The sunlight outside was harsh.
Kael squinted as he stepped out of the registration hall. The air here was lighter, less saturated than inside, but the pressure was different. It came from people.
Students were scattered across the courtyard, comparing results, forming groups, boasting. The moment Kael appeared, the noise level dropped.
Whispers spread like wind through dry grass.
"That's him." "Rank 1?" "Valerius blood has weakened."
Kael kept walking. His face was a mask of calm. But his senses were wide open. He felt the gazes. Some pitying. Some hungry.
Dante walked on his right, fists clenched. Orion walked on his left, eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk.
"Let them talk," Kael said softly.
"Let them?" Dante's voice was a low growl. "I should break some jaws."
"Not here," Orion said. His voice was cold ice. "Not yet."
They reached the center of the courtyard. The path ahead was blocked.
Three students stood there. Black robes with silver trim. House Draven.
In the middle stood a young man taller than the rest. His hair was jet black, cut sharp. His eyes were dark, devoid of warmth. He wore a ring on his right hand—a crest of a shadowed dagger.
Alaric Draven.
He didn't move. He just watched them approach.
Kael stopped three steps away. He didn't bow. He didn't greet.
"Kael Valerius," Alaric said. His voice was smooth, cultured. Dangerous. "I heard the result. Rank 1. Is it true?"
Dante stepped forward. "Watch your mouth, Draven."
Alaric ignored him. His eyes stayed locked on Kael. "I expected more from the oldest house. Perhaps the bloodline has... diluted."
Kael met his gaze. "Expectations are often wrong, Alaric."
"Are they?" Alaric smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "Weakness is a disease. It spreads. If you are weak, your house is weak. If your house is weak... territories change hands."
It was a threat. Clear. Political.
Dante's aura flared. Heat rippled off him. "Say that again."
Orion placed a hand on Dante's shoulder. The heat vanished instantly. Orion looked at Alaric. "Leave."
Alaric chuckled. "Protective cousins. How sweet." He took a step closer to Kael. Close enough to smell the scent of his robe. "Here is advice, little Valerius. Go home. Retire. Don't embarrass yourself in the tournament. I would hate to see you... broken."
Kael didn't blink.
He's strong, Kael thought. Adept Rank 6, maybe 7. Shadow affinity. Fast. Lethal.
But he's arrogant.
Arrogance is a crack in the armor.
Kael tilted his head slightly. "Broken?"
"Yes," Alaric said. "By my hand."
Kael looked at Alaric's hand. The ring. Then he looked back at his eyes.
"Shadows burn easily in the sun," Kael said.
Alaric's smile vanished. "What did you say?"
"Nothing," Kael said. He stepped sideways. Not around Alaric. Through his personal space. He brushed past Alaric's shoulder. "Move."
The air froze.
Draven's students tensed. Their hands moved toward their weapons.
Alaric didn't move. He stood still, shock turning into rage on his face. No one brushed past him. No one ignored him.
"Valerius!" Alaric's voice cracked like a whip.
Kael didn't stop. He kept walking.
"Turn around!" Alaric shouted.
Kael kept walking.
Dante grinned. He looked at Alaric, winked, then followed Kael. Orion was the last to leave. He stopped in front of Alaric.
"Next time," Orion said quietly. "Don't block the path."
Orion turned and left.
Alaric stood alone in the center of the courtyard. His fists were shaking. His aura flared dark, violent. Shadows crept across the ground around his feet.
"He dared..." one of his subordinates whispered.
Alaric didn't answer. He watched Kael's back disappearing into the crowd.
"Rank 1," Alaric muttered. "No. That's a lie."
He touched his ring.
"Find out everything about him. His training. His history. His weaknesses."
"Yes, sir."
Alaric turned away. His eyes were dark.
"If he is hiding power... I will break him until the truth comes out."
Meanwhile
Kael walked until the noise faded. He stopped near a quiet corner of the garden.
Dante let out a breath. "That felt good. Did you see his face?"
"Reckless," Orion said.
"Necessary," Kael replied.
He leaned against a tree. Closed his eyes.
He suspects, Kael thought. Good.
Suspicion makes him hesitate. Hesitation makes him slow.
And slow enemies... are dead enemies.
Kael opened his eyes. They were calm. Dark.
"Let him come," Kael said.
Dante smiled. Orion nodded.
The sun set behind the academy walls. Shadows grew long.
But Kael wasn't afraid of the dark.
He was born in it.
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