Xarl blinked as the world shifted around him, the harsh forest fading away like a bad memory.
He was standing in the colossal open arena again.
But this time, everything was different.
His cuts had vanished. Torn clothes were whole once more. Even the ache in his muscles was gone, replaced by a tingling freshness that only system magic could deliver.
System healing — no joke.
A clear, authoritative voice echoed overhead, filling the vast space.
"Trial One Complete. Only 25 teams remain."
Xarl's bracelet vibrated softly, displaying the results:
Team #17: Pass.
Full Completion: Beasts (50/50), Herbs (50/50)
A warm ping followed.
[System Reward Granted: 1,500 XP, 500 Mana Crystals, New Skill Unlocked: Wind Chakra Tier 2]
The digital screen faded, but the weight of that reward settled in his chest like a promise.
Cheers erupted around the arena, triumphant and wild. Vally whooped loudly, punching the air in victory, while Kor grinned fiercely, flexing his claws.
Xarl forced a smile—but his eyes kept flickering toward the dragon girl.
Or rather, the dragon.
Since the teleport, Kaelith hadn't uttered a word.
He stood at the fringe of the crowd, arms crossed, eyes sharp as knives, and—worst of all—watching Xarl too closely.
The buzzing excitement of the crowd felt distant to Xarl, like he was underwater, isolated beneath the waves of jubilation.
The examiner's voice rang out again.
"Participants, you will be assigned rooms to rest before tomorrow's Trial Two. Congratulations on your progress."
Dormitory Assignment
The group was escorted through towering stone halls that smelled faintly of moss and cold stone. Rows of rooms awaited the surviving teams—twenty-five in total.
Laughter and chatter echoed through the corridors, stories of battle and victory flying thick in the air. Students compared bruises and battle scars like badges of honor.
Xarl's legs ached from chakra fatigue as he limped behind Kor and Vally toward their assigned room.
He pushed open the door—and instantly froze.
Vally was lounging casually on a bunk, Kor sharpening his claws on another—and sitting on the windowsill was the dragon boy.
The same "dragon girl" who'd fought alongside them just hours before.
But now, bathed in the cold moonlight, his silver-red hair shimmering softly, Kaelith's shirt was off.
Muscles rippled under pale skin, his frame tall and lithe, his androgynous beauty replaced by sharp masculinity.
Xarl's mind short-circuited.
"W-wait," he stammered, voice barely a whisper. "You're a—"
"Boy?" Vally smirked, throwing an arm around Xarl's shoulders. "Took you long enough to figure that out."
Xarl's face flamed red as he sputtered, "I—I—he's a—what?!"
Vally grinned wider. "Our fire-breathing ice queen? Yeah, he's definitely he."
Kor gave a fang-toothed smile. "Kaelith Aetherius Veylon. First Heir of the Obsidian Claw. Royal blood. And our team's sponsor rep."
Xarl blinked in stunned silence.
Kaelith finally pulled on a loose shirt and stood, voice calm but commanding.
"You may call me Kaelith."
Xarl struggled to process it all. "But you were in the girls' team—"
Kaelith's eyes glinted, amused. "Special exemption. My lineage is... complicated."
Vally elbowed Xarl. "Seriously, you thought Kaelith was a girl? Man, your life's gonna be hell now."
Kor burst out laughing as Xarl's cheeks burned brighter.
The dinner bell rang, breaking the teasing mood.
Kor clapped his hands. "Alright, enough teasing. Food first!"
The team shuffled into a massive stone hall filled with top teams from the trial.
Naeva was already there, looking tired but steady. She gave Xarl a small nod as he joined them.
Laughter and camaraderie filled the room.
Kor spun wild stories, Vally jabbed playfully at Xarl, even Naeva cracked a faint smile.
Kaelith, however, sat quietly, his unreadable gaze flicking once toward Xarl—not mocking, not amused—just cool, piercing curiosity.
Vally leaned over to Xarl with a sly grin. "So... are you always this dramatic? Or just when you faint in the woods?"
Xarl choked on his food. "I—I didn't choose to faint!"
Kor stood, raising his cup. "Enough pressure. We survived. That's what counts."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Kaelith's eyes found Xarl again.
Xarl felt the weight of that gaze, but said nothing.
That night, sleep eluded Xarl.
Restless, he slipped from the dorm and wandered to the training courtyard.
The cool night wind brushed against his skin, carrying the scent of pine and earth.
There, under the pale moonlight, stood Kaelith.
Silver hair falling softly across his cheek, eyes like glowing mercury reflecting the stars.
He looked... breathtaking.
The sight made Xarl's heart stutter, his breath catch in his throat.
The moonlight traced the sharp curve of Kaelith's jaw, his silhouette graceful and ethereal.
For a moment, time slowed, as if the world itself paused to admire the scene.
Drawn like a moth to flame, Xarl stepped closer.
"Kaelith?"
The boy didn't turn, voice low.
"Can't sleep either?"
Xarl swallowed, heart pounding.
Kaelith's gaze didn't leave the sky. "You have a strange scent."
"Excuse me?"
"You."
Kaelith's eyes flicked to him briefly, then away.
"It was you, wasn't it?"
Xarl's breath hitched.
"The one who killed that beast."
Shock froze Xarl in place.
"What?"
"Don't lie," Kaelith said, voice sharper now. "I felt that power. It wasn't hers. Not anything I've sensed before."
Xarl's heart pounded like a drum—he was exposed.
Before he could respond—
System Alert!
BZZZZZT!
Pain lanced through Xarl's skull.
[System Error Detected.]
[Warning: Host Neural Sync Unstable.]
[Host Mind Stability Falling—!]
[Internal Power Disruption: Emergency Lockdown Initiated.]
His vision swam.
His knees buckled.
Kaelith spun sharply, catching him before he hit the ground.
His hands were surprisingly gentle.
"What are you hiding, Xarl?" he whispered.
Back in the dorm, Vally and Kor sat silently as Kaelith laid Xarl down.
"Is he okay?" Vally asked, concern creeping into her voice.
"Overdid it," Kaelith said simply.
Kor's curiosity blazed. "You gonna tell us what really happened out there?"
Kaelith stared at Xarl's pale face long and hard.
Then turned away.
"Not yet."
Xarl drifted into sleep—deeper this time.
But the dream was different.
The ground was collapsing again, the earth crumbling beneath him—
And standing amid the rubble was someone cloaked, familiar, watching.
Watching him.