The classroom buzzed with tension.
On the 21st day of the cycle, the Veinwalker Combat Academy resumed as it always did—students seated in rows, Echo energy humming through the air like static, runes etched into the classroom walls softly pulsing with color.
But something felt off today.
No one said it aloud, but everyone felt it.
Something shifted.
"Quiet down."
The door slid open, and Sensei Shun Asamaru entered—his long coat swaying behind him, the Echo-inscribed blade at his hip clinking faintly with every step.
His single visible eye scanned the room. The other was hidden beneath a faintly glowing seal-mark.
He stopped near the center row.
And sighed.
"Kaen Suro."
All eyes turned toward the back corner.
There, slumped with one leg propped on his desk, his black hair messy and eyes half-lidded in quiet defiance, sat Kaen—the outcast.
Cursed.
Feared.
Flame-born and Shade-marked.
"Kaen," Shun said again, sharper now. "If you still can't control your Echo Arts… you'll be dropped from this year's program."
The class murmured.
Some smirked.
Some looked away.
But Kaen?
He didn't move.
Didn't even blink.
Only his fingers twitched slightly his Echo barely sparking before it sputtered out again.
On the other side of the room, unnoticed, Khael Corzedar leaned against the wall near the back.
Silent.
Watching.
Here it is.
The first panel of Chapter 1. Word for word.
And soon… the incident will happen. The first Voidborn breach. The moment Kaen awakens.
Khael's eyes narrowed. His hand tightened slightly around the edge of his sleeve.
But today… there's a second variable in the room.
Me.
"Kaen!" Shun barked, Echo flaring in his voice. "Respond."
Kaen finally sat up fully, his sharp crimson eyes meeting his teacher's.
"...Not like I asked for this damn curse."
There it was.
Those were his first real words in the manga.
Shun's expression hardened, but he didn't push further.
He turned to the class.
"All of you are expected to demonstrate your Echo Affinity by this week's practical. Those who cannot activate Echo Arts with stability will be held back—or expelled. You've all had three years. No more excuses."
He looked again at Kaen.
And for a split second—
His eyes flickered with something like worry.
Because he knows what's sealed inside Kaen,
And even he doesn't fully understand it.
The bell rang shortly after.
Classes began.
Whispers followed Kaen as he left the room.
But in the back of the class… Khael remained still, quiet, unreadable.
It's starting.
Voidborn will breach the outer Vein Tower tonight.
Kaen's teacher will fall. Kaen will awaken the Shade by instinct. And the school will cover it all up.
Just like in the manga.
But this time…
He wouldn't be alone.
..
Meanwhile The hallway fell into a hush as Kaen walked past.
No one moved to greet him. No one dared speak directly.
But their eyes—those were louder than words.
Cold. Judging. Disgusted.
Like he wasn't just cursed.
Like he was contagious.
A mistake walking among them.
Kaen stopped.
He looked up, his crimson eyes sharp beneath his messy bangs. His jaw clenched.
"What?" he growled, loud enough for the crowd to hear.
"Am I that disgusting to look at, huh?"
No one answered.
Only silence and sideways glances.
Kaen's fists trembled.
He turned, defiant.
"Just you wait… I'll become a respected Eclipse Vanguard. I'll outrank all of you one day."
Laughter broke the air.
A slow, smug voice followed.
"You?"
Kaen turned toward the sound.
Leaning casually against the wall, arms folded, was Andromeda Ban—a top-ranked student from a noble house. Polished boots. White gloves. His signature Echo sigil glowing faintly on his collar.
At his side stood his bonded Echo Beast: a lean, dark-furred canine with glimmering fangs and one crimson eye.
Junjun.
The beast growled low, its tail wagging not in excitement, but in challenge.
Ban smirked.
"You can't even beat my dog, Kaen."
"And you want to be a Vanguard?"
The students chuckled under their breath.
Kaen's eyes flared with anger.
"Tch… Bring it on, you mutt."
Junjun snarled and Ban didn't even give a verbal command.
Just a snap of his fingers.
The Echo Beast lunged.
Kaen dodged just in time.
Junjun's fangs snapped inches from his throat.
