Reaching for Heaven

Birdsongs cut through the early chill like a silver thread. Frost clung to the eaves of the old thatch-roofed cottage, melting slowly into rhythmic drips against the stone threshold.

In the dim one-room house at the edge of Cardinal Peaks, a boy stirred — burrowed deep in a straw mattress stuffed with mountain reeds and wolfcot fluff. A tiny breath fogged the air.

[ Kaiden ]

"…Hhh…"

He blinked once, then again. Pale blue light sifted through the shutter-slats, casting broken stripes on the walls. Somewhere nearby, the clink of a distant hammer sang out — someone repairing fenceposts or shaping hinges already. The village was awake.

Kaiden swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat still for a moment. His breath fogged again. His eyes lingered on the knot in his bootlaces, already tied from the night before. No detail missed.

Not today.

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, but it wasn't tiredness. It was weight. The kind that came from the shape of things about to change.

Today was it.

Ascension Day.

The first step.

The day he'd leave the village — and maybe, just maybe, become something more than a curse and a surname.

At seven winters old, the HEART system would finally recognize him. That strange, invisible script that tracked the whole world — its numbers, its fates — would now bind him too.

It would see him, score him, weigh him.

It would see the mark he was born with.

He didn't dress quickly, but he dressed well. Every movement was a practiced rhythm — shirt tucked, boots straight, cloak folded and slung over one shoulder. Even the tiniest part, like the double-loop of his laces, mattered. Nik had drilled that into him.

[ Niklaus (voice from the hearth) ]

"You are up early, boy."

Kaiden turned to see the old man leaning over the iron pot on the hearth, stirring a thick brew that smelled… herbal. Sharp. Maybe a little illegal.

Nik wore his long coat like always — half-buttoned, one side dragging like a curtain. His white hair was braided in a quick warrior's loop behind his neck, and though his eyes had seen too much, they never let the worry through.

[ Kaiden ]

"Today's the day, Pops."

Nik sniffed the pot, grunted, and poured two mugs — wooden, battered, the handles worn soft from decades of campfires and storms.

[ Niklaus ]

"Ahh..."

"So that's why the clouds are sulking."

He passed one mug over. The smell hit Kaiden like a punch. Bitter and medicinal with a swirl of æsther bark oil. The kind of concoction that cleared your head… or burned your memory out.

[ Kaiden (grimacing) ]

"…Is this a test?"

[ Niklaus ]

"Everything's a test..."

"Now drink."

The first swallow nearly made his eyes water, but Kaiden kept it down. He'd kept worse down — he remembered the powdered centipede eggs from last winter's so-called "stamina broth."

Nik leaned back in his old chair, tilting it dangerously close to the creaky window ledge. The embers in the hearth crackled. For a while, nothing moved but the steam from their mugs.

Then, as expected, Nik launched into one of his infamous tales.

[ Niklaus ]

"There was once a guild..."

"No name worth remembering, who tried to bribe a dragon with tribute gold for exclusive training rights to an academy ridge."

"A bold move. Greedy, but bold."

"They offered jewels, enchanted parchment, a written contract…"

He raised a brow at Kaiden, who was already fighting a grin.

"…The dragon took the gold."

"And the guildmaster's hat."

"Then it incinerated their charter… because the punctuation was sloppy."

[ Kaiden (snorting) ]

"That's a lie."

[ Niklaus ]

"That's tradition."

Their laughter cracked through the early quiet like sunlight through clouds. For a few heartbeats, the tightness in Kaiden's chest dissolved.

◈◈◈

The pack was light, by Nik's standards. Just travel rations, a charcoal-sketched map, an emergency silver, and a folded note he was told not to read until his second day at the dormitory.

Kaiden carried it all himself. Nik walked with him down the muddy trail, tapping his cane softly against roots and stones, more for rhythm than balance. Spring meltwater cut lazy rivulets across the path. Soggy dirt clung to their boots in layers.

The land slowly sloped downward as they left the peaks. Behind them, Cardinal Peaks stood small and crooked, its buildings leaning like old teeth. Ahead, over the last ridge, the world unfolded wider than Kaiden had ever seen it.

