[Grave Chant]

This time, it wasn't practiced. It wasn't noble.

It was real.

The smile of a predator. 

Well, Kael mused darkly, if I can't steal them… someone else can.

Venom, he thought.

The name echoed like a whisper in his mind.

And from the hollow depths within him, something stirred.

A slithering presence—half-sentient, half-malevolent—stirred from its slumber.

It didn't need to be told twice.

Venom had already tasted Kael's thoughts. Felt his intent.

It began to move.

A thin, shadowy thread crept through Kael's sleeve, inching slowly toward his hand, like a whisper crawling along his skin.

Robin cleared his throat behind him.

"As per the duel's terms," he said, tone formal, "you may copy the Rank 3 spell scrolls present here. Only ten are stored in the royal vault."

Kael turned, keeping his expression neutral.