Rite Of Valor [I]

The entire scene was one of disbelief and chaos. Those witnessing the unfolding drama were at a complete loss for words.

Some spectators immediately took out their communicator devices and turned on the camera to record everything. The flood of likes and comments they'd receive once they posted this family feud online was unimaginable!

Others stood in stunned silence, unable to clearly process what was happening. It was as if the world itself had come to a standstill.

The cold wind of late December gently blew through the courtyard, carrying the faint scent of moist grass from the small gardens nearby.

Above, the sky was a bleak canvas, gray clouds blotting out the sun and casting a shadow over everything below. It was about to snow.

Amidst this unsettling backdrop, Juliana stood a few steps from Samael, her emotions simmering beneath a barely calm exterior.

To say she was mad would be the understatement of the century.

'Has this idiot completely lost his mind?' she thought, glaring daggers at Samael's back, her frustration practically radiating from her.

She had known Samael since they were both seven years old.

Juliana was brought to the Theosbane family mansion as a hostage, trained as a clan servant there until she Awakened.

After that, she was taught to serve as a Shadow and was assigned exclusively to Samael on his… what was it? Twelfth birthday?

She couldn't even remember. It had been so long.

But that was precisely the point! She'd known him practically all her life!

She knew his quirks, joys, triggers, and fears.

…Well, to be fair, the youngest son of the Theosbane clan was an immature, entitled, brash, narcissistic, and somewhat sexist brat.

He was also an elitist and had an ego bigger than his head… but despite all his shortcomings, there were not many things that Samael really feared.

He had faced men twice his size without hesitation, and been beaten to a pulp repeatedly. Yet, he never stayed down.

He spoke up against clan elders and other nobles multiple times without filter, not caring about any repercussions.

He never stepped back from a fight, no matter who or what his opponent was.

He had even slain two Infant Spirit Beasts in the clan's dungeon after his Awakening, and without any formal Hunter training at that!

Sure, those beasts were of the weakest level and extremely languished, but still! He'd shown no fear in that battle—it had even sent chills down her spine, and she was watching from a safe distance!

He had gazed into the face of death more times than the number of years he had lived.

She didn't know whether it was courage or stupidity, but it was definitely… something.

So, yes, very few things in this world – if any at all – could frighten that boy.

…Except for his own father.

In front of Arthur, Samael acted more like a subdued pup – timid and sheepish, too scared to even speak properly.

It took Juliana some time to realize that he was not afraid of his father's strength like everyone else was.

No, he was terrified of disappointing him—of not living up to his expectations, of failing to earn his father's love and attention.

That, perhaps, was the only thing that truly scared him.

In all honesty, Juliana couldn't fathom why Samael wanted recognition from a man like his father, who was cruel and vile to the very core.

But what did she know about the father-child relationship? Her own dad was taken from her by that very cruel and vile man.

So, needless to say, Juliana was astonished to see Samael not only speak up to his father but also try to manipulate him today.

The sudden audacity! Where did he get it?

Come to think of it, he had been acting strangely since he woke up yesterday. Mistakenly using her full name, not lashing out or throwing tantrums, keeping his distance from her.

Something was definitely amiss.

It was as if he had become a different person, yet not entirely so. As if he had experienced an epiphany while he was unconscious.

Did he hit his head too hard?

Regardless, it didn't justify the madness of accepting a duel against Arthur!

Why would anyone in their right mind do something like that? Just why?

Juliana was more than a little irritated.

Usually, she prided herself on keeping her emotions in check, but right now, she couldn't help it!

She needed Samael to get into the Apex Academy so she could go there as well and begin strengthening herself.

The Theosbane clan would never allow her to level up her Soul Rank. Her innate ability was dangerous, and they knew it.

The only reason Arthur hadn't Extracted her Origin Card and shattered it was that she was Samael's Shadow, and she could easily be killed at any moment due to the BloodWorm in her body.

Her only hope was to reach the Apex Academy with Samael, cultivate her skills there in secret, and find a way to remove the BloodWorm from inside her while plotting her revenge against the Theosbane patriarch.

But none of that would happen if Samael were to get too injured here and be unable to travel to the academy in time – or worse, get there and fail the entrance exam.

"Tsk," Juliana clicked her tongue in exasperation.

Oh, well, there was nothing that could be done anymore. She had tried reasoning with Samael, but he refused to listen. It was all up to fate now.

She could only pray that the Golden Duke might go easy on his son, but she knew her prayers were in vain.

Just then, Arthur took a deep breath.

The suffocating silence that had settled over the vicinity when Samael dared to accept his father's challenge was broken.

"So be it," the Duke said with a note of finality in his resonant voice. "And here I thought you might have started to become a bit smart."

Without another word, the golden-haired man raised his hand, allowing one of his aides to respectfully remove the overcoat from his broad shoulders.

