A cold wind swept across Veyr territory.The celebration following the Hollow Vault incident had already faded. Clan members returned to their daily routines, yet an invisible tension lingered in the air.Everyone could feel it.Something had changed.Not only Kael.The world itself.---Kael stood atop a training platform overlooking the mountains.His eyes remained closed.The Void Core pulsed steadily within his chest.Since returning from the Hollow Vault, his control had improved significantly.Yet something felt different.---The Void was restless.---BOOM.The Third Ring pulsed.A faint image flashed through his mind.Crimson eyes.Ancient ruins.Azrath.---Kael immediately opened his eyes.The vision disappeared.---"Again?"<

The crimson formation continued spreading beneath the village square. Ancient runes illuminated the ground in every direction, weaving together into a gigantic array that had remained hidden for who knew how many years. The peaceful appearance of the settlement vanished completely as corruption seeped from every crack in the earth.Magnus immediately stepped in front of the younger clan members while golden mana surged around his body. The pressure emerging from below was not as overwhelming as the Devourer, but it carried a different kind of danger. It felt ancient, patient, and deeply connected to the hidden network Azrath had spent centuries building.The darkness beneath the collapsed well churned violently. Dozens of crimson eyes stared upward from the abyss below, unmoving and silent. The sight alone was enough to make several elite guards instinctively grip their weapons tighter."What exactly is down there?" one guard muttered, his voice noticeably

The battlefield fell into complete silence. The figure stepped through the crack in reality with calm, measured movements. Unlike the monstrous mount or the grotesque Abyss Vessel, he appeared completely human. He wore dark robes embroidered with crimson symbols, and his face showed no signs of corruption despite the overwhelming Abyss energy surrounding him. That alone made him more terrifying. Monsters were predictable. Humans were not. The crack behind him slowly stabilized as corruption flowed around his body like obedient servants. The gigantic mount lowered its head further while the transformed Vessel remained kneeling. Neither dared move. Neither dared speak. The hierarchy was immediately obvious. Eryx stood at the top. Kael narrowed his eyes. The Void Core reacted the instant the commander appeared. The Third Ri

The following week passed quickly.Preparations for the journey occupied nearly every moment of Kael's time. Between meetings with clan elders, training sessions, and gathering information about the Academy, he barely found time to rest.Yet despite the busy schedule, his thoughts constantly returned to the same questions. Why had Eryx expected him to attend? What role did the Academy play in Azrath's plans? And most importantly, what exactly was hidden within its walls?Unfortunately, none of those questions had answers.Not yet.---The morning of departure arrived beneath clear skies.Dozens of clan members gathered near the main gates of Veyr territory. Supply carriages stood ready while several escorts prepared for the long journey ahead.Although the Academy maintained neutrality among kingdoms and clans, traveling across the continent remained dangerous. Monster attacks, bandits, and unstable mana zo

The atmosphere throughout the Academy changed completely.Only minutes earlier, students had been exploring the campus, chatting excitedly, and preparing for their first classes. Now, confusion spread through every pathway as instructors directed everyone back toward the residential towers.Nobody understood what was happening.That made it worse.---Kael stood among the crowd while observing the professors.The students looked confused.The professors looked worried.There was a significant difference.People accustomed to danger only showed concern when the situation was truly serious.---Mira remained beside them as students hurried toward the dormitory district."I've never seen this happen."Her voice was noticeably quieter than before."Not even once."---Leon frowned."How often does the Academy enter Restri