Marie set a bowl of warm water on the bedside table, her expression heavy. "Young master…"
Her mind slipped back to the grand hall.
After Heitr had released his bloodlust, his voice cut through the silence. "Marie," he called, turning toward the door, "take Saron to the infirmary."
When she pushed the doors open, she found Saron collapsed on the floor.
"Young master!" she gasped, rushing to him. "Why is he like this?"
"Just a father teaching his youngest some manners." Heitr replied calmly, eyes never leaving Saron's limp form.
A faint groan pulled her back to the present.
"Ugh…"
"Young master!" Marie cried, throwing her arms around him the instant he stirred. "Don't scare me like that again!"
"Marie!" Saron wheezed, struggling under her grip, "you're choking me."
She released him in a panic, fussing over him as he adjusted himself upright. Once she finally settled down, Saron's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his face darkening.
"Father…he remembers everything…"
On the continent of Astrea, five ruling families governed the land.
The Tempest family, masters of Arcana, shaped constructs faster than any other. Swift, deadly casters.
The Veylor family, also wielders of Arcana, used their craft to engineer marvels across the continent, earning the title Architects.
The Duvall family forged their bodies and wills into weapons, channeling Essentia with monstrous strength.
The Solomon family were… unusual. Despite their name, religion was irrelevant to them. They believed Divinitas was one's truth.
And finally, the Alexandros family, strongest of them all. The only family known to possess mastery over all three forms of Numa…and the only one with children of different races.
All five families sent their heirs to Initium Academy, a place built to sharpen strength, expand influence, and forge the next generation.
Saron would spend the next four years there.
"Finally, it's time for me to leave." Saron muttered as he slipped on his jacket.
He opened the door and saw Mael and Rain waiting.
"Brothers," Saron said with a smirk, crossing his arms, "shouldn't you be in your carriage heading to the academy?"
"We…" Mael began.
"…decided to wait for you, brother." Rain finished.
Saron walked forward and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Well then," he said, "let's go."
Hours later, in the quiet of the carriage, Saron's thoughts drifted back to the moment he'd returned to his room after leaving the infirmary.
"System… what exactly are you?"
[ I AM THE HEAVENLY AWAKENING SYSTEM, HOST. ]
"Thats not what I–why me? Why was I chosen?"
[ THAT IS SOMETHING I CANNOT ANSWER, HOST. ]
Saron froze. "Why? Is there something I need to do first?"
[ YOU MUST COMPLETE QUESTS AND LOCATE LOGIN LOCATIONS. ]
"Quests?" he echoed. "What are those?"
[ QUESTS APPEAR ONLY WHEN THE SYSTEM JUDGES THE HOST CAPABLE OF COMPLETING THEM. ]
"Then can you find more login locations?"
[ YES. HOWEVER, THE HOST MUST SPECIFY THE AREA. ]
"Why?"
[ DISPLAYING ALL POSSIBLE LOCATIONS WOULD CAUSE INFORMATION OVERLOAD, FRYING YOUR BRAIN IN THE PROCESS. ]
Saron swallowed hard. "…Alright. In that case, search for login locations within Initium Academy."
[ SEARCHING… ]
[ FOUND LOGIN LOCATION. ]
[ INITIUM ACADEMY TRAINING HALL. ]
"Young master," the coachman called, snapping Saron out of his thoughts, "we've arrived."
Saron stepped out of the carriage, staring up at the towering structures of the academy.
"This place…" he murmured, taking a steadying breath, "will be my home for the next four years."