Tuesday morning arrived with the weight of expectations Kaelen hadn't felt in weeks.
He dressed in his uniform, fastening the bronze badge to his chest with a satisfying click. The metal caught the morning light as he checked his reflection. It still felt strange seeing it there, tangible proof of what he'd accomplished.
His wristband chimed softly.
[Daily Quest: Physical Conditioning]
[Requirements: 50 Push-ups | 50 Pull-ups | 5 Mile Run]
[Time Remaining: 23:47:33]
Kaelen sighed. Back to the standard requirements. The doubled Sunday quest had been brutal, but at least it was over. He'd complete this one after classes.
He grabbed his bag and headed out.
The corridors were busier than usual, students streaming toward their first classes. Kaelen noticed the stares immediately. Some curious, others assessing. A few first-years whispered as he passed, pointing at the bronze badge.
"That's him..."
"Fought a Sentinel..."
Kaelen kept his head down and kept walking. The attention was uncomfortable, but manageable. He'd survived worse than gossip.
He reached Professor Nyra's classroom just as the bell chimed. The amphitheater-style space was already filling, students settling into their seats. Kaelen found his usual spot near the middle and sat.
Professor Nyra entered moments later, her feline ears twitching as she scanned the room. Her golden eyes swept across the students, pausing briefly on Kaelen. Her gaze flicked to the bronze badge on his chest, lingered for a heartbeat, then moved on without comment. But as she passed his row toward the central platform, she said quietly, "Congratulations on your advancement, Mr. Burn."
It wasn't loud. But several students nearby heard it and turned to look. Kaelen nodded. "Thank you, Professor."
Nyra continued to the platform, activating the holographic display. "Today we continue our study of aetheric resonance patterns. Last week we discussed foundational circulation. This week, we examine disruption theory."
The lecture began, and Kaelen focused, grateful for the distraction from the attention.
...
After Class.
Students filed out slowly, some lingering to ask Professor Nyra questions. Kaelen gathered his things and stood, only to find Sera waiting by the door. She gestured with her head toward the corridor. "Walk with me."
They stepped into the hallway together, moving away from the crowd. Sera's pace was unhurried, her expression as neutral as always.
"You are still walking proud," she said.
"Barely," Kaelen replied. "Everyone's staring."
"They'll get used to it. Or they won't. Either way, it's not your problem." She glanced at him. "How did the trial go?"
"Easier than the Jax fight."
"Everything's easier than that." Sera stopped near a window overlooking the courtyard. "Speaking of which, you should know something. Fourth week is club recruitment."
Kaelen blinked. "Clubs?"
"Academy organizations. Combat-focused, support-focused, or technician-focused. Every student joins one by the end of their first month." She crossed her arms. "They're divided by classification, but the structure is the same across all types."
"Explain."
Sera leaned against the window frame. "Combat clubs are for fighters. Mages, Enhancers, Mutations, Uniques who specialize in direct engagement. They focus on sparring, tactical training, mission deployment. High RP gain, high risk."
"Support clubs," she continued, "are for medics, healers, buffers, defensive specialists. They assist combat teams, provide backup, handle logistics. Lower RP gain, but essential roles. Safer."
"And technician clubs?"
"Intelligence, research, aether-tech development, strategy. People like your friend Daniel. They focus on innovation, analysis, support systems. No direct combat required." Sera paused. "Technician clubs accept Nulls since they prioritize creativity and intelligence over combat ability."
Kaelen processed that. "So everyone fits into one of three categories."
"More or less. Some clubs blur the lines, but that's the general structure." Sera's gaze drifted toward the courtyard. "I'm still deciding between combat and support."
Kaelen raised an eyebrow. "Support? You'd be wasted there. Your combat skills are—"
"Practical," Sera interrupted. "But support roles have value. Keeping people alive matters as much as defeating enemies." She looked at him. "Combat is straightforward. Support is complicated. I'm better at complicated."
"You're also better combatant. At least, to my knowledge."
"That's not mutually exclusive." She pushed off the window frame. "I'm still thinking about it. Point is, you'll need to choose soon. Start considering what you actually want from the academy."
Kaelen nodded slowly. "I will."
Sera turned to leave, then paused. "One more thing. Don't let the attention distract you. People notice you now. Some will test you. Others will try to use you. Stay focused."
She walked away before he could respond.
Kaelen stood by the window for a moment, watching students cross the courtyard below. The bronze badge felt heavier suddenly, like it carried obligations he hadn't fully considered.
He shook off the thought and headed toward his next class.
...
