Chapter 16:Report to Rylan: The Unveiling in Class

After The Village:

The walk back to their encampment was a silent one. The weight of the devastation they had witnessed lingered heavily in the air, pressing down on their spirits. Levi, Kaizo, and Aric moved with a newfound resolve, but also with a solemnity that hadn't been there before. The village's destruction, and the deaths of the boy and his mother, had left a mark on each of them—a mark that would not easily fade.

As they approached the command post where their captain awaited, the flickering lights of the encampment came into view, casting long shadows across the ground. The sounds of soldiers going about their duties filled the night, but to Levi, it all seemed distant and muted, like echoes from another world.

Captain Rylan, a seasoned warrior with eyes sharp as a hawk's, stood waiting for them outside his tent. His expression was unreadable as they came to a stop before him, their faces still etched with the horrors they had seen.

"You're back," the captain said, his voice gruff but tinged with something else—concern, perhaps. "Report."

Kaizo stepped forward, his posture rigid as he gave the captain a concise account of the battle with the Abyssal Spawns and the grim state of the village. As he spoke, Captain Rylan's gaze drifted to Levi, studying him with an intensity that made the young warrior uneasy.

"And the village?" the captain asked, though from his tone, it was clear he already knew the answer.

"Destroyed," Kaizo confirmed, his voice steady despite the weight of the word. "The villagers... there were no survivors."

The captain nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as they remained fixed on Levi. "I see. And you, Levi? How are you holding up?"

Levi hesitated, caught off guard by the direct question. He wasn't sure how to answer. There was a storm raging inside him—anger, sorrow, guilt—but also something else. Something darker.

"I'm... I'll manage," Levi replied, his voice quiet but firm. "We need to keep moving forward. There's no time to dwell on what we can't change."

Captain Thorne tilted his head slightly, his gaze never wavering. "You've changed, Saw what Vladarath is really like Levi?Something's different about you."

Levi frowned, unsure of what the captain meant. "Different?"

The captain's eyes narrowed, as if he could see straight through to the core of Levi's being. "Yes. I can feel it—an aura, a shift in your spirit. It's subtle, but it's there. Like a spark waiting to ignite."

Kaizo and Aric exchanged glances, sensing the tension in the air. They had noticed something different about Levi as well, but they hadn't been able to put it into words. Now, with the captain's observation, it was becoming clearer.

"What do you mean, Captain?" Kaizo asked, stepping closer, his own worry for Levi evident.

Captain Rylan's gaze flicked to Kaizo, then back to Levi. "I've seen this before, in warriors who have faced great loss or tremendous adversity. It changes them, unlocks something within. But it's not always for the better. Sometimes, that spark can become a fire—dangerous, uncontrollable."

Levi clenched his fists, the captain's words hitting uncomfortably close to the feelings he had been trying to suppress. The idea that something dark and uncontrollable could be growing inside him made his heart race.

"I won't let it take over," Levi said, his voice laced with determination. "I won't let that darkness consume me."

Captain Rylan studied him for a moment longer, then gave a small nod. "See that you don't. The path ahead is dangerous enough without battling your own demons."

There was a long pause before the captain spoke again, his tone softening. "But know this, Levi. Whatever you're going through, you're not alone. Your comrades are here for you. And so am I."

Levi looked up at the captain, surprised by the unexpected kindness in his words. He nodded slowly, grateful for the support, even as he struggled with the turmoil inside him.

Captain Rylan turned his attention back to Kaizo and Aric. "You did well out there. All of you. But I have a feeling this is just the beginning. There's something more going on here—something we're not seeing yet. But that's just the beginning I do not want to trouble you kids any more. You all are allowed to leave."

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**Chapter Title: The Path of Ascendants**

After their grim report to Captain Rylan, the trio decided to cool off and head to the academy for a scheduled class—one that promised to shed some light on the paths available to those with ascendant blood. Levi, Kaizo, and Aric entered the grand hall of the Nexus Academy, where a class on the "Levels of Existence and Mana Mastery" was about to begin.

The classroom was massive, adorned with ancient carvings of gods and demons, their elemental powers flowing through intricate designs on the walls. As Levi entered, he noticed the room was packed with ascendants—children of powerful gods, demons, and other mystical beings. Their presence made the air hum with barely contained energy.

