The moment Kael returned to the Viremont estate, he was summoned.
Not requested.
Summoned.
The Council Hall was located in the central wing of the estate. Six elders sat around a long blackwood table carved with the clan's crest.
Kael entered alone.
He did not bow.
He did not greet first.
He simply stood at the center.
Elder Morvain, the oldest among them, spoke.
"You caused unnecessary trouble."
Kael looked at him calmly. "Darien Halcrest is alive."
"That is not the issue," another elder said sharply. "You drained his essence. Do you think other families are blind?"
Kael did not deny it.
"Yes."
Silence followed.
The elders were not fools. They knew what the Blood Devouring Art was capable of. It was powerful, but politically dangerous.
Elder Morvain folded his hands. "Your father tolerated your recklessness because you were young. But after losing that duel, your position as heir weakened."
Kael met his gaze directly.
"Then strengthen it."
A few elders frowned.
"You think intimidation makes a leader?" one asked.
"No," Kael replied evenly. "Results do."
He took a step forward.
"The Halcrest family will not act. They lack courage. They survive through alignment."
"And if they complain to the Marquis?" another elder pressed.
"They won't," Kael said.
"You speak with certainty," Morvain observed.
"I studied them before I went."
That was true. The original Kael never bothered learning opponents. This one did.
Morvain watched him carefully.
"You have changed."
"Yes."
The word came without hesitation.
No excuses.
No dramatic explanation.
Just acknowledgment.
Elder Vaelin leaned back in his chair. "If you wish to strengthen your position, prove it."
"How?"
"There is a resource dispute in the northern trade quarter," Vaelin said. "The Serrin family has been encroaching on our caravan rights. You will handle it."
This was not a suggestion.
It was a test.
In the original storyline, Kael mishandled this issue and embarrassed the clan again.
This time would be different.
"When?" Kael asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Good."
No complaints.
No theatrics.
Just acceptance.
After leaving the hall, Kael returned to his private chamber.
He reviewed the Serrin family's profile.
Mid-tier house.
Known for commerce, not combat.
Head of family: Core Formation Early.
Several Foundation Realm guards.
They relied heavily on hired mercenaries.
Kael tapped the table lightly.
Direct aggression would invite attention.
This required pressure without exposure.
The next morning, Kael did not take a large escort.
He brought only two clan guards — enough to show status, not enough to appear threatening.
The trade quarter was active when he arrived.
Caravans lined the streets. Merchants shouted prices.
The Serrin estate was modest compared to Viremont but well maintained.
Kael was received quickly.
The Serrin patriarch, Elder Rovan, greeted him with polite stiffness.
"Young Master Viremont. To what do we owe the visit?"
"Our caravans were blocked yesterday," Kael said calmly.
Rovan smiled faintly. "Miscommunication."
"No," Kael replied. "It was intentional."
The smile faded slightly.
"Young Master speaks boldly."
"I speak accurately."
The room grew tense.
Rovan's Core Formation aura pressed lightly against Kael, testing.
Kael did not react.
His Foundation Realm aura remained steady and contained.
He did not challenge.
He did not submit.
He simply stood.
After a few seconds, Rovan withdrew his pressure.
Interesting.
Kael continued.
"The northern trade route produces twenty percent of your monthly revenue."
Rovan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And?"
"And your largest merchant partner relies on imported spiritual iron."
Silence.
Kael had done his research.
"If that supply becomes delayed," Kael said evenly, "your position weakens."
Rovan stared at him.
"You're threatening commerce?"
"No," Kael replied calmly. "I'm offering clarity."
He stepped closer.
"The route belongs to Viremont. You crossed it. Correct it."
There was no arrogance in his tone.
Only certainty.
After several long seconds, Rovan spoke.
"It will be corrected."
Kael nodded once.
He turned to leave.
No fight.
No spectacle.
Just resolution.
Outside, one of the Viremont guards looked surprised.
"That was… simple."
Kael answered calmly, "Force is expensive. Information is cheaper."
He entered the carriage.
His position within the clan would strengthen after this.
Not because he shouted.
But because he solved the problem cleanly.
That evening, Elder Morvain received the report.
"No casualties?" he asked.
"None."
"And Serrin complied?"
"Yes."
Morvain leaned back slowly.
"He handled it better than expected."
Elder Vaelin remained silent.
The heir was changing.
And that was dangerous — in a different way.
In another part of the city, Aric Vale trained under his master.
He had also heard about the Serrin incident.
"The Viremont heir is moving differently," his master said.
Aric frowned.
"That's not good."
"No," the master agreed quietly. "It isn't."
Back in his chamber, Kael activated the Blood Devouring Art again.
He refined the small amount he had taken from Darien earlier.
His Foundation stabilized further.
Still Early.
But nearing Mid.
He opened his eyes slowly.
Three years.
That was the timeline.
But he did not intend to wait three years to act.
He intended to remove obstacles early.
Including the protagonist.