studied his younger brother as they drove. Marcus was quiet, steady, relentless. His uncle had been right—he had talent, discipline, and resilience in spades. But that edge, that razor-sharp aura their family prized, was still missing.

Still… after today, that might change.

......

The car rolled to a stop at the gates of the Kensington Hot Springs. Hudson led Marcus through the inner court. And then Marcus froze.

"Axel?!"

"Marcus?"

The two young men locked eyes, both stunned for a heartbeat—before Marcus broke into a rare, genuine smile.

"I knew it. You really are tied to the Kensingtons."

The tension melted instantly. They clasped arms like brothers reunited, two men who had bled side by side at Shiverstone.

Rosaline and the Obsidian team exhaled in relief. For a moment, they'd worried the Kensington family would refuse to honor the voucher after all these years. But seeing Marcus greet Axel with such warmth made it clear: the family intended to uphold their promise.

"Brother," Marcus turned to Hudson, a spark of excitement in his eyes, "you mean to tell me Axel's my opponent today?"

Hudson smiled thinly, pleased at the fire finally flickering in Marcus's gaze. "That's right."

The Obsidian team exchanged puzzled looks. "Opponent?"

Hudson walked over, his tone courteous but firm. "The voucher is real, of course. But in recent years, our family established a rule. Only those who succeed in a duel may enter the Dragon Pond. Since the voucher belongs to Axel, I chose Marcus—his classmate, of the same generation. If Axel can defeat him, then all of you may enter as well. Seems fair, don't you think?"

The Obsidian members hesitated. When the voucher was first issued, no such rule had existed. But Hudson's tone carried the weight of centuries of tradition, leaving little room to argue.

Axel's gaze lingered on Marcus, who now stood before him brimming with fighting spirit.

So this was how fate arranged it.

Back at Bloodstone, only two classmates had truly stood out in Axel's mind: Marcus and Brandon.

The Obsidian crowd burst into laughter at Hudson's proposal.

"That's not good," Rosaline muttered, brows knitting. She'd already felt Marcus's Force surge earlier.

The kid had real talent, carrying peak Level Two Force. Coming from an old noble family, his Force index was probably in the seven or eight hundreds. Impressive, yes. But compared to Axel? Not even close.

The Kensingtons were really going to throw their golden boy out there just so Axel could stroll into the Dragon Pond?

With so many eyes watching, she wanted to give the Kensingtons some dignity.

Hudson, however, completely missed her intention. He thought she was annoyed at them for not honoring their word.

"I hope you understand—this is the Kensington family's rule," he said stiffly.

The Obsidian team exchanged looks. They instantly realized he'd misunderstood.

"Fine. Axel, come here," Rosaline called out. When Axel stepped closer, she leaned in, her voice so soft that neither Marcus nor the spectators could hear. "Axel, do your classmate a favor. Don't humiliate him."

Hudson, standing nearby, heard just enough. His frown deepened. Damn Whisper Syndicate people—so damn arrogant.

"Marcus, your turn," he said flatly.

"Come on, Axel." Marcus, usually reserved in front of Hudson, suddenly let his fighting spirit blaze.

Sensing the surge in Force, Axel nodded. "You've gotten stronger."

"I hope you won't hold back this time."

"...Alright." Axel hesitated, but since Marcus had asked, it would've been disrespectful to go easy again.

Hudson sighed inwardly. Uncle was right. Even before the fight started, Marcus already looked weighed down. A swordsman who lacked the certainty of victory—that was dangerous.

"Axel, I'm using my sword today. Where's yours?" Marcus drew his bamboo blade, Force flowing along it, sending faint ripples through the air.

The Obsidian team immediately felt his sharpness.

"As expected of a noble's son."

"What talent," Millers, Kaia, and Phoenix murmured.

But Axel still hadn't drawn his weapon. Marcus grew impatient. The bamboo sword lashed out, a shadow slicing through the air with a piercing shriek.

At the last second, Axel finally reached behind his back and drew the Red Flame Blade. He could have dodged. He could have blocked gently. But instead, he swung.

"Shit—this kid's too careless!" Hudson's heart jumped. He could tell Axel hadn't infused a single ounce of Force into the strike. If Axel got hurt badly, the Kensingtons would be in a mess.

The clash came with a harsh screech of metal on wood.

Then—crack!

"Marcus—!" Hudson's stomach dropped.

The bamboo sword exploded into splinters. Marcus was flung back like a ragdoll, a sickening bang echoing as he hit the air, blood spraying from his mouth. His eyes widened in shock.

The arena went dead silent.

"Knocked him flying... with just raw strength?!" one of the Awakened gasped.

"That's impossible!" Another's voice cracked. Just moments ago, everyone had assumed Marcus would win. Now their throats were dry with disbelief.

"Marcus!" Hudson darted forward, catching his brother before he hit the ground.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.