Chapter 68 – The Weight of Watching Eyes
The wind changed in the Bloodmoon Academy's courtyard.
No banners moved. No torches flickered. But everyone felt it.
A shift.
A title.
WMO
There were whispers in the practice yards.
He returned solo from the Hollow. Still number one.
"I've heard that he encountered twelve echoes and didn't even bleed."
They say that a vampire duke is monitoring him currently.
I saw him the day before. He didn't even flinch as a blade was hurled in his direction.
Each word added to his size.
Every whisper made him lonelier.
Ariz stood on the dueling platform alone, back straight, arms crossed.
Seated across from him: three ranked duelists. Older. Self-assured
Not enemies.
Just challengers.
Velgraith watched from a shade-covered bench nearby, sipping from a bloodberry flask. His hair was worse than usual. His eyes, nearly closed.
"Whenever you're ready," he muttered.
The signal burst.
They relocated.
The duel took only twenty-seven seconds.
Ariz didn't draw steel.
Shadows only.
As the last of his opponent fell to the floor, not bleeding but breathless, Velgraith nodded in a bored manner. "Mm. Form's improving."
He yawned before looking up to the upper balcony.
Someone observed.
Serika was there, face unmoved, narrowed eyes—not with suspicion, but with calculation. Not with fear.
Declaw
Later in the academy's quiet wing, Ariz sat by himself in the meditation room. The stone beneath him vibrated with the slow, pulsing energy to help clarity.
He didn't require it.
He already knew this was coming.
System Notice
You are being watched.
Would you like to see Source Tag: UNKNOWN CLASS – MIDNIGHT EYES?
Ariz paused.
Then, yes.
The heartbeat of the room faded.
Nothing for a breath.
Hidden Noble: Observer ClassBloodline: EclipseInterest: I bet you didn't know that. (92% hidden)
Ariz closed the notice and stood up.
The warmth in the chamber cooled.
Someone has entered.
But not through doors.
With intent.
Somewhere else, beneath cathedral glass, a silhouetted figure took a sip from dark glass.
" she is correct." "He is someone to observe."