Kael sat in the back row of the lecture hall, his storm-gray eyes half-lidded as Instructor Garrick's booming voice filled the chamber. Today's lecture was on Dungeon Anatomy, a subject that fascinated most of the Dominion Course students.
"Every dungeon is alive," Garrick said, pacing before a massive, animated diagram of a dungeon core projected on the wall. "It breathes, evolves, and reacts. The dungeon core is its heart, protected by traps and guardians. To conquer a dungeon, you must outwit its instincts and survive its fury."
The students leaned forward, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension.
Kael's mind wandered. The knowledge Garrick was offering was valuable, but Kael already knew much of it—details gleaned from the novel The Sovereign's Fall. He tapped his fingers against the edge of his desk, his thoughts drifting to the Restricted Zone and the artifact he needed.
He glanced at his status window, willing it to appear:
[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)
The words felt like chains, each line a reminder of his limitations. Kael dismissed the window with a flick of his thoughts, his focus returning to the lecture.
Nearby, a boy with red hair and a perpetual grin whispered something to his neighbor. Derrick Alstad had become an unavoidable presence in Kael's life since their sparring match, his chatter both irritating and oddly disarming.
Kael smirked faintly. He's too easy to read.
After the lecture, the students spilled into the academy's central courtyard. The sunlight filtered through towering spires, casting intricate shadows across the cobblestone paths.
Kael made his way toward the training grounds, but a sudden commotion near the fountain drew his attention.
A tall, broad-shouldered boy with dark brown hair stood at the center of the crowd, his arms crossed and a confident smirk playing on his lips. Reynard Drestan, scion of House Drestan, exuded power and charisma.
"You think you can beat me with that weak excuse for a skill?" Reynard taunted, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
His opponent, a wiry boy with sharp features, glared at him but said nothing.
Kael's eyes narrowed as Reynard's status window appeared in his mind:
[Status Window: Reynard]
Name: Reynard Drestan
Genesis Skill: Titan's Grasp (Increases physical strength and allows temporary enlargement of limbs for enhanced combat.)
Rank: Expert
Role: Noble prodigy and contender for Dominion Course leadership
Reynard's skill activated as his fists grew massive, slamming into the ground with a force that sent tremors through the courtyard.
Kael turned away. Another future obstacle.
Later that day, Kael visited the Forge of Mastery, where the air hummed with magic and the clang of hammers.
Elena sat at her usual corner, her short brown hair tucked behind her ears as she worked on a glowing gauntlet. Kael approached quietly, observing her progress.
"Elena," he said softly.
She jumped, her wide brown eyes meeting his. "K-Kael! I wasn't expecting you."
"I can see that." Kael gestured toward the gauntlet. "You're improving."
Elena flushed slightly, her hands fidgeting. "I've been practicing. I—I think I'm getting better at stabilizing runes."
Kael nodded, his gaze softening as her status window appeared:
[Status Window: Elena]
Name: Elena Veyl
Genesis Skill: Rune Sculptor (Allows precise creation and enhancement of magical artifacts.)
Rank: Novice
Role: Introverted artifact maker with untapped potential
"You're on the right track," Kael said, his tone even. "But don't let anyone undermine you."
Elena blinked at him, her expression a mix of gratitude and confusion. "Why... why are you helping me?"
Kael smirked faintly. "Because one day, I might need your help."
That evening, Kael sat alone in his dormitory, poring over the map of the academy grounds. His eyes lingered on the Restricted Zone, a section shrouded in mystery.
He knew from the novel that the zone contained a vault of dangerous artifacts, many of which had been confiscated from fallen guilds and dungeons. Among them was the Soulbound Prism, a key artifact in The Sovereign's Fall.
The prism's properties were never fully explained in the novel, but Kael knew one thing: it was connected to soul manipulation. If he could obtain it, it might hold the key to saving himself.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Come in," Kael said, his voice steady.
The door creaked open, revealing Derrick, his freckled face alight with curiosity.
"You missed dinner," Derrick said, stepping inside. "What are you up to?"
Kael folded the map and gave Derrick a measured look. "Nothing that concerns you."
Derrick grinned. "Come on, Kaelward. We're in the same course. We might as well get along."
Kael sighed inwardly. He's persistent.
As Derrick prattled on about the day's sparring matches, Kael's mind drifted back to the courtyard encounter with Reynard. The academy was full of people like him—powerful, arrogant, and ruthless.
Kael's lips thinned. This world isn't built for weakness. I'll find my place in it, one way or another.
His storm-gray eyes shifted to the folded map on his desk, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
The Restricted Zone awaits.