The elder hastily waved his hand, sealing the cracked evaluation stone with golden light, murmuring incantations as multiple formation lines activated to suppress the lingering frost energy.
But the damage was done.
Not to the stone.
To their pride of every participant.
To their certainty.
To their hierarchy.
"Kai," the elder called again, voice now edged with deep respect, "you will not undergo the regular trials. You are to be escorted directly to the Inner Sanctum."
That stunned even the staff.
The Inner Sanctum was reserved for only the academy's absolute core—the true monsters. The prodigies whispered about in myths and feared even by teachers.
Two elite academy guards in black and silver armor stepped forward. They didn't question the order. They simply bowed to Kai.
"Ascendant Tier," one of them muttered. "To think we'd see one in our generation…"
Kai gave a slight nod and began walking, following the guards.
As he passed the stunned crowd, whispers turned into silence. Faces turned, but none dared speak.
His steps were light.
But every one of them thundered in their minds.
A few looked away in shame. Some clenched their fists. Others… simply stared in awe.
But not Leor.
Not Davin.
Their eyes burned—not with awe—but with fear… and rage.
---
Elsewhere, deep inside the Arkaelus Grand Academy,
An ancient bell chimed.
In a vast hall surrounded by crystalline pillars and flowing spirit rivers, an old man sat in deep meditation.
His eyes snapped open.
He looked toward the distant sky, where a frosted ripple had shimmered above the evaluation zone for but a moment.
"…He's here," the old man whispered. "The one who bears the Sovereign's Echo."
Moments later, several other elders appeared—each with immense cultivation, veiled in divine robes.
"Headmaster," one said, "the ice pulse… it was him?"
The headmaster stood slowly, back straight despite the weight of his years.
"Prepare the Sealed Grounds. And alert the Ancient Circle. That boy—Kai—is no ordinary prodigy."
"Do you believe… it's truly that bloodline?"
The headmaster's eyes gleamed. "No. I don't believe it. I know it. The Eternal Frost Sovereign… has returned."
---
Meanwhile, in the Inner Sanctum Holding Quarters:
Kai stood in a wide crystalline chamber, its walls pulsing with energy. A massive spirit formation was etched into the floor, binding the entire space with layers of ancient enchantments.
A new figure entered. A tall woman clad in a robe of star-metal silk, her aura calm but suffused with danger. She looked to be in her thirties, yet her eyes held centuries.
"I am Instructor Velura," she said. "Your personal overseer for the first phase."
She studied Kai, her gaze sharp. "You don't seem surprised."
"I'm not," Kai replied calmly. "I was expecting something like this."
Velura narrowed her eyes. "You're not just a candidate. You're a trigger. A storm. The academy is watching. The continent will soon follow."
Kai glanced down at the Monarch-Class token in his hand.
"…Let them watch."said kai
---
Back in the Outer Grounds
Davin, still pale, looked toward the distant sanctum tower.
"He made us look like fools."
Leor didn't respond.
Because in his heart, something deeper than envy had bloomed.
Obsession.
"…I'll surpass him," Leor muttered to himself. "I have to."
---
The trail will be conduct tomorrow and other monarch class token users will participate.
Within Kai's mind, that night, as he meditated…
The System flickered to life.
> [System Notification]
— mission: complete the trail at top position.
___ reward: one lucky spin.
Kai opened his eyes.
Outside, snow fell lightly across the courtyard of the Inner Sanctum, though no clouds stirred above.
Only one phrase echoed in his thoughts:
"yes finnally a mission"from the system update it was the first update, kai thought to himself as he take out last cool drink that he got from the spin and enjoying it.
I can't underestimate them, they're also monarch class ones. There's going to be quite a show