Morning arrived with pain.
Kael Ashwyn opened his eyes slowly, his body aching as if it had been crushed and reassembled. Every breath felt heavy 🌫️. His limbs were weak—weaker than yesterday.
"So this is Heaven's blessing…" he murmured bitterly 😐
Golden runes faintly shimmered beneath his skin ✨—beautiful, divine, absolute.
And oppressive.
They weren't empowering him.
They were restricting him 🔒.
Deep within his soul, something stirred.
Azrath Cain laughed softly.
😈
"They bound a king in silk chains and called it mercy."
Kael ignored the voice.
For now.
🏫 Celestial Trial Academy 🏫
Celestial Trial Academy was a place where talent decided worth.
Floating towers pierced the clouds ☁️
Angelic statues watched every step 👁️
The air itself rejected the weak.
Kael stood alone in the vast courtyard.
Around him, students gathered in proud groups—nobles, blessed heirs, elemental prodigies 🔥💧⚡
Their auras flared openly.
Kael's?
Nothing.
A glowing crystal floated above the platform—the Heavenly Appraisal Orb 🌟
One by one, students stepped forward.
"Rank B!"
"Rank A!"
"Rank S—Heaven's Chosen!" 😲✨
Cheers echoed.
Then—
Kael's name was called.
Laughter followed instantly 😂
"Isn't that the trash kid?"
"Heaven really has bad taste."
"He'll probably break the orb."
Kael walked forward calmly 🚶♂️
His heart was steady.
Not because he was confident—
But because he remembered standing before gods.
🔮 Heavenly Appraisal 🔮
The orb touched Kael's chest.
For a brief moment—
The world froze ❄️
Inside the orb, black and gold clashed violently ⚔️🔥✨
A shockwave rippled invisibly.
High above—
Angels frowned.
"What was that?"
"Just interference," another replied.
"Stabilize it."
The orb dimmed.
A result appeared.
Rank: F ❌
Heavenly Compatibility: Low
Threat Level: Negligible
Silence.
Then—
Roaring laughter 🤣🤣🤣
"F-Rank?!"
"That's worse than a civilian!"
"Heaven wasted a seal on THIS?"
Kael bowed his head politely.
"Thank you for the evaluation."
Inside—
Azrath Cain went silent.
😈
"…Interesting."
🩸 Humiliation 🩸
Later that day—
Kael was cornered behind the training halls.
Three senior students blocked his path 😏
One grabbed his collar.
"Listen, Heavenly trash," he sneered.
"You don't belong here."
Kael did not resist.
Because the moment he did—
someone would die.
A fist slammed into his stomach 💥
Another kicked him to the ground 🩸
Pain exploded.
Bones creaked.
But Kael didn't scream.
He endured.
The bullies froze.
"…Why isn't he crying?"
"…Why does he look calm?"
Kael slowly raised his eyes 👁️
For a split second—
Something ancient gazed back.
Cold. Vast. Dominant.
The bullies staggered back instinctively 😨
Then—
The feeling vanished.
Kael coughed and lowered his gaze again.
"S-sorry…" he whispered.
They scoffed and left.
But their hands were shaking.
🌑 The Sealed King 🌑
That night, Kael sat alone on the academy rooftop 🌌
Stars shone above.
He clenched his fist ✊
"I'm weak," he admitted quietly.
"This body… this seal… this life…"
Golden chains pulsed faintly on his chest ⛓️✨
Inside his soul—
Azrath Cain finally spoke.
😈
"You are not weak."
"You are contained."
Kael exhaled slowly.
"When do I get my power back?"
A pause.
Then—
"When Heaven makes its first mistake."
Far above—
A seraph opened its eyes 👁️✨
"The vessel remains harmless," it declared.
"Continue observation."
They did not see—
The seal had cracked.
Just slightly....
To be continued...