The examination hall remained silent after the Spirit Measurement Stone shattered.
Kael stood in the center of the room, staring at the fragments scattered around his feet.
Hundreds of candidates were watching him.
Some looked impressed.
Others looked jealous.
A few looked afraid.
The examiner finally recovered from his shock.
"Second test."
He pointed toward another section of the hall.
"Combat ability."
Kael followed the examiner.
The second testing area was much larger.
At its center stood a circular arena surrounded by a transparent barrier.
Candidates would fight magical constructs created by the academy.
The examiner explained the rules.
"Each candidate will face a combat puppet."
"The puppet's cultivation will match your registered cultivation."
"Defeat it within ten minutes."
"Those who fail will be eliminated."
Kael looked at the arena.
"That sounds easy."
A student nearby heard him.
"Easy?"
The boy laughed.
"You just shattered the measurement stone. Don't let that make you arrogant."
Kael looked at him.
"What stage are you?"
"Body Tempering Stage 4."
"Then you're probably right."
The boy smiled proudly.
Kael added:
"But I'm still going to pass."
The boy's smile disappeared.
One candidate after another entered the arena.
The combat puppets were fast.
Some candidates were defeated within seconds.
Others managed to destroy their opponents after long battles.
Then a familiar name was called.
"Darius Vane."
The crowd immediately became interested.
Darius walked into the arena with confidence.
A metallic puppet appeared.
Its cultivation was immediately adjusted to Body Tempering Stage 6.
The examiner raised his hand.
"Begin."
The puppet attacked.
Darius drew his sword.
**CLANG!**
The two collided.
Darius moved quickly.
His sword technique was precise and powerful.
After several exchanges, he unleashed a powerful slash.
**BOOM!**
The puppet's arm was severed.
The crowd cheered.
Darius finished the battle moments later.
The examiner announced:
"Passed."
Darius looked toward Kael.
Their eyes met.
Darius smiled.
Kael simply looked away.
Then—
"Lyra Valen."
The atmosphere changed.
Lyra entered the arena.
A stronger puppet appeared.
Its cultivation was adjusted to Body Tempering Stage 8.
The crowd began whispering.
"That's the highest difficulty."
"She's the princess."
"Of course she can handle it."
The puppet attacked.
Lyra drew her sword.
Golden flames erupted along the blade.
**Dawnfire Sword Art.**
One strike.
The puppet's chest was cut open.
Another strike.
Its head flew across the arena.
Silence.
Then the crowd erupted.
The examiner nodded.
"Passed."
Kael watched carefully.
The system appeared.
**[Dawnfire Sword Art analysis: 42%]**
**[Combat data recorded.]**
Kael smiled.
Every time Lyra fought, his system learned more.
Finally—
"Kael Ardyn."
The crowd quieted.
Kael walked into the arena.
A metallic puppet appeared.
The examiner looked at the registration record.
"Body Tempering Stage 2."
The puppet adjusted itself.
Its energy surged.
Kael looked at it.
The system appeared.
**[Combat Puppet detected.]**
**Cultivation:** Body Tempering Stage 2
**Weakness:** Core crystal located in chest.
**Combat style:** Basic swordsmanship.
**Threat Level:** Low
Kael drew his sword.
The examiner raised his hand.
"Begin."
The puppet disappeared.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
A sword flashed toward his face.
He moved sideways.
The blade missed by an inch.
Kael stepped behind the puppet.
**Shadow Step.**
He struck its back.
The puppet staggered.
Kael attacked again.
The puppet blocked.
Its sword moved toward his shoulder.
Kael raised his own blade.
**CLANG!**
The impact pushed him backward.
Kael smiled.
"You're stronger than the wolves."
The puppet attacked again.
Kael didn't retreat.
He watched.
Every movement.
Every angle.
Every change in stance.
The system analyzed the puppet.
**[Combat pattern identified.]**
**[Counterattack available.]**
The puppet swung.
Kael ducked.
He stepped inside its guard.
Then—
**Thunder Fist.**
His fist struck the puppet's chest.
**BOOM!**
The metallic body cracked.
Kael followed with a sword strike.
**CRACK!**
The chest opened.
A small crystal appeared inside.
Kael destroyed it.
The puppet collapsed.
Silence.
Then the crowd erupted.
"That was fast!"
