Chapter 37: Whispers Beneath the Ashes
The flames of the Faction War had barely died down.
Scorched banners fluttered from broken towers. Cracks riddled the marble dueling grounds. And yet, in the middle of the ruined courtyard… stood Ren Kamizuki.
Silent. Drenched in ashes.
He hadn't moved since the battle ended—since Auron's final, cursed attack triggered the Codex Nullum's defense and unleashed something inhuman.
Footsteps echoed softly behind him.
"You're not even breathing," Lira said, her voice tight.
Ren blinked, barely turning. "I can't tell if I should be relieved or horrified."
Lira approached slowly, the hem of her Academy robe torn, her left arm in a sling. "You should be both. That… thing inside you—it wasn't just a defense mechanism."
"It wasn't me."
"No," she said. "It was the Codex. But you let it in. You gave it permission."
Ren didn't deny it.
There was silence between them for a beat too long—until Lira took something from her satchel. A sealed scroll, lined with red wax and a sigil Ren had never seen before.
"This… belonged to my sister. The one who vanished during the last war." Her voice trembled, just slightly. "It's from the Oracles of Solmere. She left this warning behind."
She handed it to him.
Ren cracked the seal. Inside were just six words:
"The one with the Codex burns all."
He looked up. Lira's expression had changed.
"I've kept your secret, Ren. But I won't lie for you anymore."
A silence deeper than before settled.
"And what if I become what they fear?" Ren asked softly.
Lira looked him in the eyes. "Then I'll be the one to stop you."
Chapter 37 (Part 2): The Council Convenes
The tower spires of Astralis Academy glowed dimly under the storm-wracked skies. Lightning crackled overhead, and the ever-silent chimes atop the Headmaster's Tower tolled once—though no wind stirred them.
Within the sealed council chamber, seven figures sat around a rune-carved obsidian table.
High Chancellor Vaen of House Solmere spoke first, his golden robes rustling like dry parchment.
"Void-signatures of that magnitude haven't been recorded since the War of Null. Are we certain it was him?"
"Confirmed," said Archmagister Trelan, adjusting his monocle with a trembling hand. "Ren Kamizuki. The boy brought down an entire division with a single invocation. No incantation. No runes. Just… will."
A silence heavier than stone settled across the room.
Lady Nyvessa, head of the Memory Scribes, leaned forward. "This isn't just power. This is inheritance. He's echoing the Forbidden Protocol. Something or someone is awakening that codex inside him."
Headmaster Arkan finally raised his voice. "Then we have no choice. If left unchecked, he could tear the Veil again. The last time, the gods intervened. This time, they may not be merciful."
A flicker of unease passed across even the coldest faces.
Trelan dared to ask, "Shall we activate Protocol Vantablade?"
Nyvessa gasped. "That's a death order."
The Headmaster met her eyes.
"It's containment. Not execution… yet."
Suddenly, the ancient mirrors behind them darkened. A hooded, robed projection materialized—someone none of them had summoned.
A distorted voice echoed:
"Do not underestimate him. He is not like the others. He remembers."
Gasps erupted. Trelan scrambled to disrupt the feed—but the projection dissipated on its own, like smoke vanishing into the void.
Silence returned. And then, the Headmaster spoke again, this time softly.
"Summon the Watchers of the Ninth Gate. And… keep this from the other students. For now."