The journey back to the academy grounds was strangely quiet. The Frostfang Wolf King's body had been left behind, claimed by the forest's shadows. Singh's wound ached, but the steady warmth of the Eternal Sun Lotus kept the pain from slowing him.
Kael walked ahead, glancing back only once, a faint smirk still lingering on his lips. "You'll find that surviving the beast was the easy part. What comes next is where the real game begins."
Singh didn't answer. He didn't need to. Whatever "game" Kael meant, he was already playing it—whether he liked it or not.
---
The Lady in Waiting
When they reached the Sunveil Academy's inner courtyard, the towering gate of black jade swung open without a sound. Waiting there, in a halo of late-afternoon sunlight, was Lady Selene.
She stood with her hands folded neatly in front of her, violet eyes locking onto Singh the instant he appeared. There was a hint of satisfaction in her gaze, but it was quickly hidden behind a cool smile.
"Alive," she said, stepping forward. "And not limping. That's… better than I expected."
"I've been told I'm full of surprises," Singh replied.
Selene's smile widened a fraction. "That, you are."
Her eyes drifted to Kael. "Leave us."
Kael's smirk faded, but he gave a shallow bow and strode off without a word. Singh watched him go, wondering if the man's departure was truly voluntary—or if Selene's command carried more weight than he'd thought.
When they were alone, Selene tilted her head. "You've taken your first step toward power. But raw skill alone won't protect you in this world."
"And what will?" Singh asked.
"Connections," she replied without hesitation. "Allies. Those who will stand beside you when the Spirit Hall's enemies start asking questions."
---
The Gathering of Rarities
Without another word, Selene turned and gestured for him to follow. They left the courtyard, moving through the academy's polished corridors until they reached a side wing Singh had never seen before. Two armored Spirit Hall guards stood before a silver-plated door, saluting Selene as she approached.
Inside, the chamber glowed with the soft shimmer of crystal lamps. A long obsidian table dominated the room, and around it sat three figures, each radiating the unmistakable energy of twin martial souls.
Selene's voice was smooth as silk. "Prince Singh… meet your peers."
The first was a girl with hair like white silk and eyes the color of ice. Her clothing was lined with silver fur, and a small crest on her collar marked the Snowmoon Clan, one of the wealthiest in the northern empire. Her aura was sharp, cold, and regal. She met Singh's eyes briefly before looking away, as if weighing his worth.
"This is Xue Lan," Selene introduced. "Twin martial souls: the Frost Serpent and the Moonveil Bow."
The second was a girl with golden-brown skin and short, flame-red hair. She leaned casually against the table, a lazy smile playing on her lips. A golden phoenix emblem gleamed on her sleeve—the Phoenixcrest Clan, a bloodline famed for their offensive martial souls.
"Meira Sol," Selene said. "Twin martial souls: Solar Blade and Firestorm Wing."
Meira winked at Singh. "You're the one who's been causing whispers. Not bad looking either."
Singh kept his face neutral, though the comment lingered in his mind.
Finally, there was the boy—tall, broad-shouldered, with jet-black hair and sharp, predatory eyes. His robe was embroidered with the golden scales of the Drakeblood Clan, a family that claimed descent from ancient dragon-type spirit beasts.
"Ryven Draegon," Selene said. "Twin martial souls: Crimson Drake Fist and Iron-Scale Armor."
Ryven's gaze was direct, almost challenging. "I heard you're from no clan. That true?"
"Yes," Singh said plainly.
"Then you'll have to work twice as hard to keep up."
Selene stepped forward, her presence instantly silencing the room. "You four represent a rarity—twin martial souls are found in less than one in ten thousand spirit masters. And among you, Singh is the only one without a clan's protection."
Her eyes locked on him. "That means your road will be harder… but also freer. No strings attached. No elders pulling at you from behind the scenes."
---
The Warning
Selene walked slowly around the table, her heels clicking softly. "In the years to come, you may stand as allies… or rivals. Spirit Hall doesn't care which, as long as your power serves its cause."
Xue Lan finally spoke, her voice like winter wind. "And if one of us refuses?"
"Then," Selene said, smiling faintly, "Spirit Hall will decide if you are worth keeping."
A heavy silence fell. Singh could feel the tension between the three clan heirs, each of them assessing the others—and him.
Meira broke the silence first. "So, when do we find out which of us is stronger?"
"Soon," Selene replied. "But first, you will learn to fight together. The world has too many enemies for lone wolves to survive long."
Her gaze lingered on Singh for a heartbeat longer than the others. "Especially you."
---
A Private Word
As the meeting adjourned, the others left—Xue Lan gliding out without a word, Meira tossing Singh a playful salute, and Ryven giving him a curt nod.
Selene stayed behind. When the door closed, she stepped closer to Singh.
"You impressed me with the Frostfang trial," she said quietly. "But these three… they've been trained for this life since birth. You'll need to be clever, faster, and willing to bend rules they would never break."
Singh met her gaze. "Why are you telling me this?"
Her lips curved slightly. "Because you're not like them. And sometimes… I prefer the unpredictable pieces on the board."
Before he could reply, she brushed past him, her violet eyes glinting. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, the real tests begin."
And then she was gone, leaving Singh alone in the quiet chamber, already wondering which of his "peers" would become his first enemy.