Aren didn't celebrate.
He didn't even look at the crowd.
He simply walked out of the arena while whispers, gasps, and frantic speculation swirled behind him like a rising storm.
Kale remained kneeling on the cracked floor, fists trembling, humiliation burning in his eyes.
Aren didn't look back.
But Kale's voice followed him, low and shaking:
"This isn't over…"
The words carried more hatred than threat.
Aren kept walking.
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The reactions spread instantly.
By the time Aren reached the end of the corridor, Elite students had already swarmed the area outside the arena.
"He beat an S-rank. Cleanly."
"He disabled Kale's aura—AGAIN."
"That technique… what was that?"
"Is he even human?"
"No wonder the Council is watching him…"
Aren passed them without acknowledging any of it.
But every step he took was followed by stares.
Fear.
Awe.
Curiosity.
Suspicion.
He could feel it all.
And beneath it all — the faint heartbeat of the dragon far below the city, pulsing like a slow drum.
Watching. Waiting. Wanting.
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Kane intercepted Aren outside the training wing.
"Walk with me," he said quietly.
Aren followed.
They reached a quiet balcony overlooking the inner courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the mana barriers, painting the stone in pale blue.
Kane exhaled heavily.
"You shouldn't have won."
Aren blinked. "…What?"
"I mean you shouldn't have been able to win so easily." Kane leaned on the railing. "Kale is not weak. His S-rank talent alone should make him nearly untouchable among students."
Aren didn't respond.
He wasn't sure what to say.
Kane continued:
"Disabling someone's aura flow isn't something you learn. It's something only high-tier spatial users or ancient-type professions can do." Kane looked at him. "You shouldn't know it. Yet you do."
Aren lowered his gaze.
His fingers brushed the bowstring, feeling the faint pulse of void energy beneath his skin.
He didn't understand it either.
Kane straightened.
"The Headmaster wants to see you."
Aren felt tension coil in his chest.
"When?"
"Now."
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
The Headmaster's office was located atop the highest tower of the Academy — reserved for only the most critical matters.
Aren entered to find Rellin waiting behind her desk, Council seals floating beside her like silent judges.
She gestured to the chair in front of her.
"Sit."
Aren sat.
Rellin folded her hands.
"Your duel with Kale… has created far more attention than we wanted."
Aren frowned. "I didn't mean—"
"I know," she cut in. "But intent doesn't matter. Results do."
She projected a holographic display of city reports.
'S-Rank Elite Overwhelmed in Duel'
'Unique Profession Demonstrates Spatial Disruption Ability'
'Forbidden Tier Awakening Confirmed Stronger Than Expected'
Aren felt a chill.
Rellin continued:
"The Council has raised your surveillance from Amber to Amber-Prime."
She looked directly at him. "You are now considered a critical anomaly."
Aren's jaw tightened.
"Is that why I'm here?"
"No." Her expression darkened. "You're here because what happened after the duel was… unusual."
Aren stiffened.
"What do you mean?"
Rellin tapped her desk.
A new image appeared.
Mana scanners picking up an underground spike — again.
Directly beneath the arena.
Directly beneath Aren.
Rellin leaned forward.
"This is the third spike in less than 48 hours. Each stronger than the last."
Aren swallowed.
"You think I'm causing them?"
Rellin didn't answer.
Instead, she asked:
"Aren. Have you been hearing anything unusual?"
A beat of silence.
Aren forced himself to remain calm.
"No."
Rellin watched him closely — too closely.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You are either lying… or you truly have no idea what you are connected to."
Before Aren could reply—
BOOOOM—
The entire tower shook.
Kane burst through the door.
"Headmaster! A demon wave just hit the north wall — twice as strong as projected!"
Rellin shot to her feet.
"Mobilize all Elite units!"
Kane nodded and sprinted out.
Rellin turned to Aren.
"You will join them."
Aren stood.
"No void techniques beyond E+ level," she warned. "We still don't understand the consequences."
He nodded.
A soldier rushed in and handed Rellin a fresh report.
The Headmaster froze as she read it.
Her face went pale.
"…No."
Aren tensed. "What happened?"
Rellin looked at him, eyes sharp with fear.
"One of the demons in the wave… had violet eyes."
Aren's heart stopped.
Kane reappeared at the door, breathless.
"Headmaster — the demon spoke."
Aren whispered, "What did it say?"
Kane swallowed.
"It said…
'Void-bearer… come.'"
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Deep beneath the city, the dragon lifted its head.
Chains cracked.
Its voice echoed through ancient stone.
"Come to me, Aren.
The world calls you weapon…
but I call you heir."