(Kael, Age 13 — The Village Square)
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I. The Gathering
The village square had never been this full.
Lanterns swayed overhead, casting warm patterns across a crowd of more than a hundred villagers. Children perched on crates, elders leaned on walking staffs, and parents murmured anxiously as the midday breeze carried the scent of cedar and anticipation.
The National Source Exam was a rite of passage—one that could shape a young person's entire future.
Kael stood among the thirteen-year-olds at the center of the plaza. Valdyros—currently the size of a large dog—was perched smugly on his shoulder, tail flicking in satisfaction as villagers stared.
Eiran stood behind Kael with arms crossed, exuding the calm-but-tense aura of a teacher who fully expected brilliance… or catastrophe… possibly both.
Mira and Taren stood at the front:
Mira already teary-eyed
Taren giving Kael a firm, warrior's nod
And to Kael's left—
Lyria Saren, hair braided with gold thread in the Elyndrian tradition, looking like spring breathed into human form.
To his right—
A stillness.A presence.A rival.
Serin Vail.
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II. Serin Vail — The Polished Noble
Serin stepped forward with the effortless grace of a boy raised in noble courts. His posture was immaculate, his tunic crisp white trimmed in navy, his practice blade perfectly balanced at his hip.
The crowd buzzed.
"That's the Vail heir.""He awakened his Body Gate at eleven!""He's the favorite for Arclight—youngest in decades!"
Serin's gaze slid toward Kael—cool, refined, assessing.
He offered a composed bow."Kael Varos. Welcome back."
Kael returned the nod."Serin."
Their eyes met.
For a heartbeat, the air shifted—not with hostility,not with magic,but with the sharp instinct of two predators registering each other.
Lyria's eyes darted nervously between them.
Fantastic, she thought. Two geniuses staring each other down. What could go wrong?
Valdyros yawned loudly, unimpressed.
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III. The Examiner Arrives
A royal examiner stepped forward—a stern man with a braided beard and a staff tipped with emerald crystal. He struck the butt of the staff against the ground.
"Examinees," he called, voice amplified through the crystal, "prepare for gate evaluation!"
Behind him, two towering stone monoliths ignited with runic light.
The Arclight Monolith — Body & MindThe Eclipsal Monolith — Soul & Mind
Each youth would touch both.Whichever responded strongest would determine their academy sect.
Valdyros's voice crackled in Kael's mind:
« Remember: Body and Mind only. Your Soul Gate must remain sleeping. »
Kael breathed carefully.
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IV. The Rival Takes the Stage
"Serin Vail," the examiner announced. "Step forward."
Serin walked toward the monolith with perfect form.
He placed his palm on the Arclight stone.
WHOOM—
Gold runes ignited from base to peak in rapid succession—clean, bright, layered with power.
The crowd gasped.
"That's high-tier!""Better than his father at that age!""A prodigy!"
Serin's expression remained composed, but pride glimmered in his eyes.
"Proceed to the Eclipsal Monolith."
Serin touched the second stone.
A sharp silver glow raced across its surface.
A strong Mind Gate.
As expected of a noble heir.
The crowd applauded.Lyria clapped politely.Kael clapped sincerely.Valdyros clapped with his tail.
Eiran clapped with the flat expression of a man irritated to be impressed.
Serin stepped back beside Kael, chin lifted.
"Try not to falter," he murmured—not cruelly, simply competitive.
Kael smirked faintly."No promises."
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V. Lyria Steps Forward
"Lyria Saren," the examiner called.
Lyria swallowed hard and stepped forward.
She touched the Arclight stone—a warm gold glow.
Then the Eclipsal stone—a brighter silver wave.
"Dual compatibility," the examiner announced, pleasantly surprised. "Very balanced talent."
Kael's smile widened.
Serin watched her longer than he meant to—then quickly looked away when she noticed.
She pretended not to see the blush.
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VI. Kael Varos — The Storm in Disguise
"Kael Varos!"
The entire square fell silent.
Kael breathed deep.Valdyros hopped down beside him.Eiran tightened his stance.Mira clutched Taren's arm.Lyria held her breath.
And behind the crowd—A cloaked figure watched with unsettling stillness.
Kael stepped forward.
Valdyros murmured in his mind:
« Control. Only two gates. No storms. No lightning. No Soul resonance. »
Kael placed his hand on the Arclight Monolith.
A steady, disciplined gold pulse.
Strong. Clean. Controlled.
The examiner nodded."Very commendable Body Gate strength."
Serin's eyes narrowed slightly.
Kael moved to the Eclipsal Monolith.
Placed his hand.
A bright wave of silver rippled across it—sharper and clearer than most adults could produce.
"Impressive Mind Gate clarity," the examiner said. "Rare focus for your age."
Lyria grinned.Serin's jaw tightened.Taren puffed with pride.Mira cried again.
Kael stepped back—
Everything seemed fine—
Then the monolith flickered.
Just once.
A ghost-pulse.White-blue.Silent.Subtle.
But unmistakably Soul-aligned.
No one saw it except:
Valdyros
Eiran
Serin
And the cloaked observer
Valdyros hissed in Kael's mind:
« Careful! Your Soul Gate is pushing through. Restrain it! »
Kael forced the energy down—and the monolith quieted.
But Serin stared, a bead of sweat forming at his temple.
What was that?Body and Mind can't produce that kind of surge…
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VII. The Cloaked Watcher
Under the shade of an elder tree, a cloaked figure lifted a small obsidian crystal swirling with shadow.
He whispered into it:
"My Lord… the report is ready."
A distorted voice crackled from the crystal—cold and commanding.
"Speak."
"We have found two prodigies in Elyndria."
A long pause.
"Two?"
"Yes. One noble-born with high-tier compatibility… and one boy with anomalous Source potential."
The voice sharpened.
"Names."
"Serin Vail… and Kael Varos."
A chill crept through the air.
"Continue observation. Do not engage. This… changes the plan."
The crystal dimmed.
The figure slipped back into the crowd and vanished.
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VIII. New Standards
The examiner lifted his staff.
"Results are final!"
Serin was placed at the top of the Arclight candidates.Kael placed directly beneath him.
But Serin knew.He knew the ranking meant nothing.There was something in Kael—something vast and dangerous—breathing beneath the surface.
Lyria bounced up, eyes shining.
"You were amazing!"
Kael smiled. "You too."
Valdyros strutted proudly, chest puffed.Eiran exhaled with relief that nothing blew up.Taren ruffled Kael's hair.Mira wiped fresh tears.
Serin approached Kael with measured dignity.
"Congratulations," he said. "It seems we'll train together."
Kael smiled lightly."Let's both reach the top."
Serin's eyes glinted—equal parts respect and challenge.
"Oh," he said softly. "I intend to."
Their rivalry settled like steel drawn in quiet agreement.
Two prodigies.Two rising stars.Two paths on a collision course.
And beneath the kingdom—in the dark where the Soul Source whispered—
something ancient turned its gaze toward Elyndria.