At the top of the final rise after a solid three-hour walk, they stopped. This was just another drill for Kaiden, as he had gone through much tougher challenges before.

Below, sprawled between three rivers and anchored to a rocky plateau, rose the city of Heavenreach. White stone walls circled its outer ring, but the true height came from within. Spires and clocktowers pierced the sky, and banners fluttered high over recruitment tents pitched in the plaza.

Dozens of wagons streamed toward the gates. Children Kaiden's age — some nervous, some giddy — were lining up. A deep bell rang from the cathedral's belfry, slow and echoing.

Nik reached into his coat and pulled out a small satchel.

Inside:– a packet of smoked lamb jerky– a flask of river mint water– the hand-drawn map, peppered with scribbled notes like "Do not eat with your left hand" and "This bakery will save your soul"– and a tiny wrapped bundle of crushed æsther herbs, in case of nightmares.

[ Niklaus (offering it) ]

"From here on, it's yours."

"The path. The choices. The mistakes."

"All yours..."

Kaiden accepted it without a word. His throat was too tight.

"Stay clever."

"Remember all your drills..."

"And don't forget who you are."

[ Kaiden ]

"I won't."

[ Niklaus ]

"I will be waiting outside until the trial is over."

[ Kaiden ]

"Aren't you coming with me?"

[ Niklaus ]

"This old man can't survive another heart attack, boy."

"Haha..."

"I will see you when it's over."

"Whether you make the cut..."

"Or not."

Kaiden was wordless.

"Oh..."

"And one more thing — leave the streetchickens alone."

[ Kaiden ]

"…What?"

But Nik was already turning, walking back toward the trail without looking back. That was how Stagins said goodbye. No tearful goodbyes. No long speeches.

Just instructions. Just riddles. Just trust.

Kaiden turned toward the city gates.

Heavenreach awaited.

◈◈◈

Heavenreach Square was more than just a plaza. It was a stage of ambition. Wide cobbled paths opened up into a massive circle surrounded by banners, tents, and the scent of spice bread from wandering vendors.

The snow had mostly been swept away by early risers, revealing the weathered tiles beneath, each etched with faded runes of protection and guidance. Even here, magic touched the stone.

Children from all over the lowlands had gathered. Some wore well-mended traveling cloaks, others robes with regional crests, and a few had matching outfits that suggested nobility. Kaiden watched the crowd with wide eyes — he had never seen this many people his age in one place.

But it wasn't the crowd that commanded attention.

It was the three main guilds' booths, stationed in a semi-circular formation along the square's southern rim.

Dawnseeker Guild

"All Paths Lead to One"

To the left, under proud azure banners stitched with the silver emblem of a lantern, stood the Dawnseeker.

Their tent was grand and precise. Rows of parchment hung from pegs, showcasing testimonials, former graduates, and stylized guides to paths one could pursue — blade, bow, or book. Recruiters dressed in blue and grey, speaking calmly to both children and parents.

Dawnseeker specialized in versatility. They accepted those with balanced or unremarkable stats, valuing potential and adaptability over raw numbers. Their reputation was built on their personalized path-building approach: letting students shape their own journey, with training programs designed to uncover hidden talents.

Their motto hung just above the crystal testing orb:

"The dawn shines on all who rise."

Kaiden stood closer to their camp than the others. It felt… approachable.

Ironroot Guild

"Hold Ground. Shape the World"

In the center stood a broad, timber-framed pavilion, draped in deep green and earthen brown banners. Their sigil: a hammer entwined with roots.

This was Ironroot, the guild of endurance, fortitude, and craftsmanship.

Their scouts paced slowly, arms crossed, measuring posture and build. They spoke rarely and only to those who met their gaze without flinching.

Ironroot favored strength-based recruits or those with uncommon constitution traits — those who could endure. Their students often became blacksmith-knights, siege tacticians, elementalists of earth and metal, or fortress builders. Rumor claimed the guild could trace every stone used in every outpost in the eastern highlands.

Their displayed motto was carved onto a hanging block of basalt:

"The world bends to those who outlast it."

Questions were asking in Kaiden's mind: would he ever qualify for Ironroot?