Kaen rolled, kicking off the wall, barely summoning a flicker of flame at his fingertips—only for it to sputter and vanish mid-air.
The crowd laughed louder.
Kaen staggered back, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Laugh all you want…"
He stood straighter, eyes burning with defiance.
"Just you wait, I'll be—"
"Blah, blah, blah…" Ban cut in, mocking his voice with a yawn as he stepped forward.
"You can't even do shit."
The hallway parted for him like a royal procession. His polished boots echoed as he closed the gap between them.
"How about this?" Ban grinned, smug as ever. "I'll become a Vanguard... for your sake."
He chuckled.
"Carry your dreams for you. Sound good?"
A few students clapped sarcastically.
Others just whispered:
"He's going to get wrecked again…"
"Why's he even still here?"
"Just drop out already."
High on the balcony stairs, Rael Eluron—cool, composed, watched for a second.
Then scoffed.
"Pathetic loser."
And walked away without another glance.
Back in the hallway, Kaen's eyes locked on Ban's.
There was blood in his mouth.
There was fury in his heart.
But more than anything—
There was conviction.
"Fuck you," Kaen growled.
"I'll be the one to do it—on my own."
Ban laughed.
"You think you can do it?"
Kaen stepped forward.
No Echo. No flame.
Only will.
"Going back on my word… is not my motto, da!!"
Ban's smirk disappeared.
His eyes narrowed.
"Huh. Really?"
He snapped his fingers.
"Jun-jun!!"
The Echo Beast lunged.
Jaws wide. Fangs glinting.
Kaen flinched but didn't close his eyes.
A sudden gust slammed the beast to the side.
Not enough to hurt it.
Just enough to stop it.
"Oops."
A calm voice broke the tension.
"Wind's a little wild today, huh?"
Everyone turned.
Standing just behind Junjun, arm still half-raised, was a boy no one had noticed.
Khael Corzedar.
Casual posture.
Eyes unreadable.
The breeze around him still circling his fingers.
Ban's eyes narrowed.
"What?! Who are you?"
Khael stepped forward, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve.
"Relax."
"We wouldn't want the teachers to find out about this, would we?"
The crowd went silent.
Ban's jaw tightened.
Junjun growled but stepped back.
Kaen turned toward Khael, confused but said nothing.
Khael just offered a small shrug.
"He was going to bite you. My wind doesn't like biting."
Ban said with annoyance "Tsk, let's go Junjun."
As he walked to leave, afraid of being caught by teachers.
Then the crowd slowly started to disperse.
Whispers trailing like smoke.
Footsteps fading.
And Kaen…
Kaen just stood there.
The fire still locked inside him burned low, deep, unreachable.
He stared after Ban, fists still clenched.
Then he felt a presence.
Not threatening. Just… steady.
Right in front of him.
Khael Corzedar.
Hands in his pockets.
Wind tugging lightly at his coat.
He looked calm but not indifferent.
He extended a hand.
"Are you okay?"
Kaen blinked, surprised.
For a moment, he just stared at the outstretched hand. No one had ever offered him one before.
Not like this.
"Why did you help me?" Kaen asked, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Khael tilted his head.
Then smiled faintly—dry, tired, but not unkind.
"Well…" he shrugged, "I just don't like that bastard."
Kaen blinked.
Then snorted.
It wasn't a laugh.
But it wasn't anger either.
Just the beginning of something.
He didn't take the hand.
But he didn't walk away either.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The air between them was quiet but not empty.
Just filled with two boys who didn't yet know what they'd become.
One cursed by fate.
The other trying to outrun it.
Kaen exhaled, slowly.
Then looked up at the stranger who'd stopped a beast with a breeze.
"WAIT You look familiar...Did I prank you before?…What's your name again?"
Khael blinked.
Then offered a small nod.
"Khael."
Kaen didn't smile.
But something in his eyes shifted like a window cracked open.
He looked forward.
"I won't forget your help, Khael."
Khael said nothing at first.
Just gave a quiet glance toward the horizon.
The sun was beginning to set.
And in the distant sky…
something was stirring.
You won't have to,
Khael thought.
Because from tonight on… nothing will ever be the same.
To be continue