I looked around the room i was given, everything was perfect. The bed was small but big enough for me. The bathroom and toilet felt like a luxury i had forgotten, maybe it was because i had all abandoned these things once.
So i understood the importance of it now,
Rune
Chronicles:[Shadow key]
[Forgotten king's blade]
[Dark shroud]
[everbloom]
I looked pathetically at my runes, that strange stone was gone. I was hoping it would become something useful after gathering all eight pieces but it had vanished along with that note.
I was caught of guard as a knock echoed through the room.
I dismissed the runes and jumped to my feet.
I went to the door and was suprised to see a note on the ground along with a guy resting on the wall.
"Follow me", those words echoed in my ear as i felt the annoyance behind them.
I was called us to the Grand Hall.
A space so vast it swallowed sound. But there was no silence—only the thrum of too many people in one place. Thousands of Marked. Standing. Breathing. Waiting for what they had been called for.
Either way, they were still humans, most of the seekers in the hall gathered to show off their power, talk and make friends.
Something about it all annoyed me, i never really like talking to people. Seeing seekers showing off and getting along with easch other made me feel more distant from the world than i already was.
I felt the need to disappear.
I activated Hide. Luckily the hide trait didn't need aen, and was a passive enchantment which could be activated but not for too long.
And then the world forgot me.
But not the weight. Not the pressure pounding at my skull like a slow drum.
Even unseen, the presence of thousands pressed in.
I turned, one step from slipping away entirely.
Then I felt it.
Someone brushed past.
She didn't touch me—but I felt it all the same .The warmth crept in. I looked.
She had already stopped.
Short,sky-blue hair, its silvery tips made it look like her hair was dyed. Pale skin like winter glass. Eyes that didn't search, just saw.
Right at me.
Straight through the veil i wore.
She shouldn't have been able to. No one could see through the enchantment of a awakened tier armor.
But she could.
And she did.
Then—she walked over. No fear. No hesitation. Just presence of warmth and understanding around her.
She extended a hand.
Not forceful. Just… open.
I didn't move at first. My mind ran wild, trying to place her, name her, understand.
But nothing came.
Only a feeling.
Something old. Something warm like i knew it but had forgotten.
I reached out. Took her hand.
"Hi," she said softly. "I'm Silver."
Her voice barely carried through the air.
Her name sounded made up just like mine did but that was something for another day.
But something in it—
Felt like remembering.
I felt like all the attention moved to me. But i didn't mind it, because it felt like someone i had lost was coming back to me.
---
She didn't say much—just took my hand and led me away. I felt a wave of an unknown emotion wash over me as i was practically dragged out of the hall.
Through the winding corridors. Past the echoing murmurs of others. Until we reached an empty classroom. Quiet. Dim. Forgotten, i felt like i wasn't meant to be here and i had to get back to the hall. But a part of me wanted to listen to what she wanted to tell me.
She let go.
The door clicked shut behind us.
I watched her.
She watched me.
I felt the awkwardness grow between us.
There was something in her eyes—soft, but alive. Curious. Enthusiastic in a way that didn't feel forced. Like she wanted to know more about me, i did too but not yet.
She sat down right in front of me.
Crossed her legs.
Tilted her head in away thta made her awkwardly cute. Like a little doll.
"You feel… strange," she said, her voice light. "Your aura's off." I blinked after hearing her.
I felt like laughing, was this what she wanted to tell me. Still keeping myself composed. I didn't answer her.
She didn't push.
Silence fell between us. The kind that wasn't awkward. Just real.
Then—she stood.
Opened her hand.
A flicker of light danced in her palm, pulsing once before unfolding into a Chronicle.
"Let's fight," she said.
I blinked. Taken off guard once again.
She didn't know me.
And I didn't know her.
But the way she looked at me—like I was part of something she couldn't name—made it hard to walk away.
Still, I said, "No."
She blinked. "…Why?"
"I don't know you. I've got better things to do."
Like what, stay in that boring hall and hide away.
I was shocked yet tried to keep it hidden as much as i could. Why do you wanna fight me. We just met.
She pouted her face in a way that made a really cute.
"I lied", she said with her pout..
Why did you lie. I said in the most normal way i could say.
I just wanted to talk to you , but i didn't know what to say.
My composure shattered as i finally laughed, she looked at me and nearly cried.
Why are you laughing, i couldn't answer.
All i did was activate Hide.
And ran out of the class.
She didn't chase me.
Didn't call out.
Didn't even flinch.
Maybe she'd never seen me at all. I didn't know why i did but i felt the nned to .
---
Back in the Grand Hall, the crowd had thinned.
The noise had faded to murmurs.
Then—a man stood.
Tall. Robed in dusk-toned fabric, trimmed in gold. His presence was the kind that made the air feel heavier.
When he spoke, it wasn't loud—but every voice in the room died.
"Ascended Jade," a random person said in excitment.
His gaze swept over us like a blade sheathed in silence.
"Why are you here?"
"Fame?"
"Power?"
"Riches"
"Or something darker?"
He didn't wait for answers.
"In the weeks to come," he said, "I hope you find your answer."
Then he stepped down from the platform. He was done with his half hearted speech.
I felt really annoyed after realizing i wasted my time just to listen to those words. I didn't see silver again, so i was glad a little.
"Return to your dorms."
Those words echoed through the hall, initializing my hellish days before i would be thrown into the scape.