The Academy buzzed with tension as dawn broke, the mist clearing to reveal Guild Rankers patrolling the grounds. Their silver-trimmed uniforms glinted under the crystal lanterns, and their mana signatures—sharp and overwhelming—sent a shiver down Caelen's spine. After Korrin's warning last night about the Rankers searching the Academy, Caelen had barely slept, his scar—a Vanta black sheen under his sleeve—prickling with every step. The new quest from Zorak, to avoid Ranker questioning for a day, felt like a tightrope walk over a chasm.
Zorak's spectral form hovered in his vision, unseen by others, his tattered robes rippling with Vanta black and Lotus pink energies. "The Rankers' senses are honed for your kind," he warned, his voice low. "Their questioning could unravel your secret. Stay Ascended, move quietly, and let *Astral Kin* bear your battles."
Caelen nodded, slipping into the morning crowd to avoid attention. He whispered, "Scan," checking his status to steady his nerves.
*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 mana dropped to 10, but the Scan confirmed his Ascended tree at 6 levels (4+1+1), closing in on the evolution threshold of 10. Fallen remained at 1, its Vanta black energy—crimson embers flickering—tempting him with rage he suppressed. *Grace of Healing*'s quiet power was his anchor.
In the Gem Weapon Class, Mira was at their workbench, forging a Rank 1 Heart Gem shield. "Rankers are everywhere," she whispered, glancing at the window. "They're asking about the ruin explosion. Stay low, Caelen."
Caelen nodded, focusing on infusing a Heart Gem with mana. A Ranker passed outside, her ice-blue hair glinting—Selene, from yesterday's Scan. Her mana pulsed, and Caelen ducked behind his workbench, his heart racing. Zorak's voice was urgent: "Don't draw her eye."
The history class was a minefield, Master Torv's electric mana crackling as he lectured. "The Rankers ensure our safety," he said, his gaze lingering on Caelen. "Any threat, even a whisper of forbidden power, is purged." Caelen kept his head down, avoiding Kael's smirking glances from across the room. The quest's penalty—-20% Balance if detected—loomed large.
After class, Caelen slipped into the VR lounge, needing a break from the real-world pressure. Mira had urged him to try RuinRush again, and *Astral Kin* offered a safe haven. He entered a pod, the crystal interface humming, and loaded the game.
The virtual world unfolded—a desolate canyon under a blood-red sky, littered with ruins. Astral Kin's avatar appeared, long white hair flowing, his blood red right eye and Lotus pink left eye glowing. A game prompt flashed:
*RuinRush: Welcome, Astral Kin!*
- Objective: Survive a Rank 3 creature encounter for leaderboard supremacy.
- Quest: Defeat a Virtual Stone Golem.
- Reward: 500 points, +1 virtual Heart Gem (Rank 3)
Caelen gripped his dagger, its blue glow vivid. A stone golem loomed from the canyon wall, its body a mass of jagged rock, its Heart Gem pulsing with earth mana. He whispered, "Scan."
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Virtual Stone Golem (Rank 3)
- Strength: 15
- Agility: 4
- Abilities: Rock Smash, Earth Shield
- Traits: Armored, Slow
- Mana Cost: 5
His mana dropped to 5, leaving him vulnerable, but the Scan gave him a strategy. He summoned *Divine Spark*, the Lotus pink sphere blazing with golden motes, striking the golem's chest for 50 points. The creature retaliated, its *Rock Smash* shaking the ground. Caelen dodged, his virtual agility sharp, and fired another *Divine Spark*, cracking its armor.
The golem's *Earth Shield* deflected his next shot, and Caelen's mana neared depletion. Tempted by *Shadow Slash*'s Vanta black blade, he resisted—Zorak's warning held firm. He used *Grace of Healing* on himself, a Lotus pink glow mending a virtual bruise, regaining 2 Mana (now 7). A final *Divine Spark* shattered the golem's Heart Gem, earning 500 points.
Kael's avatar appeared, flames roaring. "Astral Kin again?" he taunted, hurling a fireball. "You're good, but I'll top you!" He didn't recognize Caelen, and the disguise held. Caelen dodged, firing *Divine Spark* to graze Kael for 30 points. The match ended with Caelen victorious, his avatar climbing the leaderboard.
Exiting the pod, Mira clapped. "Astral Kin's a legend! You're making waves." But Lysa stood nearby, her winged star pendant glinting. She approached, her eyes searching.
"Caelen," she said, her voice low, "Astral Kin's light—it's yours. I saw it in the yard, in RuinRush. You're hiding something big, and the Rankers are close. Tell me, or I can't protect you."
Caelen's scar burned. *"She's a threat,"* Zorak warned. "I'm not Astral Kin," he lied, his voice steady. "It's just a game trick, Lysa. Please, drop it."
Lysa's frown deepened, her hand on her pendant. "I believe in truth, not tricks. If you're in danger, I want to help. But if you're lying…" She trailed off, turning away. "Be careful."
Caelen's heart sank. Her faith clashed with his Fallen side, yet her concern felt genuine. He couldn't risk trusting her—not yet.
That afternoon, avoiding Rankers became harder. Selene and her scarred partner patrolled the training yard, questioning students. Caelen hid behind a shed, watching as Selene's ice mana scanned the area. Korrin approached the Rankers, his katana sheathed, his sensory magic clashing with theirs. "He's with me," Korrin said, gesturing toward Caelen's hiding spot. "Just a trainee. Leave him be."
Selene's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. "For now," she said, her voice cold. "But if that ruin energy traces to him, no one shields him."
Caelen exhaled, grateful for Korrin, but the quest's pressure mounted. In the evening, he returned to the training yard, practicing *Mana Channeling (Basic)* into his feet as Korrin had suggested. His speed improved slightly, but a shadow moved—Torv, his electric mana crackling.
"Slipping away again?" Torv said, stepping closer. "The Rankers want you questioned. Your luck's running out."
Before Caelen could respond, a shout echoed from the Academy gates. Mana flared, and a Ranker's voice boomed: "We've found it! A mana spike—inside the dorms!" The ground trembled, and Torv's eyes gleamed. "Looks like your secret's surfacing, boy."
Zorak's voice was grim: "They've detected your system's trace. Run, or they'll take you now."
The system chimed, urgency flashing:
*Quest Update: Eavesdrop on the Rankers*
- *Zorak: "They've locked onto you. Escape, or your Nephalem blood is exposed."*
- Task: Evade capture for one hour.
- Reward: +5 Ascended, +3 Mana
- Penalty: -20% Balance if detected
Caelen bolted, the Fallen energy surging—Vanta black, crimson embers flaring—as Rankers' mana closed in.