The Astrael Grand Academy did not welcome visitors.
It measured them.
Aerion felt it the moment the carriage slowed.
The massive gates loomed ahead—twin arches carved from obsidian stone, each etched with glowing runes that pulsed like a living heartbeat. Mana flowed through them in complex patterns, ancient and unforgiving.
This was not a place built to teach.
It was a place built to test worth.
"Remember," Lord Caelum said quietly, seated across from Aerion. His armor was hidden beneath noble robes, but the weight of a warrior still clung to him. "You do not need to prove anything today."
Aerion nodded, though his heart refused to calm.
Beside him, Lady Seraphine adjusted his cloak one last time. Her hands lingered, fingers trembling just slightly. "If anything feels wrong… you pull back. Promise me."
Aerion looked into her eyes.
"I promise," he said.
It was the hardest promise he had ever made.
The carriage came to a halt.
"House Valerion," a voice called from outside. "You may proceed."
The gates began to open.
The moment they did, Aerion felt it—
A pressure, subtle but immense, washed over him. His infinity mark throbbed violently, heat spreading up his arm. His vision blurred for half a heartbeat.
He clenched his fists.
Suppress it. Don't respond.
The runes flickered.
Then steadied.
Aerion exhaled slowly.
"You felt that," Eldric said from the opposite seat, watching him closely. "Didn't you?"
Aerion nodded. "The gates… they're scanning mana."
Eldric's mouth curved grimly. "They scan existence."
The carriage rolled forward.
Inside the Academy grounds, the world changed.
The air was sharper. Cleaner. Mana flowed openly here, visible as faint currents twisting through the atmosphere. Towering spires rose into the sky, each dedicated to a different discipline—combat, sorcery, alchemy, runic law, divine studies.
And students.
Hundreds of them.
They gathered across the wide marble plaza, some in noble attire, others in academy uniforms. Conversations hushed as Aerion stepped down from the carriage.
Eyes turned.
Whispers followed.
"That's him."
"The Valerion child."
"The one who disrupted the mana field."
"They say he scared Master Eldric."
Aerion kept his gaze forward.
Ignore them.
But his senses screamed.
Something here was wrong.
A bell tolled—deep and resonant.
All students turned toward the central dais, where a tall woman stood, draped in black and gold robes. Her silver hair flowed freely, and her eyes glowed faintly with runic light.
"Welcome," she said, her voice carrying effortlessly. "To the Astrael Grand Academy."
This was Headmistress Myrienne.
"You stand at the threshold of greatness," she continued. "Or ruin. The Academy will shape you… or break you."
Her gaze swept the crowd.
Then—
It stopped.
On Aerion.
For just a fraction of a second.
The infinity mark burned.
Myrienne's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
She felt it.
"Today," Myrienne said smoothly, looking away, "we begin with classification. Know this—there are no second chances."
Students were guided toward glowing platforms scattered across the plaza.
Aerion was assigned to Platform Seven.
As he stepped onto it, the runes beneath his feet ignited.
"Place your hand on the core," an instructor ordered.
Aerion hesitated.
If I touch it fully…
He placed his hand down carefully.
The platform hummed.
Mana surged upward—
Then abruptly stalled.
The runes flickered wildly.
The instructor frowned. "Again."
Aerion focused, suppressing deeper layers.
The platform pulsed weakly.
"Mana output: indeterminate," the instructor announced slowly. "Classification pending."
Murmurs erupted.
"Indeterminate?"
"That's impossible."
"Is it broken?"
Myrienne stepped forward.
"Enough," she said calmly. "Move him aside."
Aerion's chest tightened.
They don't know what to do with me.
As he stepped down, another presence brushed against his senses.
Cold.
Familiar.
Aerion turned sharply.
Across the plaza, standing among visiting observers, was a man in crimson.
Vaelreth.
No cloak this time.
No attempt to hide.
He met Aerion's gaze—and smiled.
The infinity mark exploded with heat.
Aerion staggered.
"Aerion!" Seraphine cried from the sidelines.
Vaelreth's lips moved.
No sound came.
But Aerion heard it clearly.
You're smaller than I expected.
Rage flared.
Fear followed.
Aerion forced his gaze away.
Not here. Not now.
The classification continued, but Aerion heard none of it. His senses locked onto Vaelreth's presence like a wound that refused to close.
Finally, the bell tolled again.
"New students," Myrienne announced, "you are dismissed to your dormitories."
Aerion turned—
And Vaelreth was gone.
That night, the Academy was quiet.
Too quiet.
Aerion sat on his dormitory bed, staring at his palm. The infinity mark pulsed faintly, restless.
A Seeker Beyond Law…
A knock came at the door.
He stiffened. "Yes?"
The door opened slowly.
Lyria stepped inside, arms crossed, expression tense. "You felt it too, didn't you?"
Aerion nodded. "He's here."
She swallowed. "Everyone's talking. The Academy council is uneasy. They don't like unknown variables."
"Neither does he," Aerion said quietly.
Lyria studied him. "Are you afraid?"
Aerion thought of his parents. Of the gate. Of Vaelreth's smile.
"…Yes," he admitted. "But I won't run."
Lyria smiled faintly. "Good. Because something tells me… you wouldn't get far."
The lights flickered.
The temperature dropped.
Aerion stood abruptly. "Did you feel that?"
Before she could answer—
Reality split.
Not shattered.
Split.
The room stretched unnaturally, walls elongating into darkness. Time slowed. Sound died.
A single figure stepped through the裂—Vaelreth.
Up close, his presence was suffocating.
"So this is where they cage you," Vaelreth said calmly. "Interesting choice."
Aerion stepped forward instinctively, placing himself between Vaelreth and Lyria. "You don't belong here."
Vaelreth chuckled. "Neither do you."
He raised a hand.
Chains of dark light formed in the air—etched with symbols that hurt to look at.
"Relax," Vaelreth said. "I'm not here to kill you."
Aerion's blood ran cold. "Then why are you here?"
Vaelreth leaned closer, eyes finally visible—bottomless, ancient.
"To warn you."
The infinity mark flared violently.
"Run," Vaelreth whispered. "Grow. Break something."
He smiled wider.
"Because when I come back…"
The chains tightened.
"…I won't be curious anymore."
The room snapped back to normal.
Vaelreth vanished.
Aerion collapsed to his knees, gasping.
Lyria grabbed his arm, shaking. "Aerion—what was that?!"
Aerion stared at the door, chest burning.
"…A countdown."
Far above the Academy, unseen by all—
Infinity stirred.
And for the first time…
It leaned forward.