The morning sun over Arcanis Academy felt heavier than usual. Banners fluttered in the wind, marking the grand courtyard with house colors. Students gathered in waves, filling the air with murmurs of anticipation. Something big was happening.
Today was the day of the Legend Pair Trials—an elite assessment where the academy allowed students to form duos and compete under the eyes of nobles, sponsors, and hidden power brokers.
This wasn't just for show.
Those who performed well here often caught the attention of top guilds, royal envoys, or even secret organizations.
The trials were rare.
The spotlight was ready.
And at its center stood Raen Ashviel—the academy's golden boy, hailed as the next prodigy. Sword gleaming, expression sharp, his every step screamed confidence.
Beside him stood Elira Aundell, graceful and poised, her silver hair braided in the signature style of the House of Dawnsworn. Her light magic flickered faintly around her, like floating petals of glass.
"They look perfect together…" someone in the crowd whispered.
"They're the novel's real leads," another murmured. "Bound by prophecy, remember?"
The fake stars had taken the stage.
---
Meanwhile. Behind a Stone Wall.
Kael Vaelthorn was asleep.
He had curled up behind the southern pillar, arms folded, head resting on a rolled-up cloak. The crowd passed him without notice. Or, more accurately, the world passed him without notice—except for one person.
Lyra.
She stood nearby, leaning against a post, arms crossed, watching everything from behind narrowed eyes.
She heard the claps for Raen. Saw Elira's practiced smiles. Felt the growing awe from the audience.
But she didn't care about any of it.
Not anymore.
Because behind the shine and sparkles, it was Kael who remained invisible. Unnoticed. Misunderstood.
And it was starting to make her blood boil.
---
"Round One: Voltaire Duo vs Ashviel Duo!"
The crowd exploded in cheers as Raen and Elira stepped into the dueling platform—a sleek arena constructed from enchanted obsidian tiles that shifted based on combat.
Their opponents, twin wind mages from the Eastern Isles, took defensive stances.
"Let's not drag this out," Raen said, raising his blade.
Elira nodded. "Let's end it gracefully."
Within seconds, Raen blurred into motion—an arc of golden light splitting the wind barrier. Elira's support magic flared, reinforcing his steps and creating blinding illusions. The fight ended before it could even begin.
A clean victory.
Loud. Impressive. Flashy.
The kind people love.
---
Lyra didn't clap.
She glanced down at Kael, who snored softly. She sighed.
"Sleeping through a public exam…" she muttered. "Honestly, Kael. Do you even care?"
She crouched beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his face. His breathing remained steady, his expression calm.
Even here, he looked untouchable.
Even here, he radiated something no one else could.
She stood back up as the announcement echoed:
"Next, open challenge! Any student may step up and declare their duo!"
---
A sudden voice rang out:
"I challenge the Silent Strategist!"
Gasps followed.
Heads turned.
Kael stirred. "…huh?"
A muscular third-year student, wearing flame-inscribed gauntlets, stepped into the center. "I want to fight Kael Vaelthorn! Let's see if his silence works in real combat!"
The instructors exchanged confused glances. One of them whispered, "Did… Kael register for this event?"
"No," another replied. "But perhaps… he fights in his own way."
---
Kael blinked as the crowd made a path.
He stood slowly. "I was having a dream. About noodles."
Lyra pushed him gently. "Go. Or they'll think you're running away."
Kael sighed. "Fine."
He walked to the center, yawning.
The challenger cracked his knuckles. "No words? Just silence, huh? Let's see how far that takes you!"
Kael looked around for a bench.
Didn't see one.
So, he crouched down and stretched. That's when his foot tapped a loose stone.
Click.
The stone triggered a trap rune—one of the academy's leftover training wards.
It exploded upward… directly beneath the challenger.
BOOM.
The student was launched into the air, wrapped in a net of frozen mana vines before landing flat on the arena tiles.
The crowd was silent.
Kael blinked. "…Huh."
The announcer, shocked, said:
"V-Victory… Kael Vaelthorn!"
Applause erupted. Someone shouted, "He knew the rune was there!"
Another whispered, "That positioning… That's mastery of terrain! No wasted effort!"
A noble in the stands scribbled something on his scroll. "We must recruit him. He's a genius."
Kael walked back to Lyra. "…Can I sleep now?"
"No," she said, grabbing his wrist. "You're my partner now."
Kael blinked. "Your what?"
Lyra stepped forward.
"I declare Kael Vaelthorn as my permanent duo partner."
Gasps again.
From the crowd.
From Raen.
From Elira.
Even from the headmaster.
Kael: "…But I—"
"No takebacks," Lyra said flatly. "Let's go."
---
Elsewhere. In the shadows of a distant mountain.
A room filled with hooded figures watched through scrying stones.
One masked figure stepped forward—the Pillar of Intelligence.
"She's declared her loyalty," he said. "The girl walks beside our Lord already."
Another whispered, "Soon, the spiral will turn. And the seven shall gather."
A different figure added, "The fake chosen still plays the part… but the true one sleeps through destiny itself."
---
Back in the arena.
Raen approached Elira. "We'll have to keep an eye on Kael. He's… not like others."
Elira nodded, though her eyes were locked on Lyra.
"She saw something first," Elira whispered. "Something we didn't."
---
End of Chapter 34