Imperial Martial Academy – Infirmary Wing, Dawn
Ashen opened his eyes to blinding sunlight through cracked paper windows. His body ached. Bandages covered his chest and shoulders, but the pain was manageable.
More importantly—he was alive.
"You lasted longer than any record," a voice murmured nearby.
Ashen turned his head slowly.
Selene Veyrin leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, but her usual smirk was absent. Her expression was unreadable.
"They're calling you 'Crownless Ghost' in the inner courts now. Rumors spread fast."
Ashen looked back at the ceiling. "Let them talk."
She hesitated. "You don't get it, do you?"
"You're not just rising ranks anymore. You're attracting attention."
Moments Later – Main Courtyard
Ashen stepped out of the infirmary and was met with silence.
Students who once ignored him now stepped aside.
A few whispered. Some scoffed.
But one thing was clear: They no longer saw him as trash.
Unfortunately… someone else had been watching, too.
Training Arena – Later That Day
A formal scroll arrived, stamped with the black insignia of the Warden's Circle.
Combat Challenge Issued:
Challenger: Warden Rygar Hollowclaw
Rank: Peak Iron Root
Objective: Survive three exchanges
Selene narrowed her eyes.
"They sent Rygar? He's not a student. He's one of the academy's internal enforcers. They only use him to silence threats."
Ashen tied his wrist wraps. "Then they must think I'm dangerous."
"No," Selene said flatly. "They're testing if you're worth killing."
The Arena – Crowded, Dusty, and Deadly
Students filled the stands.
Rygar Hollowclaw walked into the ring, tall and slow like a bear that had learned patience. His iron-plated fists crackled with martial energy.
"Ashen Vale," he said, voice like gravel.
"You're rising too fast. Time to humble the ghost."
Ashen stepped into the ring with no weapon, no armor—just his worn boots and fire behind his eyes.
System Notification:
Warning: Opponent possesses tiered suppressive aura
Activating Passive: Bloodline Echo – Mental suppression reduced
Martial Rank: Peak Stone Root
Estimated Danger: High
Rygar struck like a landslide.
The first punch was wide, meant to shatter bones.
Ashen dodged just barely, the ground behind him splitting from the force.
He darted in, channeling inner flow—
Lion's Breath Strike – Sealed (Resonance Triggered)
"Let the heir roar not with crown, but with heart."
Ashen's fist glowed faintly golden as his strike connected with Rygar's ribs.
CRACK.
The enforcer stumbled.
The crowd gasped.
Even Rygar looked surprised.
"What… kind of power was that?"
Ashen stood firm, chest heaving.
"The kind that doesn't need a throne to stand."
Rygar growled and rushed for the final strike—
But Ashen bent low, dropping into a rare southern stance from the ancient manual.
"Manual Form 3: Cradle of Collapse."
His leg swept Rygar clean off his feet.
THUD.
Dust clouded the air as Rygar crashed onto his back.
Three strikes. Match over.
System Update:
Trial Passed: Academy Enforcement Combat Challenge
Bonus Unlocked: Partial Seal Lifted – Lion's Breath Strike Now Available (Lv.1)
Respect Gained: Inner Disciples (+45)
Fear Gained: Warden's Circle (+30)
Notoriety Increased: "Kingkiller's Shadow"
As Ashen walked out of the arena, Selene appeared beside him.
"You know this won't stop. The higher you rise, the harder they'll push you."
Ashen didn't look at her.
"Then let them push."
Elsewhere – Hidden Fortress, Unknown Location
A cloaked figure knelt before a shadowed throne of stone.
"The heir is active, my lord. The Worldbreaker lives."
The shadow stood.
"Then summon the others. Let the hunt begin again."