I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 720: Duel ???

He walked over to the window and looked out over the duchy.

Everything was falling into place.

**

The morning passed without any major hassle.

The castle continued its frantic preparations for the King’s arrival. Servants rushed through corridors, and the two factions maintained an uneasy but functional truce under the pressure of the upcoming royal visit.

Julian spent most of the day in his chambers, meditating lightly and refining his control over Kraven’s body. Sera had visited once with lunch, but he dismissed her quickly after a few careful exchanges. She was shocked but she didn’t press further.

No further incidents occurred.

The afternoon deepened.

He was at the window, when the knock came.

A servant.

”My lord. The Duke requests your presence in his office.”

Julian did not waste any time. He made his way to his father’s office at once. The corridors were still busy with people moving about, but the earlier tension had faded.

He reached the door, knocked once, and stepped inside.

The Duke sat behind his wide wooden desk, his attention fixed on a document in front of him. He turned the pages slowly, his brow slightly furrowed as he read.

Behind him stood Commander Aldric, quiet and still, like a shadow that never left his side.

”Yes, Father,” Julian said, bowing respectfully as he entered.

The Duke finally looked up. His sharp eyes settled on Kraven and stayed there for a moment, studying him with his signature calm but calculating gaze.

”You’re here, Kraven,” he said.

He placed the document down carefully on the desk and leaned back slightly in his chair, giving himself a moment to observe.

Then, without speaking, he turned his head and exchanged a brief glance with the commander. Nothing was said, but the meaning was clear. Aldric gave a small nod in return.

Only then did the Duke speak again.

”Is the power you obtained truly yours?”

Julian met his father’s eyes without hesitation.

”Yes, Father. It’s mine.”

The Duke watched him for a few seconds longer, as if testing the truth in his words. Then he glanced at Aldric once more. The commander gave another small, almost unnoticeable nod.

”I have known Aldric since you were a child,” the Duke said calmly. ”He has served me faithfully for over twenty years. He is one of the few people in this castle that I trust completely.”

Julian gave a slight nod in response, acknowledging the weight of those words.

The Duke continued:

”I want you to have a duel with him.”

For the first time, Julian’s expression shifted.

His eyebrow lifted slightly, a hint of genuine surprise crossing his face. He turned his head toward Aldric and the commander met his gaze calmly and gave a small nod.

It was real.

Before Julian could respond, the Duke raised his hand slightly, cutting him off before he even spoke.

”I want you to use everything you have. Do not hold anything back.”

Julian frowned faintly, his mind already running through the implications.

”But Father... wouldn’t that be dangerous?” he asked. ”Two Arch Mages fighting seriously inside the castle—”

The Duke let out a low, dry chuckle.

”You don’t need to concern yourself with that,” he said. ”It’s not only you who is an Arch Mage.”

He leaned forward slightly, his presence sharpening as a faint glint of pride appeared in his eyes.

”I am also an Arch Mage,” he continued. ”Peak stage, at that.”

For a brief moment, silence followed.

Julian looked at him, truly taking in those words. Then, slowly, a smile formed on his lips.

”Alright,” he said. ”Let’s do it.”

The Duke turned his head toward his commander.

”What do you say, Aldric? Are you ready?”

Aldric bowed deeply. His expression remained calm and professional, but there was a small spark of excitement in his eyes.

”As you command, my lord.”

The Duke laughed softly and leaned back in his chair.

”Well then,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice, ”it would be quite embarrassing if you lost to someone so young.”

Aldric smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth lifting with rare humor.

”What kind of embarrassment, my lord? If I lose to the young lord, I would be just as proud as you are. It would mean our house has produced someone truly exceptional.”

The Duke’s laughter grew a little louder, warm and genuine. Even Julian felt a flicker of respect for the old commander’s composure and loyalty.

”Very well,” the Duke said, standing up. ”We’ll use the private training ground behind the eastern tower. It’s shielded and reinforced. No one will interfere, and any damage can be repaired quickly.”

He looked at Julian with a serious expression.

”This is not just a test of strength, Kraven. I need to see with my own eyes what you are truly capable of. Words and rumors are one thing. Results are another.”

Julian bowed his head slightly.

”I understand, Father.”

The Duke nodded, satisfied.

”Prepare yourselves. We begin in one hour.”

As Julian turned to leave the office, a quiet thrill ran through him. A real fight against a Peak Arch Mage — even if it was just a spar — would be the perfect opportunity to stretch his current limits and see exactly how much of his original power he could safely display.

And perhaps... it would also show his father just how different the ”new Kraven” truly was.

The training ground was roughly ten minutes from the Duke’s office.

They walked in silence for most of it. The corridors through this section of the castle were quieter than the main wings. The Duke’s soldiers bowed as they passed. Every one of them dropped into a respectful bow and held it until the three of them had moved past.

Liam’s soldiers did not bow.

They stepped aside as required and watched from the edges of the corridor. As Julian passed, he caught the low murmur of voices behind them.

He didn’t need to turn around to know what they were talking about.