Kael awoke with the dawn, a new energy thrumming through his veins. He dressed in the sleek black clothes provided by Mano, the fabric fitting his new, powerfully built frame perfectly. Without a second glance at the orphanage that had been his prison, he stepped out into the city.
He ran, and the world became a blur. His speed was incredible, a testament to the five days of grueling transformation. In what felt like seconds, he stood before the immense, gleaming structure of Valarus. Now, let's get in, he thought, a confident smile touching his lips.
He pushed the grand doors open and entered a huge, bustling hallway. It was filled with students—some from the orphanage, others from across the kingdom. The moment he stepped inside, a ripple of attention went through the crowd.
Girls immediately began whispering and giggling amongst themselves. "Hey, do you see him? Who is that? He's so hot!" one said, her eyes wide. "I'm going to propose to him first!"declared another, much to her friend's dismay.
Kael felt a wave of nervousness. These same people would have disliked me, even laughed at me, if I was the old me, he thought bitterly.
The boys were no less observant. "I guess he's new. But how is he already so muscular? And that face... it's not fair."
Kael kept his head down, walking through the crowd as all eyes followed him. No one recognized the bullied orphan beneath the handsome, white-haired exterior.
He remembered Alex's instructions. He told me to go to the office first to register. I have to submit this paper. He scanned the hallway and saw a girl looking just as nervous and out of place as he felt. He approached her.
"Hey, can you tell—" he began.
The girl flinched, startled. "Sorry! Sorry! Actually, I heard you were new here. Can I ask you something?" she blurted out, her face turning bright red.
Kael was taken aback. "Yeah, yeah, what is it?"
The girl took a deep breath. "Do... do you have a girlfriend?"
Kael's mind went blank. What the fuck is she asking? "Uh,no. No, I don't," he stammered.
"So, can... can.. can you be my boyfriend?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Kael's cheeks flushed a deep red. "S-sorry!" he managed to choke out, before turning and practically running away down the hall. What the hell is going on?!
In his frantic escape, he looked up and saw a nameplate on a door: Jaxon Alfred. Is this the office? As his fingers brushed against the door, it swung open by itself.
An intense, overwhelming aura poured out of the room, making the air heavy and hard to breathe. This aura... this feeling... Kael thought, his body tensing.
Inside, behind a large desk, sat Jaxon Alfred himself. "What happened,boy? Who are you?" Jaxon asked, his voice calm but laced with power.
Kael was frozen with nervousness. "Sir, actually, actually, actually..."
"Calm down, calm down," Jaxon said with a slight wave of his hand. "Now, say what you want to ask me."
"Sir, actually I was trying to find the office. I have to fill my form. I am a new registration for Marion," Kael explained, finally finding his words.
Jaxon smiled faintly and pointed. "It's at my right."
Kael looked and saw a much smaller, simpler door next to the grand office. Whaaat!? he screamed internally. "Yes, sir. Thank you," he said aloud.
"You're welcome, boy," Jaxon replied.
"Sir, may I know who are you? Are you a Marion?" Kael dared to ask.
Jaxon's smile widened. "I am a Marion. The rank is Vario."
Kael's eyes widened in shock. So that's why I was feeling this aura. A Vario-rank Marion... he really is powerful.
He quickly excused himself and found the correct office, submitting his form to a clerk. As he left, Jaxon watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. This person... handsome, muscular. He must be the same rank as Brad and the others, I guess. But something was different about him...
A butler then guided Kael to his new room. He dropped his few bags and clothes onto the bed, marveling at the space that was now his. Without wasting a moment, he closed the door and headed for the training grounds.
The ground was massive, far larger than anything he had ever seen. Wow, this ground is really huge!
His eyes were immediately drawn to a fierce match. His breath caught. This person...?
It was Brad. His fists were glowing with a violent purple power as he fought against a girl, a Zairo-rank named Maria, who used light magic. Brad landed a punch on her arm, forcing her back. But Maria simply smirked and shouted, "Chrono-Lumen!"
A faint, golden-white light erupted from her hand, not as a beam, but as a glow that sought its target.
Magic Name: Chrono-Lumen (Time-Light) Core Concept:This magic doesn't blast or burn. Instead, it manipulates light and a localized flow of time to cause rapid decay and disintegration.
Brad dodged the main attack, but the glancing blow was enough. The leather on his armguard instantly aged, becoming brittle and flaking away like dust. The skin beneath reddened and blistered as if aged decades in a second. He cried out in pain, clutching his injured arm, and the match was called.
Wow, he has become powerful, Kael thought, impressed despite himself.
Brad, frustrated, looked up and his eyes locked onto Kael. He frowned, striding over. "Hey, what's your name, dude? Do I know you?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and challenge.
Kael met his gaze with cool, dead eyes. "I am Kael."
Brad stumbled backwards as if struck. "What the hell are you telling me?!" he shouted, his face a mask of confusion and embarrassment. I don't know a Kael who looks handsome, muscular, and is this type of hot! How did he do it in just a few days? Am I dreaming? This time... he feels like someone else. He has no feelings, I guess.
Maria walked over, also looking at Kael. "Hey, do you know him?" she asked Brad.
Brad could only stare, shocked, as Kael began to walk away. "Yeah..." he muttered.
Maria blushed slightly, watching Kael's retreating form. "He looks kind of hot, isn't he?"
Brad snapped his head towards her, utterly scandalized. "What the hell?!"
"Don't think wrong things, you asshole!" Maria shouted, her embarrassment turning to anger. She threw a punch, not with magic, but with solid force, hitting Brad square on the jaw. His eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Kael didn't look back. He kept walking, a new world of power and intrigue unfolding around him.
(Chapter 7 Fin)