Nightveil: The Forbidden Trait

I woke up on the second day feeling different—lighter, sharper. Something in me had shifted. My body felt more in sync, more powerful. That was the effect of real training—of having a proper mentor.

By noon, we were back in the training ground, pushing ourselves harder than before. Each strike, each aura move, each stance—again and again. Lady Eriica arrived, her presence always calm and commanding.

"You'll be fighting soon," she announced. "You must carry weapons. After the match, you'll enter the Mythical Weapon Hall, where the weapons themselves will choose their masters."

She walked directly toward me, her heels echoing on the stone, and handed me a sword. Its blade was entirely black—dark, sleek, humming with power.

Rimu received a bow and a set of glowing arrows, their tips wrapped in silver aura.

Then I looked toward Luci.

Her face was empty, unreadable. She accepted her sword without reaction. I wanted to go to her, to say something—but I stopped myself.

No. I needed to train. To protect them, I had to grow stronger first.

We resumed our drills. Aura Punch came first—tightening the energy in my fist until it could crush the air around it. One clean strike, and the dummy shattered into splinters.

Aura Kick followed. Channeling aura to my legs felt different, heavier, but I managed to focus it into my foot. I kicked, and the entire ground cracked beneath me.

Then Speed Aura. My body became wind—vanishing and reappearing, dashing across the battlefield like a blur of shadow.

Finally came Domination Aura.

When I released it, the field went still. My black aura spread out like storm clouds, pressing down on everything. Those with weaker auras collapsed, unable to breathe. Even Luci, Praller, and others backed away instinctively.

Eriica watched in silence, then smiled faintly. "You're becoming what you were meant to be."

That night, the moon returned—full, pale, watching. I lay on my bed, thoughts racing, mind drifting. Then—

Everything turned black.

"Huh… Where am I?" I whispered.

The void stretched forever. No floor. No sky. Nothing.

Then a voice spoke.

"The one destined to rule the Darkness… is afraid of it?"

I jolted awake, heart pounding.

Morning light spilled into the room.

A dream…?

"Rule the darkness?" I mumbled. "Is someone messing with me…?"

A knock came.

"Get ready," Eriica's voice called. "It's time."

"Just give me a minute," I said, still shaken.

We all gathered. Rimu hugged my arm and dragged me forward like usual. "Good morning!"

I laughed. "Wait—let me walk, will you?"

Then I saw Luci. "Morning. You okay?" I asked.

She didn't even meet my eyes. "Fine." And walked off.

I stared after her, frowning. "I'll never understand girls."

Eriica summoned a portal with a swift spell, and in a flash, we stood before the Grand Hall.

It was massive—tall silver pillars with carved beasts wrapped around them, floating lanterns glowing in the air, runes dancing across the ceiling. The entire place pulsed with ancient magic.

We changed into our battle gear. A butler entered.

"The rival team is ready. The King will arrive shortly. Please come to greet him."

We followed.

The arena was beyond imagination. Seats stacked endlessly, filled with roaring citizens. Over a third of the kingdom had come to watch this match.

Then a voice thundered across the field:

"All respect to the Lord of Humans… KING DIAMOND!"

A tall figure stepped forward, cloaked in black and gold, a heavy crown on his head. His aura surged like a storm. Cold. Commanding. His eyes weren't kind—they were calculating, wise, dangerous.

"Luci should be proud," Eriica whispered to me.

"Why?"

"His best friend is Luci's father—Ned Elenoir."

I turned, just in time to see Luci bow to her father. He smiled back gently.

Then King Diamond spoke.

"To all my people gathered today…" His voice rang like thunder. "You will witness something unforgettable. And with my dear friend Ned by my side, it will be even more exciting."

The crowd roared.

"And now… let the battles begin!"

In the waiting room, the match list appeared.

My eyes froze on the first line:

Luci Elenoir vs. Kaiser D. Kaiser

No.

An announcement echoed:

"First round: Luci Elenoir vs. Kaiser. Please prepare."

The door opened, and the Lord of Nature entered. Calm, serene. He smiled and wished us luck, then handed Luci a glowing charm.

