They didn't congratulate him.
There were no cheers. No applause.
Just the low hum of the arena fading, the hush of nobles shifting uncomfortably in their seats, and the slow, grinding realization that a Draythorne from the forgotten line had just taken down a second-tier Rivenhart heir in open combat.
Kaelion stood at the center of it all, cloak torn, dust on his boots, eyes calm.
Not victorious.
Just ready.
---
An hour later, in a chamber made of light-forged crystal deep beneath the academy's central tower, Kaelion stood before Instructor Solenne and two members of the Council.
One was Velra's older cousin, Marian Aurelian, clad in red and obsidian. The other was a sharp-eyed scholar named Iris Vellwind, known for dissecting Core patterns like battle plans.
"You've drawn blood from legacy," Marian said, swirling a cup of clear gold wine. "Not many do that and walk free."
"Rivenhart won't forget this," Iris added, voice cool. "And neither will the rest of the nobility. But that's the price of stepping into the Elite Track."
Kaelion didn't blink. "I didn't come here to be forgotten."
Solenne gave the faintest nod of approval.
"Then you're going to need allies. Not the kind that bow. The kind that bleed beside you."
She turned and placed a parchment on the table.
> Elite Track Provisional Mission:
Mission Class: [C+]
Target: Rogue Spirit Beast (Classified: Falsebound Phoenix)
Location: Valley of Scars, Borderlands
Assigned Team: Four Members. One Team Leader (Provisional – You).
Objective: Contain or kill.
Observation will be conducted by Council envoy.
Kaelion scanned the details. Only one word lingered in his mind.
Phoenix.
A Class-C+ spirit beast in its falsebound state meant it had once been sealed… then broke free.
Unstable.
Intelligent.
Deadly.
And possibly… valuable.
---
The next day...
Kaelion stood at the teleportation nexus, awaiting his new "team"—assigned by the Academy. Council-approved, Elite-bound.
The first to arrive was a girl.
Tall. Midnight skin, silver hair braided back into loops, and eyes that shimmered like starlight.
Name: Sylva Mistborn
Core: Starlight Echo – Rare Lunar Pathway
Specialty: Long-range disruption, illusion warping
She eyed Kaelion with mild interest.
"You're the Corebreaker?"
"Kaelion."
"Good. I didn't want a loud one."
---
Second came a slender boy with windswept blond hair and twin knives strapped to his thighs.
He smiled too easily.
Name: Cael Vyrith
Core: Tempest Pulse – Wind/Speed Hybrid
Specialty: Scouting, fast execution, no morals
"Draythorne, huh? You don't look like a noble."
"I'm not," Kael replied.
Cael grinned. "Perfect."
---
The last to arrive was a quiet figure in white and green robes, face hidden beneath a veil. She said nothing.
But when her Core stirred, it radiated purity—and something ancient.
Name: Unknown (Codename: Elira)
Core: Verdant Heart – Healing & Seal-type
Specialty: Unknown. Rumored to be tied to the Divine Garden faction.
Sylva glanced at her. "You're a real piece of mystery, huh?"
Elira said nothing.
Kaelion stepped forward, gaze passing across the group.
"No one talks during combat. No showboating. You follow my calls. If you can't, say it now."
Cael chuckled. "Didn't think you'd be the bossy type."
Sylva just nodded.
Elira didn't react.
> [Elite Team Alpha-4 Registered]
[Mission Portal Opening: Valley of Scars – Temp Gate Active]
[Time Limit: 24 Hours Upon Arrival]
[Bonus Reward: Phoenix Flame Core (Conditional)]
As the gate pulsed open—white lightning framed in crimson runes—Kaelion breathed in deeply.
This wasn't a test.
It was the first step forward.