Novels by kande

The Combat Assessment Hall at Apex Academy was designed to intimidate. It was a fifty-meter-wide hexagonal arena surrounded by energy barriers capable of containing S-rank attacks, with tiered seating rising on all sides like a modern coliseum. Hundreds of students watched from above as Kael stepped onto the reinforced floor, his footsteps echoing through the cavernous space."Candidate Kael Ashworth," the proctor said over the PA system. "Opponent: Training Drone Model B-4." "The goal is to incapacitate or destroy."Across the arena, a humanoid construct of polished steel hummed to life. Its eyes glowed crimson as internal systems powered up, and Kael recognized the model immediately—a combat drone programmed with B-rank martial arts and energy projection capabilities, standard testing fodder for aspiring elites.The drone shot itself forward with hydraulic speed, closing the distance in seconds, and aimed a punch capable of breaking concrete right at Kael's head.Kael didn't flinch;

The morning sun filtered through the high windows of the Ashworth drawing room, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air like suspended gold. It was a stark contrast to the gloom that usually permeated the mansion, but the tension remained thick enough to choke on. Kael sat in a high-backed leather chair that had only been forbidden to him yesterday, watching the three strangers who sat across from him with predatory interest.Victor Ashworth stood by the hearth, his posture tight and unreadable, while Eleanor feigned to read a datapad in the corner, her eyes darting to Kael with fear and confusion.The man in the center of the opposing couch leaned forward, his suit impeccably tailored and his smile practiced to perfection. This was Dean Morrison of Apex Academy, the most prestigious institution for awakened youth in the hemisphere, and he usually made people wait, but today he looked like a man trying to solve a complex puzzle with half of the pieces missing."We followed the

As Darius summoned his power, the air in the ballroom became immediately arid, the temperature spiking until condensation vanished from the champagne glasses held by trembling guests. He stood with his arms spread wide, flames wreathing his tailored suit like a living cloak that licked at the ceiling frescoes without burning the fabric."I hope you enjoyed your brief resurrection," Darius murmured, his words distorted by the roar of the flames rising in his palms. "Because this time, there won't be enough left over to bury."Kael stood twenty feet away with his hands in his pockets, looking bored despite the S-rank threat looming before him. He could feel the vibration of the building's foundation through the soles of his shoes, the earth beneath the marble waiting for his command, but he knew stone alone wouldn't be enough to stop it."Less talking, more burning," Kael went on: "Some of us have schedules to keep."Darius's face twisted into a snarl of pure arrogance. He thrust his ha

The Ashworth Estate's Grand Ballroom sparkled like a diamond in the night, with crystal chandeliers hanging from vaulted ceilings, casting warm light on silk dresses and tailored suits that cost more than most citizens earned in a lifetime. Waiters weaved through the crowd, carrying trays of champagne and rare delicacies, weaving between the elite of society who had gathered to witness the coronation of the new heir.Darius Ashworth stood on the central dais, basking in the adoration. He looked every inch the golden prince, his smile practiced, and his S-Rank aura radiating a gentle warmth that kept the chill of the evening at bay. Victor Ashworth, beside him, looked proud for the first time in years, raising a glass to toast his only remaining son."To the future," Victor said, his voice echoing throughout the huge hall. "To strength. "To legacy.""To Darius!""The audience echoed, five hundred voices joined in sycophancy.The enormous oak doors at the far end of the ballroom swung wi

The first sense was hunger, not pain.It gnawed at the edges of Kael's consciousness—a deep, ancient emptiness that demanded to be filled. He gasped, his lungs inflating with a rush of cold air that tasted of disinfectant and decay. When his eyes opened, he saw swirling patterns of energy dancing in the darkness above him, rather than the sterile white ceiling of a hospital.When he tried to sit up, his hand slammed against the metal, and the sheet covering him slid away, revealing naked skin that looked wrong. The bruises from the fall were gone, and the broken bones Darius had shattered were whole again. But beneath his pale skin, faint veins of violet light pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat."Impossible," a voice whispered from the corner.Kael gently turned his head to see a man in green scrubs crushed against the far wall, his face drained of blood. He was a mortician, and his hands were shaking so fiercely that he dropped his tablet, shattering on the tile floor."The corpse,"

Kael trembled in his thin shirt, clutching a single duffel bag containing all of his worldly things, at 2 a.m. He was meant to leave at daybreak, but security had woken him up early."Special instructions from Mr. Darius," the guard remarked, pushing him toward the roof access. "He wants to say goodbye personally."Kael stood on the edge, looking down at the city lights far below, which merged into neon streaks."Isn't this a beautiful view?"Darius emerged from the shadows with a glass of amber drink in his hand; he was not wearing a coat, and the cold didn't bother S-rank awakeners."What do you want, Darius?""Kael gripped the bag tighter. "I'm leaving. Isn't this enough?""Leaving?"Darius chuckled, swirling his drink." Oh, Kael. You are very naive. Leaving suggests that you have somewhere to go. "Leaving implies a future."He took a cautious sip."The father's disownment documents are detailed. No money. No connections. No name. You'll die on the streets in a week. Most likely, sta