The morning sun shimmered over the academy grounds, but something was off. A strange energy floated in the air. Aeron, now more composed and powerful, noticed the shift immediately. His sword pulsed faintly in its sheath, as if warning him.
Meanwhile, deep within the shadows of the kingdom, a mysterious organization held a council. Cloaked in silence, the leader addressed the gathering.
> "The Demon King's bloodline still flows… and we believe it lies within someone in the academy."
Their goal? To find and awaken the ancient power sealed for centuries—through the blood of a descendant.
---
Back at the Academy…
That same day, news spread of a "Royal Scholar from the High Temple Archives" arriving at the academy to conduct a mana essence analysis of top students. Officially, it was framed as a "historical comparison of ancient aura patterns." The real reason? Far more dangerous.
Principal Varn, though informed by the king, played along while silently deploying elite protectors in disguise. The moment the so-called scholar arrived, Ryden—posing as Aeron's guardian—tightened security.
> "Be alert," Ryden whispered to the disguised bodyguard nearby. "If anything seems suspicious… act."
---
The Test Begins…
Students were summoned one by one to a sealed chamber inside the academy temple, where their aura essence was tested through a high-grade crystal embedded in ancient stone.
Aeron's turn came.
He walked into the glowing chamber, his sword humming faintly again.
The robed scholar stepped forward, his voice calm but eyes sharp. "Ah… Lord Ryden's relative. Please, place your hand here."
As Aeron pressed his palm to the crystal, something unexpected happened. The crystal began to glow red—then cracked sharply down the middle.
A blast of demonic energy erupted, shaking the room. The tattoo on Aeron's back flickered faintly, as if reacting.
> Az (in Aeron's mind, whispering at first): "Oh no… I was hoping we'd avoid this plotline for a bit…"
> Az (turning to the readers): "Okay, listen up! This right here? Classic bloodline scan trap. They try this in all worlds. Find hero – steal blood – awaken dark stuff. Seen it a thousand times. Also, the crystal cracking? That's NOT normal."
Suddenly, one of the disguised academy guards appeared from thin air—his hand wrapped in golden flame—and stabbed the fake scholar in the heart before he could escape.
The body vanished in black dust, leaving only a burnt insignia behind: the symbol of the Order of Shadows, the group seeking the Demon King's rebirth.
---
That Night…
Aeron stood alone under the moonlight, his eyes heavy with questions. "Az… what was that back there? Why did the crystal react like that?"
Az didn't speak at first. He looked away from Aeron… and then at you, the reader.
> Az (to the readers): "Yeah. It's time to tell him… but not tonight. The truth is wrapped in blood, betrayal, and badass grandma powers. For now, let him rest."
---
In the Royal Court…
The king received the secret report and crushed it in his hand.
> "They've started searching," he muttered. "They've targeted my son."
> Official: "Your Majesty…?"
> King (calmly): "Nothing important. Just politics."
But his silence sent a ripple of doubt through the officials. What truth is the king hiding? Who is this boy, really?
---
End Note by Az:
> "So… things just escalated, huh? Ancient blood, cracked crystals, assassination attempts… and we're just getting started! P.S. That cracked crystal? Yeah, it's on auction in the black market already—people think it grants luck. Idiots."