Lunch - Academy Cafeteria
The cafeteria was massive, tiered levels surrounding a central serving area. Kaelen collected his meal and scanned for an empty table. Most were occupied, students clustered in familiar groups.
"Kaelen!"
He turned. Daniel waved from a table near the windows, Lira sitting across from him. Kaelen made his way over and sat.
"How's the celebrity life?" Daniel asked with a grin.
"Exhausting," Kaelen said flatly.
Lira smirked. "You brought it on yourself. Fighting a Sentinel, refusing to yield when you had an out, forcing a Domain manifestation. What did you expect?"
"I didn't get the chance to ask previously. But, how are you two hanging out together?"
"Well... you brought us together,." She took a bite of her food. "When you passed out, that is. I met Daniel."
Daniel leaned forward. "Speaking of which, have you checked the quest board yet?"
Kaelen shook his head. "Not yet. Planning to after lunch."
"You should. Novice quests are pretty decent. RP ranges from fifty to two hundred depending on difficulty. Some are solo, some are joint missions." Daniel pulled up his tablet. "I've been tracking completion rates. Joint missions have higher success rates but split the RP reward."
"That's fine," Kaelen said. "I need the experience more than the points right now."
Lira raised an eyebrow. "Modest. That's new."
"Realistic," Kaelen corrected. "The Jax fight showed me how much I still don't know."
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Then Kaelen noticed someone approaching their table.
Torven.
The Dravari student stopped a respectful distance away, his scaled features catching the light. "Kaelen. Can I sit?"
Kaelen gestured to the empty chair. "Of course."
Torven sat, setting his tray down carefully. His amber eyes flicked to Daniel and Lira briefly, then back to Kaelen. "I wanted to talk. If you have time."
"Sure."
Daniel and Lira exchanged a glance, then Daniel stood. "We were just finishing anyway. See you later, Kaelen."
They left, and Kaelen was alone with Torven.
For a moment, neither spoke. Then Torven said quietly, "I know what it's like to be stared at."
Kaelen blinked, caught off guard by the opening.
Torven gestured to his own face, the scales along his jawline and forearms. "Mutation class. People assume things. That you're unstable. Dangerous. That your power controls you instead of the other way around." He paused. "It's different from your situation, but the weight is the same."
Kaelen nodded slowly. "You informed me previously."
"I watched your fight," Torven continued. "Not just the tactics or the techniques. I watched how you handled pressure. When Serene offered to stop it, you refused. When Jax activated his Domain, you didn't panic."
He met Kaelen's gaze directly. "That's rare. Most people fold under that kind of weight."
"I was terrified," Kaelen admitted.
"Terror and panic aren't the same thing." Torven's expression softened slightly. "I spent my life here trying to prove I wasn't what people assumed. Trying to control every moment, every reaction, every display of power. It was exhausting."
"What changed?"
"I stopped trying to prove anything to them. Started proving things to myself instead." Torven picked up his utensil, then set it down again. "You don't owe anyone an explanation for what you are or what you can do. The people who matter will see it. The rest don't matter."
Kaelen felt something settle in his chest. Understanding, maybe. Or just relief.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Torven nodded. "We're both first-years. Both dealing with being... different. If you ever need someone who understands that, I'm around."
"Same here."
They finished their meal in companionable silence. When Torven stood to leave, he clapped Kaelen on the shoulder once. "Good luck with whatever you're planning next."
Kaelen watched him go, feeling oddly lighter than before.
...
Afternoon - Novice Quest Board
The quest board was located in the mission wing, a section of the academy Kaelen had never visited before. The space was open and efficient, with holographic displays lining the walls showing available missions organized by rank. Kaelen approached the Novice section and activated the interface with his wristband.
[NOVICE RANK QUEST BOARD]
[Cultivation Requirement: Latent+]
[Available Missions: 47]
The list expanded, each entry marked with difficulty, RP reward, and requirements.
[Patrol Duty - Eastern Perimeter]
[Type: Surveillance]
[RP Reward: 80]
[Requirements: 2 Novice rank participants]
[Duration: 4 hours]
[Equipment Maintenance - Training Wing]
[Type: Support]
[RP Reward: 50]
[Requirements: Solo]
[Duration: 2 hours]
[Aetheric Beast Tracking - Outer Grounds]
[Type: Investigation]
[RP Reward: 150]
[Requirements: 3 Novice rank participants]
[Duration: 6 hours]
Kaelen scrolled through the options, considering. Most were straightforward, low-risk assignments designed for newer students. But one caught his attention.
