Elara stood by the ajar door, fingers curling against the frame, muscles coiled as if deciding whether to step in.
Inside the stall, hands shoved Heli hard toward the yellow water.
He didn't fight the push. Instead, he dropped his weight like dead weight.
The sudden slack threw the lackey forward, off-balance.
Heli twisted smoothly, slipping free of the grip. His foot hooked the boy's ankle and yanked.
The lackey pitched headfirst. Splash. Foul water erupted across the tiles as he plunged into the bowl, choking, thrashing.
Kai froze. His face flushed crimson.
"You piece of trash!" he roared. "You dare dodge? You want to die?!"
The second lackey lunged. Heli tilted his head—just enough.
The fist grazed his ear and slammed into the metal partition with a deep clang, denting it.
Kai stepped back. Pale-blue light flared around his fists—spiritual energy humming in the cramped space.
Noble heirs started cultivation young.
Elixirs, beast cores, family fortunes poured into foundations long before any awakening ceremony. The air grew thick, pressing.
"I'll break your legs," Kai hissed.
He launched forward, glowing punch whistling toward Heli's chest.
Heli didn't back away. His dark eyes narrowed.
He raised one bare hand and met the fist head-on.
The instant skin met aura, a soft hiss cut the air.
Kai's condensed energy flickered, unraveled, dissolved like smoke in wind.
The pressure vanished.
Kai's eyes blew wide. Momentum shattered.
Before he could react, Heli's hand cracked across his face.
Smack.
Crisp. Heavy. The sound bounced off the tiles.
Kai spun and crashed into the sinks. A tooth skittered across porcelain.
The second lackey yanked his fist free from the dent and whirled.
Smack.
Another clean swing. The boy dropped hard to the wet floor, clutching his cheek, a muffled wail escaping.
The first lackey finally crawled backward from the stall, coughing water.
He didn't get far. A casual backhand sent him sprawling back into the mess.
Silence fell. Only dripping water and low groans.
Kai stared up from the floor, cheek already ballooning, eyes trembling.
His foundation—years of herbs, cores, training—erased in a single touch. Gone.
He couldn't understand it.
Outside the door, Elara's hand slowly fell from the frame.
Her eyes widened, just a fraction.
These were inner-district heirs. Born with silver spoons of pure spirit essence.
And the outer-district stray had used nothing—no technique, no glow, no chant.
Just three slaps.
Clean. Precise. Final.
Kai's cheek swelled, blood at the corner of his mouth. He scrambled back on his palms.
He drew a breath and screamed.
"HELP! TEACHERS! SECURITY! This bastard attacked me! He's trying to kill us!"
The cry echoed down the corridor.
Doors opened. Footsteps pounded.
Three figures burst in: two security guards in black uniforms, Mr. Chen behind them.
They stopped. Three boys on the wet tiles, groaning, faces bruised. Heli stood in the center, hands at his sides, face blank.
The guards gripped their stun batons. Mr. Chen's eyes narrowed.
"What happened?"
Kai pointed at Heli.
"He attacked us! Out of nowhere! We were talking, and this trash jumped us! Arrest him! Report him! He's dangerous!"
The guards stepped forward. Batons hummed. Their eyes fixed on Heli, cold and hostile.
Kai pulled himself up against the sink, wiping blood from his lip. He grinned.
"You're done, stray. Touch noble blood? Expulsion. Blacklist. Labor camps. My family will bury you—"
Heli's brow furrowed. These were adults. Armed. Academy authority. One mistake, and it ended in cuffs.
Then a voice cut in.
"Enough."
Elara stepped into the doorway.
"Put the batons away."
"It was a misunderstanding. Heli is my friend. He and Kai were sparring. Classmate stuff. No one's hurt bad."
She looked at the three on the floor.
"Take them to the infirmary. They'll be fine."
Mr. Chen's jaw tightened. He looked from Elara to Heli, eyes lingered on Heli
"Elara Voss. You're vouching for him?"
"Yes. Completely."
A beat.
Mr. Chen exhaled. He nodded at the guards.
"Get them up. Infirmary. Now."
The guards hauled the boys out. Kai shot Heli a last glare before they dragged him away.
They left. Door shut.
Silence. Only dripping water.
Heli turned to Elara.
"…Thank you."
She met his eyes.
"Don't mention it."
He asked.
"Why help me?"
Elara tilted her head.
"Walk with me. We'll talk over dinner."
Elara turned toward the corridor.
