Kael's grip tightened.
The hatred—the years of silence, grief, humiliation—it surged like wildfire through his veins.
They used to respect House Veyron. Now they mocked it.
He wouldn't let that continue.
He would kill every last one of them if he had to.
His aether darkened—blacker, heavier, more violent.
Then—
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
Kael let out a roar that cracked the air itself.
The shockwave exploded outward, flinging several students off their feet.
Salvius raised an arm to shield his eyes.
And then it appeared.
A shadow burst from behind Kael, wings spreading wide. Its form towered above him—a massive, spectral bird cloaked in darkness, with glowing violet eyes that burned like fire through fog.
The Ash Crow.
Gasps echoed around the arena.
Zane took a sharp step back. "No… no way. That kid… he possesses the Ash Crow?!"
Kael charged again, but Salvius was already in position.
Behind him, the white serpent stirred—coiled and ready to strike.
Salvius narrowed his eyes. "Tch… He can't even control himself. He might die from this…"
He raised his wooden sword.
"Mistbound Blade."
In an instant, the entire duel ground was swallowed in thick, creeping mist. The arena vanished into silence. No sounds. No spectators. Just a cold, blinding fog.
Kael froze. His breathing quickened.
Where… where is everyone?
He spun around. There were no voices. No movement. Just him, alone in an endless sea of white.
His chest tightened. The air was heavy—hard to breathe. And then, from the corner of his eye, he saw Salvius.
Walking and Watching. Then… gone.
Appeared again—closer. Then vanished.
A whisper echoed around him.
"To think the only heir of Veyron would possess the legendary Ash Crow… I knew taking you in was the right choice. But creating this mess because of your family's name —you'll need to be punished for that."
Kael swung his blade blindly. "Shut up!"
His sword cut through smoke. Salvius dissolved into mist.
A fake?
Then the voice returned—calm, direct.
"What was the real reason you came to this academy, Kael?"
"Just SHUT UP!" Kael shouted. "I won't tell you anything!"
"Mmm… Let me guess—revenge? Against those who didn't support your father? The ones who stood by when the dragon came and wiped out your family?"
Kael's voice cracked. "My father wasn't a traitor, you bastard!"
Silvius didn't answer right away.
Then, quieter: "I know. Your father wasn't a traitor."
Kael blinked.
"But tell me," Salvius continued, "why seek revenge instead of building a life of your own? Do you think your father would be proud—knowing his only son is chasing ghosts?"
"...."
Kael trembled. His blade lowered slightly.
"…You don't understand."
"I don't need to understand…," Salvius said "just forget about it."
Kael's voice cracked, his rage finally spilling out.
"You don't know anything about what I've been through!" he shouted with his eyes burning and his chest heaving. "And you stand there and tell me to forget it?! Like it's just some story? Like none of it mattered?!"
His hands were shaking, his teeth clenched so tightly they ached.
"You ever watch your home burn to the ground? Smell your mother's blood on the floor? Hear your name get dragged through the mud while the ones who murdered your family sit in palaces pretending they're heroes?!"
His aether surged, crackling dark and violent around him.
"They called my father a traitor. They did this. They turned on us. And I know who they are. I know who stood by. Who let it happen."
He raised his sword, eyes wild. "And I swear on the Veyron name—I'll find them all, and I'll skin them alive!"
For a moment, there was only silence.
Salvius stared at him, unreadable.
Then, coldly: "What a bloodthirsty little bastard."
With one swift motion, he brought his wooden sword down—hard—on Kael's head.
Crack.
Kael's body hit the ground with a thud.
"Damn kid actually tried to kill me," Salvius muttered, exhaling through his nose.
He glanced at the spot where the Ash Crow had shown itself. Even now, he could feel the aftershock of its presence—cold, ancient, terrifying.
His skill had activated on instinct.
It only triggered in life-threatening moments.
And that kid, he thought, he really meant it.
Salvius crouched beside the unconscious boy and ran a hand through his own hair, now damp with sweat.
"If the king finds out this boy hosts that divine beast…"
He didn't finish the thought. He didn't need to.
Kael would be executed before sunrise.
Politics. Secrets. Royal bloodlines. Salvius wanted no part of it.
He stood up, shouldering his sword.
"Troublesome bastard," he muttered. Then, after a pause, voice quieter, almost bitter:
"…I'm only doing this because you remind me of my daughter."
Zane was pacing outside the edge of the duel ground, waving at the fog. "Damn it, this blasted mist—Silvius actually unleashed that skill?!"
He paused, eyes scanning for any movement.
"Don't tell me… he killed the kid?"
Then he laughed awkwardly. "No, no… He wouldn't go that far. Right?"
Before he could finish the thought, the mist suddenly vanished—clearing like a curtain being pulled back.
The full arena came into view.
And standing in the center, surrounded by silence, was Salvius Veil… holding Kael in his arms like a fallen knight. Princess carry.
Within moments, academy soldiers stormed in from all sides.
"Sir Veil, are you alright?! What happened?"
Salvius didn't even blink. "I'm fine. Check on the rest of the students."
Zane ran up, still wide-eyed. "Wait—Silvius! What I saw in there, about that kid—!"
Silvius tilted his head. "Saw what?"
"The Crow! I saw it—!"
"Oh, that?" Salvius scoffed, grinning. "Just some low-level bird. Weak as hell. Barely worth mentioning. Pwahaha!"
Zane narrowed his eyes. "You're laughing?"
"I mean, really—he passed out. Nothing more. Now go take care of your students, alright?"
Meanwhile—Zane turned slowly and looked behind him.
Lyssandra, Ryven, and several others were getting back to their feet, brushing dust off their uniforms. The shockwave had thrown them off the benches—but not seriously hurt them.
"…Tch. Whatever." Zane growled, turning away. "We'll talk about this later."
He rushed to help his group while Salvius walked calmly in the opposite direction, still carrying Kael.
At the gate, Emilio and the others ran toward him.
"Kael!" Emilio called out, his voice cracking.
Neira caught up, her tone flat. "Is he dead?"
"Nope," Salvius replied casually. "Just passed out. Come on, help me out—I'm not dragging this rebellious brat alone."
His grin widened, eyes glinting with mischief.
It made Serina and Emilio both hesitate. That smile wasn't kind—it was the kind of grin devils wore in bad stories.
"Uhhh… y-yeah, sure," Emilio muttered, exchanging a glance with Serina.
"Let's go, Team Five!" Salvius barked, still smirking. "Field trip's over."
And just like that, Salvius and his mismatched squad walked off the duel ground, leaving behind a courtyard full of silence, questions…
…and fear.