Chapter 32: The Sealing Grounds Awaken
The battlefield quaked as Ren landed, Nullfang humming with unstable energy at his side.
All around him, students from House Ardent, Veylor, and the minor factions clashed in a chaotic, swirling melee. Shouts, spells, and the clash of steel drowned the air.
Above it all, banners bearing each House's sigil flapped — some already torn, some burning.
Ren's senses sharpened, guided by the Codex Nullum. He could feel the shifting tides of power — hidden enchantments, lingering traps, and something darker pulsing beneath the earth itself.
The Sealing Grounds... are waking up.
[System Notice]
Warning: Unstable Domain Detected.
Latent Sealed Entities stirring. Activation threshold: 68%.
Ren narrowed his eyes. If the Grounds fully awakened, it wouldn't just be a student brawl anymore — it would become a bloodbath.
A sudden explosion rocked the field.
From the east side, a figure burst through the smoke — Kael Veylor, armor glinting with cursed gold runes, a vicious grin on his face.
Behind him, members of House Veylor charged with synchronized precision, forcing rival Houses back.
Kael pointed his greatsword directly at Ren.
"Found you, rat," he snarled. "Time to end your little fairytale."
The surrounding students parted instinctively, creating a dueling ring around them.
Ren exhaled slowly.
He wasn't afraid.
Not anymore.
Meanwhile…
From the distant ridge overlooking the battlefield, Selvara Solmere watched everything unfold, hidden by her House's stealth spells.
At her side floated a strange device — a black orb inscribed with ancient Voidglyphs.
Selvara whispered into it.
"The Codex Holder has engaged Kael. Proceed with Phase Two."
The orb pulsed once, then vanished into mist.
Selvara's crimson eyes narrowed.
"If the Sealing Grounds open now," she murmured, "not even the gods will be able to predict what crawls out."
Back on the Field
Kael charged, a vortex of dark flames surrounding his blade.
Ren moved.
Faster than any student present could track — even faster than the teachers watching from the shadows.
In a single flash, Ren clashed against Kael, their weapons sending shockwaves across the field.
Nullfang snarled — absorbing and warping the cursed flames around Kael's weapon.
The crowd gasped.
This wasn't an even fight.
Kael was strong — but Ren was something else entirely.
The Sealing Grounds themselves seemed to respond to Ren's presence, rumbling louder with each heartbeat.
Underground, ancient seals cracked.
And something older than any House or Headmaster stirred, hungry and free for the first time in centuries.