POV: Kael Darkflame (Age: 6)Location: Ironbrand Trial Arena – Affinity Columns
By the time dawn broke, over two hundred candidates were already gathered, standing in neat rows across the courtyard. Before them loomed twelve towering crystalline spires, each pulsing with elemental energy: fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, ice, light, darkness, metal, wood, sound, and void.
The Affinity Columns.
Kael had read about them in a scroll Garron once let him borrow. Each pillar measured a candidate's natural resonance — not skill, but potential. It would read not just what you could control, but how deeply it would answer you.
He stood near the back, Broodfang strapped across his back, arms crossed.
Selene stood beside him, quiet, calm. Ren was nervously eating a dried root.
The examiner's voice echoed across the arena.
"Step forward when your name is called. Touch the columns. The crystal will respond. Strong resonance will glow, and if more than one responds — you will be given a hybrid tag."
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POV: Observer's Pavilion
Dozens of nobles and instructors stood watching from elevated viewing boxes. Among them sat the masked noble girl from before, her veil still in place.
Her system shimmered faintly with encrypted layers.
"Let's see what kind of monster we've found."
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POV: Selene Frost
When her name was called, she walked forward with silent precision. She didn't hesitate. She placed her hand on the Ice Pillar first.
It exploded in light. Bright enough that a few nearby candidates stepped back.
A faint flicker came from the Wind Pillar next.
Then she pulled her hand away.
System Record – Selene Frost
➤ Primary Affinity: Ice – High (89%)➤ Secondary: Wind – Moderate (22%)➤ Affinity Grade: A–➤ Control: Exceptional
Classline Trace: Stable – Pending Evolution
She turned, returned to her place.
Kael looked at her and said, "You're incredible."
She didn't answer. But her ears flushed pink.
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POV: Kael (Minutes later)
His name was called.
He stepped forward.
Murmurs again. Some recognized him from the combat trial. Others remembered the scythe.
He placed his palm on the Darkness Pillar first.
For a moment—nothing.
Then—
BOOM.
The spire lit up, shadows pouring down it like liquid ink. The sky dimmed for a breath. The wind died.
Gasps echoed across the field.
But it wasn't over.
The Fire, Wind, and even Lightning pillars gave faint flickers.
But then—
A thirteenth pillar. The one no one had dared approach.
The Void.
It pulsed once.
Soft. Barely visible.
But it responded.
System Record – Kael
➤ Primary Affinity: Darkness – High (92%) ➤ Secondary: None confirmed ➤ Special Resonance: Void – Trace Detected ➤ Affinity Grade: ???
⚠ Bloodline Mask Incomplete Warning: Overflow risk detected – manually suppressing feedback…
Kael stepped back, heart racing.
He felt his own shadow stirring beneath him — like something inside was calling, whispering, demanding to be let out.
He gritted his teeth.
Not now.
He pressed it down.
The light faded.
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POV: Observer's Pavilion
Several instructors stood, alarmed.
"That was… Void?" one whispered.
Another said, "And Darkness. That much darkness from an unawakened child?"
The veiled girl leaned forward.
Her system glowed behind her veil.
"Yes," she murmured. "He's perfect."
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POV: Deep Beneath the Arena
The crack in the ancient wall grew wider.
A black mist seeped out.
A single eye opened behind the stone.
"He's here…"
"The vessel walks again…"
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POV: Kael (Moments later)
As he returned to Selene's side, a small notification blinked into view.
System Evolution Trigger – Classline Update Available
Shadow Reaper (Echo State)
Progress: 42% → 61%
Conditions for Awakening:➤ Combat Kill in High-Stress Battle➤ Soul Merge with Shadow-type Core➤ Catalyst Item: Unknown
Danger Level: Extreme Reward: Full Class Awakening
Kael exhaled slowly.
He was getting closer.
But something else stirred in the air.
A presence.
He turned slightly and saw her for the first time.
The veiled noble girl.
She stood at the edge of the trial zone, eyes fixed on him.
When she noticed him looking, she gave a faint bow of the head.
"Who is she…?" Kael murmured.
Selene's fingers twitched near her dagger. "Trouble."
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POV: Ren (In the crowd)
Ren's system blinked a private warning.
Hidden Alert – Candidate Kael Darkflame
➤ Ancestry: Unknown➤ Affinity Readings: Inconsistent➤ Classification: Unstable Potential
Recommended Action: Observe but do not interfere
Ren swallowed.
"Too late," he muttered. "I'm already caught in his storm."
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POV: Veiled Girl – Leaving the Pavilion
She whispered to her attendant.
"Send the invitation again. Personally this time."
The man bowed. "Yes, Lady Astra."
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POV: Kael (Later that night, barracks)
He sat alone again.
The others were celebrating, eating, boasting.
But Kael stared at the flickering flame in the corner lantern.
It bent toward him. Shadows coiled unnaturally around his feet.
He looked at his palm.
A faint black flame flickered there for a moment.
Then vanished.
End of Chapter 16