POV: Kael Darkflame (Age: 6)Location: Ironbrand Province, Trial Arena Grounds
The morning began with a ringing bell. Not a soft chime, but a deep war toll, echoing across the entire city. The bell hadn't sounded in years — used only when the Academy Gate was officially open.
Kael stood near the edge of the central arena, surrounded by nearly two hundred others.
Children, yes. But not innocent.
Every single one of them had a system. A path. And at least a taste of power.
But Kael…?
He didn't feel like one of them.
He felt like a blade hidden in a forest of sticks.
System Notification – Area Change
📍 Zone: Ironbrand Arena – Trial Ring
➤ Combat Class Presence: 67%➤ Average System Rank: D– to D+➤ Hidden Bloodlines Detected: 12
⚠ You are currently being observed by:
3 Academy Staff6 Noble Representatives1 Unknown Class Sensor
A platform floated overhead, shaped like a square disc of white crystal. On it stood five Observers, their robes trimmed with elements of rank: one silver, three gold, and a central figure in blue-black armor laced with flame-thread.
That one raised a gauntleted hand.
"Welcome, candidates. I am High Examiner Margrave Asthen. Today, you stand not as children… but as competitors."
His voice boomed unnaturally — clearly boosted by his system.
"Only the top thirty will receive open sponsorship from the Ironbrand Academies. But all of you will be ranked. Your names and system classifications will be shared."
Murmurs.
Tension.
"Let the trials begin."
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POV: Selene Frost
She stood near Kael, not close enough to draw attention, but not far enough to let anyone near him without her noticing.
Her system flickered.
System Notice – Arena Sync
💠 Linked Candidate Detected: Kael Darkflame
Bond Rank: Tier 1 (Stable)Synergy Level: 11%
Optional Bonus: Assist Trigger Available (Trial 2)
Selene didn't look at him directly.
But when she saw the noble brats snickering nearby — a group in white and gold with ice crests — her fingers curled around her blade hilt.
"Let one of them move," she muttered. "Just once."
________________________________________________________
POV: Ren Halestride
Ren stood a few feet away from Kael and Selene, eyes darting between groups.
One boy stood out — red hair, crimson robe, a longsword at his hip glowing with enchantments.
Name: Veyar Thorncrest.
Heir of the Thorncrest March. Known prodigy. Rank C–. Arrogant as hell.
And currently laughing with his clique, shooting occasional glances toward Kael.
They've already decided who their target is, Ren realized.
And it wasn't him.
___________________________________________________________
POV: Veyar Thorncrest
"So that's him," Veyar sneered. "Scythe boy."
A girl beside him — porcelain skin, wind tattoos across her neck — whispered, "Unranked, but rumor says he soloed a brood-class mistbeast."
"Exaggeration. Backwater legends. We'll see how 'unranked' he looks when he's eating dust."
Veyar's system shimmered.
System Modifier: Duelist's Confidence [Active]
➤ +8% Strength vs. lower-ranked targets➤ Taunt chance increased
"I'll break him in round one," Veyar grinned. "Bet me five cores."
______________________________________________________
POV: Kael
His name was called.
"Kael — Trial One, Combat Ring 3. Opponent: Veyar Thorncrest."
A ripple moved through the crowd.
Selene's expression froze.
Ren whispered, "Already…?"
Kael only stepped forward, scythe glinting faintly in the morning sun.
Trial One: Combat Evaluation
Rules: No lethal strikes. Systems active. Weapons permitted. First contact knockdown or surrender ends match.
Arena: Circular field – 15m radius. Barrier protected.
Kael and Veyar stepped into the ring.
The platform above lit.
"Begin!"
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POV: Veyar
He didn't wait.
His sword shot forward in a perfect flowing strike, empowered by wind essence.
"Show me that stick of yours can block steel—"
CLANG.
Kael didn't block.
He redirected, parrying with the curved shaft of Broodfang, letting the blade slide off.
Veyar staggered. "What—"
Kael moved.
System Triggered – Weapon Flow: Broodfang (7% Sync)
➤ Momentum Echo: Activated➤ Shadow Step (Lesser): Flicker triggered
Bonus: First Strike Advantage (+5%)
He was behind Veyar before the boy could react.
The scythe blade hummed.
Stopped a breath from his neck.
The crowd gasped.
Silence.
Then:
"Point — Kael."
__________________________________________________
POV: Observers' Platform
Margrave Asthen leaned forward.
"That movement... that wasn't natural."
The silver-robed woman beside him nodded.
"He's not awakened, but the class trace is undeniable."
Another observer muttered, "What do we do?"
"Watch," Margrave said. "And record everything."
_________________________________________________
POV: Veyar (after the match)
He stared in disbelief at the ground.
"I… lost…?"
Kael stood calmly across from him, scythe already slung back.
No smile.
No gloating.
Just a look.
A predator's look.
You were never a threat.
System Update – Kael Darkflame
Trial One: CompletedRank Evaluation: Pending
Combat Feedback:➤ Strike Precision: Excellent➤ Movement Flow: Exceptional➤ Threat Rating: Adjusted to Tier C– (Provisional)
__________________________________________
POV: Selene
She smiled faintly.
"He's starting to show them."
Then her name was called.
And the ice beneath her skin began to stir.
End of Chapter 14