Chapter 15
The days following the Spiral Veil trial were marked by an unsettling calm. No new announcements. No more matches. Just silence.
Yet beneath the stillness, the academy stirred like a volcano preparing to erupt.
Whispers of what each student had seen inside the veil filled the halls. Some had confronted regrets. Others glimpsed future selves. A few hadn't spoken at all.
And Astern… he kept his silence tighter than ever.
---
The courtyard gardens of Sanctum Astrae were reserved for third and fourth years, but Astern wandered into them anyway. The flowers responded to spiritual presence—blooming or withering in tune with aura.
They bloomed for him.
Kaela found him there, tossing stones into the fountain.
"You've been dodging everyone," she said, voice casual.
"Not dodging. Just… processing."
She sat beside him. "So. What's the verdict? Are you a secret god or just extremely moody?"
He gave a half-laugh. "I don't even know what I am anymore."
Kaela watched the water ripple. "You know what I saw in the veil? I saw myself dying. But it wasn't scary. It felt… right. Like I was protecting someone."
Astern turned to her. "Who?"
She looked him in the eyes. "I think it was you."
Before he could reply, a bell rang above them—a call to the Grand Forum.
Something was happening.
---
The Forum was packed. Not just students. Teachers, instructors, even non-combatants had gathered. The pillars were lit with white flame.
Selkyr stood on the raised platform, eyes scanning the crowd.
"Effective tomorrow," she announced, "the remaining participants in the Sanctum Tournament will be partnered with second-year mentors."
Murmurs rose immediately.
"Additionally, you will be moved into specialized tracks based on your Spiral Veil readings."
Kaela groaned. "Great. Babysitters."
Astern watched Selkyr closely. There was more.
"And," she added, voice heavier, "you'll be divided by combat style. Offensive, Defensive, Tactical, and Mystic."
Names began to appear in glowing script above the stage. Astern's landed in Mystic.
Along with Lunaria.
Kaela ended up in Offensive, unsurprisingly.
And beneath each name… a new one appeared.
Their mentors.
Astern squinted at his: Nysera Vaelis.
He blinked.
"What?"
Across the forum, Nysera's veil fluttered slightly in the wind. She was already watching him.
---
Later that night, Astern sat on the edge of the dorm roof. The stars seemed quieter tonight, like they were holding their breath.
Footsteps approached.
He didn't need to turn.
"You're really going to mentor me?" he asked.
Nysera sat beside him, veiled as always. "Not by choice. The system selected me."
"But you agreed."
"I don't believe in fate. I believe in warnings."
He faced her. "So give me one."
She was quiet a long moment.
Then she whispered, "The Ghoul King stirs. And when he rises, all bloodlines—angelic, demonic, or cursed—will burn."
Astern's eyes darkened.
"I don't intend to burn."
"Then you'll have to become fire itself."