The grand hall was still buzzing with the aftereffects of Mortis' speech. The tension in the air lingered like a thick fog, each student processing his words in different ways.
They had all heard of Mortis before he was quite famous and infamous as the heir of valour well ex-heir , seeing him speak with such quiet dominance, some felt both awestruck and unnerved.
Kai pov
Kai stood at the back of the crowd, hands in his pockets, his purple eyes fixed on the stage. His expression was calm no shock, no surprise. It was exactly as he expected. Mortis' speech had played out almost word for word like it did in the novel.
Still… Kai thought, narrowing his eyes slightly. Something's different.
He replayed the moment in his head. Mortis' voice, smooth yet commanding, carried through the hall, and the weight of his presence had gripped the crowd.
But what gnawed at Kai wasn't the speech itself it was the fleeting moment when Mortis' gaze swept over him. It was brief, almost imperceptible, but Kai couldn't shake the feeling that Mortis had looked directly at him.
Why would he? Kai asked himself. In the novel, this was nothing but an introduction, a moment for Mortis to assert dominance and lay the groundwork for the power struggles to come.
There's no reason for him to single me out I'm just a background character here.
Reyna's POV
Reyna leaned against a pillar, her eyes scanning the room. Mortis' speech had left everyone tense, whispers spreading through the crowd. But what caught her attention was Kai, standing at the back, completely unfazed.
Why is he so calm? she thought, watching him. Most people had reacted with shock or awe, but Kai looked as if he had expected every word. It wasn't just indifference he seemed like he knew something the rest didn't.
Weird.
Reyna's curiosity piqued. Kai had always blended in, but now, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.
Reinhard's POV
Reinhard stood near the front, arms crossed over his chest, his sharp gaze fixed on Mortis. While many around him whispered in awe or intimidation, Reinhard felt something entirely different disapproval.
Mortis, with his smooth voice and quiet confidence, had captivated most of the crowd, but to Reinhard, it felt like arrogance.
Ex-heir of Valour or not, who does he think he is? Reinhard thought, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He couldn't deny Mortis' strength or presence, but there was an unsettling coldness about him, a lack of respect for those around him.
Power without compassion, Reinhard mused, his sense of justice bristling. In his mind, true strength wasn't just about dominance it was about protecting the weak, about lifting others up. Mortis' speech seemed more like a proclamation of superiority, and Reinhard couldn't help but feel that it was a dangerous mindset.
"I'll be watching you, Mortis," he muttered under his breath. If Mortis thought he could rule through fear and intimidation, he was going to have to answer to Reinhard.
Astrea Heiress' POV
Astrea sat in the gallery above, her Azure eyes narrowing as she watched Mortis finish his speech. Unlike the others, she wasn't impressed by his quiet dominance or commanding presence.
No, what gnawed at her was something much more personal something she wasn't used to, Loss.
I actually lost to him, she thought bitterly, gripping the armrest of her seat tightly. It wasn't just any loss, either it was the first time in her life she had been outdone by someone her own age.
She, the heiress of the royal family, had been bested, and the fact that it was by someone like Mortis, the ex-heir of Valour, only furthered her frustration.
Her pride, carefully built and fiercely guarded, had been wounded, and it burned. She wasn't used to this feeling, and she hated it. He may have stolen the spotlight today, but this isn't over.
Astrea's icy blue eyes fixed on Mortis, her annoyance masked by a calm, composed expression. She didn't just want to defeat him she needed to, to restore her pride, to remind everyone of her unmatched skill and legacy.
I'll make sure this is the last time you stand above me, Mortis.
For now, she would bide her time. But soon enough, she'd reclaim what she lost.
First Class Of The Year
The first day of classes brought a palpable excitement to the air, but Kai, sitting near the back of his 1-A classroom, could hardly keep his eyes open. History of Magic wasn't exactly a thrilling subject, and Professor Aldric's droning voice didn't help. His head bobbed slightly as he fought to stay awake.
Professor Aldric, an older man with a long beard and sharp, hawkish eyes, paced at the front of the class. "As you all know, the Convergence was the event that forever altered our world, merging it with realms beyond our own. It is the reason why we coexist with other races elves, dwarves, demons, and even mythical beasts."
Kai's eyelids drooped, barely registering the words. This is stuff from the prologue, he thought, stifling a yawn.
"In the centuries since, our societies have intertwined, giving rise to the current age of magic, power, and political tension. The Convergence brought not only unity but also conflict," Professor Aldric continued. He paused, scanning the classroom. "And speaking of mythical beasts... Mr. Kai," he called out suddenly, his voice sharp and commanding.
Kai's eyes snapped open, and he straightened up, realizing everyone was staring at him. He glanced around, his mind still foggy from sleep, but before he could react, he felt a nudge in his side.
"Hey, wake up," Reyna whispered, her voice laced with curiosity. "This is your chance."
Groggily, Kai looked at her, then back at the professor, who was staring expectantly. Guess I've been caught.
Professor Aldric smirked slightly, sensing an opportunity to catch him off guard. "Perhaps you can tell the class the name of the first mythical beast that made contact with humans during the Convergence?"
Without missing a beat, Kai wiped the sleep from his eyes and responded, his voice steady and calm. "The Celestial Dragon, known as Qas'Ateria, the first and most powerful of the mythical creatures to communicate with sentient beings."
A few students turned, their surprise palpable. It wasn't often that anyone managed to respond so confidently after being caught off guard, let alone someone like Kai, who had been practically asleep seconds before. Reyna's eyebrows raised, her expression one of disbelief.
Professor Aldric raised an eyebrow, his stern facade barely concealing a hint of approval. "Correct," he said, his voice sharp. "Qas'Ateria became a pivotal figure in the diplomatic exchanges between races... and he is used as a symbol for the council in its fight against the Rot."
Kai leaned back in his chair, trying to hide the small smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. It's like I already know everything about this world, he thought, inwardly amused by the surprised looks from his classmates.
He glanced over at Reyna, who was still watching him with a mix of surprise and mild annoyance.
"You better not have been sleeping through every class," she muttered under her breath.
The Rot
As Kai had learned, was an insidious presence that had twisted the very nature of magic in their world. Unlike a disease that affected the body, it targeted anyone with mana, gradually corrupting their mind and soul. To stave off its influence, one's Willpower had to be greater than or equal to their Mana, otherwise, they would be susceptible to its creeping madness.
It was known that early on, the Rot's effects were minimal. But as one grew stronger and harnessed more mana, they became increasingly vulnerable to the whispers of the Outer Gods. These whispers were a constant temptation, a force driving mages and warriors alike toward ruin.
The Rot was divided into three stages, each more devastating than the last:
Personality Distortion: The first stage subtly magnified the most extreme parts of one's personality. A patient person might become obsessively methodical, while someone prone to anger could become violently unstable. This stage set the foundation for the madness to come.
Destruction's Call: In the second stage, the afflicted were filled with an overwhelming urge to destroy everything around them. Hatred for the world, for creation itself, grew in their hearts, and they became a threat to anyone and anything nearby, their minds lost in the chaos of their own rage.
Puppet of the Outer Gods: In the final stage, the afflicted completely lost their free will. They became hollow shells, mere puppets controlled by the Outer Gods, spreading the Rot and furthering the unknowable agenda of these ancient, cosmic entities.
Kai knew that confronting the Rot would be unavoidable. As the corruption spread, it would test the willpower of everyone, even those considered the strongest. No one could remain untouched forever, and when the time came, he would have to face its horror head-on.