The Academy's training yard was cloaked in predawn mist, the crystal lanterns casting faint glimmers across the dirt. Caelen gripped Mira's Rank 1 Heart Gem dagger, his breath visible in the chill air, as he waited for Master Korrin. The Guild Rankers were coming to City-State Elara today, drawn by the ruin explosion's "forbidden energy," and Caelen's scar—a Vanta black sheen under his sleeve—itched with dread. Master Torv's interrogation last night had left him shaken, and Lysa's suspicion about his *Astral Kin* avatar in RuinRush tightened the web around his Nephalem secret.
Zorak's spectral form hovered, unseen by others, his tattered robes rippling with Vanta black and Lotus pink energies. "The Rankers are hunters," Zorak warned, his voice low. "Their mana is sharper than Torv's. Hide your system, lean on your Ascended side, and trust no one fully—not even the blind swordsman."
Caelen nodded, his paranoia spiking. He whispered, "Scan," focusing on himself to check his progress after completing Zorak's last quest.
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Caelen
- Ascended: 14
- Fallen: 6
- Balance: 60% (Ascended-Leaning)
- Mana: 20
- Strength: 4
- Agility: 6
- Endurance: 5
- Ascended Skills: *Divine Spark* (Lv. 3, +3 Ascended), *Sacred Ward* (Lv. 1, +1 Ascended), *Grace of Healing* (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 to 15, but the Scan showed his Ascended tree at 5 levels (3+1+1), halfway to the evolution threshold of 10 for a new skill. Fallen remained at 1, its Vanta black energy—crimson embers flickering—too volatile for his liking. *Grace of Healing*, his newest Ascended skill, offered minor wound recovery, a quiet comfort amid the storm.
Master Korrin emerged from the mist, his blind eyes hidden behind a dark cloth, his Rank 5 Serpent Gem katana sheathed. His sensory magic washed over Caelen, sharp and probing. "You're early," Korrin said, his voice low. "Good. But you're wound tight. Those Rankers got you spooked?"
Caelen hesitated, Zorak's warning echoing: *"Trust no one fully."* "Just… heard they're coming," he said, gripping his dagger. "For the ruin."
Korrin's lips twitched. "They're not here for tea. Guild's rattled—energy like that hasn't surfaced in centuries. They'll sniff around, maybe question you since you were there. Keep your head down." His magic pulsed, and he drew his katana, its green mana veins glowing. "Now, show me your blade work."
Caelen sparred, channeling *Mana Channeling (Basic)* to make his dagger glow blue. Korrin's movements were fluid, his sensory magic guiding every parry, but his strikes pushed Caelen harder than before. "You're improving," Korrin said, deflecting a thrust. "But you're still holding back. That ruin changed you, didn't it?"
Caelen's heart raced, the Fallen energy stirring—Vanta black wisps tempting him to lash out. He focused on *Divine Spark*'s Lotus pink calm, golden motes soothing his nerves. "Just trying to catch up," he lied, dodging a swing.
Korrin paused, his magic intensifying. "I don't buy it, kid. But I owe you for pulling you out of that mess. Train hard, and I'll keep Torv off your back—for now." He sheathed his katana. "Try channeling mana into your feet next time. Boosts speed."
As Korrin left, the system chimed with a new quest:
*Nephalem System: Quest Activated*
- *Zorak: "The Rankers are a threat, but also a chance. Learn their purpose without exposing yourself."*
- Quest: Eavesdrop on the Rankers
- Task: Gather information on their investigation without detection.
- Reward: +5 Ascended, +3 Mana
- Penalty: -20% Balance if detected
Caelen's stomach knotted. Spying on Rankers—elite explorers with mana far beyond his—was suicide, but Zorak's quests were non-negotiable.
In the Gem Weapon Class, Mira was forging a Rank 1 Heart Gem spear, her hands steady. "Heard the Rankers arrived," she whispered. "They're meeting with the Academy heads today. Everyone's on edge."
Caelen nodded, his mind on the quest. Could he Scan a Ranker? The mana cost was risky, and their senses might catch him. He focused on his work, infusing a Heart Gem, but overheard students buzzing about RuinRush. "Astral Kin's climbing the leaderboards," one said. "That light he uses—wild."
Caelen's scar itched. His *Astral Kin* avatar—long white hair, blood red right eye, Lotus pink left eye—had kept his identity secret, letting him wield *Divine Spark* freely in VR. But Lysa's suspicion tied him to Astral Kin, and Torv's mention of it last night meant the disguise wasn't foolproof.
