The cool evening air settled over the city, a gentle breeze brushing past Kairos as he walked alone. The day had been exhausting, not just because of school but because of everything weighing on his mind—the Keeper's warning, the Eclipsed Ones, and the mystery surrounding his system.
Even now, he could feel something within him shifting, like gears slowly turning in the depths of his soul. His power wasn't just evolving—it was reacting to something.
Selene had gone home earlier, though not before throwing a few teasing remarks his way about how lost in thought he'd been. Despite her usual playful nature, he knew she was worried. And honestly? So was he.
Kairos turned down an empty street, heading toward his grandfather's house. The place had become more than just a home—it was the source of everything that had changed his life.
And tonight, he had a feeling that it held more secrets yet to be uncovered.
---
The door creaked as he stepped inside, the air inside the house carrying a strange stillness.
His grandfather's study was exactly as he'd left it, but something felt off. A presence, a feeling, like unseen eyes watching him from the shadows.
Kairos cautiously stepped forward, his fingers twitching instinctively, ready to summon his abilities if needed.
Then, he heard it.
A whisper.
Faint, almost like a breeze slipping through cracks in the walls, but it spoke.
"You walk the path of ascension… but do you truly know what awaits?"
Kairos spun around, his heart pounding, but there was no one there. The voice hadn't come from the room—it had come from within.
His system.
The interface flickered to life in his mind, but instead of the usual messages, something new appeared.
>[Awakening Protocol Initialized]
[Accessing Hidden Directives...]
[Decrypting Origins... Error.]
Kairos stared at the notifications, his breath caught in his throat.
Decrypting origins? Hidden directives?
What the hell was this system hiding from him?
He clenched his fists. Whatever force had given him this power, it was time he started getting some answers.
And he knew exactly where to start.
---
The next morning, Kairos arrived at school feeling more determined than ever. If his system had secrets, he needed to push himself harder—faster.
But the moment he stepped onto campus, something felt wrong.
Whispers. Stares.
Not the usual curiosity from before—something more serious.
Selene met him near the entrance, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "Kairos, I think you've got a problem."
He raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
She motioned for him to follow. As they walked through the courtyard, Kairos noticed a group of students gathered around a bulletin board, murmuring amongst themselves.
Then he saw it.
A list.
A ranking board, displaying the names of the most powerful students in the school. Except this wasn't just any ranking.
It was new—and his name was at the top.
1st Place: Kairos Valtieri
Kairos frowned. "Who the hell put this up?"
Selene smirked. "That's what everyone wants to know. One day, you're an unknown transfer student, and the next? You're at the top of the food chain."
Kairos exhaled. This wasn't good. He had tried to keep his abilities low-profile, but now? Every ambitious fighter in this school would be coming for him.
And as if to confirm his thoughts, a voice rang out from behind.
"Well, well. If it isn't the so-called number one."
Kairos turned to see a tall, lean student with sharp, hawk-like eyes. His uniform was worn loosely, giving off the air of someone who didn't follow rules.
Selene groaned. "Great. Just what we needed—Lucian Aldren, school champion and professional pain in the ass."
Lucian grinned. "I gotta say, Kairos, I don't remember seeing you fight anyone to get to the top of that list. Maybe you'd like to prove you actually deserve that spot?"
Kairos met Lucian's gaze, a smirk tugging at his lips.
This wasn't just about school rankings anymore.
This was a challenge.
And right now, he needed every fight he could get.
Time to put this evolution to the test.