The next morning, Kael stood on the edge of the palace training field, watching the crowd gather like moths to sunlight.
Not for him.
But for the boy standing at the center.
Ravian Arklen.
His golden hair shimmered beneath the rising sun, flowing just slightly in the wind like a hero drawn from ancient myth. Broad-shouldered, tall, and built with the perfection only destiny could forge, Ravian's smile was effortless — the kind that made girls swoon and grown men nod in approval.
He was dressed in silver-trimmed robes lined with sapphire runes. A thin sword hung at his hip, humming softly with light-element mana.
He stood alone.
Yet it felt like the entire empire stood behind him.
The whispers around the courtyard never stopped.
"That's Ravian Arklen. The one with three SSS-class talents…"
"He awakened last month, right? The Arcseal ceremony nearly collapsed under the pressure of his mana!"
"They say he's already mastered light, sword, and aura magic. At fifteen."
Kael said nothing.
He didn't need to.
He simply watched.
Calm. Focused. A glacier beside a sun.
Nearby, a few nobles from the Great Houses stood with forced smiles.
Elara Ignara, daughter of the House of Flame, rolled her eyes as another girl tried — and failed — to get Ravian's attention. Dressed in blood-red robes, her hair tied in a high braid, she crossed her arms and leaned against a marble pillar, looking bored.
Kael noticed the heat pulsing from her body. Her Arcseal was already active.
SS-ranked, if he remembered right. Flame Blade Artistry.
A prideful talent. Deadly. Fierce.
The kind that only knelt for someone who could burn brighter.
But her eyes eventually drifted from Ravian… to him.
Their gazes met. Just for a second.
Something sparked. Then it was gone.
Suddenly, the royal trumpets echoed across the training ground.
Everyone straightened as a figure descended the palace steps.
She walked like moonlight woven into silk — tall, regal, and radiant. Long silver-blue hair cascaded behind her like a river of stars. Her armor shimmered with holy light, yet her gaze was colder than ice.
Crown Princess Seraphine Valebliss.
"The goddess of the capital…"
"She's one of the only female Arcseal holders with dual SSS affinities — Water and Light."
"They say she was meant to be Ravian's destined queen."
Kael's fingers tightened slightly.
So she was here.
So was Ravian.
And the whole stage was being set — not for a duel, but for a declaration.
Because the Arcseal Ceremony was tomorrow.
And everyone was waiting to see if anyone would come close to Ravian's brilliance.
Ravian stepped forward, his voice smooth, rich, confident.
"My thanks to Her Grace, the Crown Princess, and to the nobles present."
"I know there are many rising stars this year… but I say this with humility: No one will match what I've Awakened."
He smiled.
A gleam of power lit up behind his eyes.
"Three SSS-class talents. Light, Sword, and Celestial Perception. I am blessed — not because I'm lucky… but because I was born to lead this generation."
Applause.
Excitement.
A few girls even swooned.
Kael didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Just watched. And thought.
Let them cheer. Let them worship their sun.
Tomorrow, the frost will fall.
[Bond Link System Notification:]
[Affection Change Detected: Elara Ignara — 3% → 7%]
[Observation of User triggered emotional shift. Curiosity and confusion noted.]
Kael's lips tilted into the faintest smirk.
Let the world fall in love with their hero.
Because they hadn't met the one hiding in the shadows yet.