The glow of dawn cast long shadows across the sprawling Voltraxian estate as Kenzo stepped through the grand gates. The air was sharp with a crispness that felt new—as if the world itself had shifted overnight.
Behind him, the Hall of Conduction's towering spires vanished into the morning mist. Behind him stood a boy transformed—a boy who had faced the ancient Trial and returned not broken, but blazing.
Word had traveled fast.
By the time he reached the great hall, a crowd had gathered—family, nobles, mentors, and cadets alike, eyes shining with respect and curiosity.
His father, Kofi Voltrax, stood tall at the head of the assembly—a commanding figure, draped in dark royal blues and gold, the colors of House Voltrax's ruling lineage. His gaze pierced, sharp as a hawk's, but softened as it landed on Kenzo.
"Welcome back, son," Kofi said, voice deep and steady.
Kenzo nodded, chest swelling with pride and relief.
Inside the hall, ceremonial lights flickered to life. The walls were lined with ancient sigils—runes of power and protection passed down through generations of Voltrax sorcerers.
At the center lay a pedestal, draped in white silk. Kenzo's new exo suit awaited—its design sleek and purposeful, gleaming with pristine white plating etched with fine silver circuitry that pulsed faintly with latent Essencia.
The Embervein Rank was no small honor.
Reserved only for those whose Core and power had reached the first stage of true mastery. The white exo suits symbolized purity of essence, control of power, and the burning promise of potential.
Kenzo's fingers itched with anticipation.
The ceremony began.
Elders intoned solemn blessings as Kofi stepped forward and placed the exo suit's gauntlet over Kenzo's forearm.
"By the power vested in House Voltrax," his father intoned, "and by the sacred flows of Essencia that bind us all, I hereby recognize you—Kenzo Arclight Voltrax—as an Embervein-ranked sorcerer."
As the gauntlet snapped into place, a wave of energy pulsed through Kenzo's arm, and the rest of the suit seemed to awaken—locking itself seamlessly around his body like a second skin.
His magnetic aura flared.
For the first time since awakening, the erratic pulses in his veins steadied.
After the formalities, Kenzo found a quiet corner of the estate gardens where the magnetic fields of the planet swirled faintly, whispering secrets only he could hear.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the subtle pull and push of metallic particles in the air—his power no longer wild, but tempered.
"Stabilizing," he murmured to himself.
It was a long journey ahead.
He knew that.
Later, Kofi approached.
"Your power has stabilized faster than I expected," the elder Voltrax said, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "That passive Unique Skill—Magnetize Veins—is rare. Most cannot control such forces so quickly."
Kenzo glanced up. "I want to do more than control it. I want to understand it. To push it further."
Kofi nodded. "Good. Power without purpose is chaos. But purpose without power is meaningless."
They shared a brief smile.
For the first time, Kenzo felt truly accepted—not just as a son, but as a rising force within the house.
That night, beneath the twin moons of Voltraxia, Kenzo trained alone.
The white exo suit hummed faintly, synced to his pulse and Core.
With each movement, the magnetic field around him bent like a living shield—metallic shards swirling in synchronized orbits, ready to defend or strike.
The Embervein had risen.
The boy who once doubted now stood poised to challenge fate itself.