Chapter 4: A New Rival and the Awakening World
Lian Shen sat in the quiet of the academy courtyard, her new pet curled in her lap. The small creature was still adjusting to the world, but it seemed to grow stronger with every moment. Its wings were now fully formed, though still translucent, and its body glowed faintly, as if powered by some ancient force. Lian had no idea what she was holding, but every instinct in her told her it was special—far beyond the common beasts in the academy.
But as the creature nestled against her, Lian's peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. A figure stepped into the courtyard, his sharp gaze landing on her.
"I see you've finally found your pet," the voice came, cool and distant.
Lian looked up to find Kael Valmer, a student from the upper ranks, standing in front of her. His eyes were cold, his posture proud, like a wolf surveying its prey. He was one of the top students in the academy, and his awakening had been rapid. His system had already granted him powerful skills, and rumors were circulating that he was close to unlocking a Divine-Class weapon.
The same weapon he often flaunted as though the academy was his personal stage.
Lian stood up instinctively, feeling the weight of his gaze. Kael was known for his arrogance, always looking down on those beneath him—like her. She felt her grip tighten around her pet, its soft chirp offering a strange sense of reassurance.
"What do you want, Kael?" Lian asked, trying to sound unbothered.
Kael smirked. "I'm just wondering how long you plan on hiding, Shen. You've got that strange, glowing pet, but you're hiding its true potential, aren't you? You and your brother… always keeping secrets."
Lian's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
"You've been hiding, just like Luo Shen. But the truth will come out eventually. A weakling like you doesn't just get a pet like that without some kind of secret power," Kael continued, taking a step closer. "I don't care what you do with it, but stay out of my way. You won't want to stand in the path of someone destined for greatness."
Lian felt a surge of unease, her heart racing. She had never liked Kael. His arrogance was suffocating. But there was something about his words that unsettled her. He seemed to know more than he should, like he had been watching her closely.
Before Lian could respond, Kael turned and began walking away, his words lingering in the air.
"You can't hide forever. The world is awakening, and it won't wait for you, Shen."
As he disappeared into the distance, Lian clenched her fists. Was Kael right? Was there something more to her awakening? And what was this power she had yet to tap into?
She looked down at her pet, who was now nuzzling her hand. The warmth it emitted gave her some comfort, but the nagging feeling in her chest remained. She couldn't let Kael's words get to her.
"I'll find out what this is," she whispered to the creature. "And I'll get stronger."
But little did she know, Kael's presence was only the beginning. Across the academy and beyond, other students were awakening their powers, each one growing stronger by the day. And the world itself was changing, with dark forces stirring in the shadows. Forces that would soon test the limits of the Chaos Infinity System.