The capital city buzzed with magic and breathless excitement.
Today, the realm would witness the Arcseal Ceremony — the sacred rite where noble heirs and commoners alike awakened their magical affinities and talents. It was more than tradition.
It was destiny.
Kael stood before a towering obsidian spire at the heart of the Veilborn Temple, the sacred structure where the Arcseal's judgment descended. In its presence, every lie was stripped away. Every weakness exposed.
He wore pale silver robes with icy blue trim — elegant and understated. His long white hair was tied back loosely, revealing the sharp lines of his jaw and the ethereal glow in his starlit eyes.
If Ravian looked like a sun-kissed god, Kael looked like winter's vengeance made flesh.
And yet, no one cheered for him.
They didn't even know his name.
Not yet.
Inside the ceremonial chamber, the crowd was seated in grand stone tiers carved from enchanted crystal. Nobles, scholars, and High House envoys watched eagerly as initiates stood in line—each stepping forward to place their hand on the glowing Arcseal Pillar.
The pillar read their mana veins and revealed their fate to all.
One by one, children awakened their talents.
Most got C- or B-class affinities.
One boy from House Aerunox got an A-rank Wind Talent and drew applause.
Then it was Ravian Arklen's turn.
The hall erupted in cheers the moment he stepped forward.
Smiling confidently, he placed his hand on the Arcseal Pillar.
It exploded with golden light.
[Detected Talents:
• Light Affinity (SSS)
• Blade Ascendant (SSS)
• Celestial Insight (SSS)]
"Triple SSS-Class Talents Confirmed."
Even the High Priests gasped.
"A child blessed by the heavens!"
"Truly, the realm's Chosen!"
"The next king!"
Ravian turned to the crowd, hand raised. His golden hair glinted. Light danced across his form like divine flames.
He was flawless.
He was adored.
He was unstoppable.
And then… silence.
Because next was the boy no one expected anything from.
Kael Faelwinter.
A quiet murmur rippled through the crowd.
"That's the Duchess's disgrace."
"Didn't he fail his awakening once already?"
"Why is he even here?"
Kael ignored it all.
He walked forward, each step measured. Controlled. Regal.
He placed his hand on the pillar.
Nothing happened for a moment.
Then—cold.
A flash of silver and pale blue light burst upward, frost spreading across the obsidian. The air grew icy, sharp. A few gasped as snowflakes began falling indoors.
The Arcseal Pillar shuddered.
[Detected Talents:
• Ice Affinity (SSS)
• Eternal Pulse – Mana Regeneration Core (SSS)]
"Dual SSS-Class Talents Confirmed."
The crowd fell silent.
Then erupted.
"T-Two SSS talents?!"
"House Faelwinter… impossible!"
"Is he… a hidden prodigy?!"
Velra Faelwinter — Kael's mother, seated in the highest tier — didn't blink. She just smiled. The tip of her gloved finger tapped the ice-crusted armrest like a queen watching a forgotten prophecy unfold.
Kael slowly turned to face the audience.
Ravian stared at him from across the chamber. His golden glow dimmed just slightly.
For the first time… he blinked.
[Bond Link System Notification:]
[Affection Surge Detected: Elara Ignara – 7% → 15%]
[New Entry: Nerisse Aerunox – Initial Affection: 4%]
[New System Feature Unlocked: Talent Layering – Combines active affinities into fusion spells.]
Kael let the frost dissipate and walked back into the crowd.
They whispered.
They stared.
And for the first time, they wondered—
"Who… is that?"