The Grandmaster's Reincarnation

The training ground was dead silent.

Kael stood over Seraphina, his breathing steady despite the aching in his ribs. He could feel the crowd's shock, their disbelief crackling in the air. No one had ever expected him to knock down a prodigy like Seraphina Drayven.

She lay on the ground for only a moment before pushing herself up with slow, deliberate movements.

Then—she laughed.

Low at first, then rising into a full, amused chuckle.

Kael narrowed his eyes. She's not angry?

Seraphina wiped the dirt from her cheek, her violet eyes gleaming. "Interesting."

The crowd murmured. Was she… impressed?

Kael wasn't sure how to take that. But he knew one thing—this wasn't over.

The Elders' Judgment

Before Seraphina could say anything else, a deep voice cut through the air.

"Enough."

The crowd parted instantly.

Kael turned and found himself staring at Lord Verrian Drayven.

His grandfather.

The head of the Drayven family.

A towering man with long silver hair and piercing golden eyes, dressed in a black ceremonial robe trimmed with crimson. His presence alone was suffocating, his aura crushing the air like an iron weight.

Even Seraphina stiffened.

Kael felt something deep in his blood react.

The old man's eyes landed on Kael. He studied him for a long moment before speaking.

"You've changed."

Kael's expression didn't shift. "Is that so?"

Verrian's gaze flickered toward Seraphina, then back to Kael. "Where did you learn those techniques?"

Kael didn't flinch. He couldn't afford to show weakness.

"They came naturally," he answered smoothly. Not a lie.

Verrian's eyes darkened slightly. "Naturally?"

Kael simply stared back.

The tension was palpable.

Then Verrian smirked. It was cold. Calculating.

"Very well." He turned. "You will join the Drayven Bloodline Trial."

Kael's breath hitched.

The Bloodline Trial?

Seraphina's gaze snapped toward their grandfather. "You can't be serious."

"I am." Verrian's tone left no room for argument. "He has proven his worth today. If he truly carries Drayven blood, he will survive."

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder.

The Bloodline Trial was not a simple test. It was a brutal, life-threatening ritual meant to awaken dormant bloodline abilities. Many had died attempting it.

Kael's fingers twitched slightly.

This was…dangerous.

But also an opportunity.

[System Alert: New Event Unlocked – Bloodline Trial]

A slow grin formed on Kael's lips.

"Fine," he said. "When do we start?"

A Mysterious Warning

Later that night, Kael sat in his room, staring at his reflection in a silver basin of water.

His own eyes stared back at him—but something felt different.

The fight with Seraphina had awakened something. His speed, his reflexes… it was as if his body had finally remembered something forgotten.

[Phantom Step – Mastery Increased]

[Silent Blade Arts – Refinement Level Reached]

Kael exhaled. The System was still working in his favor.

A soft knock at his door made him turn.

"Enter."

The door creaked open, revealing Elara.

Her expression was tense.

Kael arched a brow. "What's with the face?"

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Then she turned, eyes locking onto his.

"You need to leave the estate."

Kael blinked. "Excuse me?"

Elara's voice was dead serious. "Grandfather is planning something. You don't understand what the Bloodline Trial really is."

Kael leaned back against his chair, crossing his arms. "Then explain."

Elara hesitated. Then—she whispered something that made his blood run cold.

"The Bloodline Trial isn't just a test." Her voice was barely audible. "It's a sacrifice."

Kael stilled.

Elara continued, her expression grim. "They don't just awaken dormant power. They offer the weak ones to the family's buried ancestor. That's why so many die."

Kael's fingers curled.

So this was it.

A ritual of sacrifice.

And they were throwing him in to see if he'd sink or swim.

Elara grabbed his wrist, her grip tight. "I don't know what's happened to you, but you're strong now. Stronger than before. If you escape, you can survive."

Kael stared at her.

Then—he smirked.

"Elara." His voice was soft, but sure. "I'm not running."

Her eyes widened. "Kael—"

"I have the System," he interrupted, his tone firm. "And more importantly…" His grin sharpened. "I want to see what's waiting for me in that trial."

Elara clenched her jaw. "You're insane."

"Maybe." He tilted his head. "But I have a feeling this is where things get interesting."

In the Shadows…

Unbeknownst to them, a figure watched from the darkness.

A man cloaked in shadows stood on the rooftop, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

"So… he's really awakened."

The man's lips curled into a sharp grin.

"This is going to be fun."

And then—he vanished.