The carriage rattled down the cobbled road, each jolt sending a faint tremor through Kael's already strained body. He leaned back, his eyes half-closed, though his mind was far from restful.
The invitation to the Academy of Dominion sat on the seat beside him, the phoenix crest embossed in gold. Kael picked it up, his fingers brushing over the smooth parchment. This wasn't just an invitation—it was a reminder of how far he had to go and how little time he had to get there.
His chest tightened, the familiar gnawing sensation of the soul remnant rearing its head. He exhaled sharply and muttered, "Status."
The faint hum of magic rippled through him as the familiar Status Window materialized before his eyes:
[Status Window]
Name: Kael Kaelward
Potential: S (X-Level Potential Locked Due to Soul Conflict)
Current Skill: Infinite Nexus (Dormant)
Condition: Soul Remnant Detected (Parasitic Influence: Life Force Drain Ongoing)
Kael's gaze lingered on the words. The soul remnant was a constant reminder of the fragility of his situation. The note about his potential—locked from an S-level to something even greater—gnawed at him.
He clenched his fists. "I don't need their approval," he muttered. "I'll carve my own path."
The carriage slowed, and the driver called out, "We've arrived, my lord."
Kael glanced out the window as the towering spires of the Academy of Dominion came into view. A fortress of knowledge and ambition, the academy loomed over the surrounding lands like a beacon—and a warning.
The main gates of the academy stood wide open, their intricate ironwork glinting in the sunlight. Beyond them, the sprawling campus stretched toward the horizon—grand lecture halls, towering dormitories, and training grounds bustling with activity.
Kael stepped out of the carriage, his storm-gray eyes taking in the scene with quiet calculation. Around him, other students arrived in waves, their robes and carriages betraying their stations.
His silver hair caught the light, drawing a few glances from the crowd. He ignored them, his focus shifting to the banners hanging above the main hall. Each represented one of the academy's core courses:
Dominion: A sword piercing a storm, symbolizing strength and leadership.Path of the Scholar: A quill and open book, representing strategy and knowledge.Forge of Mastery: A hammer and anvil, denoting craftsmanship and invention.
Kael's lips twitched as he stepped toward the Dominion Course. Despite his status as an S-level potential, whispers followed him like shadows.
"That's Kael Kaelward."
"The one with Infinite Nexus? I heard it's useless."
He ignored them, his gaze steady as he entered the grand hall.
The orientation was held in a cavernous hall adorned with enchanted lanterns that floated high above. The room hummed with anticipation as hundreds of students gathered, their voices a low rumble of excitement and nerves.
Kael moved toward the edges of the crowd, his posture relaxed but his mind alert. His storm-gray eyes scanned the room, cataloging faces and details.
His attention snagged on a figure at the center of the hall—a young man with tousled black hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to radiate confidence. His posture was casual, yet there was a spark of energy about him, like a storm waiting to unleash its fury.
Lucian Vale. The protagonist of The Sovereign's Fall.
Kael's jaw tightened. Lucian was the son of a low-ranking merchant family, a nobody by noble standards. Yet his Genesis Skill, Aetherial Stride, had the potential to turn him into a powerhouse. It allowed him to manipulate spatial energy, granting unmatched speed and versatility in combat.
"Just stay out of my way," Kael muttered under his breath.
Lucian caught his eye, offering a faint smile that sent a ripple of unease through Kael.
Kael's attempt to avoid attention was short-lived. A sharp voice cut through the crowd, brimming with anger.
"Kael Kaelward!"
He turned to see Seren Delacroix, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders like sunlight. Her icy blue eyes were fixed on him, burning with contempt. She was tall and elegant, her bearing that of someone born to power.
"Seren," Kael said evenly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Don't play coy with me," she snapped, stepping closer. "You think you can just show up here after what you did to her?"
Kael's chest tightened. He knew exactly who she meant: Elysia Taldor, his estranged childhood friend and one of Seren's closest companions.
"I don't have time for your theatrics," Kael said coldly. "If you have a grievance, take it up with someone who cares."
Seren's glare intensified, but before she could retort, Lucian stepped between them.
"Easy, Seren," Lucian said, his tone light but firm. "We're all here to make a fresh start, aren't we?"
Kael's lips twitched. A fresh start? How naive.
Later that day, Kael found himself in the academy's artifact workshop, a sprawling space filled with the clang of hammers and the hum of magic. The Forge of Mastery course operated here, crafting the enchanted weapons and tools that powered the Dominion's guilds.
Kael's gaze fell on a corner of the workshop, where a small figure hunched over a half-finished gauntlet.
Elena Veyl was slight of frame, her short brown hair falling into her face as she worked. Her hands trembled slightly, and her wide brown eyes darted nervously between her tools.
Nearby, a group of older students whispered and laughed.
"She's hopeless."
"Can't even stabilize a basic rune."
Kael frowned, stepping closer. "You're doing it wrong," he said bluntly.
Elena jumped, nearly dropping the gauntlet. "I—I didn't—"
"Here," Kael said, picking up a tool and adjusting the crystal embedded in the gauntlet. "You're overcharging it. Balance the flow here."
Elena hesitated, then followed his instructions. The gauntlet flared briefly before stabilizing, its glow steady and strong.
Her eyes widened. "It worked..."
Kael stood. "You have potential. Don't let them tell you otherwise."
Elena stared at him, her cheeks flushing. "Why did you help me?"
Kael shrugged. "Because I might need you one day."
He turned and walked away, leaving Elena staring after him, her heart pounding.