In the heart of the Acheron estate, a quiet shift had begun.
The early morning brought with it more than just the usual routines. Alongside sparring drills, ki channeling exercises, and status evaluations, something new stirred in the air — a sense of competition, sharper than usual.
A sealed scroll had arrived from Astral Dawn Academy, carried by a swift-footed envoy dressed in their signature dark blue robes. It was tradition. Every year, just before the autumn quarter, the academy sent preliminary selection notices to top-tier clans across the continent.
For most families, this was a matter of pride. For the Acherons, it was a point of dominance. Almost every generation, their main family produced students who graduated as elite cultivators, even future faction leaders. The clan took these selections seriously.
The scroll now sat on the stone table in the estate's upper hall, surrounded by half a dozen elders and a few senior juniors. No public announcement yet—just early deliberation.
"The expected names are here," Elder Mira said, tapping the scroll with a long finger. "Revan. Iris. Theo. Kael. All Tier C or nearing it."
Elder Bram, who had remained mostly silent, shifted his gaze to the bottom of the list. "This one," he murmured. "Darius."
Several eyes turned to him.
"That's not a mistake?" another elder asked, frowning.
"He's still Tier D, isn't he?" Mira added, checking the internal records. "Mid to late D, but hardly worth the academy's attention. He hasn't shown consistency in years."
Bram didn't answer immediately. "There's a quiet note attached from one of the academy's side division heads. Just two words: 'Observed potential.'"
The room grew a little still.
No one said it aloud, but the message was clear. Someone with rank at the academy had noticed something. What exactly, no one could say.
Outside the hall, word hadn't spread yet, but the growing tension in the training grounds hinted that something big was happening. The older cousins had already heard whispers about Astral Dawn's selection window. Revan, as always, was the first to turn up his pace.
His training routine doubled. He pushed himself harder in the sparring ring, drawing attention with each crushing win over lessers. Everything about him screamed confidence—and a little something more now. Possessiveness. Like the academy was already his domain.
When the full list leaked later that day, a different kind of stir rippled across the estate.
No one questioned Revan or Iris. But when someone read out Darius's name near the end, the reaction was instant.
"Wait, that Darius?"
"He still cultivates?"
"I thought he quit years ago."
"He's not even Tier C—how did his name get on a shortlist?"
The reactions varied. Surprise, amusement, even a little jealousy. No one asked Darius directly. No one dared. But the rumors spread fast.
That evening, Darius remained out of sight. He didn't show up at the central courtyard. He didn't attend the family dinner gathering. He simply kept to his room, lights low, windows shut.
Inside, he sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, his breathing calm. In the space around him, the air barely shifted.
Then, the familiar presence of the Boundless Nexus flickered to life—quiet, efficient, and ever-watchful.
[Boundless Nexus – System Status]
External RecognitionTriggered
Dormant Signature Activated
Progression Route Exposure: Mild
Concealment: Adaptive Layer Engaged
Ki Absorption Rate: Stable
Risk Level: Low, Monitoring Active
Darius didn't react visibly, but his eyes narrowed slightly at the word "triggered."
The system had always remained subtle, even hidden. He hadn't released a single burst of ki in public since that match with Kael. Not enough to attract attention. At least, that's what he thought.
Apparently, someone had seen enough to take interest.
Meanwhile, in the estate's northern wing, a visitor walked slowly along the balcony overlooking the side training field. His clothes were plain but finely made. A short tattoo—marked with Astral Dawn's crest—peered from under his sleeve.
He didn't introduce himself. He wasn't meant to.
Scouts like him came during selection windows to observe, record, and send quiet signals back to the academy's board. No flashy entrances. No announcements.
He stood silently for a few minutes as Revan demonstrated a clean ki-imbued strike that split a training post. The small group nearby clapped.
The man did not.
His eyes shifted slightly, toward the far end of the field—where someone sat alone beneath the shade of a tree. Darius.
They made brief eye contact. Darius didn't react, just turned his gaze down toward his knees.
The man watched a moment longer, then walked off.
The next morning, the full announcement was made.
In the stone-paved gathering hall, the clan head himself stood before the family's younger generation. Fifty names were read aloud. Twenty were highlighted for higher priority review. Ten were confirmed as officially recommended.
When the name "Darius Acheron" was read—quietly, near the end—there was no cheer, no applause.
Just a long silence.
Revan didn't speak, but his jaw flexed. Several cousins exchanged puzzled looks. A few laughed under their breath.
Darius stood near the back, not reacting. He bowed slightly and left the room before anyone could approach him.
No one stopped him.
As he walked back to his wing, footsteps soft against the polished stone floor, he whispered almost to himself:
"Didn't ask for this… and now I have to deal with it."
And behind his quiet steps, the system remained active—silent, watching, adapting.
Boundless Nexus:
Academy Entry Probability: 92%
Root Stability: Stable
Progress Pace: Acceptable
Unknown Variable Influence Detected – Logging...