Kaizo nudged Levi as they found their seats. "It's a good class to ease back into things. But don't get too comfortable. The teacher's a bit... eccentric."

Levi nodded, still struggling to shake off the dark emotions from the village, but knowing this class might offer some distraction or clarity. He glanced around at the other students, feeling the weight of their superiority. He was the only one here without unlocked mana chains—without the immense powers they took for granted.

The teacher entered, a tall, older figure with a cloak that shimmered in shades of both light and shadow. His presence commanded immediate silence as he strode to the front of the room. He looked around the room at the young ascendants with a faint smile on his lips, but when his gaze landed on Levi, his expression flickered—just for a moment—before he continued.

"Welcome to the *Ascendant's Path,*" the teacher began, his voice deep and resonant. "There are gods in this world, demons, celestials, kinetics, and more. All powerful entities, shaping the very fabric of existence. And though we may live in separate realms, we are all connected. There were a lot of wars which has been fought together by species, and sometimes. Species fight with each other. Anyhow, the realm we live in is called VLADARATH."

The mention of the realm's name, *Vladarath,* stirred murmurs of acknowledgment among the students. It was the realm of convergence, where gods, demons,coexisted under a tenuous peace.

The teacher raised a hand to silence them, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and warning. "You, the ascendants, children of powerful gods and demons, have been chosen to study in this academy. The most prestigious academy in all of Vladarath. And with that comes great responsibility. The weapon ceremony is in just a few months, and I hope each of you is ready."

Levi listened intently, his mind racing at the mention of the ceremony. He had heard of it—an event where ascendants would be granted powerful weapons, forged or inherited, that would be bound to their very soul.

"A weapon," the teacher continued, "whether mythical, legendary, or forged by a blacksmith, has the potential to transcend. There are eight transcendence stages. If you are fortunate enough to bond with a mythical or legendary weapon, its power will grow with you, becoming an extension of your very being."

The teacher gave a mocking chuckle. "However, for those of you who are not chosen... Do not lower your heart down, there is always the option of a good blacksmith to forge you a weapon. It will still have transcendence capabilities, but," he smirked, "it will never compare to a legendary or mythical artifact."

He turned slowly, his gaze once again flicking to Levi before sweeping across the room. "Since all of you were born with your mana chains unlocked, life has been somewhat easier for you. Power has come naturally to you. But for those not born with their chains unlocked..." His voice trailed off as he glanced at Levi again before quickly looking away.

Levi's jaw tightened, feeling the weight of the instructor's judgment. The room seemed to grow colder, but he kept his composure.

"They," the teacher continued, "suffer a terrible existence. Mana chains, when unlocked, allow for extended life, increased power, and immortality. But for those poor mortals without their chains... life is short. And brutal."

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. "For those of you with unlocked chains, I recommend you focus on honing your control over the elements. Whether you choose to align with Fire or ice, light or shadow, divine or demonic, is up to you. These are your birthrights, your destiny."

Levi felt a pit form in his stomach at the mention of birthrights. His own path seemed so unclear in comparison to those around him. He wasn't born with this inherent power. He wasn't like them.

"Today's class isn't about studying," the teacher finally said, with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I merely wanted to talk with you. If you wish to leave now, you may. But remember, the weapon ceremony is approaching fast. Your future is in your hands—or in the weapon you choose to wield."

Kaizo leaned over and whispered, "Come on, let's get out of here."

Levi nodded, his mind still buzzing with the information. Aric followed as they quietly made their way out of the room with a handful of other students. As they left the classroom, Levi could feel the weight of the instructor's gaze still lingering on him.

Once outside, Kaizo stretched and took a deep breath. "I hate those kinds of lectures—so full of themselves, always trying to make us feel like we're in their debt or something."

Aric nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but you heard him, right? The weapon ceremony. That's going to be something."

Levi stayed silent, his mind turning over everything he had just heard. The idea of divine and demonic powers, of light and shadow magic—of the mana chains that separated him from everyone else. He wasn't sure where he fit into any of this, but one thing was clear: he had to figure it out, and soon.