Vael Morvayne

The humid silence of the sauna was interrupted again.

A new silhouette materialized through the veil of mist taller than average, posture relaxed yet somehow radiating a sharp, predatory tension. Kael, eyes still closed, groaned quietly.

"So everyone in this damn school wants to kill me, huh?"

The voice that answered was low, smooth, and cold the kind of voice that didn't just send chills down your spine but seemed to command the temperature in the room.

"I'm not here for attention. Just trying to eliminate anyone who could pose a threat to Elira Morvayne."

Kael's brows twitched at the name. He opened one eye, lips twitching into a scowl.

"Who the hell are you to care about Elira? A dog? A butler?"

The figure didn't answer. Instead, he turned to walk away, his aura still pulsing lightly like a heartbeat of pressure. But Samuel stood up, still in a towel, his toned body glowing faintly with mana.

"Hey hold up, buddy. If you want a fight with Kael, you're gonna have to wait your turn."

In the blink of an eye, the stranger grabbed Samuel's wrist, flipped him but Samuel twisted mid-air, landing smoothly like a cat. He stood upright and narrowed his eyes.

"Don't piss me off today."

Before another breath could pass, the attacker surged forward with lightning footwork, his body weaving, twisting, and pivoting around Samuel like he was made of smoke. Each movement was elegant, deadly, refined a telltale mark.

Kael's eyes sharpened.

"That footwork… that's Morvayne Shadow Waltz. Then he's"

The fog thinned from the pressure of their skirmish, revealing the stranger's face. Pale skin, obsidian black hair, and deep red eyes that shimmered with cold contempt.

Kael's fists clenched.

"Vael Morvayne. One of the strongest second-years. Elira's cousin."

Vael's knee came up Samuel blocked it but as the older student moved for a rib breaking kick, Kael stepped in and deflected it with a sharp parry.

Then crack.

A punch flew straight for Kael's face. He was a second too slow.

> "Damn it..."

His body moved instinctively activating "Power of Wind." A gust surged through his limbs, and his body flickered to the side just in time to dodge. Kael countered with a precise slash of his hand, but Vael casually deflected it and spun behind him.

"What the...?"

Kael didn't even see the kick before it landed in his side, sending him flying toward the stone wall of the sauna with a thud. His breath escaped his lungs as he crumpled slightly, clutching his ribs.

Before Vael could approach again, Samuel stepped in front of Kael, fists glowing with heat.

Then, from the other side, Matthew Glacern stood up, arms crossed.

"I'm only doing this," he muttered, "because I want to be the one to crush Kael. If you break him, that ruins my plans."

Kael slowly stood behind them, still holding his ribs.

Vael watched them two of the top talents in the school, guarding someone else for once and his crimson eyes narrowed with interest.

Then… he smiled.

"You're strong, Vernier. But not as strong as Elira said."

The aura around him began to dim.

"I'll take this as you hiding your strength. Not because you're afraid… but because you'd destroy this place if you went all out."

With that, Vael Morvayne turned and walked away, bare feet making no sound on the sauna floor.

Kael exhaled slowly, shoulders sagging.

"This school's gonna kill me before finals."