Caelen's heart thudded as he hurried through the Academy's stone corridors, the weight of Zorak's quest pressing like a blade at his back. Two days remained to survive the week without exposing the Nephalem system, and the Academy felt like a maze of threats. Master Torv's electric glare from last night—"The Guild doesn't like mysteries"—haunted him, while Kael's taunts and Lysa's probing curiosity tightened the noose. The Guild's rumors about the ruin explosion were spreading, whispering of a "forbidden power" tied to his blood.
Zorak's spectral form hovered in his vision, unseen by others, his tattered robes rippling with Vanta black and Lotus pink energies. "You're a spark in their storm," Zorak said, his voice sharp. "Torv hunts you, and the fire boy seeks your fall. Stay Ascended. The Fallen's rage will betray you to the Guild."
Caelen nodded, his scar—a faint Vanta black sheen under his sleeve—itching with paranoia. He hadn't checked his stats since Kael's challenge, too wary of prying eyes. Alone in a quiet corridor, he whispered, "Scan," focusing on himself.
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Caelen
- Ascended: 9
- Fallen: 6
- Balance: 57% (Ascended-Leaning)
- Mana: 18
- Strength: 4
- Agility: 6
- Endurance: 5
- Ascended Skills: *Divine Spark* (Lv. 3, +3 Ascended), *Sacred Ward* (Lv. 1, +1 Ascended)
- Fallen Skills: *Shadow Slash* (Lv. 1, +1 Fallen)
- Skill: *Mana Channeling (Basic)* (Lv. 1, +1 Mana efficiency)
- Traits: Nephalem Bloodline (Hidden), Low Mana Pool
- Mana Cost: 5
His mana dipped, and Caelen clenched his jaw. His Ascended tree was at 4 levels (3+1), nearing the evolution threshold of 10 for a new skill, while Fallen lagged at 1. The Lotus pink *Divine Spark*, with its golden motes, felt like a lifeline; the Vanta black *Shadow Slash*, crimson embers flickering, stirred urges he suppressed. *"Keep to Ascended,"* Zorak urged. *"The Fallen's power waits for another time."*
In the Gem Weapon Class, Mira was at their workbench, infusing a Rank 1 Heart Gem into a short sword. "You look like death," she said, eyeing him. "Kael still hounding you?"
"Always," Caelen muttered, gripping Mira's gifted dagger, its blue glow steady. "Any word on the ruin investigation?"
Mira's voice lowered. "Rankers found 'strange energy' at the site. Not mana—something older. Guild's keeping it secret, but it's got people nervous. You were there, Caelen."
Caelen's stomach knotted. *They're hunting me,* he thought, Zorak's warning echoing: *"Hide from the hunters."* He focused on his work, channeling mana into a Heart Gem, but his mind drifted to RuinRush, the VR Battle Royale game Mira raved about. A poster on the workshop wall glowed: *"Fight Virtual Creatures! Earn Guild Rewards!"* It could be a safe place to train his system—his identity hidden behind an avatar.
"RuinRush tonight?" Mira asked, grinning. "You need practice, and it's safer than fighting Kael."
Caelen hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. I'll try it." If his avatar didn't look like him, he could use *Divine Spark* freely, maybe even *Shadow Slash*, without risking exposure.
The history class followed, and Master Torv's lecture was a blade's edge. "Elysium's Fall," he said, his electric mana crackling, "was where celestial and demonic forces collided. Their powers were sealed for humanity's sake." His eyes locked on Caelen, sharp and probing. Zorak hissed: "He's testing you. Show nothing."
Caelen scribbled notes, his pulse racing. The tablet on Torv's desk—winged figure, shadowed beast—matched the ruin lab's runes. Torv mentioned "Nephalem myths," calling them "abominations, half-angel, half-demon." Caelen's scar burned, and Zorak's form stiffened. "Elysium holds my past," the ancestor said. "But you're not ready. Stay hidden."
