The echoes of the shattered Spirit Gate hadn't yet faded before Kaelan was guided into the central plaza of Eclipse Academy. Overhead, floating crystal orbs recorded everything, broadcasting it to students in distant dorms and instructor towers.
But Kaelan paid no attention. His mind was calm. Focused.
A few murmurs still followed him.
"He shattered the Gate..." "No Spirit backlash... not even fatigue." "He's not normal."
Kaelan ignored them all. He had learned long ago: silence stung more than words. It made them wonder.
---
Instructor's Pavilion, Outer Courtyard
A tall woman clad in white robes stood behind a crystalline desk, her fingers dancing over a glowing slate. She didn't look up.
"Kaelan Ashborne. Classification: Unranked. Bloodline Confirmed. Spirit Compatibility: Unknown. Marked under Echo Overload."
She tapped her tablet again. A glowing Ashborne crest appeared next to Kaelan's name — not as privilege, but as a marker of classification.
Unranked Class. Unique Path. Echo Overload.
A few instructors whispered behind her.
"Only one other student had Echo Overload... years ago." "He vanished in the dimensional rift trial, remember?"
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere within the Academy...
Atop the high watchtower, a council of instructors sat behind enchanted veils. One of them leaned forward, gaze narrowed.
"He didn't even use energy to resist. His body simply... adjusted."
"He's not suppressing his strength," said another. "He's genuinely at Silver Peak, yet his soul pressure... is distorted. Like it carries something ancient."
Only one figure remained silent.
Valen Ashborne.
The principal. Kaelan's uncle. His crimson eyes gleamed beneath the hood.
"The blood remembers," Valen murmured. "Let the storm brew. He will not be shielded. He will earn it."
---
Academy Ranking Tower
A giant crystal monolith floated in the air, projecting the current student top 10 rankings. Every name came with a title, clan emblem, and rank.
Eclipse Academy — Top 10 Student Rankings:
1. Lior Zevrin — Gold High — Student Council President — Zevrin Clan
2. Naestra Vael — Gold High — Vice President — Vael Clan
3. Kaine Blightblade — Gold Mid — Blightblade Clan
4. Reika Veiyara — Gold Mid — Veiyara Clan
5. Damon Ironheart — Gold Low — Ironheart Clan
6. Mirae Seren — Gold Low — Seren Clan
7. Ivar Coldthorn — Silver Peak — Unknown Origin
8. Zerik Stormborn — Silver High — Noble House (Wind Affinity)
9. Riven Duskthorn — Silver High — Nomadic Warband
10. Sylas Wyrmhunt — Silver High — Dragon Hunter's Guild
Every first-year student glanced up at the tower in awe.
Some felt inspired. Some, discouraged.
Kaelan?
He barely looked.
"Rankings don't matter until the battlefield proves them."
His voice was quiet, spoken to no one. But behind him, a silver-haired girl with eerie, mismatched eyes smirked.
"Interesting philosophy. Let's see if you keep that same energy when we fight."
Kaelan turned slightly.
She didn't introduce herself. Just walked past.
The spirit around her felt... strange. Not dangerous. But layered.
Kaelan smiled faintly.
"I'll remember that."
To be continued…