"Good luck."

Luci smiled softly. "An honor."

But something gnawed at me.

I approached her. "Don't go hard against him. He's dangerous. Please be careful."

She looked at me, her eyes unreadable.

"I'm not your student," she said coldly. "And I'm not a noble whose life needs your protection."

I stood still, stunned.

Then she paused before walking out.

"Oi, Ryan…" she asked without turning. "Have you ever loved someone with your heart? Or do you just throw love into your mind and bury it there too?"

I was speechless.

She continued walking, and said over her shoulder, "You think you care. But it's all in your head."

She vanished toward the arena.

Ned Elenoir stood beside me.

"My daughter vs. your boy. Should be interesting."

The crowd cheered.

Luci and Kaiser stood face to face. They shook hands.

The horn blew.

3… 2… 1… FIGHT!

Luci struck first—a blazing red aura punch, her flames crackling like thunder.

Kaiser smirked, dodged with ease, and launched from behind.

She turned and blocked with her sword, the clang echoing through the arena. Kaiser drew his daggers—thin, curved, twin blades glimmering with frost-blue aura.

The duel was relentless.

Kaiser moved fast, his daggers aiming at weak spots, but Luci met him head-on, deflecting, parrying, dodging.

Her flames surged brighter with every strike. She launched a fiery arc, creating a wall of spinning fire that cornered Kaiser. He smirked—and summoned a blue flame beast that leapt through the blaze.

Steel clashed again.

Sword and dagger collided. Sparks flew. The audience was on the edge of their seats.

Then Luci roared, forming a flaming ring around them. She condensed her aura, compressed it—and hurled the circle at Kaiser like a blazing trap.

Kaiser responded by conjuring a flame creature—this time, a lion. It leapt and absorbed the impact.

They charged again.

It was red vs. blue. Fire vs. fire.

And then… something went wrong.

Luci's aura flickered.

Her strikes slowed. Her shoulders slumped. Sweat dripped down her face. Her breathing—ragged.

She was fading.

I stood up. "Luci! Withdraw!"

But she didn't.

"I am Luci Elenoir!!" she shouted, wrapping herself in raging aura and rushing forward.

They clashed once more.

A massive sandstorm burst into the air, covering the field in dust.

When it cleared—Luci lay on the ground.

Barely conscious.

Kaiser stood tall, laughing.

"So much for your fire."

He walked over and punched her across the face. She flinched, trying to stand.

"I'll make sure you never fight again."

He raised his arms.

A massive blue dragon of flames formed above him.

The crowd gasped.

Ned stood, hand on his sword, but paused.

Kaiser pointed at Luci.

"With this… I summon the end."

The dragon launched.

Just before it struck—

A black figure appeared.

Me.

I took the hit.

Flames tore through my back. I screamed but stood.

"You asked me what I'd do for you," I whispered. "Now see."

I shoved her out of the ring.

I looked at Kaiser. "You went too far."

He sneered. "Like my father killed yours… it's my turn now. Your mother? We fed her to dogs."

Something snapped.

White aura exploded from my right side.

Black aura from my left.

The King stood in shock. "The Devil Aura…"

The crowd went silent.

The nobles froze.

I rose, floating into the air, white and black flames spiraling around me.

Kaiser trembled. "You're a devil…"

He summoned a new dragon, larger than before.

I didn't speak.

Two enormous dragons—one white, one black—rose behind me.

"Repeat that one more time," I said coldly.

Kaiser dropped to his knees, crushed by the weight of my aura.

I pointed forward.

The twin dragons roared and launched.

A blast of light, fire, and sand engulfed the arena.

When the smoke cleared—

Lord Shodou stood between us, shielding Kaiser.

Both dragons destroyed.

Luci screamed.

"RYANN!!"

Then—a dagger pierced my chest.

The Beast Lord.

Blood spilled from my mouth. I dropped.

"Am I dead?" I whispered.

The darkness returned.

And the voice echoed once more.

"Meant to rule the darkness… now dying because of it?"