The academy's garden terraces, usually serene with floating lanterns and scented vines, had gone eerily quiet. It was nearing midnight—curfew hours—when Kael stepped onto the moss-carpeted courtyard behind the alchemy wing. He could feel it in the air.
He was being watched.
Elira had warned him hours ago: noble-born enforcers from House Dorne were tracking him. They didn't intend to duel. They meant to break him… or worse.
But Kael wasn't the same boy they thought they could crush.
Not anymore.
His hand gripped *Emberfang*, now sheathed at his hip. The blade hummed softly, as if tasting the tension in the air.
Then the courtyard lights flickered and vanished.
Shadows surged from the edges of the hedges as five cloaked figures stepped into view, surrounding him. All bore matching armbands marked with the sigil of House Dorne.
"Kael Ardyn," the leader said, voice sharp and cold. "You've embarrassed someone very powerful. That was… unwise."
Kael didn't move. "Is this supposed to scare me?"
The leader laughed. "No. This is supposed to remove you."
The figures moved in unison, drawing weapons enchanted shortblades, soul-tempered whips, one with twin crescent axes glowing faintly with runes.
Kael exhaled, calm.
System Online:
—Host surrounded. Initiating Multi-Target Engagement Protocol.
—Passive Soul Veil disabled.
—Permission to use Emberfang granted.
—Soul Capture Enabled.
Then the first attacker lunged.
Kael moved like lightning. Emberfang flashed from its sheath in one clean arc, intercepting the blow and twisting with burning grace. Flame licked the air. His blade shattered the enemy's parry and carved a deep line across their chest.
Soul Captured. Weak Elemental Thread Gained.
Another attacker came from behind. Kael spun, ducked low, and used *Soul Strike: Flame Echo*, a new variant Emberfang had unlocked. Fire exploded outward in a crescent, catching two opponents off guard and hurling them into the hedges.
"Impossible!" one gasped, rising. "He's using soulbound weaponry—unlicensed!"
Kael's eyes glowed faintly crimson. "Funny how nobles start crying rules when they're losing."
---
Above, hidden in the observatory tower, Master Veyren watched through a projection orb, a faint smile tugging his lips.
"This is what I was waiting for," he whispered. "Flawed. Furious. Dangerous."
---
Back in the courtyard, Kael faced the final three. The leader barked, "Formation Culling Circle!"
The three circled Kael tightly, blades glowing with coordinated soul resonance. It was an advanced noble technique—meant to box in and crush targets from all sides.
Kael stood still, breathing slowly… letting Emberfang guide him.
He whispered to the system: "Burn them."
System Response:
—Ember Core Activated.
—Skill: Infernal Veil Unlocked.
—Duration: 10 seconds.
—Effect: Converts host into temporary living flame form. All physical attacks pass through. All strikes deal burn damage.
Kael burst into fire.
His form blurred half-spectral, half-inferno. Blades passed through him as if through smoke, and with one blazing strike, he impaled the first attacker. Soul flame surged through Emberfang, devouring the energy instantly.
He turned, twisted, and in one final spinning slash, cut through the last two.
All fell, moaning, burned and defeated.
Only the leader remained.
Kael stepped forward, bloodied but blazing. "Tell Aric Dorne something for me."
The leader's voice trembled, "What… what do you want me to say?"
Kael leaned close, blade at his throat. "Next time, send warriors. Not dogs."
He let the boy crawl away—broken and humiliated.
---
Later that night, Elira arrived at the scene, eyes scanning the scorched grass and half-conscious attackers.
Kael sat nearby, cross-legged, Emberfang resting beside him like a sleeping predator.
"They came to kill you," she said.
"They failed," Kael replied, voice tired but proud.
She knelt beside him, her hand brushing his. "Your power is growing… but so is the danger. You've exposed yourself now."
Kael nodded. "Then I need to rise faster than they can react."
---
*System Update:*
—"Soul Capacity Increased.
—Emberfang Upgraded to Tier 2.
—New Passive: Ash Trail – leaves soulfire residue in struck targets, reducing regeneration.
—Warning: Host reputation has increased. Faculty surveillance imminent."
Far beyond the courtyard, behind gilded doors, Duke Halverin received word of the failed ambush.
He crushed the wine glass in his hand. "Then we'll handle it ourselves."