Caelen's boots dragged as he followed Master Torv through the Academy's dimly lit corridors, the electric hum of the teacher's mana crackling like a storm at his back. The VR lounge's chatter faded behind him, replaced by the oppressive weight of Torv's summons. With only one day left to complete Zorak's quest—survive a week without exposing the Nephalem system—Caelen felt like a shadow rat cornered by a stone viper. Torv's words from the lounge, *"My office. Now,"* echoed with predatory intent, and the Guild's rumors about the ruin's "forbidden power" tightened the noose around his secret.
Zorak's spectral form hovered in his vision, unseen by others, his tattered robes rippling with Vanta black and Lotus pink energies. "He's a hunter," Zorak warned, his voice low and urgent. "His mana seeks your truth. Stay Ascended, deflect his probes, and reveal nothing. One misstep, and the Guild will know you're Nephalem."
Caelen's scar—a faint Vanta black sheen under his sleeve—burned with paranoia. He hadn't checked his stats since scanning himself yesterday, but the risk was too high with Torv so close. His Ascended tree was at 4 levels (*Divine Spark* Lv. 3, *Sacred Ward* Lv. 1), nearing the evolution threshold of 10, while Fallen lagged at 1 (*Shadow Slash* Lv. 1). The Lotus pink *Divine Spark*, with its golden motes, kept him grounded; the Vanta black *Shadow Slash*, crimson embers flickering, tempted him with rage he couldn't afford.
Torv's office was a stark chamber, its walls lined with mana-locked cabinets and a single crystal desk. The carved tablet from class—winged figure, shadowed beast—sat prominently, its runes faintly glowing. Torv sat, his electric mana coiling like a serpent, his cold eyes fixed on Caelen. "Sit," he said, gesturing to a chair.
Caelen obeyed, his heart pounding. The mana in the room felt sharp, probing, like needles against his skin. He wanted to Scan Torv, to confirm his threat, but Zorak's voice was firm: "Not now. His senses are too keen."
Torv leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "You're an anomaly, boy. A Gemless nobody, yet you survived a ruin collapse that shouldn't have happened. Rankers found traces of… unusual energy at the site. Not mana. Something older, forbidden." His eyes narrowed. "And now, rumors of a strange light in your fight with Kael. Care to explain?"
Caelen's blood ran cold. *He knows too much,* he thought, the Fallen energy stirring—Vanta black wisps, crimson embers flaring in his mind. He clung to *Divine Spark*'s Lotus pink calm, forcing his voice steady. "It was my dagger," he said, patting Mira's Rank 1 Heart Gem blade at his hip. "The Gem flared. I'm no mage, sir."
Torv's mana pulsed, a jolt that made Caelen's scar itch. "A convenient excuse," Torv said. "But I've seen Gem weapons. They don't produce light like that. And your RuinRush match—under the name Astral Kin, was it? That player's light matched Kael's description."
Caelen's heart skipped. *Lysa told him,* he realized, recalling her suspicion in the lounge. Or had Torv been watching? His *Astral Kin* avatar—long white hair, blood red right eye, Lotus pink left eye—had hidden his identity, but the *Divine Spark*'s glow was too distinct. "I'm not Astral Kin," Caelen lied, shrugging. "Lots of players use light effects in RuinRush. I just played my first match."
Torv's eyes bored into him, his mana crackling. "You're either a fool or a liar. The Guild doesn't tolerate secrets, boy. If you're hiding something, I'll find it." He stood, gesturing to the tablet. "This relic speaks of Nephalem—myths, half-angel, half-demon. Abominations. If such power resurfaced, the Guild would destroy it. Understand?"
Caelen nodded, his throat dry. Zorak's voice was grim: "He's baiting you. He has no proof—yet. Endure."
Torv dismissed him with a wave. "Get out. But I'm watching, Caelen. One slip, and you're done."
Caelen stumbled into the corridor, his legs shaky. The quest's final day loomed, and Torv's interrogation had pushed him to the edge. He needed to train, to master his Ascended skills before the Guild closed in, but every move felt like a trap.