In the next moment, three brilliant orbs of faint violet light appeared around Arthur's body, swirling like ethereal wisps before solidifying into what looked like… Cards.

Those were three of his Acquire Cards.

They seemed to have been made out of a strange, almost otherworldly material with mystical glyphs embossed on them.

He had summoned them from his Soul Arsenal.

"These are Supreme-grade Debuff Cards. I'll cast them on myself, which should limit my strength to no more than a C-Rank Hunter's in terms of pure physical prowess. I won't use any other Cards from my Deck, not even my Origin Card – Extraction. You can use whatever you like."

Immediately, the surrounding crowd burst into a loud buzz.

—"Oh, Duke Arthur is giving his son a fair chance!"

—"As expected, His Grace is so just and generous!"

—"Woah, I thought it would be a one-sided fight. Thank goodness. That would not have gotten many likes."

Overhearing the distant chatter, Juliana shook her head in disbelief.

These people…

They were all fools.

But it wasn't entirely their fault. Most of them were either Mundanes or so low-ranked that they couldn't grasp the reality of the situation.

The truth was that even with these handicaps, the fight was going to be far from fair.

As one advances in Soul Ranks, their very existence elevates to a higher realm – mentally, physically, and spiritually.

The stronger they get, the more one with the world itself they become.

Someone like Arthur, who had reached SSS-Rank — the extreme pinnacle of power which was humanly possible to achieve…

Someone who could even rival a Monarch…

No matter what limitations were placed on him, what tactics were deployed to stop him, or what Cards were played against him…

You couldn't outclass someone like that.

Years of battle-hardened techniques and fight experience couldn't possibly be equaled with petty tricks.

In a true, unrestrained combat scenario, even without his Cards and with all the constraints applied to him, a top SSS-ranker like Arthur would always have an edge over opponents up to A or B-ranks… let alone a C-ranker like Samael.

Basically, the outcome of this fight was already determined.

"Hey, you!" Arthur glanced at Juliana with a dismissive tone. The manner in which he called her made it seem as if he couldn't even remember her name.

Well, she wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. She was but an ant in his eyes, after all.

…At least for now.

Biting her lips, she deeply bowed her head, feigning sincere devotion. "Yes, Your Grace?"

Arthur turned his disdainful gaze back to his son while still addressing her, "Come here and officiate our duel."

•••

"Come here and officiate our duel."

As soon as my father spoke those words, I took a deep breath.

So it starts.

Immediately, I summoned one of my Acquire Cards. It materialized above my shoulder in a flash of bright whitish-blue light and floated close to my body.

«Appraisal»

It allowed its user to see their own status, estimate the Soul Rank of others, and showed general details of different Cards and Objects.

Without hesitation, I willed it to display my status. Instantly, a blue translucent screen appeared before my eyes.

====

Name: Samael Kaizer Theosbane

Spirit Essence: 700/700

Soul Rank: C 『Absorb 300 Essence to level up』

Soul Potential: SS

Origin Card: Materiokinesis

Acquire Cards: Fireball (Common) || Mistfall (Common) || Dash (Common) || Reflex Boost (Common) || Strength Boost (Common) || Honorbound (Common) || Noble Guard (Common) || Grimclaw's Talon (Common)

====

Since my current Soul Rank was [C], all I could use were Common-Grade Cards.

However, my Arsenal still boasted some of the finest Common Cards one could find anywhere. Some of them were even meticulously crafted by our clan's top forgers.

I might be a disgrace, but I was still a high noble and the direct descendant of the Theosbane family. I was bound to have high-quality possessions.

…But deep down, I knew nothing I had would be enough to defeat my father.

Nevertheless…

To hell with it all.

The odds were stacked against me, sure… but that was nothing new. Life had never been fair to me.

Clenching my jaw, I dismissed «Appraisal» and summoned two of my Item Cards. They appeared over my shoulders, their surfaces engraved with glowing glyphs.

In a heartbeat, a silver cruciform sword materialized in my right hand, emerging in a cascade of radiant light particles. Its reflective blade gleamed brilliantly in the diffused sunlight. This was «Honorbound».

At the same time, a set of light armor embraced my body – a metal vambrace covered my sword arm, a robust breastplate shielded my chest, and protective shin and thigh guards encased my legs. This was «Noble Guard».

As soon as I was ready, Juliana stepped between us and raised a hand. "Since this duel is a Rite of Valor, a trial for Lord Samael's right to remain in the family, it will adhere to the customs and traditions of the great Ducal house of Theosbanes. Thus, there are no rules."

There was a slight pause before she resumed:

"Victory will be determined when one participant can no longer continue the fight. There will be no draws! The duel will end when a decisive result is achieved. If a participant dies here, may the gods have mercy on their soul. Even if the heavens fall today, let justice be done!"

A moment of tense silence followed. Then, with a reluctant sigh, the white-haired girl dropped her hand and declared, "Begin!"