The crater still smoked.
Rein dusted off his uniform while Eryndor stood at the center of the arena, the last wisps of Black Sun energy slowly fading into the morning light. People weren't just staring — they were frozen, like every student and elder had just witnessed history carve itself into the ground.
Headmistress Seraphine raised her hand once.
Silence.
Then her voice boomed across the arena, smooth but reverberating with authority:
"Let this be known to all of the God Academy…
Eryndor Nasarik has been chosen. A new God Candidate has awakened."
A wave of whispers exploded from the stands.
"Wait—Black Sun?"
"Isn't that a myth?"
"No… the sigil. He really— he really awakened to that."
"But that means—"
"Storm's pinnacle. Darkness's origin. Dual lineage…"
"He'll change everything."
Rein cracked his neck with a grin.
"Not bad, Ery. Not bad at all."
Eryndor couldn't help the smirk tugging at his lips. His whole body felt different — lighter, faster, sharper, like every nerve was tuned to the rhythm of the world itself.
Storm coursed through him.
Black Sun pulsed behind it.
Two powers, one heartbeat.
Darius approached slowly, still pale. Darkness flickered around him, swirling like living shadows that recognized him but bowed to Eryndor.
"You… alright?" Eryndor asked.
Darius shook his head, then nodded.
"That was… insane. I saw a sun. A black sun. And then— darkness swallowed me."
He took a breath.
"And somehow… I knew it wasn't meant to kill me. Just show me where I stand."
Kaelus, usually loud and fearless, was still visibly shaken.
"Bro. I don't know what that was, but I'm never touching your energy again."
Eryndor chuckled. "Fair."
Rein rested his hand on Eryndor's shoulder.
"You'll need to stabilize that new power. It'll be wild for a while."
Eryndor nodded, the storm humming under his skin.
Seraphine floated down from the elders' platform, robes flowing like starlight, eyes shimmering with ancient wisdom.
"Eryndor Nasarik," she said, stopping before him. "After today… you are no longer simply a prodigy."
Her eyes glowed faintly violet.
"You represent the return of a forgotten Dominion."
Her voice lowered — almost reverent.
"The Black Sun has not chosen a successor in over a thousand years."
Every student around them gasped.
Storm winds rose around Eryndor on instinct.
Seraphine continued:
"You will be monitored, trained, and guided. The academy cannot afford to mishandle an awakening of this scale."
Rein smirked at him.
"Told you. You're big news now."
Eryndor inhaled slowly.
This wasn't just a power.
It was a responsibility — and a target.
Rein stepped forward again, clenching his fists.
"Listen," he said quietly, so only Eryndor could hear, "that last punch? That crater?"
His grin sharpened.
"That was only ten percent of your new output."
Eryndor's eye twitched. "…Ten?"
Rein snorted.
"Congrats. You just made it big."
As the crowds dispersed, the atmosphere still trembled with rumors and awe.
Upper-class students whispered with fear.
Middle-class murmured with excitement.
Outer-class bowed their heads, unsure whether to worship or run.
People didn't know what a Black Sun candidate meant.
But they knew it meant change.
Big change.
Kaelus and Darius walked beside Eryndor as they left the arena. Darius, still shaken, looked at him with awe instead of their usual brotherly rivalry.
"Eryndor…" Darius muttered, "Whatever you become… just don't leave us behind."
Eryndor stopped.
He placed a hand on Darius' shoulder.
"Never."
Far above the academy, hidden in the folds of the sky itself, a figure watched them through rippling space.
A tall silhouette.
Robed.
Eyes shining like liquid silver.
A smile playing on their lips.
"The Black Sun awakens… and yet he has no idea what he's stepping into."
The figure turned their gaze toward the horizon.
"And neither does Noxis."
IN THE FAR REALM OF NOXIS
Back in the floating courtyard, the two ancient elders who had been playing Go earlier watched the board with renewed interest.
One elder set a white stone.
"The storm boy grows too well."
The other placed a black stone, lips curling.
"Storm? No. Not anymore."
He tapped the board softly.
"He is now the harbinger of the Black Sun.
A force even the gods once feared."
The wind rustled.
Space trembled.
Pieces on the board shifted without touch.
The elder smiled.
"And this… is only the beginning."