POV: Kael Darkflame (Age: 6)Location: Westbound Road, Day One of Travel
The road to Ironbrand was smoother than Kael expected — stone-laid, lined with spirit lanterns, and wide enough for three carts. But that didn't ease the tension twisting in his gut.
The black and gold carriage rolled quietly, drawn by scaled silverbeasts bred to resist magic. They moved with smooth, almost feline grace.
Kael sat inside, eyes half-lidded, back straight, Broodfang across his lap.
Selene sat across from him, arms folded, leaning against the window, her breath fogging the glass. She hadn't spoken much since they left Gravedge.
"She's thinking," Kael guessed. "Or... watching."
A boy's voice broke the silence.
"You guys look like nobles… or assassins."
Kael turned.
Sitting beside him now was a pale boy with snow-blond hair and mismatched eyes — one violet, one gray. He wore mage-leathers, a light staff slung on his back.
"Name's Ren. From Frostspire. System Rank's D+, Affinity Wind–Primary, Lightning–Secondary. Class: Arcanist Wyrmcaller, maybe. Don't tell anyone."
Kael blinked. "...I didn't ask."
"I know," Ren said brightly. "But I talk when I'm nervous. And I've never sat in a carriage with someone who carries a death-weapon in their lap like a blanket."
Kael cracked a faint smile.
Selene… didn't.
System Notice – Kael
👤 New Companion Identified: Ren Halestride
➤ System Rank: D+ (Stable)➤ Affinity: Wind, Lightning➤ Weapon Path: Staff/Magic
⚠ Potential: High (Side-path Development)➤ Role: Long-range support, info channel, future dual caster
Loyalty: Unclear
🧠 Initial Impressions: Curious, fast-talker, secretly observant
"Anyway," Ren continued, "you're Kael, right? People in the outer villages already talk about you."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"'The Scythe Boy.' 'Gravedge Ghost.' Even heard someone say you killed a Direhound with a stick when you were five. That true?"
Kael nodded.
"...Cool."
Selene shifted suddenly. Her system pinged.
System Alert – Selene Frost
❗ Observation Skill Triggered🔍 Signature Detected: Concealed Aura, Shadow-type, Matching Tier
➤ Location: Tree line, right side, 53 meters back
Enemy Presence: ConfirmedIdentity: Unknown
"We're being followed," she said softly.
Kael instantly tensed. "Monster?"
"Not unless monsters wear cloaks now."
________________________________________________________
POV: Unseen Entity (Tree Line)
The figure crouched silently, wrapped in a cloak woven from midnight silk. Their system was muted, but not gone.
They watched Kael with fascination.
"The Reaper's spark is real. The Broodmother kill was not luck."
Their system shimmered.
System Query: Observe Target – Kael Darkflame
Classline: Shadow Reaper (Unawakened, Echo Present)Status: Pre-trigger
Result: Observation Restricted – Protection Glyph Active
Recommendation: Do not engage until Trial Three
The observer slipped back into the trees.
"We'll see what he becomes."
_________________________________________________
POV: Kael
The rest of the ride passed in unease. Selene never stopped glancing at the treeline. Ren talked less. Even Kael kept a hand on Broodfang, his blood feeling heavier than before.
As the carriage rolled into the Ironbrand lowlands by sunset, the true scale of the outside world opened before them.
A city.
Not like Gravedge.
Tall buildings lined with spell runes. Spirit beasts flying overhead. Floating carriages. Dozens of weapon types. Dozens of system interfaces in the air.
Kael's breath caught.
"This… is where they live. Where the powerful grow."
His system buzzed urgently.
System Alert – Zone Entry: Ironbrand Province
Population: 910,000+System Density: HighCombat Ranking: Mixed
⚠ Public Exposure Risk: Moderate🧬 Bloodline Suppression Incomplete
Shadow Affinity Signature masked by 62%
Recommended: Use a code alias during registration
A man in white robes waited as the carriage stopped.
He was tall, lean, with a system interface that shimmered gold even before he spoke.
"Welcome, honored candidates," he said. "You'll stay at the trial hall barracks. The tests begin at dawn, two days from now. Prepare yourselves."
Then he fixed his eyes directly on Kael.
"You. What's your name?"
Kael hesitated.
Selene's hand brushed his shoulder once.
He looked up.
"Kael," he said. "Just Kael."
The man frowned slightly, as though almost recognizing the name.
Then nodded.
"So be it."
______________________________________________
POV: Lyra Darkflame (High Realm)
Mirrorwatch Spire, Inner Chambers
She traced the surface of the water again.
The vision had faded, but Kael's face had burned itself into her memory.
She turned to a woman in black robes.
"Find someone," Lyra said softly.
"Who, my lady?"
"Anyone who knows what happens in Ironbrand. Watch the trials. I want to know what name he uses."
__________________________________________________________
POV: Kael (Academy Trial Hall, Barracks)
He sat in the dark, the room filled with other candidates whispering, some shaking, some sneering.
Selene sat silently beside him.
Ren was already snoring in the bunk below.
Kael looked up at the cracked ceiling.
And whispered:
"Tomorrow… they'll all know my name."
His system pulsed once.
And somewhere deep inside, the Reaper stirred.
End of Chapter 13