In the Gem Weapon Class that morning, Mira noticed his pallor. "You okay?" she whispered, handing him a Rank 1 Heart Gem for their project. "You look like you saw a ghost."
"Worse," Caelen muttered, focusing on infusing the Gem with mana. Torv's words—*Nephalem, abominations*—echoed, and the tablet's runes haunted him. Could he Scan it later? The risk was high, but Elysium's secrets might hold answers about Zorak's sacrifice.
The history class was unbearable, Torv's stare heavier than ever. His lecture shifted to the Guild's purpose: "We reclaim ruins to protect humanity from their dangers. Some powers are too great to wield." Caelen kept his head down, but Zorak's voice cut through: "He's warning you. Complete my quest, or he'll strike."
After class, Caelen avoided Kael's taunts, slipping into the VR lounge to clear his head. Mira had convinced him to try RuinRush again, and the *Astral Kin* avatar was his only safe space to wield the system. He entered a pod, the crystal interface humming, and loaded the game.
The virtual ruin materialized—a decayed skyscraper under a stormy sky. Astral Kin's white hair flowed, his mismatched eyes—blood red and Lotus pink—glowing. A game prompt appeared:
*RuinRush: Welcome, Astral Kin!*
- Objective: Defeat a Rank 2 creature for leaderboard points.
- Quest: Slay a Virtual Stone Viper.
- Reward: 200 points, +1 virtual Heart Gem (Rank 2)
Caelen gripped his dagger, its blue glow vivid. A stone viper slithered from the rubble, its scales grinding, its Heart Gem pulsing with earth mana. He whispered, "Scan."
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Virtual Stone Viper (Rank 2)
- Strength: 10
- Agility: 7
- Abilities: Tail Strike, Stone Coil
- Traits: Armored, Slow
- Mana Cost: 3
His mana dipped to 15, but the Scan gave him a plan. He summoned *Divine Spark*, the Lotus pink sphere blazing with golden motes. It struck the viper's head, cracking its scales for 30 points. The creature lunged, and Caelen dodged, his virtual agility sharp. He fired another *Divine Spark*, leveling it up mid-battle, the glow illuminating the ruin.
A fireball interrupted, and Kael's avatar appeared, flames roaring. "Back for more, Astral Kin?" Kael sneered, unaware of Caelen's true identity. "You're no match for me."
Caelen's blood surged, but he stayed Ascended. He hurled *Divine Spark*, grazing Kael for 20 points. Kael countered with a fire wave, forcing Caelen to roll. Tempted by *Shadow Slash*, he resisted—Zorak's warning held firm. The viper struck Kael, distracting him, and Caelen finished it with a final *Divine Spark*, earning 200 points.
The match ended, and Caelen exited the pod, his heart racing. Mira cheered. "Astral Kin's climbing the ranks! You're a mystery, whoever you are."
Caelen forced a laugh, but Lysa's presence nearby froze him. She approached, her winged star pendant glinting. "Astral Kin's light," she said, her voice low. "It's the same as yours. I won't tell, Caelen, but… what are you hiding?"
*"She's too close,"* Zorak warned. Caelen shook his head. "I'm not him," he said. "It's just a game, Lysa."
She hesitated, then nodded. "I hope so. For your sake."
As Caelen headed to his dorm, the system chimed, signaling the quest's end:
*Quest Complete: Shadows of Suspicion*
- *Zorak: "You've survived, but Torv's hunt is far from over. Grow stronger."*
- Reward: +5 Ascended, New Skill: *Grace of Healing*
- New Ascended: 14
- New Skill: *Grace of Healing* (Lv. 1, +1 Ascended, heals minor wounds, 8 Mana)
Caelen exhaled, relief fleeting. His Ascended tree was now at 5 levels (3+1+1), halfway to evolution. But Torv's threat loomed, and Lysa's words lingered. He reached the dorm corridor, only to find Master Korrin waiting, his blind eyes hidden, his katana sheathed. "Trouble follows you, kid," Korrin said, his sensory magic probing. "Torv's sniffing around, and the Guild's sending Rankers to Elara tomorrow. They want answers about the ruin."
Caelen's scar burned, and Zorak's voice was urgent: "The hunters are here. Your next move decides your fate."