Chapter 2 - THE LOWEST RANKED HEAVENLY VESSEL

Morning arrived with pain.

Kael Ashwyn opened his eyes slowly, his body aching as if it had been crushed and reassembled. Every breath felt heavy 🌫️. His limbs were weak—weaker than yesterday.

"So this is Heaven's blessing…" he murmured bitterly 😐

Golden runes faintly shimmered beneath his skin ✨—beautiful, divine, absolute.

And oppressive.

They weren't empowering him.

They were restricting him 🔒.

Deep within his soul, something stirred.

Azrath Cain laughed softly.

😈

"They bound a king in silk chains and called it mercy."

Kael ignored the voice.

For now.

🏫 Celestial Trial Academy 🏫

Celestial Trial Academy was a place where talent decided worth.

Floating towers pierced the clouds ☁️

Angelic statues watched every step 👁️

The air itself rejected the weak.

Kael stood alone in the vast courtyard.

Around him, students gathered in proud groups—nobles, blessed heirs, elemental prodigies 🔥💧⚡

Their auras flared openly.

Kael's?

Nothing.

A glowing crystal floated above the platform—the Heavenly Appraisal Orb 🌟

One by one, students stepped forward.

"Rank B!"

"Rank A!"

"Rank S—Heaven's Chosen!" 😲✨

Cheers echoed.

Then—

Kael's name was called.

Laughter followed instantly 😂

"Isn't that the trash kid?"

"Heaven really has bad taste."

"He'll probably break the orb."

Kael walked forward calmly 🚶‍♂️

His heart was steady.

Not because he was confident—

But because he remembered standing before gods.

🔮 Heavenly Appraisal 🔮

The orb touched Kael's chest.

For a brief moment—

The world froze ❄️

Inside the orb, black and gold clashed violently ⚔️🔥✨

A shockwave rippled invisibly.

High above—

Angels frowned.

"What was that?"

"Just interference," another replied.

"Stabilize it."

The orb dimmed.

A result appeared.

Rank: F ❌

Heavenly Compatibility: Low

Threat Level: Negligible

Silence.

Then—

Roaring laughter 🤣🤣🤣

"F-Rank?!"

"That's worse than a civilian!"

"Heaven wasted a seal on THIS?"

Kael bowed his head politely.

"Thank you for the evaluation."

Inside—

Azrath Cain went silent.

😈

"…Interesting."

🩸 Humiliation 🩸

Later that day—

Kael was cornered behind the training halls.

Three senior students blocked his path 😏

One grabbed his collar.

"Listen, Heavenly trash," he sneered.

"You don't belong here."

Kael did not resist.

Because the moment he did—

someone would die.

A fist slammed into his stomach 💥

Another kicked him to the ground 🩸

Pain exploded.

Bones creaked.

But Kael didn't scream.

He endured.

The bullies froze.

"…Why isn't he crying?"

"…Why does he look calm?"

Kael slowly raised his eyes 👁️

For a split second—

Something ancient gazed back.

Cold. Vast. Dominant.

The bullies staggered back instinctively 😨

Then—

The feeling vanished.

Kael coughed and lowered his gaze again.

"S-sorry…" he whispered.

They scoffed and left.

But their hands were shaking.

🌑 The Sealed King 🌑

That night, Kael sat alone on the academy rooftop 🌌

Stars shone above.

He clenched his fist ✊

"I'm weak," he admitted quietly.

"This body… this seal… this life…"

Golden chains pulsed faintly on his chest ⛓️✨

Inside his soul—

Azrath Cain finally spoke.

😈

"You are not weak."

"You are contained."

Kael exhaled slowly.

"When do I get my power back?"

A pause.

Then—

"When Heaven makes its first mistake."

Far above—

A seraph opened its eyes 👁️✨

"The vessel remains harmless," it declared.

"Continue observation."

They did not see—

The seal had cracked.

Just slightly....

To be continued...