Skyward Arcanum Guild

"Beyond the Veil Lies Mastery"

To the right, almost apart from the other two, stood a shimmering white tent beneath a steel-grey arch laced with thin crystal rods. Slate and silver banners fluttered noiselessly, regardless of the wind. Their emblem: an open eye surrounded by six stars.

This was the Skyward Arcanum, and even their presence felt charged with silent judgment.

Recruiters wore robes of black and cobalt, many adorned with enchanted filigree and tiny motes of floating script. Most didn't speak. They watched. One recruiter floated inches above the ground, inscribing sigils in the air — each symbol fading before the next could form.

Skyward was the most selective of the three. High intelligence scores, a history of æsther manipulation, or documented bloodline traits were unofficial requirements. Most applicants were rejected before even reaching the Ascension Circle. Those who did make it became spellcasters, binders, æsthermancers, or skywrights — users of forces unspoken and half-understood.

Their motto was stitched in silver thread, visible only at an angle:

"Truth is the highest form of fire."

Kaiden didn't even think to walk near their booth.

He doubted they'd see him at all.

Representatives from smaller guilds were also present, but made themselves scarce.

Scouting.

Calculating.

At the far end of the square, a great hush lingered around a raised platform of ancient stone.

The Ascension Circle.

It thrummed with a low, harmonic resonance, the kind that sank into your bones and made you feel like the world itself was watching.

The runes that ringed its base pulsed with a soft violet glow. It was said they had been carved by the Concordium themselves, long before the guilds even existed. No one truly knew how the Circle worked — only that it did.

Every child who turned seven would receive their official HEART activation here.

And it never lied.

Dozens of children formed a snaking line, buzzing with nervous energy. Families and instructors stood just beyond the circle's invisible boundary, offering hushed encouragements or stern reminders.

The three main guilds — Dawnseeker, Ironroot, and Skyward Arcanum — watched from their appointed corners of the plaza. Recruiters stood behind glass-thin æsther panels, crystal slates glowing faintly as they awaited each readout.

This wasn't the exam yet. This was the filter.

Before the test, every child would step onto the Circle and have their stats officially locked and displayed — an unchangeable record.

For many, this was the most important step.

Kaiden joined the line behind a girl with tanned skin and a small copper flute tucked into her sash. She bounced on her heels as if trying to shake off nerves.

Ahead of her, a cluster of village-born kids were whispering about how much stat gain they'd get from the awakening. Their voices dropped whenever someone screamed — usually from excitement — as their first skill bloomed into being.

[ Nervous Kid ]

"What if I roll STR 3 again?"

"My cousin did, and they made him take up cobbling…"

[ Another Kid ]

"Better than STR 10 and nothing else..."

"That's how you end up a meat shield."

Kaiden said nothing, just listened, eyes drifting across the line.

He hadn't recognized anyone here — not really. Unlike those from neighboring towns who'd grown up attending seasonal exchanges, Kaiden had lived on the edge of the known map, tucked beneath the mountains of Cardinal Peaks. He'd never trained beside these children. Never fought them in mock duels or swapped stories about elemental sparks or their parents' legacy weapons.

He was a stranger among futures already unfolding.

But not all of them looked like they belonged.

A few places ahead, a girl stood with perfect posture, her white-blonde hair braided in a triple loop, falling neatly over one shoulder.

She didn't speak. Didn't shift. Not even when her name was called.

But it was enough to catch Kaiden's attention.

[ Applicant Avelyn ]

"..."

She simply stepped onto the Circle, and the runes responded immediately, flaring higher, brighter than any others had that morning. The orb flashed silver. A list of stats and the rare flicker of a passive trait rolled across the guild slates.

[ HEART STATUS ]

Name: Avelyn Windgrove

Level: 1

Health: 100/100

Energy: 300/300

Attributes:

[ STR: 3 | AGI: 3 | INT: 7 ]

Trait: Pureblood Arcanist, Quiet Thought

Skill: Wind Cutter • Tier I

❖❖❖

[ Ascension Bonus ]

+ 2 INT

[ Bonus Stat Points ]

+ 2

[ Skill Acquired ]

None

No cheers. No clapping. But from the Skyward tent, two robed figures immediately stepped forward.

