Duel (Part 2)

The training chamber, the heart of the Ennes family's domain, had been transformed into a magnificent stage arena, where the destinies of two young contenders hung in the balance. The air was charged with anticipation, as family members and esteemed guests filled every seat in the spectator's area. This was not just a mere duel; it was a moment that would shape the course of the family's future.

As the two rivals, Keith and Marvin, made their way to the center of the Arena, their differences were starkly evident. Marvin exuded confidence, bolstered by his impressive blood-condensing skills, while Keith, though serene, emanated an aura of mystery and newfound power.

Just as the elder overseeing the duel was about to give the signal to begin, Lex stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present. "Hold," he proclaimed, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Before we commence this decisive duel, let it be known that the weight of this momentous occasion demands careful consideration."

The spectators murmured with intrigue, wondering what prompted the sudden delay. Lex continued, "We must remember that this duel is not merely a test of martial prowess but a testament to the values we hold dear as a family. The decision we make today will shape the Ennes family's legacy for generations to come."

The mention of legacy and destiny stirred a profound resonance within the audience, and they nodded in understanding.

The atmosphere in the training chamber was thick with anticipation as every eye was fixed on the large stage arena. The stone walls echoed with murmurs and whispers, echoing the gravity of the duel about to unfold.

The elder overseeing the duel, a figure of authority and impartiality, stood at the edge of the arena. His voice cut through the charged air as he declared, "Now, begin the fight."

Marvin assumed a fighting stance, exuding the confidence that came from years of mastering the art of blood condensing. Keith, however, stood still, his calm demeanor contrasting with the eagerness radiating from Marvin.

The silence hung for a moment, broken only by the shuffling of spectators adjusting in their seats. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, Marvin launched himself towards Keith, a blur of calculated strikes and swift movements. The clash had begun.

As Marvin activated his blood condensing to its maximum potential, the atmosphere in the training chamber shifted. The air seemed to vibrate with the intensity of his power. Keith, standing his ground, focused on the oncoming threat.

Marvin's punch was a formidable display of his advanced blood-condensing techniques. The air crackled as the punch sliced through the space between them. The sheer force behind it left a brief vacuum that sucked in the attention of every onlooker.

Keith, however, met the challenge with a grace that defied expectations. In a move that seemed almost instinctive, he sidestepped the punch with a fluid motion. The audience gasped, a collective inhalation as they witnessed the unexpected agility of the contender.

Marvin, momentarily off balance from the force of his own attack, quickly regained his stance. The bloodshot intensity in his eyes deepened as a mixture of surprise and frustration flickered across his face. It was a revelation — a realization that Keith was not the same person he once perceived.

Undeterred, Marvin unleashed a rapid series of strikes, each infused with the precision of a seasoned blood condenser. His attacks were a blend of speed and power, a testament to years of rigorous training.

Keith's movements became a dance of evasion, a carefully choreographed ballet that defied the conventional expectations of a duel. Each step he took seemed to synchronize with the rhythm of Marvin's strikes, a testament to grace and agility that surpassed his previous physical limitations.

As Marvin's fists slashed through the air, Keith's body flowed with an otherworldly elegance. He leaned back, narrowly avoiding a powerful jab aimed at his midsection. In a seamless motion, he swayed to the side, effortlessly sidestepping a follow-up kick. The dance continued, a mesmerizing display of evasion that left the spectators in awe.

The family members, who had initially watched with skepticism, now leaned forward in their seats. Whispers of amazement rippled through the audience. It was a sight rarely witnessed — a supposedly disadvantaged contender turning the tables with a skill that transcended the norm.

Marvin, despite his advanced blood condensing, found himself struggling to land a solid blow. Keith's newfound agility seemed to confound him, disrupting the calculated precision of his attacks. Each punch that should have found its mark met only empty air.

As Marvin lunged forward with another powerful punch, Keith anticipated the movement. He sidestepped gracefully, evading the attack effortlessly. In that fleeting instant, he noticed a brief lapse in Marvin's defense, a split second where his guard dropped.

Keith, fueled by a surge of newfound strength and agility, capitalized on this opening. His fist, empowered by the condensed blood qi within him, shot forward like an arrow finding its mark. The blow landed squarely, catching Marvin off guard.

The impact reverberated through the training chamber, the sound echoing the shift in the duel's momentum. Marvin staggered backward, his momentary vulnerability exploited. The family members, who had been watching with bated breath, erupted into a murmur of surprise.

However, Marvin, with a swift recovery, countered with a powerful roundhouse kick. The force of the kick created a shockwave, testing Keith's newly acquired strength. Keith, now more attuned to his body's capabilities, countered with a defensive stance, absorbing the impact.

