"Three days," Kael muttered, staring at the glowing quest screen as it flickered above his hand.
Survive the First Moon Duel.
That wasn't a metaphor—it was a tradition.
Every new student had to fight under moonlight, a public test by combat to prove they deserved their place.
The difference? Most students had bloodlines with history. Training. Mentors.
Kael had none of that.
---
The dueling arena—Obsidian Circle—was carved into the academy's central courtyard. Surrounded by arching gothic spires and shadowy balconies, it looked more like a gladiator pit than a school facility.
Students crowded the stands, whispering and betting. Most came to see blood.
Kael stood in the circle alone.
Then Lucien descended from above, landing with theatrical grace. His long red coat rippled as he adjusted his gloves, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Try not to embarrass Noctis House," he said. "We already have enough shame."
Kael didn't respond. He couldn't. His hands were shaking—but not from fear. From something deeper. Hungrier. The Codex inside him was reacting. Whispering.
> Target locked: Lucien Virex
Trait Potential: High
Warning: Success may cause mutation
Codex Suggestion: Proceed
The duel master—a shade with no eyes and too many teeth—raised a clawed hand.
"Begin."
---
Lucien moved first—fast.
Kael barely dodged a whip of blood lashing from Lucien's palm. It cracked the ground where he'd stood. Lucien was already moving again, vanishing into a misty shadow step and appearing behind Kael.
"Too slow," Lucien whispered.
Kael dropped, rolling. He summoned what little energy he had, activating the first trait the Codex had stabilized:
> Shadow Leap: Basic
His body flickered, teleporting three meters behind Lucien, just in time to dodge a second strike. But the landing was rough—his knees buckled.
Lucien turned, impressed. "You have some tricks. Let's see how long they last."
He snapped his fingers.
Blood rose from the cracks in the arena—dozens of thin red strings coiling toward Kael.
> Trait Detected: Blood Marionette (Partial Control)
Codex attempting to analyze… 21%... 38%...
Kael sprinted, trying to break line of sight. But the arena was open, no cover, no mercy.
One of the blood strings wrapped around his leg. He stumbled. Lucien raised his hand, fingers twitching.
Kael's leg twisted—not of his own will. The blood was inside him now.
But Kael wasn't helpless.
He focused, biting his lip, drawing blood—and willpower.
> Codex Override Initiated… Trait Absorption Pulse – Minor
Success!
A jolt surged through him. The string on his leg snapped. Lucien's eyes widened.
"You… stole my control?"
Kael lunged, iron shard in hand. It wasn't a clean hit, but it sliced Lucien's shoulder.
> Trait Fragment Acquired: Blood Puppetry (Instinctual Bind)
Lucien hissed. "That's not possible."
Kael stood, chest heaving, eyes glowing.
"I don't need a bloodline," he said, voice low. "I'll make my own."
---
The duel ended in a draw—not by score, but by interruption. Syra Duskveil appeared in a blink, stopping both fighters mid-charge with nothing but a glare.
"Enough," she said coldly. "The boy lives. He passes."
Kael collapsed to his knees, exhausted.
Above him, the Codex shimmered:
> Quest Complete: Survive First Moon Duel
Reward: Trait Stabilized – Instinctual Bind
Codex Tier Progress: 12%
> Warning: Attention Level Increased
Factions now watching: Crimson Throne, Umbra Council, Eclipse Circle