The Academy bell tolled seven notes. Each one reverberated through the bones like a warning.
Today was Duel Day.
In Solvyr Academy, strength wasn't taught — it was proved. Publicly. Brutally. First-years were thrown into Protocol duels to test compatibility, discipline, and flare efficiency.
Kaien stood in the far corner of the Colosseum-tier arena, his uniform still stiff with dried blood. Class V was gathered in its pen — like livestock before culling.
A voice echoed over the loudspeaker:
"Match Twelve: Kaien Virell versus Ayari Thornveil."
Gasps. Laughter. Even the instructors looked up.
"That's not a match," someone muttered. "That's a mercy kill."
Kaien didn't flinch. He just breathed in.
He didn't look at Ayari when she stepped into the ring, flame already wreathing her boots, Protocol glyphs dancing like golden tattoos across her arms.
"I asked for a challenge," she called across the sand. "They gave me a ghost."
Kaien didn't answer. Not yet.
Backflash: Ten Minutes Earlier
Professor Velle met Kaien in the underground corridor. Torchlight flickered against stone.
"You can forfeit," Velle said casually, flipping a coin.
"Not this time."
"Even knowing you might burn?"
Kaien nodded. "I'd rather burn in front of them than rot behind them."
Velle smiled, sharp and strange. "Good. Because I have a theory. I think you're not failing because you're broken."
He stepped closer.
"I think you're failing because your Protocol refuses to be seen."
Back to Present
The duel began.
Ayari didn't waste time. She shot forward, flame circling her like a comet tail. One step — two — and she was already inside Kaien's guard.
He blocked the first blow.
The second broke his stance.
The third sent him sprawling.
"Stay down," she said. "This isn't your world."
Kaien pushed himself to his knees. Blood dripped from his chin.
Still nothing. Still no spark. Not even a flicker.
"You're trying to copy us," she whispered as she raised her palm, flare forming.
"Stop pretending to be chosen."
Then—
The Protocol Disc embedded in the arena began to hiss.
HUMMMMM.
Spectators stood. The instructors blinked. Glyphs on the edge of the ring began to shatter.
Kaien rose. Slowly. Painfully. And for the first time—
His shadow split.
A second Kaien formed behind him — translucent, made of dust and memory. Then another. Then five. Then ten.
Ayari stepped back. "What the hell is that?"
Kaien opened his eyes.
"Not fire. Not fate. Not yours."
His voice echoed with layers.
"I am the Protocol that watches. The one that remembers what the stars forget."
Then, the shadow-Kaiens moved.
Ten afterimages darted toward Ayari.
Ayari stood, scorched, panting, her uniform torn. Her Protocol had collapsed into static fire.
Kaien walked past her, eyes still glowing faintly.
"You're strong," she said, breathless.
He didn't turn.
"I don't want to be strong."
"I want to understand."
From the rafters above the crowd, Nox whispered to himself:
"Protocol Zero has awakened. And it remembers me."
Fade to black.