With a quick pivot, Keith turned around, capitalizing on the momentum generated from Marvin's attack. In a rapid sequence of strikes, Keith unleashed a series of punches and kicks with precision and intensity. Each blow was calculated to exploit the vulnerabilities in Marvin's defense. 

Marvin, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, struggled to defend against Keith's relentless assault. The combination of Keith's enhanced physical abilities, honed agility, and the potent force of his strikes left Marvin reeling. Blood trickled from the corner of Marvin's mouth, evidence of the internal damage caused by Keith's barrage.

 Disoriented and bloodied,Marvin looked up at Keith with a mixture of frustration and defiance. Despite the pain and his internal injuries, a glint of determination shone in Marvin's eyes.

Keith's smile remained icy as he delivered a precision punch to Marvin's chest, a calculated strike that sent him hurtling off the stage. It was a measured strike, a mere 50% of his newfound baron-level strength. Not a drop of blood qi was expended, and the act seemed almost casual, as if Keith was merely gauging the extent of his enhanced abilities in this familial face-off. 

As Marvin tumbled off the stage, a hush fell over the spectators. Eyes, once fixed on the favored son, now turned to Keith with a subtle, newfound intensity. The elder, a seasoned observer of family conflicts, was visibly taken aback by the unexpected outcome. The air hung heavy with a mix of shock and anticipation, as the Ennes family recalibrated their perceptions.

"The winner is Keith Ennes," the judge's voice resounded through the arena. A wave of joy and triumph swept over Keith's grandpa, who couldn't contain his elation.

All the expectations were shattered. People who had bet against Keith were furious, having lost a significant portion of their savings.

"Damn... that Marvin got his ass handed to him just like that. What a weakling."

Angry voices filled the air as people berated Marvin for the loss and the subsequent financial hit. Some vampires who supported Marvin accused Keith of using unfair methods, but there was no denying the fact that Keith had indeed formed a blood core. Every old member of the family had witnessed it with their own eyes, astonished at how fast Keith had accomplished this feat.

With Lex officially declaring Keith as the heir to the Count title, there was little anyone could do to contest it. The reality of Keith's newfound strength and his ascent in the family hierarchy was undeniable.

At this moment, Keith found himself reminiscing about the past, a past that wasn't entirely his own. The melding of his memories with those of the previous Keith had created a unique amalgamation, blending feelings, closeness, and ambitions into a single, cohesive identity.

The memories of Keith from another world had left an indelible mark on him, yet surprisingly, he didn't resent the influence. In fact, the ambitions and desires embedded in those memories resonated with him. Back on Earth, he had often immersed himself in novels featuring transmigration, harboring a secret desire to explore different worlds in such a fantastical manner. As he grew older, however, that wish faded into the background, becoming a distant dream.

Now, in this new world, that dormant wish had unexpectedly come true. Becoming a vampire noble was his gateway to exploring the realms beyond. Still, amidst the excitement, a pang of homesickness tugged at his heart. On Earth, leaving his family had never been a consideration. The sudden recollection of them now hit him with an unexpected intensity. In this world, only Lex, his grandpa, held the position of the closest person to him. He felt a profound respect and gratitude toward Lex, and an unspoken familial bond had formed, courtesy of the lingering emotions from the late Keith.

"Thank you, Grandpa," Keith expressed, his face reflecting genuine gratitude.

Lex smiled warmly, a pat on Keith's shoulders conveying both encouragement and pride. "It's alright, boy. I always felt that you had the potential, just like your father. I hope you take our family to more heights."

"I'll try my best," Keith replied with a determined yet humble tone.

Hearing Keith's resolute response, Lex nodded his head. He felt so proud at this moment that words could hardly describe it.

"Now go, rest for the day. I will explain to you about the inheritance tomorrow."

Keith nodded his head and left the arena.

While he was passing by the pillar, where Marvin crashed before, he felt his purple tendrils were trying to move him towards that place.

The purple tendrils, seemingly responding to an unspoken beckoning, guided Keith toward the pillar where Marvin had met a rather forceful encounter. A peculiar energy emanated from the spot, catching Keith's attention.

He hesitated for a moment, glancing around to ensure no prying eyes were watching. The dimly lit corridor concealed his actions as he cautiously approached the pillar.

As Keith touched the dried bloodstain left by Marvin's impact, the purple tendrils reacted, extending like delicate threads seeking nourishment. To his surprise, the tendrils absorbed the essence, as a soft echo resonated in his mind.

[ Blood essence absorbed: 1 ]

Suddenly, Keith saw a hologram in front of him.