Kael's Discovery

Shun instinctively flipped the letter around, his eyes scanning the page intently. The words remained vivid, etched into the parchment as clearly as before. There wasn't even the faintest hint of fading, and yet, Leon stood beside him, certain that the letter was blank.

"Maybe someone's ethereal arm is responsible," Leon suggested, watching Shun with a mixture of curiosity and scepticism. He knew Shun wasn't one to concoct elaborate pranks. If the message was hidden, it was concealed by an ability beyond their immediate understanding.

Shun's heart pounded as he read the words again, focusing on a line that hadn't stood out the first time:

This message is meant for you.

His eyes widened, a wave of disbelief washing over him. There was no denying it now—he was the "Inheritor" mentioned in the letter. He opened his mouth to speak but found himself unable to form words. Leon continued to watch him, now with more concern.

"If you want answers," Leon said after a moment, "come with me to meet Mistress Vesanze. If anyone can decipher this letter, it's her. She founded the White Crane Manor, after all. If this truly came from our ranks, she'll know."

Shun nodded absently, his mind still reeling as he read the letter over and over. Each time, the weight of its message seemed to grow, the burden of responsibility pressing harder on his shoulders. But beneath that, something else stirred—something like hope. Could this letter finally lead him to the truth of his identity, that he'd always suspected was hidden?

Ever since awakening his powers, Shun had harboured doubts and confusion. Everything he had experienced since felt off, as though someone had laid out a carefully structured path for him to follow. He had questions, and this letter might be the key.

"Who am I, really?" Shun thought, his mind racing with doubt and curiosity. The more he uncovered about himself, the more everything seemed meticulously planned.

Breaking the silence, Shun finally managed to ask, "Leon, do you know anyone named Yun?"

The question seemed to catch Leon off guard. His eyes flickered with recognition, though his expression remained calm. The name was not unfamiliar to him. He recalled seeing "Yun" in the Eternal Dynasty scrolls Vesanze had given him, etched prominently on the front cover. But who this Yun truly was? That remained a mystery.

"Heard the name," Leon admitted cautiously, "but I don't know who they are."

Shun didn't miss a beat. "And what about 'Starflame'? Does that ring any bells?"

Leon shook his head firmly this time. "Never heard of it."

Before Shun could press further, Dharma Leyndra's voice rang out from the front of the group.

"Oh, look who it is…" Dharma chuckled. "Didn't expect you two to still be on speaking terms, eh? Hehahaha."

Ahead of them stood two figures: Kael Franklin, the principal of Haven Royal Academy, and Elysia Eukanorn. Their expressions were starkly different, almost comical in contrast.

Kael's face was a mask of seriousness, his icy demeanour only growing colder as he saw the approaching group. Elysia, on the other hand, looked thoroughly bored. Her eyes drifted lazily across the crowd, lighting up briefly when she spotted Shun. Still, her general air of indifference remained intact, though it softened just a little.

Kael opened his mouth, preparing to speak, but before he could utter a word, a scythe came hurtling toward his face. Reflexes honed from his years as the 15th complete ethereal warrior allowed him to block the attack in time, countering with his spear in one smooth motion.

"Don't say my name," Dharma warned, his grin widening as he pressed his scythe harder into Kael's weapon. "Might scare the kids."

Kael's spear flared with brilliant light, deflecting Dharma's scythe and sending him stumbling back. The principal's voice was sharp with disdain. "You think I'm afraid of you? You can't kill me, demon."

Dharma laughed, delighted by Kael's unspoken hesitation. The fact that Kael hadn't revealed his true name hinted at a sliver of doubt in his heart.

Elysia sighed, stepping between the two men. "Why is it that every time you see each other, it has to end in a fight? Don't you ever get bored?"

Kael's eyes softened momentarily as he glanced at Elysia, a rare glimpse of sorrow breaking through his stoic facade. Dharma shook his head, and his scythe dissolved into nothingness, the tension easing slightly.

"I guess we could apologise," Dharma said, half-jokingly. "But honestly, Kael, you're too damn stubborn."

"Why do you never learn to let go?"

Kael glared at him but kept his thoughts to himself, the fury in his eyes barely contained.

Elysia yawned, clearly uninterested in continuing the conflict. "Let's not forget why we're here in the first place, okay?" She turned her gaze toward the back of the group. "Vito Fool, can we borrow you for a while?"

Vito, who had been lost in thought, snapped to attention at the sound of his name. Elysia's tone was casual, almost lazy, as she reassured him, "You're not in trouble. We just need to clarify something about the Ancient Landel Academy. Kael found something… strange."

Her expression darkened slightly as she continued, "And it might be connected to why Krystal Fritz died."

At the mention of his old instructor, Vito's face tightened. There was still a deep wound in his heart, a lingering sorrow from Krystal Fritz's death, the previous sixth complete ethereal warrior and honourable principal of Ancient Landel Academy.

Dharma chuckled dryly, his voice dripping with disdain. "What hope do you have without the Three Champions? Alfred Eldran? A spineless coward, more interested in mind games than actual leadership. And Liu Anzhi, the so-called Emperor of the Eternal Dynasty? Just another hollow crown, a puppet manipulated by their Prime Minister. As for the Cult of Luca Azoria...Who even knows what those lunatics are up to? Still chasing their pipe dream of bringing their dead god back with the ritual that never works?"

For the first time, Elysia's composure cracked. She shot Dharma a cold look. "You shouldn't talk. When the apocalypse comes, you'll be the first to die, Son of the Sinner."

Dharma's smile faltered briefly, but he held back his retort. Elysia had been one of the few people kind to him, and even if she was the weakest ethereal warrior, he respected her words.

Before the tension could grow further, Silver Iricson stepped forward, her soft voice cutting through the air with authority. "Vito, we'll be waiting for you at the Manor. We all need some rest after that war."

Dharma and Kael both nodded in respect towards the ninth complete ethereal warrior as Vito slowly approached Elysia and Kael.

"Please," Vito said, his voice calm but filled with determination. "Help me discover the truth. No matter the cost."

Elysia smiled gently. "That's exactly what we intend to do."