Kael's boots clicked softly against the polished marble floors of the academy's main hall as he moved toward the Dominion Course's lecture hall. The energy around him was palpable—students bustled about, their voices filled with excitement and trepidation.
The Dominion Course was the academy's most prestigious path, a training ground for future dungeon raiders, guild leaders, and high-ranking adventurers. Its students were expected to master combat, strategy, and survival, forging themselves into the sharpest weapons of the Dominion.
Kael entered the lecture hall, his gaze sweeping the room. Rows of ascending seats surrounded a central podium, where an older man in battle-worn armor stood with arms crossed. His sharp blue eyes surveyed the students, radiating authority.
"I am Instructor Garrick," the man announced, his voice booming. "Welcome to the Dominion Course. If you've chosen this path, it's because you think you have what it takes to face the Dominion's greatest threats. Monsters. Dungeons. Guild wars. But let me make one thing clear: potential means nothing without discipline."
Kael slid into a seat near the edge, keeping his expression neutral. He could feel the stares of other students lingering on him—some curious, others dismissive.
"Kaelward, right?"
Kael glanced to his left. A lanky boy with messy red hair grinned at him, his freckled face alight with curiosity. "I heard about your Trial of Worth. S-level potential but a weird skill. That's gotta be rough."
Kael met his gaze coldly. "Do you need something?"
The boy chuckled. "Relax. Name's Derrick Alstad. My family runs a guild up north. Figured I'd introduce myself since we're stuck in the same course."
Kael didn't respond, his attention shifting back to Garrick, who was outlining the Dominion Course's structure:
Core Studies: Dungeon theory, artifact utilization, and combat strategy.Field Training: Practical sessions in controlled dungeon environments.Guild Management: Basics of leading and organizing teams.
Kael's mind raced. The Dominion Course was exactly where he needed to be—not just for the prestige but for access to the resources it offered. If the artifact he needed was anywhere, it would be within the Dominion Course's vaults or training areas.
The first practical session took place in the academy's Training Grounds, a massive arena lined with enchanted barriers to simulate dungeon conditions. Students were paired randomly for sparring matches, each bout overseen by an instructor.
Kael was paired with Derrick, whose easygoing demeanor didn't match the ferocity of his fighting style. Derrick wielded twin daggers with surprising agility, his attacks sharp and relentless.
"You're not half-bad," Derrick said between strikes, his grin never wavering. "But you're holding back, aren't you?"
Kael sidestepped a flurry of blows, his own blade flashing as he parried. "You talk too much."
Derrick laughed, but the sound was cut short as Kael's blade grazed his shoulder. The match ended moments later, with Kael standing victorious but winded.
"Well fought," Garrick said, nodding approvingly. "But remember, Kaelward—raw skill isn't enough. You'll need more than clever footwork to survive in the real world."
Kael bowed slightly, his face unreadable.
Nearby, a group of students whispered as they watched the match. Among them was Seren Delacroix, her icy blue eyes narrowing as she observed Kael. She stood with Lucian Vale, whose casual stance belied the intensity of his focus.
"He's good," Lucian remarked, his green eyes flickering with interest.
Seren scoffed. "Good at pretending to be something he's not. He doesn't belong here."
Lucian's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Maybe. But he's not going anywhere, is he?"
Kael's next stop was the Forge of Mastery, a sprawling workshop filled with the sounds of hammers on metal and the hum of magical energy. He didn't belong to the Forge course, but he had a purpose here—Elena Veyl.
He found her hunched over a cluttered workbench, her brown hair falling into her face as she carefully inscribed runes onto a metal plate. Her hands shook slightly, but her concentration was unwavering.
"Elena," Kael said, his voice low.
She jumped, nearly dropping the plate. "K-Kael! What are you doing here?"
Kael glanced at the half-finished artifact. "You're improving."
Elena flushed, her wide brown eyes darting away. "It's... nothing. Just practice."
Kael leaned closer, his voice soft but firm. "You're talented, Elena. But talent means nothing if you let others push you around."
Her cheeks reddened further, but she nodded.
Kael straightened. "I need your help. I can't explain everything yet, but when the time comes, I'll need someone who can handle artifacts."
Elena hesitated, then nodded again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."
The day ended with Kael back in his dormitory, poring over a map of the academy grounds. His fingers traced a line leading from the Dominion Course's training area to a sealed section marked simply as "Restricted Zone."
The artifact he needed was there—he was certain of it. But accessing it would require more than stealth.
Kael leaned back, his storm-gray eyes narrowing. The soul remnant's pull was stronger now, each wave of exhaustion reminding him of the stakes.
"I don't have time to wait," he muttered. "If I don't find a solution soon, I won't survive long enough to make it matter."
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[Status Window: Elena]
Name: Elena Veyl
Genesis Skill: Rune Sculptor (Enhances artifact creation by inscribing magical runes with greater precision and power.)
Rank: Novice
Role: Introverted artifact maker with hidden potential
[Status Window: Derrick]
Name: Derrick Alstad
Genesis Skill: Emberstep (Boosts agility and speed while leaving a fiery trail. Can enhance evasion and counterattacks.)
Rank: Adept
Role: Heir to the Emberhold Guild
[Status Window: Seren]
Name: Seren Delacroix
Genesis Skill: Glacial Veil (Manipulates ice to create defensive barriers and offensive spikes. Can also slow enemies' movements.)
Rank: Expert
Role: Noble scion of House Delacroix, Prodigy of the Dominion Course
[Status Window: Lucian]
Name: Lucian Vale
Genesis Skill: Aetherial Stride (Manipulates spatial energy to increase speed, teleport short distances, and destabilize enemies.)
Rank: Adept
Role: Protagonist, destined Sovereign