The history class was tense, Master Torv's electric mana heavier than ever. His lecture veered to the Guild's Rankers: "They're our shield against ruin threats. If forbidden powers emerge, they eliminate them." His eyes flicked to Caelen, and Zorak hissed: "He's warning you. He's told the Rankers about you."
Caelen kept his head down, scribbling notes about Elysium's "sealed powers." The tablet on Torv's desk glowed faintly, its runes calling to him. He resisted scanning it, Torv's mana too vigilant.
After class, Caelen slipped toward the Academy's administrative wing, where the Rankers were meeting. The corridor was quiet, guarded by a mana barrier humming with crystal energy. He hid behind a pillar, his heart pounding. Zorak's voice was cautious: "Careful. Their mana is lethal."
Two Rankers emerged, their uniforms silver-trimmed, Heart Gem weapons at their hips. One, a woman with ice-blue hair, carried a Rank 6 spear; the other, a scarred man, wielded dual Rank 5 swords. Their mana was overwhelming, like standing near a reactor. Caelen whispered, "Scan," targeting the woman.
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Ranker Selene
- Mana: Very High (Rank 6 equivalent)
- Abilities: Ice Manipulation, Unknown (Locked)
- Traits: Perceptive, Disciplined
- Mana Cost: 5
His mana dropped to 10, and Caelen held his breath. Selene paused, her head tilting, but the man urged her forward. "Torv's paranoid," the man said, his voice low. "The boy's Gemless, nothing special. But that energy trace—Vanta black, Lotus pink—it's not natural. If it's Nephalem, we burn it out."
Caelen's blood froze. *They know my energies,* he thought, Zorak's warning ringing: *"Hunters."* He retreated, his quest task complete but his fear spiking.
That evening, Caelen joined Mira in the VR lounge to decompress, entering RuinRush as *Astral Kin*. The virtual ruin—a jungle-choked temple—loaded, and a prompt appeared:
*RuinRush: Welcome, Astral Kin!*
- Objective: Survive a Rank 2 creature wave.
- Quest: Defeat 3 Virtual Stone Rats.
- Reward: 150 points, +1 virtual Heart Gem (Rank 2)
Caelen fought, his *Divine Spark* blazing Lotus pink with golden motes, obliterating rats with precision. His avatar's mismatched eyes glowed, and the freedom of anonymity let him push harder. He avoided *Shadow Slash*, its Vanta black temptation too risky even in VR. Kael's avatar appeared, flames roaring, but didn't recognize him. "Keep running, Astral Kin!" Kael taunted, missing with a fireball.
Caelen won the match, earning 200 points, but as he exited the pod, Lysa was there, her winged star pendant catching the light. "Astral Kin's light," she said, her voice soft but firm. "It's yours, Caelen. I won't tell, but you're in danger. The Rankers are asking about you."
Caelen's scar burned. *"She's too perceptive,"* Zorak warned. "I'm not him," Caelen lied, his voice steady. "It's a game, Lysa."
She frowned, unconvinced. "I hope you're right. For both our sakes."
As Caelen headed to his dorm, Kael blocked his path, his fire magic flickering. "Torv's got you in his sights, Gemless," he sneered. "And now Rankers? Whatever you're hiding, it's gonna burn you."
Caelen pushed past, the Fallen energy stirring—crimson embers flaring—but he clung to Ascended calm. In his dorm, alone, he whispered, "Scan," checking his status after the day's strain.
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Caelen
- Ascended: 14
- Fallen: 6
- Balance: 60% (Ascended-Leaning)
- Mana: 15
- Strength: 4
- Agility: 6
- Endurance: 5
- Ascended Skills: *Divine Spark* (Lv. 4, +4 Ascended), *Sacred Ward* (Lv. 1, +1 Ascended), *Grace of Healing* (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 Ascended tree was at 6 levels (4+1+1), *Divine Spark* leveling up in RuinRush. The system chimed, signaling quest progress:
*Quest Update: Eavesdrop on the Rankers*
- *Zorak: "You've learned their intent, but they're closer than ever. One more task remains."*
- Task: Avoid Ranker questioning for one day.
- Reward: +5 Ascended, +3 Mana
- Penalty: -20% Balance if detected
Caelen's hands shook. The Rankers' words—*Vanta black, Lotus pink, Nephalem*—confirmed his worst fears. As he lay in his bunk, a distant commotion echoed outside: mana flares, shouts, a Ranker's voice barking orders. Zorak's voice was grim: "They're searching the Academy. Your time is running out."