Three days later, the hunger was manageable, barely. Elias hid the changes as best he could, but his mother noticed the way he moved, the way he watched things, analysing like a predator.
"You're… different," she said quietly one morning.
Before Elias could respond, a knock echoed through the house.
A tall man in dark robes stood at the door, carrying a crystal orb etched with runes. His eyes were sharp, predatory.
"Elias Thorn?" he asked.
Elias nodded.
"I am Arcturus Vale, a bloodline examiner from the Warlock Academy. We received a report of unusual magical fluctuations in this region. I'm here to test you again."
Elias's heart stopped.
Another test? Now?
Arcturus placed the orb on the table. "Place your hand on it."
Elias hesitated. The last time he touched such an orb, it had branded him worthless. But now… now he feared what it might reveal.
He pressed his palm to the crystal.
The orb flickered.
Dim brown — the mark of the Lesser Python.
Then it pulsed.
Dark purple veins spread across its surface. The room dimmed. Shadows twisted. The orb vibrated violently, cracks forming along its edges.
Arcturus stumbled back. "Impossible… this is—"
The orb shattered.
Elias gasped and pulled his hand away. The glow beneath his skin throbbed like a heartbeat.
Arcturus stared at him with a mixture of awe and fear.
"What bloodline is that?" Elias whispered.
Arcturus swallowed hard. "I don't know. But it is not a Lesser Python. And it is not natural."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"You must come with me to the Academy. Immediately."
Elias's mother protested, but Arcturus silenced her with a look.
"This boy is dangerous. And if we do not understand what he carries… others will."
Elias felt the hunger stir again.
Dangerous.
Yes.
But not helpless.
Never again.