"He defeated it without taking a single hit!"
"Who is he?"
Kael stepped out of the arena.
The examiner stared at him.
"Passed."
A system notification appeared.
**[Combat trial completed.]**
**[Experience gained.]**
**[Skill mastery increased.]**
**Thunder Fist — 8%**
**Shadow Step — 16%**
Kael returned to the waiting area.
Lyra was standing there.
"You didn't use your full strength."
Kael looked at her.
"You noticed?"
"Of course."
She crossed her arms.
"You were analyzing the puppet."
Kael smiled.
"Maybe."
Lyra studied him.
"Your fighting style changes during battle."
"Does it?"
"Yes."
"You notice too much."
"I was trained to notice everything."
Kael smiled.
"Then I suppose I'll have to become better at hiding things."
Before Lyra could answer, a voice came from behind them.
"Or perhaps you should stop pretending you're weak."
Kael turned.
The elderly examiner stood there.
He was the same man who had watched him when the measurement stone shattered.
His presence alone made the surrounding students uncomfortable.
"Follow me."
Kael glanced at Lyra.
She gave him a warning look.
"Be careful."
Kael followed the examiner.
They entered a quiet chamber.
The elder closed the door.
"Sit."
Kael remained standing.
"I prefer standing."
The elder smiled.
"Fine."
He studied Kael for several seconds.
"What is your cultivation?"
"Body Tempering Stage 2."
"Your physical strength says otherwise."
Kael said nothing.
"Your spiritual energy also doesn't behave normally."
Still nothing.
The elder's eyes narrowed.
"Who taught you?"
"No one."
"Impossible."
Kael shrugged.
"I learn quickly."
The elder laughed.
"You do."
He placed a small crystal on the table.
"I want you to touch this."
Kael looked at it.
"What is it?"
"An ancient soul crystal."
Kael's expression changed slightly.
The system appeared.
**[Unknown artifact detected.]**
**Artifact:** Soul Resonance Crystal
**Origin:** Ancient Celestial Era
**Function:** Detects soul characteristics.
**Warning:**
**Extremely dangerous to host.**
Kael immediately stepped back.
The elder noticed.
"You sensed something."
"I don't like the crystal."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
The elder smiled.
"Good."
He picked it up.
"Your instincts are stronger than you realize."
Suddenly—
The crystal cracked.
The elder's expression changed.
A black light erupted from it.
Kael's Starfall Pendant became burning hot.
**BOOM!**
The chamber shook.
The system began flashing warnings.
**[Emergency!]**
**[Soul resonance detected.]**
**[Host's sealed memories attempting to activate.]**
**[Warning: Memory fragment contains hostile celestial energy.]**
Kael dropped to one knee.
A vision appeared.
He stood beneath a sky filled with stars.
But this time, he could see clearly.
A woman stood before him.
Silver hair.
Violet eyes.
She was crying.
Kael knew her.
Not from memory.
From somewhere deeper.
"Seraphine..."
The name escaped his lips.
The woman looked at him.
"You finally remembered my name."
Kael's eyes widened.
Then the vision shattered.
The crystal in the elder's hand exploded.
The room became silent.
The elder stared at Kael.
His face was pale.
"Who..."
He swallowed.
"Who are you?"
Kael slowly stood.
"I don't know."
For several seconds, the elder said nothing.
Then he walked to the window.
"You should leave Azure Wind City."
Kael frowned.
"Why?"
"Because something has already begun searching for you."
"Who?"
The elder looked toward the sky.
"I don't know."
Then he lowered his voice.
"But whatever it is..."
"It is strong enough to make the academy's ancient formation tremble."
Kael looked upward.
A faint black line had appeared across the blue sky.
The same darkness he had seen before.
The same darkness that had appeared above El
den.
His system displayed one final message.
**[Main Quest Updated]**
### **Uncover the Starborn's Past**
**Current Progress:** 3%
**New Location Identified:**
**Ancient Ruins of Elaris**
**Distance:** Unknown
**Requirement:** Reach Body Tempering Stage 5
**Hidden Reward:** Memory Fragment
Kael clenched his fist.
He had come to Azure Wind City looking for answers.
Instead, he had discovered something much bigger.
Someone—or something—was afraid of his memories.
And Kael had decided one thing.
He would remember everything.
No matter who tried to stop him.
**To be continued...**