The floating city of Aurellion—a place untouched by time—drifted high above the clouds like a celestial judgment passed down by gods.
At its highest tower, a man stood alone beneath gilded pillars and eternal twilight.
Aven.
Golden eyes sharp like blades. Divine Mark pulsing with unbearable clarity across his chest.
He read the scroll again. The ink burned black. The name within… Jiwoon.
"So it's true," Aven muttered. "The sin-born flame rises again."
Behind him, six elite knights clad in white knelt in silence. None dared speak.
Aven's voice cut the stillness.
"You've all seen the message. This boy—Jiwoon—is no ordinary transfer. He bears something even the gods wanted buried."
"Abyssal Qirin, Sinbound resonance, and that roar… it wasn't just noise. It was memory."
The third knight finally asked, hesitantly, "Do we alert the Emperor?"
Aven's eyes narrowed.
"No. The moment we involve the throne, the world will shatter faster than it can prepare."
He turned to face the balcony, wind gently brushing his coat.
"I will go."
Meanwhile – Divine Academy
A ripple spread across the sky as golden symbols appeared on every broadcast crystal within the school.
[Public Duel Declaration Issued]
Challenger: Aven, Commander of the Judgment Wing
Opponent: Jiwoon
Time: 7 Days
Location: Arena of Law
Reason: Unauthorized possession of an unregistered core of unknown origin.
Students across the academy gasped.
"Aven himself?"
"That's suicide. No one survives a match with him."
Vera dropped her book.
Kaelya stood from her seat, eyes narrowing. "He moved too quickly…"
Back in Jiwoon's dormitory
The crystal message faded from the air, leaving only silence.
Jiwoon stared at the place it had been, his hand slowly curling into a fist.
"So you've come, golden dog."
He stood, quiet… but not tense.
Instead, a smile played at the corner of his mouth.
"Let's see if your divine justice can swallow sin itself."