Chapter 23: The Silence Before the Storm
Corvin entered the Lightning Hall with the same calm purpose that now defined his presence at the Arcanum. Without hesitation, he approached the registrar’s crystal console and selected the name currently ranked 70th on the Lightning leaderboard.
The challenge structure was simple: to enter the top 100, one had to first defeat the 100th ranked duelist. From there, each challenger could only ascend in increments of ten ranks per match. Corvin had already dispatched the 100th, 90th, and 80th-ranked duelists over the past two days. Now, he was aiming for 70th.
As his opponent was being summoned to the arena, Corvin leaned back against the observation tier and let his thoughts drift.
Back to the meeting.
Varyel Vaelion had put on a performance, diplomatic, formal, but lined with desperation. The chamber had been arranged with two neutral Magi mediating the discussion. Everything was phrased with care, calculated to preserve dignity on all sides.
The first offering was wealth: a substantial gift in gold and enchanted gems from House Vaelion’s coffers.
The second was a formal and public apology written and sealed by Varyel himself, with declarations of humility before the Synod and the academy.
The third was more... archaic. A marriage alliance, one of the young maidens of the house, a cousin of Nareth, trained in courtly etiquette and low tier magic. A peace pact through blood.
The last offer was darker.
Nareth’s life.
"If none of these satisfy you," Varyel had said, his tone as hollow as his pride, "we will deliver you Nareth’s head."