Dawn broke over Skyrest.Golden sunlight spilled across the mountain peaks, washing away the scars of the previous night's battle. Smoke still drifted from damaged buildings, but the village was alive once more. Blacksmiths repaired broken weapons. Mages reinforced the shattered walls. Children carried supplies alongside soldiers.Life continued.Jacob stood at the edge of the eastern platform overlooking the endless mountain range.For the first time since arriving in this world...He had a destination.The Second Vault.But before that journey began, another weighed heavily on his mind.The truth.Footsteps approached behind him."You barely slept."Jacob smiled faintly without turning around."Neither did you."Adam leaned against the stone railing beside him."I figured the future king would need someone to remind him to eat."Jacob chuckled."I'm not a king.""Maybe not."Adam shrugged."But you're still my friend."Those simple words settled warmly inside Jacob's heart.So much

The massive marble doors groaned as they swung inward.A cloud of ancient dust drifted into the morning light before settling across the polished stone floor inside.Jacob stared into the darkness.No one had touched this place for centuries.Yet...It didn't feel abandoned.It felt...Patient.As though the academy had simply been waiting for someone to return.Aurelius remained outside.His enormous body settled on the floating island while his golden eyes watched the entrance."Aren't you coming?" Jacob asked.The dragon shook his massive head."I cannot."Jacob frowned."Why?""I swore an oath.""What oath?""Only students and those carrying the Legacy may enter the Academy of Stars."Jacob blinked."You've been here before.""I brought Arthur here."The dragon's voice softened."I waited outside these very doors while he attended his first lesson."A faint smile appeared on Aurelius's face."He was terrified."Jacob couldn't help smiling."The First King?""He spent the entire fl

The growl reverberated through the Academy of Stars.It wasn't merely a sound.It carried weight.The marble floor trembled beneath Jacob's feet as dust drifted from the towering ceiling. The enchanted lights flickered, casting long, shifting shadows across the Hall of Recognition.Then...Silence.A suffocating, unnatural silence.Professor Aldren slowly removed his spectacles, polishing them with trembling hands."In three thousand years...""...I prayed I would never hear that sound again."Jacob stepped toward him."What is beneath this academy?"The old professor hesitated.His gaze drifted toward the cracked crystal in the centre of the chamber."The answer...""...is the greatest secret Arthur ever buried."---Another crack spread across the crystal.Blue light escaped through the fracture like mist.The System immediately reacted.---Emergency Protocol ActivatedArchive Stability: 89%Unknown Entity Detected Below AcademyThreat Assessment... Failed---Jacob frowned."Faile

The voice lingered inside Jacob's mind.Deep.Ancient.Filled with an exhaustion that words alone could never convey."...You've finally come back."The bridge beneath Jacob's feet trembled gently.Not from the creature's power.From recognition.Jacob swallowed."I'm not Arthur."The enormous crimson eyes remained fixed upon him.They did not blink.Did not move.For several long moments, nothing happened.Then the creature spoke again."You carry his soul's echo.""To me...""...there is little difference."---Lucian instinctively moved beside Jacob.His hand rested on the hilt of the plain sword hanging at his waist."You know who this is?"Cassian slowly shook his head."No.""I know only the title history gave it.""The First Mistake."Jacob looked at the old archivist."That's not a name.""No."Cassian replied quietly."It isn't.""Arthur erased its true name."---The crimson eyes narrowed.A sound like distant laughter echoed through the abyss."Even now...""...he hides fro

The words echoed through the prison."The Seventh Heir... must not leave this prison alive."Silence followed.Even the ancient blue flames lining the bridge seemed to dim.Jacob looked up at the three figures standing above the shattered ceiling.The Sovereign remained motionless.The woman in white folded her hands before her.The masked giant stood like an immovable mountain, saying nothing.Neither of them appeared eager to attack.Neither appeared angry.Their judgment had already been made.---Jacob broke the silence first."You don't even know me."The woman met his gaze."I know enough.""My name is Seraphine.""I am the Keeper of Balance.""The Council does not judge individuals.""It judges consequences."Jacob frowned."So you've decided I die because of something that might happen?""Because of something that has happened."Her calm voice carried no malice."Six times."---Jacob's heart skipped a beat."Six?"Cassian slowly lowered his head."The Seventh Heir...""...is