The capital of Astrael had never felt so restless.
From the highest towers of the noble district to the crowded stone streets below, something unseen stirred in the air. Merchants whispered of strange winds. Guards spoke of uneasy dreams. Even the city's mana currents—normally calm and predictable—flowed unevenly, like a river disturbed by something moving beneath its surface.
Aerion felt it the moment he stepped outside the manor.
The sky was clear. Too clear.
"Don't wander too far," Lady Seraphine said softly as she adjusted his cloak. Her smile was warm, but her eyes searched his face as if trying to memorize it. "Your lessons begin tomorrow."
Aerion nodded. "I know, Mother."
Lord Caelum stood beside her, arms crossed. "The Academy caravan arrives at dusk," he said. "Until then, stay within the inner grounds."
"Yes, Father."
Aerion turned and walked away, his steps measured.
He didn't say it aloud—but he knew.
The world had already noticed him.
The inner gardens of House Valerion were vast and quiet, enclosed by marble walls and ancient trees whose roots pulsed faintly with mana. Aerion liked this place. The mana here felt older, calmer—less judgmental.
He sat near a reflecting pool, watching the water ripple as the wind passed.
"Still pretending to be normal?"
The voice startled him.
Aerion turned to see a girl leaning against a tree, arms folded, expression sharp and curious. She had silver-blonde hair tied into a loose braid and eyes the color of deep emeralds.
"Lyria," Aerion said. "You're not supposed to be here."
She smirked. "Says who? This is my family's estate too, technically."
Lyria Aurelian—daughter of a rival noble house, temporarily residing in Valerion territory due to political negotiations. She was a year older than Aerion and far less subtle.
She walked closer, studying him openly. "You caused quite a scene at the training grounds."
Aerion looked back at the pool. "I didn't mean to."
"Doesn't matter." She crouched beside him. "The elders are already talking. Some are impressed. Others are afraid."
That word lingered.
Afraid.
"Of me?" Aerion asked quietly.
Lyria tilted her head. "Of what you might become."
Aerion's fingers tightened against the stone. "And you?"
She hesitated—just for a moment. "I'm curious."
The water in the pool rippled suddenly.
Aerion froze.
The infinity mark pulsed faintly.
Lyria noticed it immediately. "Your mana—did you feel that?"
"Yes," Aerion said, standing slowly. "Something's wrong."
The air thickened.
Shadows stretched unnaturally across the garden, bending away from the sunlight. The ancient trees creaked, their leaves trembling without wind.
Then—
The mana collapsed inward.
Aerion gasped as pressure slammed against his chest, not crushing—pulling. Like something was trying to reach into him.
Lyria stumbled back. "Aerion—!"
The world flickered.
For a split second, the garden vanished.
Aerion stood in darkness.
Not empty darkness—watchful darkness.
A shape emerged ahead. Tall. Cloaked. Its form blurred, as if reality itself refused to define it clearly.
"You grow faster than anticipated," the figure said.
Aerion's heart thundered. "Who are you?"
The figure stepped closer.
"I am what remains," it replied, "when gods fail."
Aerion's instincts screamed danger. His hand moved on its own, the infinity mark blazing with white light.
"Stay back."
The figure laughed softly. "So fragile. So incomplete."
"Get out of my head!" Aerion shouted.
The darkness cracked.
Aerion collapsed onto the garden stone, gasping for breath.
"—Aerion!"
Hands grabbed his shoulders.
Lyria's face hovered above him, pale and shaken. "You just… froze. The mana went insane. What did you see?"
Aerion swallowed hard. His ears rang. His heart felt like it had just survived a war.
"I…" He shook his head. "I don't know."
That wasn't entirely a lie.
But it wasn't the truth either.
Footsteps thundered nearby.
Lord Caelum arrived first, sword half-drawn, eyes blazing. Behind him were guards, Eldric, and Lady Seraphine.
"What happened?" Seraphine demanded, kneeling beside Aerion.
"I'm fine," Aerion said quickly, though his voice trembled. "I just lost my balance."
Eldric's eyes narrowed. He raised a hand, murmuring a spell. The air shimmered briefly.
"…Someone touched him," Eldric said grimly.
Caelum stiffened. "Inside our walls?"
Eldric nodded slowly. "Not physically. Something far worse."
Seraphine pulled Aerion into her arms. "You're not leaving this estate again today."
Aerion didn't argue.
But his mind was racing.
I am what remains when gods fail.
The words echoed like a threat.
That evening, the Academy caravan arrived.
Massive rune-inscribed wagons rolled through the capital gates, escorted by knights clad in obsidian armor. Banners bearing the sigil of the Astrael Grand Academy fluttered in the wind.
Aerion stood on the balcony with his parents, watching.
"So many people," he murmured.
"And not all of them are teachers," Caelum said quietly.
As if on cue, Aerion felt it again.
That sensation.
Eyes.
He scanned the caravan—and then he saw him.
A man standing atop one of the wagons, cloaked in deep crimson. His face was hidden, but Aerion felt an instant, bone-deep chill.
The man slowly turned his head.
Even without seeing his eyes, Aerion knew—
They met.
The infinity mark burned.
The man smiled.
Aerion staggered back.
"Aerion?" Seraphine said sharply.
He grabbed the balcony railing, breathing hard. "Father… that man—"
"I see him," Caelum said, voice tight.
Eldric stepped forward, his expression darker than Aerion had ever seen it. "That's impossible…"
"What is it?" Aerion asked.
Eldric didn't answer immediately.
When he did, his voice was low.
"He is called Vaelreth."
Aerion's blood ran cold.
"A Seeker Beyond Law," Eldric continued. "A being who hunts anomalies. Those who stand outside fate."
Aerion swallowed. "People like me?"
Eldric met his gaze. "Especially you."
Below, Vaelreth raised a gloved hand—almost casually.
The infinity mark flared violently.
Aerion cried out as visions slammed into him—worlds collapsing, chains shattering, infinity bleeding.
A whisper reached his ears.
Run, little warrior.
Or grow strong enough to face me.
Aerion collapsed to his knees.
When he looked up again—
Vaelreth was gone.
The caravan rolled onward, as if nothing had happened.
Silence fell over the balcony.
Seraphine clutched Aerion tightly. "You're going to the Academy," she said, voice trembling. "Whether they like it or not."
Caelum nodded. "If the world is already moving… then we move faster."
Aerion stared at the sky.
The stars felt closer tonight.
More watchful.
Somewhere beyond them—
Infinity waited.
And for the first time since his rebirth, Aerion understood something terrifying.
The enemy had found him.