Silence lingered in the trial hall long after the crystal dimmed.
For a breath, no one spoke.
The officials stared at the result suspended in pale light above the platform, as if the numbers themselves might rearrange if observed long enough.
99%.
Not potential.
Not compatibility.
Efficiency.
A cursed relic—one that had rejected every hand that reached for it—had responded to a rank ten master with near-perfect synchronization.
Kyle Snow's breath caught. She turned toward Kaelen slowly, disbelief written across her face. Even she, who had seen his calm in the forest, could not reconcile what she was seeing with what she knew of the system.
A rank ten… commanding a relic that devoured will.
Across the hall, several officials stiffened. One of them took a step back instinctively, as though the blades still hovered in Kaelen's hands instead of resting dormant on the pedestal.
Whispers spread like cracks through ice.
"That relic—" "No one has ever—" "He's not even rank—"
Kaelen stood quietly, hands at his side, expression unchanged. Inside, however, a single thought surfaced, sharp and unwelcome.
So it wasn't just resistance.
The blades had answered him.
John Snow watched from the side, arms folded beneath his cloak. The corner of his mouth lifted—not into a smile, but into something closer to acknowledgment.
As I thought, he mused. Not compatibility. Endurance.
The cursed edge had never sought masters.
It sought vessels.
"Enough."
The voice of the senior official cut through the murmurs. He rose from his seat, eyes fixed on Kaelen with naked caution.
"The trial is complete," the man said stiffly. "However, due to the nature of the relic and the abnormal result, the council has reached a decision."
Kyle frowned. "Decision?"
"The dual cursed edge will not be granted."
The words landed heavily.
Kyle turned sharply. "What? He passed the trial."
"Passing is not the issue," another official replied coldly. "Responsibility is. That relic feeds on ambition, aggression, and excess ky'z flow. Granting it to an unregistered rank ten—"
"—would be reckless," the senior official finished. "We will not place the city at risk."
Kaelen finally raised his eyes.
"So," he said calmly, "fear outweighs protocol."
A ripple of discomfort passed through the hall.
John Snow stepped forward before the tension could escalate.
"I will take responsibility."
Every head turned.
"I am the general of Swizz City," John continued evenly, his presence pressing down like a steady wind. "Rank three. Velocity master. If the relic causes harm, I will answer for it."
The officials exchanged glances.
"This is not a matter of strength alone, General Snow."
"No," John agreed. "It's a matter of containment."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Kaelen—not accusatory, not trusting.
Measured.
"If he is denied," John continued, "you do not eliminate risk. You displace it."
Silence followed.
At length, the senior official exhaled. "Very well. The relic will remain sealed under your authority. Any misuse—"
"I understand."
The meeting ended shortly after.
Kyle exited first, her thoughts tangled between awe and unease. Outside the hall, the air felt colder.
Kaelen followed more slowly.
He did not make it far.
"Kaelen."
John Snow's voice stopped him.
They stood beneath a stone archway, away from listening ears. The city noise felt distant here.
"I have an offer," John said.
Kaelen waited.
"I want you to travel with Kyle—to the capital."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"
John did not answer immediately. Instead, he studied Kaelen openly now.
"Rank six and seven masters are considered prodigies," he said. "But they are still novices when it comes to survival."
A pause.
"I don't want her to end up like my daughter."
The words were quiet. Final.
Kaelen absorbed them without comment.
"And if I refuse?" he asked.
John's gaze sharpened—not threatening, but precise.
"Did you truly believe," he said, "that I am unaware of that bracelet?"
Kaelen's breath stilled for a fraction of a second.
Not shock.
Confirmation.
John continued calmly, "A divine artifact designed to suppress density and ky'z manifestation. Crude concealment for a master. Elegant for someone like you."
Kaelen said nothing.
"This arrangement benefits you as well," John added. "The road to the capital is not safe. Powerful beasts roam freely. Growth comes faster where death is closer."
Kaelen understood.
This was not charity.
This was placement.
"…Fine," he said at last.
John nodded. "One more thing."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"The blades you touched are cursed. They seek excess. They remember restraint—and punish it."
Kaelen met his eyes. "I don't intend to rely on them."
John studied him a moment longer, then stepped back.
"I've prepared a power carriage," he said. "It will take you both to the capital."
Kaelen hesitated. "Why choose me?"
John's answer came without pause.
"Instinct."
Outside the relic hall, several rank six and seven masters lingered, their gazes drawn toward Kyle with thinly veiled interest.
When their eyes shifted to Kaelen, hostility flickered.
John glanced at them.
Just once.
The pressure in the air changed.
They looked away immediately.
The carriage departed before dusk.
Inside, the hum of ky'z-powered mechanisms filled the space. Kyle sat opposite Kaelen, visibly exhausted now that tension had faded.
"Have you ever experienced beast will?" she asked softly.
Kaelen answered without hesitation. "Yes."
Her eyes widened slightly. "It's terrifying, isn't it?"
He thought of the first absorption. The crushing intent. The countless lifetimes pressing against his soul.
"Yes," he said. "For most."
Kyle smiled faintly, reassured by his calm.
Minutes passed.
The rhythm of the carriage steadied.
Kyle's head tilted—then rested against Kaelen's lap.
He stiffened.
Annoyance flickered through him, followed by resignation. He did not move her away.
Trust is heavier than suspicion, he thought.
The carriage slowed.
Then stopped.
The driver's voice rang out, strained. "We're surrounded."
Kaelen's eyes opened fully.
"Rank eight and seven beasts," the driver continued. "Multiple signatures."
Kaelen rose smoothly, easing Kyle aside.
"It won't take long," he said quietly.
Outside, the forest had gone still.
Too still.
And somewhere beyond the trees, something was watching—waiting.