Three Days After Evelyne's Arrival – Royal Academy Assembly Hall
The grand assembly hall was packed with students and teachers alike.
Banners from all five major kingdoms hung overhead, fluttering with enchanted light.
Suddenly, Headmaster Velkarth appeared, his voice booming through the chamber, no amplification needed.
"By decree of the Arkanis Council and the Continental Alliance—this year's Inter-Kingdom Tournament… will begin in one month."
Gasps echoed.
This was no ordinary event. The Inter-Kingdom Tournament hadn't happened in twenty years. It was a battleground of elites. The victor would earn not just fame but the right to study forbidden magics and inherit ancient relics of the gods.
"Every academy across the continent may send a team of seven."
Kael blinked.
Seven.
And every eye in the room turned toward him.
The Royal Selection Room – Later That Day
Kael stood in a private council chamber with the headmaster, instructors, nobles—and, of course, his harem.
Instructor Gael: "Kael. Whether you like it or not, the academy wants you to lead our team."
Kael: "Why?"
Headmaster Velkarth: "Because, frankly… no one else terrifies our enemies quite like you."
Kael sighed. "And if I say no?"
Zara stepped forward. "Then I'll go. With or without permission."
Mira smirked. "Same."
Rayna: "I refuse to let some other brat claim our win."
Evelyne, calmly brushing her silver hair back: "You'll need someone to manipulate time. I'll go too."
Kael facepalmed. "So I have no choice, huh?"
Selene: "You never did."
The Seven Are Chosen
Kael's Team Lineup for the Tournament:
Kael Elarion Veyr – Unknown class, divine fragment holder, team captain
Zara Flameheart – Spear Knight / Fire Magic
Mira Nightsong – Shadow Assassin
Rayna Stormvale – Lightning Mage / Swordswoman
Selene Moonveil – Time-Archer / Celestial Support
Evelyne Astera Veilhart – Timeline Witch
??? – Unknown Slot (Kael hasn't decided… yet)
Headmaster Velkarth raised a brow. "You still haven't picked your seventh?"
Kael smiled mysteriously. "I will. When the time's right."
Meanwhile… At the Black Rose Academy
Far across the sea, at the famed Black Rose Academy—a rival school known for training dangerous combatants—a girl with raven-black hair stood on a training platform surrounded by shattered dummies.
She turned to her instructor.
"Tell me… is the god-fragment boy truly alive?"
The instructor nodded. "Kael Elarion. Confirmed."
The girl smirked. "Then I'll be entering the tournament. Not to win…"
"But to see if the man who broke my heart across dimensions still remembers me."
Her name: Velcia Draythorn – The Seventh Flame of Oblivion.An ancient enemy? Or another piece of Kael's broken past?
Back at the Dorm – That Night
Kael sat on the rooftop, looking out at the stars. Evelyne joined him.
"You think you'll survive this tournament?" she asked softly.
Kael didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at his glowing hand, where divine symbols briefly flickered.
"I'm not trying to survive it."
"I'm going to use it… to wake up another piece of myself."
Evelyne smiled.
"Good. Because soon, your enemies will do the same."