POV: Selene Frost (Age: 6)Location: Combat Arena – Trial Ring 4
She stepped onto the stone ring like it was a battlefield, not a test.
No nerves.
No fear.
Her opponents—two twin boys from House Ferros—grinned like they'd drawn the easy round.
"She's small."
"Cold little doll."
Selene's hand drifted to her waist, brushing the hilt of her twin daggers. Her eyes flicked to the sky.
Cloudless. Still.
Perfect.
System Activation – Combat Protocol Initiated
Candidate: Selene Frost
➤ Classline Trace: [???]➤ Affinity: Ice (High), Wind (Minor)➤ Weapon Path: Twin Blades
System Buff: Frost Mind [Passive]
Emotion locked. Focus maximized. Reflexes enhanced by 12%.
"Begin!" the examiner barked.
The twins lunged, dual warhammers crashing down—
Selene moved like smoke.
One step forward. Two left. Twist. Slice.
Blood sprayed.
The older twin screamed, arm nicked open to the bone. The other turned—but she was already behind him, frost blooming from her boots as she glided.
Two cuts. Precise. Cruel.
Both opponents collapsed.
System Alert – Trial One Complete
Candidate: Selene Frost➤ Result: Dual Defeat – Under 10 Seconds
Threat Rating: Adjusted to Tier CNoted Traits: Assassination Pattern Detected
The crowd was silent.
Even the noble brats stopped sneering.
Then a low murmur spread through the stands.
"That one... she doesn't fight like a system child."
"She fights like she's already killed."
________________________________________________________
POV: Kael
He watched with narrowed eyes.
Selene's movements were different today.
Sharper. More brutal.
"She's not holding back anymore," he murmured.
Ren whistled beside him. "Remind me never to piss her off."
Kael nodded. "Don't."
______________________________________________________
POV: Unknown Girl – Arena Observation Tier
A girl in a white dress with gold trim leaned against the glass wall, her face partially veiled. Long black hair curled beneath a golden ribbon. Her system interface shimmered softly—barely visible.
She watched Kael.
Not Selene.
"So he's the shadow spark everyone's whispering about…"
She turned to the robed man beside her.
"Invite him."
The man blinked. "To the Garden Hall?"
She smiled faintly.
"Yes. But don't use our name yet."
______________________________________________________
POV: Kael – Outside Arena, Waiting Zone
His system pulsed.
System Alert – Invitation Received
From: [Masked Noble House – Tier A Access]Location: Garden Hall – Central PavilionTime: After Trial Two
Notes: Observation Only. No Hostility.
"Something wrong?" Selene asked, appearing beside him, blood already cleaned from her blades.
Kael showed her the alert.
She raised a brow. "They noticed you."
"They noticed us."
___________________________________________________
POV: Ren
He approached them holding a glowing fruit in one hand.
"You both made the top board. Early rankings."
Kael looked.
Projected midair: a light screen with twenty names.
#5 – Selene Frost#9 – Kael(Veyar: Dropped to #18)
Kael blinked. "They don't know my surname."
Ren nodded. "But they're going to want to."
_____________________________________________________
POV: Beneath the Arena – Substructure Level 13
Torchlight flickered. Dust hung thick in the air.
A figure in black robes traced a finger over a sealed wall, glyphs glowing faintly beneath her touch.
Behind her, the air rippled — like reality itself shivered.
"The Reaper walks the stone above," she whispered.
The wall cracked.
System Alert – Seal Weakening Detected
Ancient Vault Integrity: 93%Awakening Timer: Accelerated
Warning: Bloodline-compatible target identified nearby.
The woman smiled.
"Let the trials play out. And let the dark answer when called."
________________________________________________________
POV: Kael (Night, Barracks)
He lay on the bunk, Broodfang across his chest, eyes open.
Selene rested nearby, silent.
Ren snored.
His system buzzed faintly.
"They're watching me. They're marking me. They know."
Kael touched the locket at his chest.
"Sister… are you watching too?"
No answer.
Only the shadows moving slightly… just slightly… in response.
End of Chapter 15