The Seed of Dominion

The academy gates groaned open as Kael stepped out, the morning mist thick around the cobbled street.

Today was different.

Not because of some grand revelation or magical upgrade.

But because today… Kael Virell would begin building an empire.

---

Birth of a Name

The city of Caelmere bustled below the cloud-ringed mountains, where ancient families sat in towers of marble and steel. But Kael wasn't heading to them—not yet.

He walked instead into the industrial shadows—the old manufacturing zones, where ghosts of ambition clung to rusted machines and cracked glass.

His eyes scanned a derelict complex, tagged with old arcane seals. His system pulsed.

> Suitable Base of Operations Detected

Purchase Rights – 200,000 Credits or Equivalent Value Skill Completion

Condition: 87% Structural Stability. Potential: High.

"Perfect," he muttered.

But Kael had no money yet.

Not in this world.

---

The First Contact

As he turned away to plan, a voice called out behind him. "Looking for something, shadowborne?"

Kael's fingers twitched, and his system flared a warning:

> Hostile Intent Detected

He turned. A group of six stood there, wearing street-armor and dark crests—a local gang with minor power-users. Their leader's aura flickered. A fire-based low-grade system. Cocky.

"You're the academy freak, right? Rich girls and duels? This isn't your world, pretty boy."

Kael's smile was razor-thin.

"I was hoping for test subjects."

They laughed—until Kael moved.

His system-enhanced reflexes activated.

He ducked under a flame strike, closed the distance—and drove his fist into the leader's stomach.

CRACK.

A rib shattered.

The next two didn't even react before Kael disarmed one and spun the other into the wall.

Ten seconds. Six down.

The fire-user gasped, bleeding, coughing.

"You… you monster…"

"No," Kael knelt, eyes glowing faintly. "I'm just hungry."

Then his system whispered.

> Skill Copy Triggered: Flameburst Affinity Detected

Acquiring rudimentary control over Fire System Branch.

He blinked. His hand flared with orange light.

"Level 10 perk is better than I thought," Kael muttered. "Time to start collecting."

---

The Shadow Merchant

Later that night, Kael was approached by a stranger.

Not in the academy. Not in the open.

In a back-alley tavern built into the side of a cliff.

He wore gray robes, a strange half-mask, and offered no name.

"I heard you're seeking influence," the stranger said. "You'll need more than fists and flame."

"I'm building a company," Kael said bluntly. "But I lack permits, currency, logistics."

The man chuckled.

"You'll need a license, land permits, a shadow certification, and three guild bribes."

Kael frowned. "Expensive?"

"No," the man said. "Suicidal."

He slid a strange card across the table.

> [Shadow Dominion Card – Tier 0]

Register a rogue start-up entity under the grid. Hidden from Empire eyes. Untraceable by nobles.

Kael stared. "What's the cost?"

"Nothing." The man stood. "Just your fate."

And vanished.

Kael's system pulsed:

> Shadow Dominion Registered

Business Entity Created: Eclipse Dynamics

Focus: Tech + Power Integration

System Perk Granted: Store Items Unlock Based on Business Progress

Kael whispered the name aloud.

"Eclipse Dynamics…"

A storm was brewing.

---

Gathering Storm

Back at the academy, three girls stood in the moonlit courtyard.

Rin, silent and sharp, her blade never far.

Velveta, twisting her spear through the air, eyes narrowed.

And Arienne Vale… watching them both.

"You're all watching him too?" Arienne asked.

Rin simply nodded.

Velveta grinned. "He's fun. And unpredictable."

Arienne's lips curled slightly. "And dangerous."

None of them knew why they were drawn in.

Not fully. Not yet.

But something old… something powerful… was tugging at Kael's soul.

And they could feel it.

---

Secret Orders

Across the sea, in a castle drowned in blue flame, a woman in gold opened her eyes.

"He awakens," she whispered. "The heir walks the world again."

Beside her knelt a cloaked figure.

"What are your orders, High Flame?"

"Send the Shadowsingers. Delay his rise.

And do not reveal who he is."

---

End of Chapter Updates

Kael Level: 27

New Skill Gained: Flame Affinity (Tier I)

Faction Progress: Shadow Company Registered (Eclipse Dynamics)

Harem Development: 3 Girls Now Actively Monitoring Him

Mysterious Entities: High Flame Council Aware

Secret Perk: Shadow Dominion Card Activated.