Chapter 25: EX 25. The Duel
The Feran training grounds were a vast open-air arena, an intentional contrast to the elegant, marble-floored indoor training chambers of the Kael estate.
Under a sky streaked with Natural moonlight and artificial floodlights, the arena spread wide—its perimeter lined with runic fencing to contain mana overflow.
At the side of the field, raised a few steps above the ground, was a stone podium reserved for the Rank 2 noble families—lords and ladies seated with barely concealed anticipation. Their gazes were locked onto the two figures standing at the center of the arena.
Seated higher above them, under a sheltered royal pavilion, were the Rank 1 noble families: the Queens, the Kaels, and the Ferans. Their eyes were focused.
All except for one.
Eden Feran, the youngest son of the Feran household, sat with arms crossed and a deep scowl carved into his youthful face.
He didn’t hear the murmurs of the crowd.
He didn’t see the duelists on the field.
All he could think about was the insult from earlier.
"Did he... call me a piglet?" Eden thought, his fists clenched tight in his lap. "Who does he think he is? If Father hadn’t agreed to this stupid duel between him and my brother I would have taught him a lesson myself."
Tears threatened to pool at the edges of his eyes, but Eden blinked them away furiously.