[Ancient Frost Tree – Hidden Grove]
Winter's breath trembled in the frozen air. Before her stood the envoy of the Frostweaver Sect—her robes pulsing with ancient runes, her presence older than the academy itself.
> "Why me?" Winter asked, voice low. "Why now?"
The envoy stepped forward, her frost-blue eyes locked with Winter's.
> "Because you're no longer just an S-rank mage. You've awakened the Draconic Core—something sealed away by the gods themselves. Your very existence is a threat to the balance they created."
> "And what does the Frostweaver Sect want with that threat?"
The woman smiled.
> "To sharpen it."
A crystal shard floated from her sleeve, humming with energy.
> "Accept this, and we will train you in the arts the gods buried. But once you do, there is no turning back. You will be hunted."
Winter reached for the shard.
> [System Notification: Forbidden Contract – Frostweaver Legacy]
[Warning: Accepting will alter your magical classification permanently.]
She hesitated for only a breath.
> "I accept."
---
[Training Cavern – Below the Academy]
Elric stood across from Lohan, a warded sword in hand.
> "You were a monster in your past life, Hajun. But now you have to rebuild from zero. Your instincts are too sharp for this body. You'll tear yourself apart."
Lohan wiped blood from his chin, rising slowly.
> "Then I'll make this body sharper."
Elric hurled a rune-sealed spear.
Lohan dodged—barely—then slammed his palm into the ground.
> [Skill: Echo Copy – Defensive Technique (Elric's Signature)]
[Copied Successfully.]
A translucent barrier formed just in time to deflect a blast of compressed air.
> "Heh," Elric grinned. "You're still annoying."
> "I'm just getting started."
---
[Chapel of Judgment – Celestial Realm]
Justine stood before the Celestial Tribunal, her head bowed.
A chain of golden light bound her wrists.
> "Disciple Justine, you defied orders. You hesitated to eliminate the reborn vessel of Hajun Ardyn."
> "Because I wanted to understand," she said coldly. "And now I do."
> "Do you deny allegiance to the Celestial Throne?"
> "No," she whispered.
Then she raised her head.
> "I reject it."
The chains shattered.
Divine flames engulfed the marble floor, but Justine's body absorbed them. Her back arched—black feathers burst from her shoulders.
> [Skill Awakened – Fallen Halo: Betrayer's Grace]
> "Hajun taught me one thing… always finish what you start."
---
[Academy – Frost Garden, Night]
Winter returned from the grove, frost drifting from her fingertips. Her aura had changed—calmer, heavier, more lethal.
Lohan watched her from the shadows, silent.
Their eyes met briefly across the moonlit courtyard.
She didn't smile.
She didn't wave.
But she stopped.
> "Lohan," she said softly.
> "Yeah?"
> "When the time comes, if I go too far… will you stop me?"
A pause.
> "No," he said. "I'll walk beside you."
---