A Dangerous Invitation
A week after Kael's duel, the Royal Academy issued a surprise notice:
"Select students from each division will join an elite expedition into the Forbidden Ruins beneath the Western Mountain. This is not a test. This is a mission."
Everyone knew those ruins were off-limits.
Even professors avoided them.
But something had changed. Something was calling.
And Kael… could feel it too.
That same ancient pull.
The Teams Are Formed
The academy handpicked Kael and his Dorm E companions — again.
But this time, Selene volunteered to join them, shocking everyone.
"I'm interested in magical anomalies," she told the board."Besides... I want to study him."
And as if that wasn't enough, Iris Nightveil pulled some strings with the Shadows Guild and inserted herself into the mission.
Kael's harem now numbered five, and the tension between them had reached explosive levels.
"Why is she always standing next to you?" Lyra snapped at Iris.
"It's not my fault he smells divine," Iris replied.
"I will slit your wings in your sleep," Aeris growled.
Kael just kept walking, focused — though he'd be lying if he said it didn't amuse him.
The Forbidden Ruins
Deep in the Western Mountains, the expedition began.
Ancient obsidian pillars stood like teeth jutting from the earth.
Whispers echoed through the wind — speaking in a language only Kael could understand.
"God of Judgment… you have returned."
"You were sealed… you should not be here…"
Even Selene paused.
"You're hearing them too, aren't you?"
Kael nodded slowly.
"They're afraid of me."
And they should be.
The Awakening Trap
Inside the ruins, the walls were lined with murals — forgotten gods, wars that defied time, and one central figure always in shadow.
A god who shattered fate.
Zerion.
Him.
And suddenly—an explosion.
The group was separated.
Kael fell into a deeper layer of the ruins… alone.
Or so he thought.
Until a new presence emerged from the darkness.
A New Girl Appears – Seraphina, the Sealed Blade
She wore tattered divine armor, with long white hair glowing faintly under the moonlight seeping in from a crack above.
Eyes of molten silver locked on Kael.
"You… why are you wearing his face?"
Kael stood still. "Whose?"
"Zerion. The God of Embers. He broke me once… and sealed me here."
Her blade trembled with rage… and pain.
But when Kael stepped closer, her expression changed.
Recognition. Confusion. Longing.
She collapsed.
"I… was once his sword… his guardian… his first."
Another fragment had awakened.
And so had she.
Elsewhere: The Academy's Real Plan
In the shadows of the ruins, a masked professor whispered into a crystal orb.
"The Ember Prince is progressing too fast. We may need to eliminate him before the next fragment calls to him."
A hooded figure replied coldly:
"Do not interfere. The gods themselves are watching now. And he is not the only one awakening…"
Harem Update:
Zara – stays close, starts becoming more territorial
Aeris – dangerously loyal, sharpening blades even in sleep
Lyra – explosive temper, but secretly planning a confession
Selene – calculating everything; beginning to fall for his mind
Iris Nightveil – playing a long game, but her heart's slipping
Seraphina (NEW) – ancient weapon turned guardian goddess; awakening emotions thought long dead