The Tournament Grounds
The Royal Arcane Academy's campus had been transformed.
A floating coliseum — constructed entirely of elemental stone and divine runes — hovered above the city, crackling with enchantments.
Thousands of spectators from every kingdom had gathered. Nobles, adventurers, gods-in-disguise, and even monsters cloaked in human form.
The stakes were beyond fame.
The winner's team would receive a Divine Relic — once worn by a forgotten Archangel.
A hush fell as the opening announcer's voice echoed through the sky:
"Let the Tournament of Ten Thousand Stars begin!"
Team Kael Enters
Wearing his signature black cloak with the obsidian phoenix sigil, Kael led his team onto the glowing battlefield platform.
At his side:
Zara – Fireblade Duelist, crackling with crimson aura.
Rayna – Lightning Tempest Mage, smirking and eager to fight.
Mira – Illusion Assassin, already invisible to half the crowd.
Selene – Oracle of Light and Truth, her presence commanding silence.
Lyria – Silent Sniper, her floating arrows hovering around her like stars.
Kael stood between them, hand on the hilt of his blade, eyes half-closed.
The crowd went silent.
And then…
They roared.
"The powerless prince!""The fallen god!""Is that… the Oracle?!"
The crowd didn't know whether to cheer or pray.
First Round: Team vs Team – Sudden Twist
Kael's team was set to face the Drakonhelm Elite — descendants of an ancient draconic bloodline.
But just before the match started, a change was announced.
"By Divine Order, a substitution has been made."
A lone girl walked into the arena.
Long dark violet hair. Silver eyes. She wore no armor — just light robes — and carried no visible weapon.
Her presence made even Kael's team stiffen.
Selene whispered, eyes narrowing:
"That's… Seraphina of the Void. The Saint of Shadows."
"A living Void-touched…"
Zara drew her blade.
"She's not a normal fighter. She's a test."
Kael vs. Seraphina
The round began — and Seraphina vanished.
Not with magic.
With absence.
Kael's instincts screamed — not of danger — but familiarity.
"So the Council is already moving their pieces…"
She reappeared behind him, palm pressed toward his heart.
"Fall, Forgotten One."
But Kael smiled calmly.
"You first."
He caught her hand — and in that split second, time slowed.
A ripple passed through both of them.
Their mana collided — not in destruction, but resonance.
Her eyes widened.
"You're… the reason my world shattered."
Kael stepped forward, gently pushing her away instead of striking.
"And you're the girl who prayed for freedom inside the Void."
Her Awakening
Seraphina staggered, trembling.
The divine seed inside her — planted by the Council to destroy Kael — cracked.
And from it, memories returned.
She had once been a mortal girl, sacrificed to become a divine weapon. But in her final moments, she had screamed into the abyss:
"I don't want to be a tool… I want to be someone."
And the only voice that answered?
Was Kael's.
Thousands of years ago… before his fall.
Now, she remembered.
"You heard me... when no god would."
She dropped to one knee.
"Kill me… or save me again."
Kael extended his hand.
"No more chains. Walk beside me. As yourself."
The Crowd Loses It
Confused, awed, and stunned — no one understood what happened.
The official declared Team Kael the winners by forfeiture.
And Seraphina… stood beside him as his seventh companion.
"Seraphina of the Void" has joined your party.
In the Shadows – The Council Watches
The High Lord growled.
"He turns weapons into allies."
A younger god scoffed.
"The mortals chant his name now. He's becoming more than a threat."
But the Moon Goddess whispered, half-smiling:
"Or perhaps… he's becoming the answer we tried to bury."
Kael's Chambers That Night
Zara paced.
Mira sipped tea.
Seraphina sat alone, quietly watching stars.
Kael stared at the map of upcoming matches.
"They'll send stronger ones next."
Selene placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Then we'll become stronger, too."
And from the corner, Seraphina whispered:
"When we reach the final round… the Relic won't be the only prize."
Kael looked over.
"Then what will?"
She turned to him, eyes filled with stars.
"The key to your divine memory."