Chapter 14: The Deal and the Threat

Kael's twelfth birthday had finally arrived. He hadn't wanted anything special, but his mother, Elena, insisted on baking him a cake. By midday, the entire family—Elena, Garrick, and Kael—was gathered around the table for lunch.

As they ate, Kael decided to bring up something that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Can I start traveling the world soon?" he asked casually between bites.

The question made his parents freeze mid-meal. They exchanged glances before Garrick finally cleared his throat. "You can travel when you turn sixteen."

Kael frowned but didn't argue. Instead, he asked, "What if I decide to enroll in Arcanum Athenaeum?"

Elena let out a small sigh. "It's expensive, Kael. We've discussed this before."

Garrick nodded. "If you pass the entrance exams and rank first in every category, there's a chance the academy might sponsor your education. If that happens, we'd consider letting you go."

Kael clenched his jaw. He wasn't particularly interested in the academy, but it was still a better option than staying in the village for four more years. He was desperate for a way out.

A thought crossed his mind, and he smirked. "What if I defeat you in a real fight, not just a spar?"

Garrick and Elena exchanged another glance. Kael could see the gears turning in their heads. After a moment, Garrick leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard. "We'll think about it."

Kael grinned. They're actually considering it.

A few days later, Garrick approached Kael after training. "We talked it over. If you can defeat me in a real battle, you're free to leave."

Kael's smirk widened. "Good. Then get ready. Because every month, I'm challenging you until I win."

Kael devoted himself to his training, pushing himself harder than ever. But just as he was preparing for his first true match against his father, something unexpected happened in the village.

Two men dressed in black cloaks rode into town on pristine white horses. The moment they entered, Kael felt it—an overwhelming surge of Ascen radiating from them. It was unlike anything he had ever sensed before, a sheer, suffocating force that seemed to bend the air around them. The sheer intensity of it made his breath hitch, and his instincts screamed at him to stay still.

Their presence was commanding, their very aura demanding attention, and the raw intensity of their Ascen made Kael's skin prickle. He could feel the villagers reacting the same way, an eerie stillness falling over the crowd as if some primal instinct warned them of danger.

Kael swallowed hard. Who are these people?

He turned to Thalor, who watched the riders with a small smirk. "Who are they?" Kael asked.

Thalor chuckled, his gaze never leaving the riders. "Legio Obscura. They travel in pairs, hunting monsters across the world."

Kael turned his attention back to the riders, curiosity burning inside him. But before he could react, one of the men snapped his head toward him.

The next moment, before Kael could blink, the man vanished from his horse and appeared right in front of him, his hand clamped around Kael's throat.

Kael gasped, his fingers clawing at the iron grip. He barely managed to choke out, "W-What—"

The man's voice was low and sharp. "Where did you get that relic?"

Kael struggled to breathe, coughing as he tried to form words. His eyes darted around, searching for help. Thalor only smirked, watching with amusement. Garrick stood still, his expression serious but unreadable. No one moved to help him.

Kael's mind raced. They won't interfere. That means I have to get out of this myself.

He gathered Ascen, preparing to release a fireburst to blast the man away, but the moment he tried, the man's grip tightened slightly.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he warned.

Kael hesitated, exhaling shakily. Instead, he croaked out, "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Don't mess with me. Where did you get that relic?" His free hand pointed at Kael's blowgun, the one he had always carried since finding it in the forest.

Kael's heart pounded. That's what this is about? The blowgun?

He forced himself to speak between coughs. "I… found it. In the forest."

The man stared at him for a long moment before releasing his grip. Kael collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

"Alright," the man said, dusting off his gloves. "You have two options."

Kael looked up, still catching his breath.

"Option one—I kill you now and take the relic."

Kael tensed. Not much of an option.

"Option two—you come with us to Eryndor and enroll in Arcanum Athenaeum. We'll make sure you become a member of Legio Obscura."

Kael's mind raced. They want me to join them? He glanced at Garrick, who remained motionless, except for the slightest hint of a smirk.

Kael turned back to the man and exhaled slowly. "Well… seems like I don't really have a choice, do I?"

The man grinned. "Smart answer."

And with that, Kael's fate was sealed.

End of Chapter 14