Kael sighed in relief as the dorm door slid shut behind him.
Finally.
He had barely escaped the wave of students that had tried to swarm him after the fight. Some just wanted to shake his hand. Others were trying to become his "friends." And a few mostly girls had only just realized how unnaturally beautiful he looked up close. His long white hair and crimson eyes had turned heads all week, but now, after three high-level duels in a row… the admiration had tripled.
It wasn't just his strength anymore.
"He looks like a character straight out of a fantasy novel."
"He's literally like… beautiful. Not even cute. Beautiful."
"He said my name. I'm not washing my ears again."
He rolled his eyes as he recalled some of the things they were whispering.
The moment he stepped inside the S-rank dormitory wing, it was like stepping into a sanctuary. One of the few perks of being a high-ranker at this academy was the restricted dorm zones low-rankers couldn't enter. No begging for autographs. No cameras. Just peace.
He entered his room.
Kael dropped onto the couch, tossing his sword onto the weapon rack in the corner.
The TV flickered to life. A news anchor talked about increasing monster activity near the Western Isles. Nothing new.
He leaned back, arms spread along the backrest, letting the silence wrap around him.
Then ping.
A soft vibration from his wrist.
His watch.
Kael tapped the glowing screen and a message popped up. One every student would be seeing at that very moment.
> ⚠️ Academy Announcement ⚠️
All senior-year students will return by next week.
First-year students will be participating in a field assignment:
Location: Elowen Forest — Outer Core
Departure: Monday Morning
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
Elowen Forest…
His lips curled into a smile.
"That's where I'll find it."
The Book of Origin.
And hopefully ritual-grade mana ink.
Finally, things were lining up.