The sun cast long rays across the marble floors of the palace, where guards stood like statues. Servants hurried between halls, carrying scrolls and documents.
Inside the Emperor's private office, Emperor Kaelan Dawnfall sat behind a desk filled with paperwork. His golden crown rested lightly on his brow, but his sharp eyes revealed exhaustion.
"Next document," he muttered.
A minister handed him another stack.
The Emperor sighed.
But then—
A soft ripple disturbed the air.
The temperature dropped for a moment.
And before the guards could react—
A figure appeared directly in front of the Emperor's desk.
"Goodness—!"
The minister fell backward.
Guards drew their weapons.
The Emperor lifted a hand.
"Stay your blades."
The guards froze.
The Emperor leaned back in his chair and shook his head in mild annoyance.
"Grandma Ysara," he said calmly,
"You do realize there is a door? Most people use it."
Ysara smirked and tapped her cane on the floor.
"Most people don't have your father's permission to ignore doors, Your Majesty."
The Emperor sighed helplessly.
"That old man spoiled you."
Ysara smiled faintly. "He spoiled the entire generation."
The guards stared in shock.
Even speaking informally to the Emperor was a crime.
But this old woman…
She acted like she was speaking to a child.
And the Emperor didn't mind.
The Emperor folded his arms.
"If you're here in person, it must be serious. What do you want?"
Ysara's smile faded.
Her eyes grew sharp.
"I have come to claim a promise made by your father—the late Emperor Raelos."
The room stiffened.
Even the Emperor's expression darkened.
"That promise…" he muttered.
"I never thought you would invoke it."
Ysara stepped forward.
"You will take **Kael Arclight** into the Academy. Without conditions."
The Emperor blinked.
"Kael… the blind orphan?"
Ysara nodded.
"Yes. Him."
The Emperor frowned deeply.
"Ysara, the Academy is for elites. Noble blood, talent, spiritual potential. That boy has none."
"He has more than enough," Ysara said coldly,
"He has me."
The Emperor's eyes widened slightly.
A teacher like her…
A monster in disguise…
A legend hidden in plain sight…
"…Still," the Emperor muttered, "if he fails the exams—"
"You will accept him," Ysara interrupted.
Her cane tapped the floor.
Tap.
A ripple of pressure shook the room.
The guards started sweating.
The Emperor exhaled slowly.
"You are invoking a promise made by a dead Emperor, to force a living one?"
Ysara's gaze didn't waver.
"Yes."
A long silence.
Then the Emperor nodded.
"Fine. I will take him in."
Ysara bowed slightly.
"And," the Emperor added, narrowing his eyes,
"I will save him only **three times**. After that… he must face his own fate."
Ysara closed her eyes.
A small, sad smile appeared on her lips.
"That is more than enough."
She turned to leave.
The Emperor spoke one last time.
"Ysara."
She paused.
He looked at her seriously.
"That boy… Kael. Who is he really?"
Ysara didn't turn around.
Her voice was soft.
"Someone the world tried to erase."
And then—
She vanished.
Leaving behind an Emperor who suddenly felt a storm approaching.
A storm with the name—
Kael Arclight.