[Academy – Deep Underground]
The vault glowed with ethereal light, centuries-old enchantments activating as Lohan stepped inside. The walls pulsed with runes, reacting to his presence—not with hostility, but reverence.
> [System Notification – Welcome, Hajun Ardyn.]
[Unlocking Legacy Cache – Tier: Forbidden]
[Artifact Access: Soul-Linked Armament – "Ashen Vow"]
At the center stood a pedestal. Resting atop it, sealed in six layers of magic, was a sword unlike any other.
Not forged. Not blessed.
Born.
---
[Ashen Vow – The Forbidden Blade]
Its edge was matte black, its hilt wrapped in crimson leather. Where a jewel should be sat a beating core of raw magic—his magic.
The moment Lohan touched it, fire raced through his veins. Memories of war, of betrayal, of gods kneeling before him—all surged back.
> [Ashen Vow – Bond Level: 72%]
[Passive Skill Unlocked: "Soulburn Slash" – Ignites enemy mana circuits on contact.]
[Warning: Artifact suppresses divine presence. Prolonged exposure may attract deity-grade threats.]
He grinned.
> "Let them come."
---
[Winter – Headmaster's Archives]
While Lohan ventured below, Winter was breaking into secrets of her own. The Headmaster's private archive wasn't locked with spells—it was locked with lineage.
And her blood opened the door.
Inside, she found a faded prophecy:
> "The girl of frost shall temper the flame, born from the blood of the fallen dragon."
"When the sky splits and gods fall, she alone will decide who ascends."
Winter stared at her reflection in the mirror-like glyph.
> "Blood of a dragon…?"
> [Hidden Trait Activated – 'Draconic Resonance']
[Warning: Bloodline awakening in progress.]
---
[Justine – Breaking Through Realms]
Lightning danced across the divine sky.
Justine, wrapped in broken chains, pierced through the boundary between realms. Her body bled divine light, her wings scorched black.
> "I'm coming back…"
She landed just beyond mortal sight, her power surging but unstable.
> "This time… I'll finish what I started."
She was heading for the academy.
---
[Final Scene – Outside the Vault]
Lohan emerged from the vault, Ashen Vow on his back, eyes sharp as a blade.
Winter met him at the entrance, holding the prophecy.
Their eyes locked.
"Looks like we both found something," she said.
He nodded. "Then we better be ready. The real war's about to start."
Above them, the skies cracked faintly with thunder—gods stirring once more.
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