[Security Patrol - Academy Outer Premises]
[Type: Surveillance & Security Check]
[RP Reward: 200]
[Requirements: 2 Novice rank participants]
[Duration: 5 hours]
[Note: Patrol outside academy main grounds but within secured perimeter. Check security points, investigate suspicious activity, report findings.]
Two hundred RP. That was the high end for Novice missions. And it was joint, meaning he'd have a partner. Kaelen selected the mission. A secondary screen appeared.
[PARTICIPANT STATUS: 1/2]
[Registered: Vyne Kayla]
[Accept Mission?]
Someone had already signed up. Kaelen hesitated briefly, then confirmed.
[Mission Accepted]
[Briefing: Tomorrow 2:00 PM, Mission Coordination Office]
[Deployment: Tomorrow 3:00 PM]
His wristband chimed with the confirmation. Kaelen stepped back from the board, processing. A joint patrol mission with someone named Vyne Kayla. He'd find out who they were at the briefing tomorrow. He turned to leave and nearly collided with someone.
"Oh! Sorry!"
Kaelen stepped back quickly. "My fault, I—"
He stopped.
The girl in front of him was petite, barely reaching his shoulder, with an almost delicate build that made her look younger than she probably was. Her hair was a striking silver-white, cut short in a choppy, asymmetrical style that framed her face in soft angles. Her eyes were pale violet, bright and sharp, carrying an unsettling intensity beneath their playful surface. She wore the standard academy uniform, but somehow made it look effortlessly casual, the jacket slightly oversized on her small frame.
And she was grinning at him.
"You're Kaelen Burn," she said, not a question.
"Uh. Yes?"
"The guy who fought Jax Hanlay. Made him bleed. Forced a Domain manifestation. Got disqualified but technically won." She tilted her head, violet eyes gleaming with amusement. "Pretty impressive for someone like you..."
Kaelen blinked. "Do I know you?"
"Not yet. But you will." She extended a hand.
"Vyne Kayla. I'm your partner for tomorrow's patrol."
Realization clicked. "You're the one who signed up first."
"Guilty." Her grin widened. "I saw your name pop up and thought, 'Oh, this'll be fun. The celebrity first-year wants to do actual work.' So here we are."
Kaelen wasn't sure how to respond to that. "I'm not a celebrity."
"Sure you're not." Vyne crossed her arms, still smiling. "That's why everyone stares when you walk by. That's why you got Novice rank in three days." She leaned closer conspiratorially. "Face it, Burn. You're famous. Might as well enjoy it."
"I didn't ask for any of that."
"Nobody asks for fame. It just happens to interesting people." She stepped back, studying him with those unsettling violet eyes. "So. You any good at surveillance, or did you just pick the highest RP mission you could find?"
"I can handle it," Kaelen said, a bit defensive.
"Confident. I like that." Vyne turned toward the exit, then glanced back. "See you tomorrow at two. Try not to get mobbed by fans on the way."
She walked away, her small frame moving with surprising grace through the crowded mission wing.
Kaelen stood there, bewildered.
What just happened?
...
Wednesday - 2:00 PM - Mission
Coordination Office
Kaelen arrived exactly on time, finding the coordination office tucked into a corner of the mission wing. The space was small and functional, dominated by a central holographic display showing patrol routes and security points.
Vyne was already there, leaning against the desk with her arms crossed, looking entirely too relaxed.
"Right on time," she said cheerfully.
"Punctual and famous. You're the full package."
Kaelen ignored the comment. "Have you done patrols before?"
"A few. They're usually boring." She pushed off the desk. "But this one pays two hundred RP, which means something interesting might actually happen."
An academy official entered, a stern-looking woman with short gray hair and the insignia of mission coordination on her uniform. She activated the holographic display without preamble.
"Kayla. Burn. Your assignment is security patrol along the academy's outer premises. You'll follow this route." A glowing line appeared on the map, winding through the outer grounds beyond the main academy structures but still within the secured perimeter.
"You'll check six security points," the official continued. "Verify operational status, report any malfunctions. You're also authorized to investigate suspicious activity within reason. Do not engage threats beyond Novice capability. Retreat and report if necessary."
She looked at them both. "This is a secured zone, but the outer premises see occasional intrusions. Aetheric beasts, equipment failures, rarely unauthorized personnel. Stay alert. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Kaelen said.
Vyne just nodded, still smiling faintly.
The official handed them each a small device. "Communicators. Linked to mission control. Use them if you encounter problems. Dismissed."
They left the office together, stepping into the afternoon light.
Vyne glanced at Kaelen. "So. Ready to protect the academy from rogue squirrels and broken sensors?"
"You seem awfully relaxed for someone on their first mission with a stranger."
