The first thing Kael Draythorn felt as he stepped through the academy gates was pressure.
Not the physical kind—no, this was worse.
It was the weight of bloodlines.
Invisible auras clashed in the air like unseen storms. Vampiric malice curled like mist. Elven mana flowed sharp and clean. Dragonkin presence burned faintly in the distance.
Kael lowered his gaze.
Too noisy.
His heart beat once—slow, controlled—keeping the thing inside him asleep.
Beneath his ribs, a dragon core pulsed, wrapped in ancient sealing runes.
"New student?"
A crystal hovered before him, glowing.
Kael placed his hand against it.
For a brief moment—
The crystal screamed.
Cracks raced across its surface before forcibly repairing themselves.
The examiner stiffened.
"…Human classification confirmed."
Kael smiled politely.
The lie held.