BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 65: The Island Shifts – A Storm Approaching

The Survival Island Trial had entered its third day, and the island was no longer the same.

The beasts had grown restless.

Some students had already started avoiding combat, hoping to survive long enough to be ranked without risking their lives. Others—especially the Top 10—continued hunting, pushing their limits against the Greater Mana Beasts roaming the island.

But something felt off.

Even the mana beasts were acting strangely, moving in patterns that suggested something bigger was lurking in the shadows.

And for those paying attention, the island was warning them.

Kael vs. the Twin-Tailed Serpent

Kael crouched over the mangled body of a Lesser Razorbeast, wiping blood from his blade. His breathing was steady, his body barely showing signs of fatigue despite the constant battles.

He had lost count of how many beasts he'd killed, but it didn't matter.

This was what he came here for.

A low vibration hummed beneath his feet.

Kael's eyes flickered up—just in time to see a massive Twin-Tailed Serpent slithering toward him, its obsidian scales glinting under the light. Two heads swayed as if in sync, their golden eyes locking onto him.

The serpent struck without hesitation.

Kael sidestepped, his footwork sharp as the fangs barely missed his throat.

A rune flared at his fingertips—

Arcane Chains.

Glowing restraints lashed out, wrapping around the serpent's body, pulling it back mid-strike. The creature thrashed violently, its twin heads snapping in opposite directions before it ripped through the bindings with sheer force.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

"Good. You're not weak."

The serpent lunged again. Kael moved into its attack, his blade carving an arc through the air. One of the heads fell, severed completely.

But the remaining one struck instantly, sinking its fangs deep into his arm.

A burning venom pulsed through his veins.

Kael gritted his teeth.

Then, with his free hand, he activated his Crimson Sigil.

His blood ignited, burning away the poison before it could spread. A rush of raw power flooded his system, his muscles tensing as his stats surged.

Kael grabbed the beast's remaining head—and crushed it with his bare hands.

The serpent collapsed, its body twitching once before falling still.

Kael exhaled, shaking out his arm. That poison would've killed someone weaker.

He stepped over the corpse and kept moving.

There was always another fight waiting.

Deep within the island, Lucian Eldoria stood at the entrance of a forgotten ruin, his golden eyes scanning the eerie carvings along the stone.

Beside him, Darius Zephyrion rested one hand on his greatsword, his storm-gray eyes flicking toward the dark entrance.

"Why do I get the feeling stepping in there is a bad idea?" Darius muttered.

Lucian didn't reply. He was focused on the strange mana fluctuations in the air.

The ruins weren't just old. They were active.

Darius sighed. "You know, you could at least tell me what we're looking for."

Lucian finally spoke. "The island is shifting. Something is drawing the beasts toward one point."

Darius raised an eyebrow. "And you think the answer is in this ruin?"

Lucian's gaze darkened. "I think whatever's causing it is watching us."

A low growl rumbled from within the ruin.

Both warriors immediately dropped into combat stances as a massive beast emerged from the darkness.

Its form was distorted, as if flickering between realities.

A Greater Mana Beast… with abilities they hadn't seen before.

Darius cracked his neck. "Well, at least it's not boring."

Lucian simply drew his sword, his aura flaring.

The ruins could wait.

Mira sat alone, wrapping bandages around her arms. Her encounter with Damien had left more than physical wounds.

She hated feeling weak.

She refused to feel weak.

Cassian's voice from before echoed in her mind.

"Why do you need to be strong, Mira?"

Her fingers tightened.

She had always thought it was to prove herself, to show the nobles that commoners could stand just as tall.

But now… she realized it was bigger than that.

She wanted strength for herself.

Not to prove anything.

But so that no one could take away what was hers.

A rustling sound made her turn.

Cassian leaned against a tree nearby, smirking. "So, you done sulking, or should I start playing a sad tune?"

Mira shot him a glare. "Shut up, Duskbane."

Cassian chuckled. "There she is."

Mira exhaled, gripping her sword.

She wasn't finished.

And Damien?

She was going to bury him.

Evelyne vs. the Mountain Crusher

Evelyne Grimthorne stood her ground as a massive bear-like beast charged at her, its rock-hard hide absorbing every attack.

She wiped blood from her mouth, grinning.

"Come on. Hit me harder."

The Mountain Crusher snarled, slamming its massive paw toward her.

She caught it.

The impact sent shockwaves through the ground—but she didn't budge.

Evelyne gripped the beast's arm, twisted her stance, and threw it onto its back.

The ground cracked beneath it.

The bear thrashed, trying to get up—

Evelyne was already moving.

With a single swing, she caved in its skull.

The beast twitched. Then fell still.

She let out a breath, rolling her shoulders.

"Next."

Selene's Silent Hunt

Selene Duskbane moved without a sound.

Her spear had already claimed three beasts in the last hour, but she was barely paying attention to the fights.

She was tracking something.

Something unnatural.

And when she reached a fresh corpse, her silver eyes narrowed.

The beast hadn't been killed by a student.

It had been slaughtered.

By something far worse.

Damien stumbled through the jungle, his rage barely contained.

Cassian had humiliated him.

Mira had cut him.

And worst of all?

He was still alone.

"Filthy commoner," he hissed, gripping his injured cheek.

But then—he felt it.

A presence.

Something powerful.

And when he turned the corner—he saw a group of lower-ranked nobles, battered and terrified, running toward him.

Chased by something huge.

His breath caught.

The Alpha Mana Beast.

It wasn't supposed to be here.

It wasn't supposed to find them yet.

And yet, there it stood.

Its massive form loomed over the clearing, eyes gleaming with lethal intelligence.

Damien froze.

Because for the first time in his life—

He felt true fear.

The Trial's True Test Begins…

The island had changed.

The beasts had become more aggressive.

The strongest warriors were pushing their limits.

But none of them knew—

That the real trial was only just beginning.