"Life's more fun when you're relaxed." She started walking toward the outer grounds. "Besides, I've got the famous Kaelen Burn with me. What could possibly go wrong?"
Kaelen followed, already wondering if this partnership was a mistake.
...
Outer Premises - 3:15 PM
The outer premises were less polished than the main academy grounds. The paths were narrower. Tall security fences marked the true perimeter, shimmering faintly with aether-powered barriers.
Kaelen and Vyne walked the designated route in silence for the first twenty minutes, checking the first two security points without issue. Each point was a monitoring station with sensors, cameras, and status displays. Both were operational.
"See?" Vyne said as they left the second checkpoint. "Boring."
"That's a good thing."
"Boring is never a good thing." She kicked a small stone along the path. "Tell me something interesting about yourself."
Kaelen glanced at her. "Like what?"
"I don't know. Favorite food. Secret ambition. Embarrassing childhood story." She grinned. "Come on, celebrity. Entertain me."
"I'm not entertaining."
"Everyone's entertaining if you ask the right questions."
Kaelen sighed. "Fine. Favorite food is... probably my mom's cooking. She used to make this stew that—" He stopped, realizing he was actually answering. "Why am I telling you this?"
"Because I asked nicely." Vyne's smile widened. "See? Not so hard."
"What about you?"
"Me? Oh, I'm an open book." She spread her arms theatrically. "Born and raised in Veyra Enclave. Awakened since age six. Love spicy food. Hate early mornings. My ability is—" She paused, violet eyes glinting mischievously. "Actually, that's a secret."
"That's not fair."
"Life's not fair." She winked. "You'll figure it out eventually."
They reached the third checkpoint. This one was deeper into the outer grounds, surrounded by dense clusters of aether-infused trees that glowed faintly in the afternoon light.
Kaelen approached the monitoring station and checked the status display.
[SENSOR ARRAY: OPERATIONAL]
[CAMERAS: OPERATIONAL]
[BARRIER INTEGRITY: 98%]
Everything looked fine. But as he turned to leave, the display flickered.
Just once. A brief glitch.
Kaelen frowned and checked again. Normal.
"Something wrong?" Vyne asked, standing a few feet away.
"Display glitched. Probably nothing."
"Hmm." Vyne tilted her head, as if listening to something he couldn't hear. "Maybe check camera feed?"
Kaelen pulled up the camera interface. The screens cycled through various angles of the perimeter. Most showed empty paths, quiet forest, undisturbed fencing.
Then one camera caught something. A flicker of movement near the eastern barrier, about two hundred meters from their position.
"There," Kaelen said, pointing.
Vyne leaned in, studying the image. "Could be an animal."
"Could be." Kaelen rewound the footage. The movement was brief, humanoid but distorted. "Or someone who doesn't want to be seen."
"Suspicious activity." Vyne's smile turned sharper. "That's what we're here for, right?"
Kaelen activated his communicator.
"Mission control, this is Burn. We've detected possible intrusion near checkpoint three, eastern barrier. Investigating."
The response crackled back immediately.
"Acknowledged. Proceed with caution. Report findings."
Kaelen clipped the communicator back to his belt and looked at Vyne. "Ready?"
"Always."
They moved toward the eastern barrier, following the path the camera had shown. The forest grew denser here, the trees filtering afternoon light into fragmented patterns. Kaelen activated Spatial Awareness passively, feeling for disturbances. Vyne walked beside him, her small frame moving silently through the underbrush.
"You're good at this," Kaelen said quietly.
"Told you I've done patrols before."
They reached the approximate location.
The barrier shimmered a few meters away, intact and operational. But the ground showed signs of disturbance. Footprints, faint but recent. Kaelen crouched, examining them. "Someone was here. Within the last hour."
"And they left in a hurry." Vyne pointed to where the prints turned sharply, heading deeper into the forest rather than toward the academy. "Running, maybe?"
Kaelen stood, scanning the area with Chrono-Perception. The world slowed fractionally, details sharpening. He noticed broken branches, disturbed leaves, a faint trail leading away from the barrier.
"This way."
They followed the trail carefully. Kaelen kept his guard up, ready to activate Flash Step if needed. Vyne stayed close, her expression oddly calm. The trail led to a small clearing. And in the center, half-hidden beneath fallen branches, was a crate.
Kaelen approached cautiously. The crate was unmarked, reinforced metal, sealed with an electronic lock.
"That's not academy property," Vyne said.
"No. It's not." Kaelen activated Analytical Scan.
[Reinforced Storage Crate]
[Origin: ????]