Heli paused half a second, then followed her footsteps.
Soon, they reached the cafeteria
Heli grabbed a tray and loaded it light: plain rice, stir-fried greens, steamed fish.
Elara's tray looked different. A small mountain of premium cuts and spirit-infused greens."
They found a table by the window and sat facing each other.
Elara looked at Heli's tray, then at hers.
She pushed half her food over—chicken, broccoli, a generous scoop of rice—onto his plate.
"I can't finish all this," she said.
Heli raised an eyebrow.
"I thought rich kids absorb energy fast and efficient. Big appetites. No such thing as leftovers."
Elara eyes curved a little.
"You eating or not?"
Heli picked up his chopsticks.
"Eating."
They ate in quiet for a minute.
Elara set her spoon down.
"Why did you ask that question in class? About the traitors. "
Heli chewed slowly, then swallowed.
"History books are written by the winners. We didn't see it with our own eyes. So we should stay suspicious. Always."
Elara nodded.
"That kind of thinking keeps you from being played for a fool."
Heli glanced up.
"So you think everyone in class earlier was a fool?"
Elara met his gaze straight.
"Yes. And the teacher too."
A short silence.
Heli let out a laugh.
Elara set her chopsticks down.
"Don't laugh. You're pretty foolish yourself."
Heli's brows lifted slightly.
She continued, tone even.
"You already knew they believe the history books like scripture.
Yet you still questioned it out loud, in front of everyone.
Of course they turned on you. You basically painted a target on your back."
Heli's expression sobered. He nodded.
"You're right. I should've kept quiet."
He looked at her.
"Thanks for the lesson, Professor Voss."
Elara's lips twitched.
"No problem. I'll teach you slowly, student."
Heli paused mid-bite.
"Wait. You still haven't told me why you helped me back there."
Elara held his gaze for a long moment. Her delicate eyes didn't waver.
Finally she spoke.
"If I get old and still don't have kids… I'd probably adopt someone like you."
Heli's spoon slipped from his fingers.
Clink.
He stared at her, eyes wide, completely frozen.
"What did you just say."
Elara shrugged.
"I'm not like normal people. You'd better get used to it."
She pushed another piece of chicken onto his plate .
"Eat more. Don't make Mom worry."
Heli blinked slowly.
He looked down at the growing pile of food on his tray, then back at her serene face.
First day at Eclipse Academy: made three enemiesn, and acquired a mother?
He sighed.
At least she is a friend now.
Elara caught the look on his face. A tiny smile curved her lips.
The next morning arrived fast.
Awakening Ceremony grounds.
A vast open plaza behind the main academy building.
Stone platform in the center, ringed by tiered seating already filling with students, teachers, and a few uniformed officials from Command.
Massive crystal pillars stood at each corner, humming with faint golden light.
The air smelled of ozone and anticipation.
Heli stood at the edge of the waiting line, hands clenched at his sides.
His body trembled.
He had to awaken something strong.
Eclipse Academy had a rule: after the Awakening Ceremony, any student who manifested a class below B-rank would be quietly advised to withdraw
But he had to stay.
He had to climb.
He had to climb high enough to reach the sealed files, the hidden records, the proof that his parents weren't traitors.
Elara stood beside him, arms loosely crossed.
She glanced sideways.
"You're shaking."
Heli swallowed.
"I know ."
"You look like you're about to seize up on stage."
He shot her a look.
"Thanks for the encouragement."
Elara's mouth quirked.
"Just saying. If you cramp up and fall off the altar, I'll have to adopt you twice. Once as son, once as invalid."
Heli: "Got it, madam."
Principal stepped on the center.
His voice carried through hidden amplifiers, calm and absolute.
"Students of Eclipse Academy. Today is the day that decides your futures."
"The Profession Awakening Ceremony begins now. The crystal will read your potential, awaken your path, and assign your rank. "
"Let the ceremony begin."
The first name echoed across the plaza.
Names rolled out one after another—quick, efficient.
Students stepped forward, placed their palms on the central altar stone, and waited.
Light flared. Professions manifested in holographic bursts:
Blade Sovereign (A-rank), Storm Caller (S-rank), Shadow Weaver (B-rank). Cheers from their houses. Polite nods from the officials.
Heli's breathing stayed even, but his pulse hammered in his ears.
Elara leaned closer, voice low.
"Breathe. You've got this."
He didn't answer.
The announcer's voice continued.
"Next—Heli."