POV: Kael DarkflameLocation: Grand Sanctum of Ironbrand – Tribunal Hall
Stone arches towered above. Twelve banners lined the circular chamber, each representing a ruling faction of the continent: the Academy, the War Houses, the Faithborne Orders, and the mysterious Celestial Watch.
Kael stood in the center.
Shackled. Not by chains — but by binding light. A ring of runes pulsed beneath his feet, suppressing his system, his shadow, his blood.
Not that it mattered. He wasn't afraid.
Selene stood in the shadows of the hall's edge, her eyes locked on the figures above — all seated behind veils or masks. Ren was not allowed in.
At the highest podium, Grandmaster Eldane, the head of Ironbrand Academy, raised his staff and spoke.
"Candidate Kael, you stand accused of violating the Sanctum Clause: use of an unregistered class and lethal force against a bonded assassin on academy grounds."
Kael lifted his head, red eyes calm.
"I acted in defense."
"A life was taken."
"He came to kill me."
A pause.
Then a voice from the shadows:
"And why would someone want you dead, child?"
The question came from a tall figure in gold and white robes. His face hidden behind a sun-mask.
A Celestial envoy.
Kael did not answer immediately.
"Because I exist."
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POV: Observer – Astra of the Hidden Star
Astra watched from her private lens above the tribunal, nestled in a skyward glass chamber sealed by system runes.
"They want him to slip," she whispered. "To say too much."
Her advisor frowned. "He won't."
"He's already learned."
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POV: Tribunal Hall
The runes around Kael shifted, and suddenly a projection bloomed above him — a recording of the battle, pulled from his system.
The shadows. The blood. The awakening.
Gasps echoed through the hall.
A woman with the silver crest of House Thorncrest slammed her hand on the table.
"He's possessed! No child could manifest that power without a forbidden pact!"
Another noble leaned forward. "We demand a bloodline scan. Immediate."
Eldane turned to Kael.
"Do you consent?"
Kael's jaw clenched.
His system whispered.
System Alert – Emergency Lock Engaged
Bloodline Mask: ActiveTrue Core: Sealed
⚠ Scan attempt will trigger Classline Surge➤ Risk: System Burnout / Exposure / Hostile Reaction➤ Suggestion: Decline scan
"I refuse," Kael said clearly.
Murmurs.
One of the judges stood. "Refusal confirms guilt."
Selene's voice rang from the edge:
"Or confirms intelligence."
All eyes turned.
Selene stepped into the light.
"If any noble heir here was attacked in the night, they would respond the same way — or worse. But he's not a noble, so you think him expendable."
Eldane's eyes narrowed. "You would defend him?"
She stepped beside Kael.
"I stand with him."
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POV: Kael
In that moment, something pulsed in Kael's chest.
Not power.
Not anger.
Loyalty.
He'd been alone for so long.
But not now.
Not anymore.
The Celestial envoy rose.
His voice echoed unnaturally.
"Candidate Kael, one final offer: reveal your bloodline and join the Celestial reserve. We will train you. Guide you. Protect you."
Kael looked up at him.
Red eyes burned bright.
"The Celestials are the reason my family died."
"Your protection means nothing to me."
Silence.
The envoy stared.
Then stepped back.
"…Very well."
Tribunal Verdict
➤ Candidate Kael Darkflame
Accusations: Use of lethal force, forbidden class signature Defense: Self-defense confirmed; system auto-trigger
➤ Ruling:
Candidate will be permitted to continue the Trials. Monitoring Enchantment applied. Echo Status: Sealed from public viewing.
Recommendation: High Risk. High Potential. Caution advised.
System Update – Kael Darkflame
Monitoring Rune Applied – Rank A➤ Status: Passive Observation by Tribunal Core
Classline Progress: 78% → 81%Bloodline Seal: Stabilized
Shadow Reaper State: Controlled – Phase 1 Complete
New Trait Gained:➤ Tribunal Defier – Resistance to Mind Probes and Law Magic (Low Tier)
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POV: Outside the Hall – After the Tribunal
Selene walked with Kael in silence.
He finally spoke.
"I saw him again. One of the Celestials."
Selene glanced at him.
"The one who wore the sun-mask?"
Kael nodded. "I don't know why… but I recognized his voice."
Selene frowned. "From when?"
Kael's hand moved to the locket at his chest.
"…Before I was sent here."
A long silence.
Then Selene said, "We'll find them."
"My family?"
She shook her head.
"The ones who took them."
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POV: Far North – Celestial Vault
The envoy stood before a golden mirror, removing his sun-mask.
A pale face.
Unmarked.
Except for the vertical slit that ran down the center of his forehead — closed, but pulsing.
"The Reaper's child lives."
"And he remembers."
End of Chapter 20