Combat class was held in the open coliseum at the heart of Serevain Academy, its stone walls etched with the victories of past heroes, sigils of noble houses, and the Academy's motto :Honor Through Strength. Selene read the words as she stepped onto the cracked stone.And felt nothing.
The sun was too bright. Her uniform itched. Her boots were secondhand and a size too big. She stood among shining armor, golden-stitched cloaks, and shimmering auras of magic and stuck out like a smudge on parchment.
Whispers followed her like a shadow.
"She's from the slums, right?"
"No crest. No noble backing. Why is she even here?"
"Bet she doesn't even have a real element. Probably some failed spark."
Selene kept her head down. But her ears didn't miss a word.
Instructor Kaelis, all scars and gravel, barked names from a roster. His eyes barely skimmed her before calling, "Selene Verline. You're up."
She stepped into the arena like a ghost among gods.
From House Aurelius, her opponent swaggered in with a lightning staff twirling in his hand like a toy. His uniform was pristine. His smirk, cruel.
"Try not to die too quickly, mud-blood," he sneered. Selene didn't respond. Her eyes narrowed slightly.Kaelis barked, "Begin!"
The boy surged forward, lightning crackling around his staff. He struck with raw force, arcs of electricity dancing around his form. The staff slammed into Selene's ribs .
She crumpled, gasping as pain exploded through her side.
Before she could stand, another strike came, this time grazing her temple. Sparks lit up her vision. She hit the ground again.
"She's already done," someone whispered.
[System: Endure. Observe. Learn.]
The world wavered. Her limbs trembled. But Selene rolled onto her knees, breathing ragged.The boy frowned. "Still alive?"
She spit blood onto the stone. "Barely even tingled."
The crowd roared with laughter but Kaelis was silent, watching.The boy's face darkened. He charged again, lightning wrapping around his arms.Selene didn't block. She moved.
A sidestep. A twist. Her boot scraped stone as she pivoted, letting his momentum slide past her. Her hand shot forward, not with raw power but precision. Shadow coiled under her fingers, barely visible, latching onto his ankle just enough to make him stumble.
He tripped, his staff clattering.Selene didn't press the attack. She simply stood, back straight, face impassive.The boy scrambled to his feet, flushed with anger, ready to attack again.
"Enough," Kaelis said.
The match ended, but the silence spoke louder than applause. No one expected her to get up. No one expected her to stand.
***
"You're either too stupid to quit or too angry to die," Averine muttered as they limped away from the arena.Selene didn't answer.
"But that guy's lightning it flickered. You scared him. A little. I saw it."
Selene's hand trembled.
[System: Shadow Manipulation Level 1 Achieved.]
[Stats Updated: Strength: 12
Speed: 13
Magic: 19
Control: 15
Endurance: 20
Resistance: 14
They gathered later in the upper courtyard, where the second half of Combat Class resumed ;Advanced demonstration. Everyone buzzed with anticipation.Because he was there.
Elian Rhys Caelus.
He didn't wear armor or wield a legendary blade. Just the academy's standard uniform. Spotless. Not a thread out of place. He stood with poise, posture perfect, and smiled like he didn't know what fear tasted like.When he moved, the air shifted.
Students whispered: "Sir Elian." Some even dared to call him "Saint Caelus."
He wasn't nobility.
He was worse.
He was chosen.
Kaelis nodded to him with something dangerously close to reverence. "Sir Elian. Would you do us the honor of demonstrating?"
Elian smiled. "Of course, Instructor."
He stepped forward.
His opponent a flame caster from House Aurelius looked ready, shoulders squared, jaw clenched.Kaelis gave the signal.
It was over in four seconds.
A blink. A step. Elian moved like light incarnate precise, lethal, elegant. One flick of his wrist sent radiant energy spiraling. The flame caster dropped to one knee, unable to lift his hands.The crowd exploded with cheers.
Elian bowed with grace. A smile still on his lips. Humble. Kind. Perfect.
Selene didn't clap.
She watched.
He passed by the crowd slowly, thanking a few nobles with nods, offering words she couldn't hear.
And then their eyes met.
No smile.
No nod.
Just a look.
As if he already knew.
[System Alert: High-level Anomaly Detected.]
Her system pulsed.
So did his.
And far in the back of her mind, that cold, ancient voice returned.
"That's the one, Selene. The target. My sealbreaker. The guardian of the Fifth."
"You will either destroy him or become the reason he falls."
"That... is the height you must reach."
"Only then will you be worthy of your purpose."
Selene's gaze didn't falter.
Neither did his.
Two paths had crossed.