CHAPTER 86: DON’T WORRY

Fifth day of the Great Spring Tournament.

The sun shone brightly in the blue sky, where white, cotton-like clouds moved slowly with the wind.

The forest remained tense, with the irregular movements of wild beasts and the destruction of villages increasing in number, to the point that only those near the city had been spared.

As for the city, it was turning a blind eye to the danger that would soon arrive at its gates.

In addition, the Great Spring Tournament was in its final stages; today the quarterfinals would be fought, and tomorrow the semifinals.

Meanwhile, in the coliseum, everyone was excited about the fights that would take place that day.

Amid the vast, sandy desert, the presenter, with his usual enthusiasm, looked out at the audience with sparkling eyes. For him, there was no greater honor than being part of such a huge event.

After clearing his throat, he began in a vibrant tone:

[After days filled with excitement, we have finally reached the fifth day of this magnificent tournament, held once again in our glorious kingdom! Today, in these quarterfinals, we will witness battles that will defy all expectations.]

[And these are the fights that will mark the day! First up, Michel Abraham will face Avery Boleoti, kicking off the day with an electrifying duel. Next, Lando will take on Axel Valentín, followed by Ryon Peridot against Soren Medici.]

[And to top it all off! A clash that promises to leave everyone breathless: a new battle between the young masters of the Medici Clan!]

The presenter paused dramatically, as everyone’s anticipation grew with each passing second of silence. With a thunderous voice, he said:

[KAEL MEDICI... AGAINST... JASPER MEDICI!!!]

"WOOOAAA!!!"

The crowd erupted in euphoria, and the screams of everyone present overwhelmed the entire coliseum, which seemed to vibrate under the combined voices of so many people shouting at the same time.

They would witness another incredible battle like the one between Jenna and Kael, right in the quarterfinals with only two days left until the Grand Spring Tournament ended.

In one of the waiting rooms, watching the screens made with observation and sound magic, Jasper was with his mother Scarlett, observing how the battles were organized.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Scarlett’s lips.

"So finally," she murmured. "The opportunity you’ve been waiting for all this time... appears right now."

It was as if fate had decided to smile on them today, by putting the person they hated most on a silver platter, ready to be devoured by them.

Jasper stared intently at the screen. His moment had come to humiliate his younger brother and take back what was his. His jaw was clenched as he thought about Kael.

Scarlett watched him out of the corner of her eye. His gaze was cold as ice: beautiful, but deadly.

"Listen to me carefully," he said, his voice now deep and cold. "If you win, you will begin to walk the path that is rightfully yours. But if you lose..."

She paused, not for dramatic effect, but because she disliked wasting breath on warnings.

"...if you lose, my entire investment in you will have been for nothing. And I am not a woman who keeps useless memories. You will cease to be my son this very day."

Silence.

Jasper lowered his head slightly. Not in submission. But so his mother wouldn’t see the cold sweat forming on the back of his neck.

On the screen, Kael’s name was still visible next to his, as if to remind him that today his life would change forever.

And in Scarlett’s eyes, what burned was not maternal love, but ambition held back for too long.

She had wanted to devour the Medici Clan for a long time.

But two barriers stood in her way.

The first was blood. She did not belong to the lineage. And without direct blood, any attempt to claim the clan would be a sham, easily crushed by old traditions and fanatics of family purity.

The second, and more important, was strength.

No matter how hard she tried, her "husband" occupied the pinnacle of mortal power, an existence that few in the kingdom of Aragon dared to challenge. In comparison, any move she made was like a piece of glass against an iron wall.

However, the board changed.

By giving birth to a child with Medici blood, she removed the first obstacle. Now she had a pawn with legitimate blood... and much more than that.

That child didn’t just carry the bloodline. He carried an A-rank talent.

And with enough time, resources, and manipulation, that pawn could become a sword.

A sword capable of cutting down even the man she once called her husband.

The plan was clear.

Only one thing was missing: time.

And Kael was already growing faster than expected.

Jasper looked up. All doubts dissolved like fog in the sun. This was no time to think, doubt, or regret. It was time to move forward.

His honor would not be restored with words. His father would not recognize him out of compassion. Only power could rewrite his position. And he would take it, whatever the cost.

...

In one of the waiting rooms, Kael stared at the floating screen with a neutral expression. His indifferent eyes reflected the name of his next opponent: his older brother.

He didn’t frown. He didn’t blink.

He hadn’t expected to face him so soon.

But that didn’t bother him in the least.

An opportunity like this was too precise to be considered a mere coincidence. In this battle, he could not only gauge his progress, but also resolve an issue that had been festering beneath the surface for some time.

It was exactly what I needed.

It couldn’t have been better.

Alessia, who was in the waiting room, observed the same thing. Her face tensed. That gentle gaze that always tried to hide her fear now showed clear unease. She had seen Kael fight, yes, but this opponent was not like the previous ones.

This one was different.

"Son, do you think you can beat your brother?" Alessia’s voice trembled slightly, concealing a concern she couldn’t quite hide.

Kael calmly looked away from the screen. Their eyes met briefly but intensely before he replied:

"Don’t worry."