After class, Kael cornered Caelen near the crystal fountain, his fire magic flickering. "Heard you're trying RuinRush, Gemless," he sneered. "Think you can cheat in VR like you did with me?"
Caelen's blood heated, Vanta black wisps stirring in his mind, but he clung to *Divine Spark*'s Lotus pink calm. "I didn't cheat," he said. "And I'm not scared of you."
Kael laughed. "I'm top-ranked in RuinRush. If you show up, you're ash." He stalked off, his cronies snickering.
*"He's a distraction,"* Zorak said. *"RuinRush is your chance to train. Your avatar will shield your identity—use it."*
That evening, Caelen joined Mira in the VR lounge, a sleek room with mana-powered pods. Students cheered as screens showed RuinRush matches—virtual ruins teeming with creatures. Caelen slipped into a pod, its crystal interface humming. He customized his avatar, crafting a figure unlike his scrawny, brown-haired self: long white hair flowing like moonlight, right eye blood red, left eye Lotus pink, glowing with ethereal light. His uniform was black with pink accents, a nod to his dual energies. For his name, he chose **Astral Kin**, evoking his Nephalem bloodline's celestial-demon heritage.
Zorak's voice was approving: "Good. This mask lets you wield my power without fear. But stay Ascended—Fallen draws eyes, even in VR."
The virtual world loaded—a jagged ruin under a crimson sky, air thick with dust. Astral Kin's avatar held Mira's dagger, its blue glow vivid. A game prompt appeared:
*RuinRush: Welcome, Astral Kin!*
- Objective: Survive the Battle Royale, defeat creatures, earn points.
- Quest: Clear a Rank 1 creature wave.
- Reward: 50 points, +1 virtual Heart Gem
Caelen moved, his avatar's enhanced senses sharp. A shadow rat skittered from the rubble, and he whispered, "Scan."
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Virtual Shadow Rat (Rank 1)
- Strength: 6
- Agility: 8
- Abilities: Claw Strike
- Traits: Fast, Fragile
- Mana Cost: 2
His mana dipped to 16, but the Scan guided him. He summoned *Divine Spark*, a Lotus pink sphere with golden motes blazing like stars. It obliterated the rat, earning 10 points. Caelen grinned—here, as Astral Kin, he was free. He fought more rats, his *Divine Spark* flowing effortlessly, its light illuminating the virtual ruin.
Then, a fireball roared from the shadows. Kael's avatar—flame-haired, wreathed in fire—appeared, sneering. "New guy, huh? You're in my way, Astral whatever." He didn't recognize Caelen, and the disguise held.
Caelen's blood surged, but he stayed Ascended. He fired *Divine Spark*, the sphere grazing Kael's avatar. Kael countered with a fire wave, forcing Caelen to dodge. Emboldened by his mask, Caelen tried *Shadow Slash*—a Vanta black blade, crimson embers flaring—slashing Kael's arm for 20 points. Kael cursed, retreating as the match timer ended.
Caelen exited the pod, earning 150 points and a virtual Heart Gem. Mira clapped. "Astral Kin? Nice show! You're a natural."
Caelen forced a smile, but Lysa stood nearby, her winged star pendant glinting. She approached, her eyes narrowed. "That player… Astral Kin. His light was like yours in the yard. Is it you?"
Caelen's scar burned. *"She sees too much,"* Zorak warned. "It's a coincidence," Caelen said, his voice steady. "Lots of players use light effects."
Lysa frowned but nodded. "Maybe. Just… be careful. The Guild's watching everyone." She walked away, leaving Caelen's heart pounding.
Before he could relax, Master Torv stormed into the lounge, his electric mana crackling. "Caelen!" he barked. "My office. Now."
Students froze, their eyes on Caelen. Torv's gaze was a predator's, and the quest's final day loomed. Zorak's voice was grim: "He's striking. Survive this, or your secret falls."