Chapter 8: Whispers of a Rising Sovereign

The gates of Valewind Institute creaked open as Kaelen returned, the faint first blush of dawn bleeding across the sky behind him.

His cloak was torn at the edges.

His sword was nicked and bloodstained.

His boots were caked with mud and dried wyrm blood.

But Kaelen walked taller than he ever had before.

As he passed through the courtyard, a few early-rising students paused to stare.

Some gawked at the blood.

Some muttered under their breath.

Some turned away — pretending not to see, but whispering feverishly behind cupped hands.

A few recognized something else.

Kaelen Drayce was changing.

And change, in a place like Valewind, meant danger — and opportunity.

Commander Ardyn stood waiting by the Training Fields.

His massive arms were crossed over his chest, a heavy leather coat draped over his broad shoulders.

The old warrior's sharp eyes raked over Kaelen, lingering on the torn gear, the exhausted but fierce set of his jaw.

Without a word, Ardyn tossed something through the air.

Kaelen caught it instinctively — a small iron badge marked with a stylized "Δ."

The Delta Mark — the sign of a rising candidate.

Only students who completed elite missions alone earned it.

Ardyn grunted.

"Twilight Ravine. Wyrm solo kill. No backup. No healer."

"You've earned your place, boy."

Kaelen dipped his head in silent thanks.

Ardyn leaned closer, his voice dropping.

"Keep walking the path you're on," he said, eyes glinting, "and soon enough, you'll have half the Institute at your throat — or your back."

He clapped Kaelen once, hard, on the shoulder, nearly driving him to his knees.

"Good. We need chaos around here."

And then Ardyn walked away, leaving Kaelen standing alone in the rising light.

Later — the Inner Halls of Valewind

Behind heavy oak doors, hidden from the students, a council gathered.

Three figures sat in shadowed alcoves.

Each bore the crest of a different house — not noble houses, but ancient orders older than any kingdom.

One, a woman with silver hair and eyes like storm clouds, spoke first.

"The reports were clear. An F-Class commoner killed an E+ Wyrm alone. No backup. No external aid."

Another figure, thin and wiry, leaned forward.

"And yet," he said softly, "the boy's records remain unchanged. Versatile Amateur. Nothing special."

The third figure — a man in crimson robes — chuckled.

"Versatile, indeed. Versatile enough to bend fate itself."

They fell silent for a moment, considering.

Then the silver-haired woman spoke again.

"Prepare the Seeker's Invitation. Quietly."

"If the boy survives the next trial, we offer him the chance to walk paths long abandoned."

Her fingers traced the symbol of infinity carved into the table before her.

"The Sovereigns must rise again."

Meanwhile — Training Grounds

Eren Voss stood grinning like a fool as Kaelen approached.

Selina sat nearby, healing a nick in her arm while scribbling notes in a thick leather-bound journal.

"You," Eren said, pointing dramatically at Kaelen, "are officially a monster."

Kaelen raised an eyebrow.

"Big news travels fast."

Selina looked up, smiling warmly.

"Not just fast. Everywhere. Half the first-years are either terrified of you… or trying to figure out how you cheated."

Kaelen laughed quietly.

It felt good — real — to have people he could trust.

At least for now.

Eren clapped a heavy hand onto Kaelen's shoulder.

"You know what this means, right?"

Kaelen tilted his head.

"You're buying me lunch?"

Eren grinned wider.

"That too. But more importantly… you're officially on the radar."

Kaelen's eyes narrowed.

Eren dropped his voice to a whisper.

"The Grand Awakener Tournament invitations start soon."

"And Valewind needs someone to represent us."

"Someone they can't ignore."

Kaelen stared at the sparring fields where dozens of students practiced, sweated, and bled.

He saw the future there — not just Valewind, but Astralis, Obsidian Hollow, and every hidden guild lurking in the shadows.

And somewhere, across the vast kingdom, Aria Valcrest would be standing on a shining stage of her own, growing stronger with every day.

The world was moving toward something vast, something unstoppable.

And Kaelen Drayce — once nothing more than a forgotten commoner — would carve his place into it with blood and fire.

No matter who tried to stop him.