---
The early morning sun bathed the grand towers of the Velaria Academy in a soft golden hue, but the warmth did nothing to ease the growing storm beneath its marble facade.
In a heavily warded office at the heart of the inner campus, two men stood locked in heated discussion.
"Rael Verenth… commoner… no recorded Talent… yet the Soul Cradle exploded during his awakening. You expect me to believe that was an accident?"
Vice Principal Kyron Veldrane narrowed his violet eyes. His cloak shimmered with embedded runes, a sign of his A-Rank mage status. Before him, an imperial messenger—clad in silver with the Empire's twin-dragon sigil—presented a sealed scroll etched in gold.
The contents were clear.
Order from the Imperial Council:
> "Investigate all anomalies related to the destruction of the Soul Cradle during the Darian Kingdom's Awakening Ceremony. If a threat is identified, neutralize immediately. No exceptions."
Kyron's brow furrowed. "I've reviewed the boy's records myself. He lied about his class—listed as Novice Summoner—but I suspect something far rarer. The system veil around him is deliberate. That's not a mistake… that's a safeguard."
The messenger nodded. "Which is why they are on their way. You have three days."
Kyron's eyes narrowed further. "Three days until what?"
A grim silence.
"They're sending the Hounds."
---
Meanwhile – Outer Training Grounds
Rael's muscles burned as he landed a clean strike against the training dummy, shattering the wooden target in two.
> [You've gained 5 EXP]
> [Weapon Skill Proficiency Increased – +1 STR]
He lowered his blade, panting lightly. Around him, dozens of first-year students practiced with mock swords, staffs, and elemental spells. Few noticed Rael, though some had begun whispering ever since his placement test.
Even instructors were paying attention now—especially after Rael had climbed to the top of the class rankings within just a week.
But today, he felt… watched.
Someone is observing me.
A faint whisper echoed in his mind, and for a moment he thought it was his spirit—Fang Ghosthound—but it felt different. Distant. Ancient.
> "Rael…"
He turned abruptly, but no one was there.
"Is something wrong?" asked Elira, the half-elf girl from his dorm group. Her healing spells had saved him once already during beast practice.
Rael hesitated. "I thought I heard…"
Before he could finish, the academy bell rang—signaling the start of mandatory combat lectures.
Elira nudged him with a grin. "Come on, 'top of the class.' Don't want to be late."
He nodded, though the whisper lingered in his mind like a forgotten dream.
---
Later – Central Academy Hall
Master Instructor Velkan stood at the head of the great combat hall, armored in blue sigilplate. Behind him floated an illusory battlefield—two armored knights clashing, while a mage channeled a spell from afar.
"The foundation of all battle lies not just in stats—but in synergy," Velkan declared. "A B-Rank Warrior with no strategy will fall to a D-Rank Assassin with planning. Today, we review combat synergy formations."
Students jotted notes as he continued, projecting class combinations—Warrior-Tank pairs, Mage-Healer triads, Assassin-Rogue flanks.
Rael leaned forward. If I can integrate beast spirits with different skills… I could create my own formations, solo.
That thought excited him.
But then the hall doors opened.
And the temperature dropped.
Three men entered.
They were dressed in black imperial coats marked with blood-red trim. No emblems. No guild sigils. Just a symbol—two hounds snarling around a broken crown.
The Hounds of the Empire.
Elite enforcers. Assassins. Monster hunters. And when necessary—executioners.
Velkan paused mid-sentence. "Is there… something I can help you with?"
The lead Hound, a tall man with snow-white hair and glowing golden irises, surveyed the students like a predator among prey.
"We're here on imperial directive," he said coolly. "We'll be conducting a search. Continue your lecture."
Rael tensed as the Hounds dispersed among the students, scanning, probing, brushing their fingers across wrists, necks, and foreheads—checking for system interference or cloaked abilities.
One Hound brushed past him.
Rael held his breath.
> [Spirit Cloak Activated – Class Identity Obscured]
The Hound paused.
Sniffed.
Then moved on.
Rael exhaled slowly. That was close.
But his relief was short-lived.
The whisper returned—stronger this time.
> "Rael… to the ancient grove… come…"
He blinked. That voice… is it calling me?
He raised his hand.
"Instructor Velkan. I'm not feeling well. Requesting leave."
Velkan nodded, distracted by the presence of the imperial agents. "Granted. Dismissed."
---
Nightfall – Ancient Grove Ruins
Moonlight danced across forgotten stones and ivy-covered pillars. The grove was a sacred place—older than the academy itself, rumored to have been a site of ancient spirit worship.
Rael stood among the broken columns, sword drawn.
"I know you're here," he said aloud.
Silence.
Then…
Mist.
It curled around the trees, thick and heavy. The wind stilled.
A ghostly figure emerged—shrouded in a tattered cloak, its face hidden by a cracked mask.
Rael's instincts screamed danger, but he stood firm.
"Who are you?"
The figure spoke, its voice layered—male and female at once.
"I am the Whisper. A remnant of the First Sovereign. I watched your awakening. The Spirit Contractor class… it was mine."
Rael's heart thudded. "You… were like me?"
"No," the Whisper replied. "You are more. I was bound by the system. You are breaking it."
Rael lowered his sword slightly. "Why me?"
"Because the Empire fears you. Because the demons stir again in the south. Because the world has forgotten… and you must remind it."
The Whisper raised a translucent hand, and a mark burned itself into Rael's forearm—a spiral of blue and black flame.
> [System Alert – Ancient Spirit Brand Acquired] Passive Unlocked: Soul Memory — +10% XP from beast-class enemies New Ability Gained: Spectral Recall – Temporarily summon an echo of a bound spirit with doubled stats for 15 seconds. Cooldown: 2 hours.
Rael winced as the mark cooled into his skin.
"I've granted you my memory," the Whisper said. "But beware… the Hounds are not your only enemies."
"Then who?" Rael asked.
The Whisper faded, voice lingering.
> "The Empire itself."
---
Back at Academy – Hound Quarters
The white-haired Hound stared at his crystal monitor, watching a faint spirit trace dissipate from the ancient grove.
He smiled thinly.
"So the Sovereign rises again."
Behind him, another Hound asked, "Orders, Commander?"
The commander's eyes glowed faintly.
"Let him grow… for now. A seed only reveals its nature when it blooms."
---