POV: Kael DarkflameLocation: Ironbrand Arena, Central Platform
The sky was clear.
The wind still.
Every trial so far had tested skill, will, or strength.
But this one… tested identity.
The Class Echo Reveal.
An ancient test used to confirm a system's projected class evolution. It couldn't be faked. It couldn't be suppressed.
Unless you were something the system couldn't fully classify.
Kael stood in line with nearly 80 other candidates who had passed the first two rounds.
Selene stood across the ring — watching him. Arms folded. Still and silent as winter.
Ren had already gone.
Arcanist Class Echo: Wyrmcaller Path – Verified, Lightning-Wind Resonance – Grade C+.
He was still dizzy from the scan.
Now it was Kael's turn.
The examiner called out:
"Candidate Kael. Step into the light."
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POV: Observer Tier – Noble Stands
The glass domes shimmered as noble families leaned in, many holding private screens to review the data.
Lady Astra stood behind a lattice veil, lips parted slightly.
"He's going to break the array," she whispered.
A man beside her frowned. "Break…?"
She didn't answer.
____________________________________________________________
POV: Kael (Trial Platform)
He stepped onto the glowing disc. It pulsed once beneath his feet, resonating with his system.
"Please confirm: consent to Echo Scan."
Kael nodded.
"Confirmed. Beginning scan…"
The disc lit.
Twelve projection runes spun outward in a circle.
Then—his system shook.
System Alert – Echo Scan Initiated
⚠ WARNING: Core instability detected⚠ Forbidden Affinity Signature detected
Attempting to mask bloodline resonance…
➤ Shadow Classline Trace: Confirmed➤ Additional Lineage: Inconclusive➤ Status: Corrupted? — Echo Deviation Detected
Scanning…
The wind shifted.
The projection rune spun faster.
Then—shattered.
The glowing ring above Kael's head exploded in sparks, and the sky above darkened like something vast had blinked.
The crowd gasped.
In the air, the projection interface tried to recompile:
Public System Projection – Candidate: Kael
Name: Kael
Age: 6
System Rank: C– (Unstable)
Primary Affinity: Darkness (Confirmed)
Class Echo:
⬛⛔ [Class Trace Disrupted]Echoed Name: SH⛔⛔⛔⛔⛔⛔
❗Error: Echo Form Cannot Be Resolved❗Bloodline Mask Active – Possible Forbidden Line
___________________________________________________________________
POV: Observer Tier – Elder Houses
Lord Thorncrest stood sharply.
"That's impossible," he hissed. "He doesn't have a surname. His system was blank!"
Another noble, an old woman with blindfolded eyes, murmured:
"That is not a mortal class. It's one of the Twelve Forbidden."
______________________________________________________________
POV: Kael
The system was screaming inside his head.
He could feel it — the Reaper — trying to surge forward, claws dragging across his soul.
"No. Not here. Not now."
He clenched his fists.
System Override – Manual Suppression Engaged
Shadow Pulse Level: 72%Soulline Control: Stabilizing...
Warning: Class Awaken risk: 88%
➤ Suggestion: Withdraw immediately or risk Reaper Emergence
He took a step back.
The trial platform dimmed.
The projection shut off.
The examiner looked pale. "C-Candidate Kael… test concluded."
Kael walked back to his place.
Eyes followed him. All of them.
Some in awe.
Some in fear.
Some in hate.
___________________________________________
POV: Selene (watching him return)
She met his eyes.
No words.
But she knew.
He was changing. Breaking past the limits of the system.
And the world had noticed.
______________________________________________________
POV: Beneath the Arena – Forbidden Depths
The black mist now coiled like a dragon, slipping from crack to crack, rising higher.
The antlered shade raised its face.
"He called."
"We rise."
A sigil on the old stone shattered.
____________________________________________________
POV: Lady Astra (private chamber)
She placed her hand on a crystal orb.
The image of Kael flickered.
"Shadow Reaper," she whispered. "Or something older."
Behind her, another figure in veils — taller, faceless — said quietly:
"If the Celestials see that bloodline…"
"They won't," Astra said. "Not yet."
____________________________________________________
POV: Kael (that night)
The barracks was silent when he returned.
Ren sat up. "Kael—what happened?"
Kael didn't answer.
Selene followed him in moments later, shut the door, and leaned against it.
For a long time, none of them spoke.
Finally, Kael whispered:
"I think… they're starting to remember me."
Selene walked to him and sat beside his bed.
"Then we make sure they don't forget."
System Update – Kael Darkflame
Classline Progress: 61% → 78% Shadow Reaper State: Dormant – Pressure Building
Condition Trigger Updated:➤ Kill of Noble Blood Required➤ Core Resonance Near Threshold
Reward: Class Awakening – Shadow Reaper [Tier: Unique+]
The Reaper was waking.
And so was the world.
End of Chapter 18