Word spread quickly.
After Bolt's stunning victory against Gareth, nearly every major faction in the academy sought to recruit him. Some faction leaders approached him in person, others sent representatives, and a few even tried to impress him with extravagant promises—higher ranks, special training, access to exclusive resources.
The academy functioned on a faction-based system. Students aligned themselves with powerful groups, gaining support, resources, and battle opportunities. Climbing the hierarchy meant securing a place in the strongest factions.
And yet—
Bolt rejected every single one of them.
It wasn't arrogance. It wasn't recklessness. It was simply because he had made up his mind.
He was going to build something new.
A faction that wouldn't be defined by old traditions or existing power structures. A faction that would shake the very foundation of the academy.
The Offer That Shocked Everyone
Inside one of the academy's grand halls, where faction discussions were held, Bolt sat at the center of attention. The room was filled with high-ranking faction members, students eager to recruit talent, and instructors observing the negotiations.
Felix Vance leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his gaze unreadable. Ryzen Valefor sat at a distance, watching with mild interest. Akane and Aether were seated near Bolt, waiting to hear what he would say.
A middle-aged man dressed in an ornate cloak, the leader of Titan's Wrath, stepped forward. His faction was known for its raw strength and combat dominance.
"Bolt Ashford," he began, his voice authoritative. "You're strong. Unrefined, perhaps, but strong. Join us. I'll grant you a high-ranking position, and you'll have the resources to refine your abilities properly. With our backing, you can reach SS rank."
Murmurs filled the room. Being offered a high position straight away was rare.
Before Bolt could respond, another faction leader, this time from Azure Dominion, spoke up.
"Forget Titan's Wrath. Bolt, our faction values elemental mastery. We can ensure your growth in all aspects of your elemental abilities. You'll have access to the best instructors and exclusive elemental artifacts."
More offers came. Obsidian Fang, Celestial Phoenix, and Storm Wardens—all powerful factions—extended their hands to Bolt. Some were diplomatic, others competitive.
But Bolt already knew his answer.
"I appreciate the offers," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But I'm not joining any of your factions."
The room fell silent.
The Titan's Wrath leader frowned. "What?"
"I'm creating my own faction," Bolt continued. "One that won't follow the existing power structures. We'll carve our own path."
His words sent a ripple through the room.
Some students looked surprised. Others scoffed. A few faction leaders exchanged glances, as if contemplating whether to take him seriously.
Then Felix Vance chuckled, shaking his head. "You always were an idiot, Bolt. You think building a faction from scratch will be easy? You don't have the backing, the connections, or the resources."
Ryzen smirked. "Interesting. I want to see how this plays out."
The faction leaders dismissed him. To them, a new faction without foundation was a lost cause.
But Bolt didn't care. He didn't need their approval.
He turned to Akane and Aether. "You're with me, right?"
Akane grinned. "Hell yeah. Let's shake things up."
Aether smirked. "I was never going to let you go off alone anyway."
That was all he needed.
The Birth of Celestial Tempest
That evening, Bolt, Akane, and Aether met outside, under the academy's floating lanterns. The moonlight bathed the training grounds in silver light, giving their small gathering a sense of quiet determination.
They needed more members. The academy required at least six members and a leader to officially recognize a faction.
The first to join was Darian Gage, a swift, strategic fighter specializing in mobility-based combat. He had been watching Bolt's fight against Gareth and was intrigued by his leadership potential.
Next was Sylva Renard, a reserved yet highly skilled combatant with an affinity for earth and metal elements. She rarely spoke, but her combat efficiency was undeniable.
The final member was Kairos Vale, an ex-member of another faction who had grown disillusioned with the academy's politics. He wielded a unique combination of gravity and wind, making him a formidable force.
And with that—Celestial Tempest was born.
A faction built from outcasts, rebels, and those who wanted something different.
A faction that, despite being newly formed, already had the academy's attention.
Because if Bolt had proven anything—he was a force to be reckoned with.
Aftermath: The First Challenge
Word spread fast. By the next morning, Celestial Tempest was the most talked-about topic in the academy.
Some laughed, calling them a doomed experiment. Others were cautious, waiting to see how things played out.
But there were also those who saw potential.
Then came the first challenge.
One of the older factions, Crimson Fang, refused to acknowledge Celestial Tempest's legitimacy. Their leader, a third-year student named Ronan Devereux, challenged Bolt to a Faction Duel—a formal battle where two factions clashed to prove their strength.
If Celestial Tempest lost, their credibility would crumble before they even began.
Bolt simply grinned. "Good. Let's show them what we can do."
The real battle was about to begin.