A few hours before the selection the Starcrest faculty chamber was quiet, its air filled with incense smoke and the low hum of protective runes. Massive arched windows bathed the circular room in natural light, though most of the figures inside ignored it—too focused on the dossiers spread across the central table.
A middle aged man in an orange military uniform sat at the head of the table, arms folded, eyes sharp. His light brown hair was tied behind his head, and the aura around him was one of tightly leashed power, waiting to explode and that of an imposing leader that has seen multiple battles and led large armies.
"These are the most promising initiates this year," Headmaster Philips began, tapping a crystalline panel that projected names and brief profiles above the table. "Several stand out already." Another teacher added.
"Arthur Kincaid," said one of the senior instructors. "Nullification, frost affinity and a fatebound tier weapon. Disciplined. No arrogance despite his heritage."
"Of course he stands out," muttered another. "He's the Frost Dragon King's vessel. That bloodline practically breeds excellence."
"Lucia kinght" added a female teacher. "Outstanding time affinity and master swordsaintess despite her age.Blake Monroe unique seer ability , but her visions are not a 100℅ accurate. She's a risk—but a valuable one."
"Seth Maxwell air to the house Maxwell," offered a third. "High gravity affinity mixed with the storm element,he also inherited the storm God's legacy and has a fatebound tier weapon. High versatility."
"Alex Javier has a unique berserker state and the mark of the beast gpd." another said. "The dark horse Kevin hunter no known backing with an unclear backing,high Lightning-affinty. If trained, he could break through rank barriers at a terrifying pace."
" Others include Sandra West,Veronica Collins,Summer Mon Ainsworth, the Li twins,Evan Clark,Andrew Parker and Jane Blade ".
A pause followed. Then one of the instructors asked, "And the Chambers kid?"
The room quieted. Some instructors looked at each other uncertainly.
"There's... something off about him," said one. "Not in a bad way, just—he feels like different. But one thing is for sure..... He is powerful"
"He's composed," another noted. "Too composed. His aura was muted during initial assessments, but I sensed pressure when we locked eyes. It was faint, like a beast sleeping under the surface."
"A background check revealed no red flags," the female teacher commented said. "He comes from a known noble line, that has been creating monsters for years."
"I'll handle him."
All heads turned to the last of the ten teachers who stood by the window looking outwards. He had light skin, long gray hair tied in a ponytail and piercing black eyes like endless abysses . His aura is equally as astonishing as his looks him being at the world transcendent realm just a step away from the ascension realm.
"You?" Philips asked, raising an eyebrow. "You don't usually take direct students anymore."
"I want to test him myself," Ren the teacher replied. "There's something buried in him. If I'm right, we'll need him ready sooner than expected."
"Very well," Philips said, giving a slight nod. "You have full discretion."
" I would also like some others"
His tone was calm yet left no room for dispute making Philips sigh and nod.
---
Meanwhile, far from the academy, in the depths of an abandoned subterranean citadel, screams echoed—sharp and short, quickly swallowed by silence.
A blood-soaked marble table bore the lifeless bodies of several underworld leaders, their heads arranged like a crude offering.
A man with jet-black armor and a demon mask covering his face wiped his blade clean, eyes glowing a deep crimson.
"They squealed like rats," he said, grinning.
Across the chamber, twelve other figures stood in the shadows all wearing similar armor and masks with a cloak bearing a sigil that shimmered and shifted—unreadable by mortal means.
At the center stood a auburn haired imposing figure, tall and terrifyingly calm. His auburn hair contrasted with his void-black eyes.
"Now," the man spoke, his voice like a low melody, carrying an under current of bloodlust "the underworld belongs to us."
"Pathetic really," hissed a woman with thorn-like tattoos on her face. "They thought they ruled in darkness. But we are the darkness."
Another figure chuckled—a boy with blood red pupils and a stitched smile. "Shall we let Starcrest know we're watching?"
Their leader the auburn hired man shook his head. "Not yet. Let them grow… and bask in their peace. When the moment is right, we'll take everything from them."
One figure at the back, silent until now, raised his head slightly.
"They're gathering the Sovereigns."
Another woman smirked. "Good. Let them. The stronger the light… the deeper the shadow it casts."
The thirteen figures vanished one by one—nothing but crimson mist , blood and gore left in their wake.
*********************************************
Back at Starcrest, Leo leaned against his chair in a large auditorium like class room along with a bunch of other students all numbering one hundred.
" Who do you think is our combat teacher is?" A student asked another
"I don't know." his friend answered
Across the hall multiple conversations like this were heard as anticipation for their first class.