Caelen's lungs burned as he sprinted through the Academy's darkened corridors, the distant shouts of Guild Rankers echoing behind him. The mana spike they'd detected—his Nephalem system's trace—had turned the dorms into a hunting ground, and every step felt like a gamble with his life. Torv's gleeful sneer and the Rankers' pursuit fueled a surge of Fallen energy—Vanta black wisps, crimson embers flaring in his mind—but he clung to *Divine Spark*'s Lotus pink calm, golden motes anchoring his focus. The quest's deadline loomed: evade capture for one hour, or lose 20% Balance and expose his secret.
Zorak's spectral form hovered in his vision, unseen by others, his tattered robes rippling with dual energies. "Run, but don't fight," he urged, his voice sharp. "Their mana will sense your power. The blind swordsman is your only hope—find him."
Caelen darted into a side passage, his agility barely keeping him ahead of the Rankers' ice and fire mana flaring behind him. He whispered, "Scan," checking his status to gauge his limits.
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Caelen
- Ascended: 14
- Fallen: 6
- Balance: 60% (Ascended-Leaning)
- Mana: 10
- 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 5, leaving him vulnerable. The Ascended tree at 6 levels (4+1+1) neared the evolution threshold of 10, but Fallen's single level tempted him with its raw power. He pushed the urge down, focusing on escape.
The corridor opened to the training yard, where Ranker Selene's ice mana shimmered, her Rank 6 spear raised. "There!" she barked, her scarred partner flanking her with dual Rank 5 swords. Caelen ducked behind a crate, his breath ragged. *Shadow Slash*'s Vanta black blade flickered in his mind, but Zorak's warning held: "Ascended only."
A shadow moved—Master Korrin, his blind eyes hidden, katana unsheathed. His sensory magic clashed with the Rankers', green mana veins glowing on his blade. "Back off," Korrin growled. "This kid's under my watch."
Selene's eyes narrowed. "He's tied to that ruin energy, Korrin. Step aside, or you're obstructing a Guild order."
Korrin didn't flinch. "Prove it first." His magic flared, and he lunged, parrying Selene's ice spear with a speed that belied his blindness. The scarred Ranker attacked, but Korrin's katana flashed, forcing him back. "Go, Caelen!" Korrin shouted.
Caelen bolted, weaving through the yard as mana explosions lit the night. Korrin's distraction bought him time, but the quest clock ticked—30 minutes remained. He hid in the VR lounge, its pods a temporary sanctuary. Mira was there, her eyes wide. "Caelen! What's happening?"
"Rankers," he gasped. "They're after me. I need RuinRush—now."
Mira hesitated, then nodded, helping him into a pod. "Be careful, Astral Kin." The nickname slipped out, and Caelen froze. She suspected, but there was no time to argue.
The virtual world loaded—a cavernous ruin under a violet sky, crystals pulsing with mana. 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 Boss encounter to secure leaderboard dominance.
- Quest: Defeat a Virtual Crystal Guardian.
- Reward: 1,000 points, +1 virtual Heart Gem (Rank 3)
Caelen gripped his dagger, its blue glow vivid. A Crystal Guardian emerged, a towering figure of shimmering stone and crystal, its Heart Gem blazing with multi-colored mana. He whispered, "Scan."
*Nephalem System: Scan Result*
- Target: Virtual Crystal Guardian (Rank 3)
- Strength: 18
- Agility: 6
- Abilities: Crystal Barrage, Mana Pulse
- Traits: Armored, Mana-Regenerative
- Mana Cost: 5
His mana dropped to 0, forcing him to rely on virtual reserves. The Guardian fired *Crystal Barrage*, shards raining down. Caelen dodged, his agility sharp, and summoned *Divine Spark*, the Lotus pink sphere cracking its chest for 70 points. The Guardian's *Mana Pulse* knocked him back, draining his virtual health.
Tempted by *Shadow Slash*, Caelen resisted—Zorak's voice cut through: "Ascended only." He used *Grace of Healing*, a Lotus pink glow restoring 10% health, then fired another *Divine Spark*, leveling it to Lv. 5 mid-battle. The glow intensified, shattering the Guardian's core for 1,000 points.
Kael's avatar appeared, flames roaring. "Astral Kin, you're mine!" he taunted, hurling a fireball. Unrecognized, Caelen dodged, firing *Divine Spark* to graze Kael for 40 points. The match ended with Caelen victorious, his avatar atop the leaderboard.
Exiting the pod, Mira grinned. "Astral Kin's unstoppable! But the Rankers are still out there." Before Caelen could respond, Lysa entered, her winged star pendant glinting. "Caelen," she said, her voice urgent, "I overheard Selene. They're targeting your dorm room—something about a mana residue. You need to move."
*"She's risking herself,"* Zorak warned. "Trust her, but guard your secret." Caelen nodded. "Thanks, Lysa. I'll figure it out."
She grabbed his arm, her touch warm. "I don't know what you are, but I believe you're good. Let me help." Her faith clashed with his Fallen side, but her sincerity pierced his defenses.
They crept toward the dorms, avoiding Ranker patrols. The mana residue—likely from his system's integration—had drawn them like hounds. As they neared, a Ranker's voice boomed: "Found it! Dorm 12—seal it!" Mana flared, and the building trembled.
Korrin appeared, his katana bloodied, his magic ragged. "They're onto you, kid," he rasped. "I held them off, but they've got your room locked. Move—now!" He shoved Caelen and Lysa toward the training yard.
The system chimed, urgency flashing:
*Quest Update: Eavesdrop on the Rankers*
- *Zorak: "Korrin's bought you time, but the residue betrays you. Escape the Academy."*
- Task: Flee to the outer wall within 30 minutes.
- Reward: +5 Ascended, +3 Mana
- Penalty: -20% Balance if detected
Caelen's heart pounded as Rankers closed in, their mana a net tightening around him. Lysa gripped his hand. "I'm with you," she whispered. A mana blast shattered the yard's edge, and Zorak's voice was grim: "They've breached your trail. Run, or the hunters take you."