[Contents: Unable to determine without opening]
[Lock Type: Electronic - Rank E security]
Vyne knelt beside the crate, studying the lock. "Someone stashed this here. Recently."
"Should we open it?"
"Probably not without authorization." She tapped the lock thoughtfully. "But we should definitely report it."
As if on cue, a sound echoed through the forest. Footsteps. Multiple sets, moving fast.
Kaelen's Spatial Awareness flared. Three figures approaching from the direction of the barrier. Fast.
"Company," he said quietly.
Vyne stood, her expression shifting into something focused. "Friendly or unfriendly?"
"Unknown."
The figures burst into the clearing seconds later. Three people, wearing nondescript dark clothing, faces partially obscured by hoods. Not academy uniforms.
They stopped when they saw Kaelen and Vyne.
For a heartbeat, nobody moved.
Then the lead figure spoke, voice distorted by some kind of modulator. "You shouldn't be here."
"Academy patrol," Kaelen said, keeping his tone neutral. "This area is restricted."
"Leave. Now."
"Can't do that." Kaelen shifted his stance slightly, ready. "Not until we report this to mission control."
The lead figure's hand moved toward something at their belt. A weapon, maybe.
Vyne stepped forward, still smiling faintly. "I wouldn't."
The figure paused, as if reconsidering.
Then, inexplicably, their foot caught on a root that hadn't been there a moment ago. They stumbled forward, off-balance.
The second figure moved to help and their weapon holster snagged on a branch, pulling them sideways.The third figure raised a hand, aether gathering, but the energy fizzled suddenly, dissipating without forming.
Kaelen blinked. What—
"Run," Vyne said cheerfully.
Kaelen didn't question it. He grabbed the communicator. "Mission control, hostile contact at checkpoint three. Three individuals, armed. Requesting backup."
"Backup dispatched. Retreat to checkpoint two."
Kaelen activated Flash Step, creating distance. Vyne followed, moving with surprising speed for her size.
Behind them, the figures shouted, scrambling to pursue. But their movements were clumsy, plagued by small mishaps. One tripped again. Another's equipment malfunctioned.
Kaelen and Vyne reached checkpoint two within minutes. Academy security was already arriving, constructs and armed personnel moving toward the disturbance.
A senior officer approached them. "Report."
Kaelen explained quickly, describing the crate, the footprints, the three individuals. Vyne added details, her tone casual despite what had just happened.
The officer nodded. "We'll handle it from here. Return to mission control for debriefing."
They walked back together, the adrenaline fading.
Kaelen glanced at Vyne. "What happened back there?"
"What do you mean?"
"They kept... messing up. Tripping, malfunctioning equipment. Right when we needed to escape."
Vyne's smile was innocent. "Guess we got lucky."
Kaelen stared at her. "That wasn't luck."
"Wasn't it?" She met his gaze, violet eyes twinkling. "Sometimes things just work out."
Kaelen activated Analytical Scan, focusing on her.
[Vyne Kayla]
[Classification: Unique]
[Ability: ?????]
[Grade: ?????]
Nothing. Just question marks.Vyne noticed and laughed. "You're not the only one with secrets, Burn."
...
Mission Control - Debriefing
The debriefing was quick. Kaelen and Vyne reported everything, answered questions, and were officially cleared. The crate was recovered, the three individuals apprehended by academy security. As they left the coordination office, Kaelen's wristband chimed.
[Mission Complete: Security Patrol]
[RP Earned: +100]
[Current RP: 1,337]
Vyne checked her own wristband. "One hundred RP for five hours. Not bad."
"We almost got attacked."
"But we didn't." She grinned. "See? Lucky."
Kaelen shook his head, still trying to understand what had happened. "Your ability. It's probability manipulation, isn't it?"
Vyne's smile widened, but she didn't confirm or deny. "Maybe. Maybe I'm just naturally fortunate."
"That's an S-rank ability."
"Is it?" She tilted her head innocently. "You sound like you know a lot about ability classifications."
"Enough."
"Well, Mr. Expert, here's some free advice." She stepped closer, her expression turning slightly more serious beneath the playfulness. "Some abilities are better left mysterious. Keeps people guessing. Keeps them careful."
She turned and started walking away. "See you around, celebrity. Try not to get into any more life-or-death duels while I'm gone."
Kaelen watched her disappear into the evening crowd, more confused than when they'd started.
Vyne Kayla. S-rank Unique. Probability manipulation.
And absolutely, infuriatingly mysterious.
He checked his stat screen out of habit.
[Stat Points: 51]
Still unallocated. He'd deal with that later.
Right now, he just wanted food and sleep.