🧿 Chapter 76 –
"The world fears what it cannot control—and what it cannot kill."
🏛️ Scene 1: The Council of Sinjai
The battle had ended, but silence hung heavier than ash.
Sinjai Academy's Grand Council assembled deep beneath the central tower. Around a circular obsidian table sat the highest-ranking figures:
Madame Seraphis, the Headmistress.
Elder Maekor, the Seeker of Law.
Instructor Zephyra, the Diamond-Tier Strategist.
And Archsoul Venn, the academy's mind-seer.
A projection of the battle hovered above the table: Aeren—glowing, eyes aflame, wielding powers that transcended logic.
"What we witnessed is no longer theoretical," Maekor said. "The boy is not awakening... he is returning."
Zephyra frowned.
"He could've killed half the academy in that state."
Venn whispered slowly:
"Or saved it."
Madame Seraphis closed her eyes.
"We must choose. Either support him… or bind him."
A vote was cast.The decision was split.The tie-breaking voice… would be Seraphis'.
But before she could speak, her communication crystal shattered.
A new message had arrived—from the Royal Capital.
🧠 Scene 2: Aeren Hears the Whisper
Back in his dormitory, Aeren stared at the sky.
His hands still shook. Not from fear… but from what he'd felt inside.
Something was stirring within him.
A voice—not his own—murmured in the dark corners of his thoughts.
"You weren't supposed to wake yet, vessel."
"Who are you?" Aeren asked aloud.
"I am you," the voice replied. "The part of you that tore the gods from their towers. The shadow they buried."
Aeren gripped his head, falling to his knees. Visions returned—fire, screams, kneeling monsters, a blade that could cut destiny.
And laughter.
His own laughter—twisted and void of emotion.
❤️ Scene 3: Anshi's Concern
Anshi found Aeren in the moonlit courtyard, curled on the stone bench, breathing heavily.
"Aeren?"
"It's not me," he whispered. "Not all of me."
She sat beside him, without hesitation, and took his hand.
"Then I'll protect the part that is still you."
He looked into her eyes—gentle, unwavering, and shining with belief.
"Even if I lose control?"
"Then I'll bring you back."
A flicker of light shimmered at their joined hands—a small, golden gear tattoo slowly forming on Anshi's wrist. Unknown to her… a piece of the Clock Core had marked her.
Aeren had subconsciously gifted her the first protection seal.
💥 Scene 4: An Emergency Edict
Later that night, Sinjai's alarm bells tolled again—not for battle, but for declaration.
The Royal Capital had spoken:
"Aeren, bearer of the Clock Core, is to be placed under Observation Tier Crimson.If his power escalates… the academy has permission to eliminate him."
The words sent chills across the dorms, libraries, and hallways. Many students who once feared him… now turned away.
Some whispered betrayal.
Others whispered reverence.
🕳️ Scene 5: The Shadow Grows
In his dreams, Aeren stood in a cathedral of broken time.
Behind him… loomed a mirror.
In it, the reflection was not his own.
It was The Crimson Paradox—his future, his past, his darkest self—smiling.
"You can pretend, little vessel.Train. Love. Hope.But I'm not behind you… I'm inside you.And one day… you'll beg me to take over."
The dream shattered.
Aeren woke with a gasp—mark glowing, memory bleeding, future trembling.
🔚 End of Chapter 76