[ Skyward Aide Guss (softly) ]

"Get her file."

"Windgrove lineage."

"Definitely high-tier INT scaling."

Kaiden watched the girl as she stepped off the dais. Her expression hadn't changed.

Still. Quiet. Dangerous.

A few children later, a boy tripped while ascending the three steps onto the Circle.

Thin, with mop-like hair and oversized glasses, he looked utterly terrified, clutching a copper ring so tightly his knuckles whitened. His breathing was ragged, and Kaiden could hear him whispering to himself.

[ Applicant Rio (panic) ]

"Don't pass out."

"Don't pass out..."

"Oh gods, please not again."

The Circle glowed faintly as he stood, and then — flash — a glimmer of purple æsther spark swirled around him. The orb pulsed once. Then again.

A cheer erupted nearby — from his parents, maybe — as his readout displayed a rare starting skill:

[ HEART STATUS ]

Name: Rio Brentt

Level: 1

Health: 175/175

Energy: 175/175

Attributes:

[ STR: 6 | AGI: 6 | INT: 3 ]

Trait: Lucky Streak, Seaman's Reflex

Skill: Spear Mastery • Tier I

❖❖❖

[ Ascension Bonus ]

+ 1 STR + 1 AGI

[ Bonus Stat Point ]

+ 1

[ Skill Acquired ]

Minor Binding • Tier I

Not unheard of — but far from common.

Skyward Arcanum took note, again. One of their aides flagged his name, but didn't approach. Yet.

Rio stumbled down the steps, practically glowing in relief.

[ Applicant Rio (beaming) ]

"I didn't puke."

"I really didn't puke."

Kaiden smiled faintly.

That one might be worth watching.

Next was a girl who stepped up and immediately struck a pose, thumbs hooked into her sash, chin lifted like she was about to perform on stage.

[ Applicant Dessie ]

"All right, Circle."

"Don't make me prettier."

"Just make me famous."

A burst of laughter echoed from the crowd.

The Circle glowed — gold this time. A new type of skill flickered onto the slates: 

[ HEART STATUS ]

Name: Dessie Marron

Level: 1

Health: 150/150

Energy: 250/250

Attributes:

[ STR: 1 | AGI: 7 | INT: 7 ]

Trait: Sagittarian Precision, Orion's Mark

Skill: Bow Mastery • Tier I

❖❖❖

[ Ascension Bonus ]

+ 2 AGI

[ Bonus Stat Point ]

+ 1

[ Skill Acquired ]

Bow Mastery • Tier II

Ironroot muttered disinterest. Dawnseekers, however, scribbled her name down.

[ Applicant Dessie ]

"I'm gonna shoot so many exam dummies..."

"They'll name one after me!"

Kaiden exhaled slowly as he edged forward.

Three children left.

Two.

One.

Then the Dawnseeker recruiter called:

[ Ascension Attendant Maelin ]

"Kaiden Stagin..."

Kaiden exhaled slowly.

He heard his name called.

"Kaiden Stagin."

"You're up."

Kaiden glanced left and right. No familiar faces. No one knew the name Stagin.

That was both relief…

And a reminder.

A slight hush fell. Nobody looked directly at him, but a few scouts subtly shifted, watching from the corner of their eyes.

He stepped onto the Ascension Circle.

The runes accepted him with a soft glow.

Then… slowed.

The humming deepened. The orb didn't flare. Not yet.

The wind across the plaza paused, held its breath. Kaiden's fingers twitched. He didn't feel fear exactly, but his pulse sharpened, neck tightening like it sensed a blade nearby.

A flicker of warmth stirred on his shoulder — beneath the birthmark, hidden by his shirt. Not painful. Just there.

It knows.

The moment stretched. Ten seconds. Then twelve.

They're going to say it failed, Kaiden thought, that it can't read me. That I'm cursed.

Then — light.

The orb blazed. Not brighter than before, not grander than Avelyn's or Rio's.

But clean. Sharp. Exacting.

His stats appeared in the air.