The last rays of the sun disappeared behind the towering stone walls of Ardent Keep, leaving long shadows that stretched across the worn cobblestone courtyard. A cold breeze stirred, carrying whispers of ancient glories that now seemed distant memories.
Kael Ardent stood alone, gripping a heavy, dull iron practice sword in his trembling hands. Sweat dripped from his brow as he swung the blade with all his might and failed. The wooden target before him barely quivered from the weak strike.
His elder brothers watched from the side, their eyes filled with disdain.
The eldest, Lord Darius Ardent, a figure of imposing stature, crossed his arms. "Again, Kael?" His voice was laced with scorn. "Are you certain the Ardent blood runs in you at all?"
Kael swallowed his pride, forcing his lips into a thin smile. "Perhaps my skill will improve with more training."
A smirk from his second brother, Lucan, followed. "Skill? Don't make us laugh. The sooner you accept your fate as the family's disgrace, the better."
Kael clenched his jaw, his knuckles white. He lowered the practice sword, almost defeated.
Then, the air around him began to shimmer faintly.
An ethereal blue light emerged, forming an ancient glyph hovering in front of his eyes. The symbols shifted, rearranging themselves into legible letters only he could see.
"[SYSTEM ACTIVATED – BLADE OF SOULS]
Welcome, Kael Ardent.
Your legacy shall not fade in shame.
Proceed to claim your first skill."
Kael blinked, astonished. "What… what is this?" he whispered.
A small translucent window appeared before him, resembling a legend more than reality. It displayed several options:
1. Basic Swordsmanship Mastery
2. Enhanced Reflexes
3. Elemental Affinity – Fire
He hesitated, unsure. His heart pounded. Deep inside, a voice, not mechanical, but strangely warm, urged him.
"Choose your path."
With trembling fingers, Kael selected:
Basic Swordsmanship Mastery.
Immediately, an unseen force surged through his body. Pain, sharp yet invigorating, spread across his muscles. His weak limbs seemed to solidify, strength filling the gaps where doubt and weakness once resided.
The system window displayed:
Skill Acquired: Basic Swordsmanship Mastery – Level 1
Strength +5
Endurance +5
Kael's eyes widened in disbelief as he flexed his now steady grip on the practice sword. A faint smile broke through his tension.
Far below, in the deepest recesses of the Forbidden Sector, a dark chamber sealed by ancient magic began to tremble. Cobwebs fell from the stone ceiling as a skeletal figure, swathed in tattered robes, opened eyes glowing with malice.
"The time has come," whispered Malgath, the Disastrous Necromancer.
"The Ardent bloodline will bleed."
Kael inhaled deeply, the taste of destiny heavy in the air. His journey had begun.