Recap:
After a lifetime of being underestimated, Renji Arclight stepped into the gates of Aurelius Academy, the grandest institution in Vaelphoria — where heroes are forged and legends reborn. With his Eclipt awakening during the mysterious relic incident beneath the academy, Renji's fate began to stir. His rival, Kaen Drayne, already recognized as one of the academy's most promising students, became both a friend and a future obstacle on his path to the top — to one day stand as the Zenith Sovereign, the strongest being alive.
---
The bells of Aurelius chimed across the morning sky, their soft, metallic echo carrying through the stone courtyards like a melody of order and purpose.
Renji yawned, hair messy as ever, bag half-slung over his shoulder.
"First day of class," he muttered. "And I'm already late. Great start, Renji. Really making history here."
He bolted through the academy's massive halls, passing marble statues of past Zenith Sovereigns whose eyes seemed to follow him like silent judges. Students in crisp uniforms hurried past — some floating scrolls mid-air with their Eclipt, others testing tiny sparks between their fingertips.
A hand suddenly clapped his back.
"Running again, huh?" Kaen grinned, his jet-black hair slicked back perfectly, his golden Eclipt faintly flickering around him like embers. "Don't tell me you overslept."
Renji gave him a look. "You make it sound like I do that every day."
"You do that every day," Kaen replied flatly. "Come on, the Twelve Instructors are gathering for the introduction lecture. We can't miss that."
They entered the Grand Hall of Eclipt, where nearly two hundred first-year students were seated beneath a glass dome that shimmered with light. At the front stood the academy's twelve instructors — legends in their own right.
---
The Twelve Lights of Aurelius Academy
At the center was Headmaster Seraphis Elvane, an older man whose white hair and serene eyes radiated a calm that felt both divine and intimidating.
"Welcome, young seekers of light," he began, his voice echoing effortlessly through the hall. "In this world, strength is not merely power — it is the weight of your heart. Those who cannot control their Eclipt will be consumed by it."
Beside him stood the first of the instructors — Professor Liora Vess, the woman half the male students were clearly in love with. Her flowing red hair, graceful curves, and warm smile made even Kaen sit up straight.
"Ah… goddess have mercy," Renji whispered.
Liora chuckled as if she heard him. "I'll be teaching Eclipt Foundation and Flow Control. You may stare, but remember — my Eclipt can crush mountains if you make me mad."
The class laughed nervously.
Next was Professor Galdric Runeveil, the knight from noble blood — tall, broad-shouldered, his armor gleaming even in the sunlight. He was known as the Iron Warden.
"I shall oversee Combat Theory and Weapon Resonance," he said, his tone cold yet refined. "Discipline is strength. Without it, even the brightest flame fades."
His gaze swept the students — and paused briefly on Renji.
For just a moment, Renji felt the air around him thicken — a pressure, heavy and ancient, that made his knees almost buckle.
(Is this… his Eclipt? It's like standing beneath a storm.)
Galdric smirked faintly and turned away.
Then came Professor Marnel Trix, the perverted one — a lanky man with spiky brown hair, wearing a loose robe that never seemed properly tied.
He leaned on the podium lazily. "Name's Marnel. I teach Eclipt History and, more importantly, how not to die stupidly."
The class chuckled, but he suddenly narrowed his eyes, his tone turning sharp. "And if any of you think strength comes easy, you'll learn otherwise under me. Trust me, my class will break you before it builds you."
A few students gulped.
The introductions continued — each teacher adding a new flavor to the academy's personality:
Ariel Fenn, master of elemental Eclipt, known for her temper and her fiery lectures (literally).
Thayne Volar, a calm, old scholar who teaches Eclipt Theory and Meditation, rumored to have once walked with the Zenith Sovereign himself.
Edda Wynn, the youngest instructor, specializing in creature summoning — cheerful, clumsy, and adored by everyone.
Berrick Holt, the battle-scarred veteran who runs field training with terrifying enthusiasm.
Nalia Crestwyn, a strict strategist and tactician who sees everything like a game of chess.
Orren Vale, the alchemist whose experiments often end in mild explosions.
Yurius Fen, the quiet assassin teacher, responsible for stealth and survival training.
And lastly, Cirin Ardent, a mysterious robed figure who rarely speaks but whose lessons in advanced Eclipt manipulation are said to change destinies.
Twelve lights. Twelve paths.
---
As the ceremony ended, the students were dismissed into their homerooms. Renji and Kaen ended up in Class 1-A, under Professor Liora.
"Alright," Liora clapped. "We'll start simple — control exercises. I want to see your Eclipt output. Remember, focus and feel your center."
Students began releasing their Eclipt in controlled bursts — golden, azure, crimson, emerald — colors lighting up the room. Renji's glowed faintly white with a dark tint at the edges. Strange, unstable.
Kaen's, meanwhile, flared bright gold, forming a small arc of energy that crackled in the air.
"Show-off," Renji muttered.
Kaen smirked. "Says the guy whose Eclipt looks like it's having an identity crisis."
"Maybe it's evolving," Renji shot back.
"Or imploding."
Their banter earned a few laughs. Liora smiled. "Good, good — keep the spirit alive. Competition breeds growth. Just don't blow up my classroom, please."
---
Later that day, during lunch at the open courtyard, a group of students surrounded a floating crystal display that showed the academy's current rankings.
Kaen's name already sat at #9 among the new batch.
Renji's wasn't even on the list yet.
"Man," said one of their classmates, Lio, munching on bread. "You two are aiming for the Zenith Sovereign, right? You'll need more than guts for that. The last one fought the Dark God himself!"
Renji looked up. "Yeah… and won, right?"
Lio nodded, lowering his voice. "They say he sealed the Dark God away with the power of the Twelve Eclipts combined. But rumor has it, the Zenith Sovereign never recovered fully after that."
Kaen raised a brow. "Rumors are rumors."
"Still," Renji said quietly, "if it's true… maybe that's why they opened more spots at Aurelius. Maybe they're already searching for his successor."
A brief silence fell.
Then Lio grinned. "Or maybe they're just preparing for the Dark God's comeback."
Renji and Kaen exchanged glances — both half-smiling, half-uneasy.
"Guess we'll find out," Kaen said.
---
That evening, Renji sat alone in the dorm rooftop garden, watching the twin moons. His Eclipt flickered faintly between his fingers, unstable and dim.
(If the Zenith Sovereign really lost his power… then the balance's already broken.)
(Which means someone — anyone — could reach the top.)
He clenched his fist, the Eclipt's light sharpening.
"I don't care how many monsters or gods stand in my way. I'll become the Zenith Sovereign myself."
Below, Kaen's voice echoed faintly from the dorms.
"Renji! Don't forget the morning drills tomorrow — or I'm leaving you behind!"
Renji smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Try not to cry when I beat you someday."
He leaned back, the stars above reflecting in his eyes — unaware that far beyond them, something ancient had begun to stir.
A whisper in the void, deep and trembling:
> "The seal weakens… and soon, the Eclipt shall darken again."