Dawn came quietly.
The Draven Clan estate was already awake—servants moving with purpose, formations of guards lining the outer courtyard, banners bearing the black dragon sigil unfurling in the morning wind.
Kai stood at the edge of the teleportation platform.
One step away from fate.
Behind him—
"Trying to leave without saying goodbye?"
Kai turned.
Lilith Von Tal stood a few steps away, hands folded before her, crimson eyes warm but sharp. She wore travel robes today—not ceremonial, but practical.
"You didn't sleep," she observed.
Kai smiled faintly. "Neither did you."
She approached and placed something in his hand.
A jade pendant.
Warm.
"This belonged to my mother," Lilith said softly. "It shields the soul. Keep it close."
Kai closed his fingers around it.
In the original timeline, this pendant had shattered protecting him—along with her life.
"I will," he said.
She studied him carefully.
"You changed," Lilith said.
Not a question.
Kai hesitated, then nodded. "I won't lie to you."
Lilith smiled sadly. "Good. I raised you better than that."
She stepped closer and pulled him into an embrace.
Kai stiffened—then returned it.
Her arms were steady.
Alive.
For the first time since awakening, something in Kai's chest loosened.
"Come back," she whispered. "Not as a legend. Just… come back."
"I will," Kai said.
And meant it.
***
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
[WARNING: TEMPORAL DESYNCHRONIZATION INCREASING]
[GLITCH LEVEL: STAGE 2]
Kai's eyes flickered.
So it's getting worse.
[PASSIVE EFFECT APPLIED]Fate Resistance +15%
***
He stepped onto the platform.
Space twisted.
The Draven Clan vanished.
Heavenly Sword Academy
Kai emerged onto a vast stone plaza floating among clouds.
Sky bridges arched between mountain peaks. Towers pierced the heavens. Swords—thousands of them—hovered in the air, embedded into floating islands like monuments to forgotten wars.
Cultivators flooded the plaza.
Young geniuses. Noble heirs. Sect prodigies.
All hungry.
All arrogant.
Kai walked forward calmly.
Then—
He felt it.
A familiar, sickening pull.
He turned.
A girl in white stood near the registration gate.
Delicate features. Soft smile. Eyes brimming with gentle innocence.
Elara.
She was laughing lightly, surrounded by admirers.
And beside her—
A tall young man in azure robes, posture upright, gaze righteous.
Lian.
The protagonist.
Kai's golden eyes cooled instantly.
This was the moment.
The first chapter of the tragedy.
Elara's gaze drifted—and landed on Kai.
Her smile faltered.
Just for a heartbeat.
Then she smiled wider.
Pure. Warm. Harmless.
Kai returned it.
Cold. Polite. Empty.
***
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
[HIGH-PRIORITY DESTINY INTERFERENCE DETECTED]
[SUBJECT: ELARA — GREEN TEA HEROINE][SUBJECT: LIAN — DESTINED PROTAGONIST]
[NEW QUEST GENERATED]
[TASK 3: BREAK THE FIRST MISUNDERSTANDING][DETAILS: PREVENT INITIAL NARRATIVE BIAS FORMATION][TIME LIMIT: 24 HOURS]
[REWARD]+3,000 EXP+Skill: Narrative Disruption (Lv.1)
***
Kai exhaled slowly.
So it begins.
Elara approached, hands clasped innocently.
"Senior Brother Kai," she said sweetly, voice gentle."I didn't expect to see you here so early."
Lian's gaze sharpened slightly.
Kai inclined his head.
"Junior Sister Elara," he replied coolly.
No warmth.No obsession.No hunger.
Just distance.
Something flickered behind Elara's eyes.
Confusion.
Kai stepped past her.
Toward the academy gates.
Toward war.
Behind him, Lian frowned.
And Elara—
For the first time—
Felt uneasy.