Chapter 22: The gathering Storm

Part I: Whispers of the Gate

The old greenhouse behind the abandoned Divination Tower had become Brent and Rae's hidden sanctuary. After the battle with Kalen in the mirrored annex, word had spread across the academy: someone had attacked a professor. No names, no witnesses—but suspicion festered.

And Brent knew: they were being watched more closely than ever.

But now, something had changed.

The Seer stood among the dying vines, silver eyes glowing faintly as he traced symbols in the air with trembling fingers.

"The First Gate… is pulsing," he whispered.

Brent and Rae stood still, letting him speak. His riddles had grown more urgent of late—less cryptic, more frightened.

"You were chosen by Light," the Seer said to Brent, "but the Light does not see in straight lines. It bends. And something ancient is trying to bend you with it."

Brent's system chimed softly.

System Prompt: Hidden Affinity Thread Uncovered

Potential Path: "Eclipseborne Ascension"

Requirement: Witness the opening of a Gate and resist its influence

Risk: Unknown

Reward: Unlock latent dual-core evolution – Light + ???

"There are seven Gates," Rae said quietly, her memory flashing to the dream beneath the Thorn Tree. "Each tied to a different elemental legacy."

"And the final one," Brent murmured, "is meant to end everything."

The Seer nodded, then gripped Brent's hand. "The First Gate… will open soon. Beneath this school. And its key is hidden in the Trial Arena's depths."

Brent's jaw tightened.

"The Survival Assignment was never meant to be a test," Rae whispered, realizing. "It was a blood offering."

Part II: The Trap of Chains

Later that week, Brent and Rae received an urgent message:

"Emergency: Students Captured. Location – West Training Cavern. Need immediate support. Do not alert faculty."

A name was scribbled on the corner in rough ink.

– Elias Greaves, a timid support student from their old survival team.

Without hesitation, they raced to the cavern entrance, Rae whispering cloaking spells and Brent letting the system dampen his aura.

But the moment they entered the chamber—

The trap snapped shut.

A field of silversteel chains erupted from the walls, wrapping around Rae before she could summon flame. Brent deflected three with radiant pulses—but then he saw them.

Kalen.

Standing at the far end, dressed in student uniform again, fake smile on his lips.

Surrounded by five elite duelists—handpicked enforcers from Vaelrick's private guard.

"Brent," Kalen said smoothly. "I'd say it's good to see you again—but we both know that's a lie."

Brent's hand twitched toward his sword. "Where are the captured students?"

Kalen shrugged. "There were no students. Just bait."

He held up a glowing crystal—one that contained a flickering soul signature.

Rae's eyes widened. "That's… that's Elias's essence."

"Mm. Still alive. For now. But that's up to you."

Kalen's tone sharpened like a blade. "You're going to kneel, Brent. Right now. And swear loyalty to the Headmaster's Order. Or I rip this soul crystal apart, and you watch your old friend fade."

Brent's system flared violently.

System Choice Activated: Forced Crisis Response

Option 1: Kneel – Delay outcome, prevent soul death

Option 2: Attack – High risk, Rae still restrained

Option 3: Trigger System Lockdown – Regenerate Rae's mana using Light Chain Link

Secret Option 4: Let the Eclipse Spark – Activate unknown affinity (Unstable)

Brent's eyes burned with quiet fury.

"I'm done playing by your rules."

He chose Option 3.

A burst of radiant light leapt from his chest—not at the enemy, but toward Rae. The chains holding her hissed as they melted under pure healing fire, her energy surging back.

Rae screamed, and her Thornfire Nova exploded around them, blinding the guards.

Brent surged forward, striking two guards before they could react, catching the soul crystal mid-air as Kalen tried to crush it.

But Kalen was fast—unnaturally so.

A flash of shadowsteel sliced across Brent's ribs, blood spraying.

"You think you can stop me?" Kalen hissed. "You think you're strong enough?"

Brent looked up, blood streaming down his arm.

"No. But I'm stronger than I was."

His system pulsed again—brighter than ever.

LEVEL UP: 13 → 14

Flame Resonance: 62%-65%

Shadow Resonance: 0%

Ability Unlocked: Divine Mantle – Lesser Invulnerability (6 seconds)

New Trait: Soul Bond Echo – Rae Link

Rae's flame power now echoes Brent's aura, empowering counterattacks when defending each other.

Together, they turned the tide.

Flames and light roared through the cavern, pushing back Kalen's elites. Rae's staff spun like a cyclone of fire and thorns, while Brent struck with brutal precision—his movements no longer just reactive, but guided.

They didn't kill Kalen.

But they beat him back, left him bleeding and howling in frustration.

As they limped out of the cavern, crystal intact and trap shattered, Rae muttered, "He won't stop."

Brent just looked toward the heart of the academy.

"He won't get the chance."

Because the First Gate was stirring.

And Brent would be ready.