When the palace doors opened, it was not wind that struck them.
It was pressure.
Not air.The weight of power inside.
The guards dragged Eray and Junia across the polished marble floor.
Junia was still half unconscious.Eray was forced to his knees, struggling to breathe.
The Leech Vines tightened around his wrists.With every movement, they drained his mana and strength.
This was the Throne Hall.
The walls were made of transparent crystal.The artificial emerald forests outside were clearly visible.
There was no ceiling.
Instead, the sky itself covered the hall under a magical dome.
At the far end of the hall, floating in the air, was an iron throne.
And on it sat the King.
His eyes were not violet.They were ice blue.
In his gaze, there was no anger.Only the cold indifference of a mountain.
"Your Majesty," Aeliana said, bowing slightly before her father."My border patrol found these… things."
The King looked at Eray without moving a finger.
"Raiders," he said.
His voice was deep, like an organ echoing in an empty cathedral.
"Barbarians.Those who loot worlds under the excuse of bringing order."
Eray gathered the last bit of strength he had and lifted his head.
"We are not looters," he said. His voice trembled."Our coordinates failed. Our compasses broke.Coming here was not our plan.
"This is an unknown zone.Just tell us where the nearest gate is, and we will leave."
The King smiled slightly.
That smile froze Eray's blood.
"If I release you," the King said calmly,"your Raider unit will learn that you discovered this place.
"If I kill you, they may send an army to search for their lost members."
He waved his hand, bored.
"Both choices disturb my peace."
Then his eyes hardened.
"The most correct decision…Execute them."
The guards moved to lift Eray.
It was over.
At that moment, Aeliana stepped forward.
"Father," she said. Her voice was hesitant, but firm."There is one more detail you should know before deciding."
The King paused.
"What is it?"
Aeliana looked at Eray with disgust.
"This human encountered a Void Creature in that cave.And survived."
She met her father's eyes.
"Not by luck.By using shadow.
"Raw. Primitive. Uncontrolled.But he turned shadow into matter and wounded the creature."
Deathly silence filled the hall.
The King's bored expression vanished.
The iron throne rippled.
The King leaned forward.
His eyes locked onto Eray.
This time, not like an insect.
But like an undiscovered mine.
"Shadow?" the King whispered."In a human from another realm?"
Eray felt the pressure increase.The King's aura grew heavier.
"In this universe, those who wield shadow are legends," the King said slowly."And for a human to touch such a chaotic element… and not go mad…"
He stroked his chin.
"Very strange."
"Yes," Aeliana said."Dangerous. I believed execution was necessary, but—"
"No," the King interrupted.
A dangerous light appeared in his eyes.
"Killing him would be a waste."
He stood.
"I wanted a strategic advantage over the Raiders.But now… I have something far greater.
"A human who uses shadow, if shaped correctly, could open doors even we cannot touch."
He turned to Eray.
"I have changed my decision.You will not be executed."
Eray swallowed.
"You will let us go?"
"You will be trained," the King said."They will be taken to the Academy.
"They will train alongside our young kin.
"And you, Shadow Mage…You will learn to control that raw power.
"I want you to become a link between us and the Raiders.If your talent grows, rising will not be difficult."
Aeliana stepped forward in shock.
"Father!Bringing them into the Academy is an insult to our sacred halls!He is human, and worse, a Raider!"
"He is a weapon, Aeliana!" the King roared."And you will train him."
Aeliana froze.
"Me?"
"Shadow and Light are siblings," the King said coldly."Your light will balance his darkness.
"You will train him.You will watch him.
"And if that shadow loses control…"
His eyes narrowed.
"You will personally cut off his head."
Aeliana's face turned pale.
She could not oppose her father.But her anger became solid.
She turned sharply and walked toward Eray.
Eray saw pure hatred in her eyes.
Aeliana grabbed his chin with her gloved hand.Her nails pressed into his skin through the leather.
She pulled her face close to his.
"You thought you could hide behind shadow," she whispered.Her voice was poison.
"But that shadow did not save you.It chained you to me.
"Now you are in my hands.And I never fail."
She shoved his chin away and wiped her hand in disgust.
"Take them," she ordered the guards."To the Academy."
As Eray and Junia were dragged away, Eray looked back at the King one last time.
The King was smiling on his throne.
Eray's power may have saved his life.
But it had locked him into a far more dangerous game.
A silver cage.