ONLINE: Blades of Eternity - Chapter 97

Chapter 97: THE WEIGHT OF A NEW RANK

Inside the grand and ornate office of the Vice Chancellor, the atmosphere was thick with tension and anticipation. Kaelen stood in the center of the room, his eyes darting between the gathered pillars of the academy, each a towering figure in their own right. General Cao stood near the window, arms folded, while Bowen, the Dark Saint, remained seated, his expression stern and watchful after the recent encounters with his son. The others looked on silently, their focus entirely on Kaelen and the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor himself, sitting behind his massive, elaborately carved desk, leaned back slightly in his chair, his fingers steepled before him as he regarded Kaelen with a rare, approving smile. His calm demeanor contrasted with the intensity in the room. With a deliberate motion, he reached into one of the drawers of his desk and pulled out a small, elegant box.

“Kaelen Dragonyx,” the Vice Chancellor began, his voice low but commanding, “you have shown exceptional prowess in this tournament. Your victories were not just a display of skill but of determination and something far more primal… something unique.”

Kaelen straightened his posture as he listened, his hands clasped behind his back, trying to keep his breathing steady. The Primal mana he had recently awakened still weighed heavily on his mind, and the events of the tournament seemed like a whirlwind, yet here he was—at the pinnacle of it all.

The Vice Chancellor opened the small box, revealing a sleek, silver ring that shimmered faintly with an ethereal glow. “This,” he continued, holding the ring out for Kaelen to see, “is no ordinary storage ring. It has been imbued with an ancient magic, allowing it to hold not only physical objects but also mana-based artifacts and energies. It is a relic we bestow only upon those we believe will shape the future.”

Kaelen blinked in surprise as he reached out, accepting the ring. He felt the faint pulse of power from within it, recognizing immediately that this was unlike anything the other students had received.

“This ring,” the Vice Chancellor said, “contains your reward for winning the tournament. It holds not only a considerable amount of wealth but also items specifically chosen to aid in your growth—artifacts, scrolls, and elixirs that will be invaluable on your journey.”

Kaelen quickly took off the ring he got from General Cao when he newly became an internal student and slipped the sleek silver ring onto his finger, feeling its energy resonate with his own mana. The weight of it, though light in his hand, felt heavy with responsibility.

“There is something else you should know,” the Vice Chancellor added, his tone shifting. “Your performance in the tournament has drawn attention. Not only from within the academy but from powerful figures outside of it. Your path from here will not be easy. Enemies will seek you out, and allies may betray you.”

Kaelen nodded solemnly. He had already begun to feel the weight of his newfound status, and the Vice Chancellor’s words only confirmed what he suspected.

General Cao, still standing by the window, spoke up for the first time. “You’ve proven yourself, but now you must remain vigilant. Your potential makes you a target as much as it makes you an asset.”

Bowen, his eyes still dark with restrained fury from earlier events, glanced briefly at Kaelen. His expression was hard to read, but there was a begrudging acknowledgment of Kaelen’s abilities.

The Vice Chancellor rose from his seat, stepping forward to stand before Kaelen. “This ring, Kaelen, is a symbol of your victory and your potential. But remember, it is only a tool. It is your spirit, your determination, and your will that will guide you on the path ahead.”

Kaelen bowed his head slightly in respect, feeling the gravity of the moment.

“Thank you, Vice Chancellor,” he said quietly, his voice firm but humble.

The Vice Chancellor gave a slight nod before returning to his desk. “You may go now, Kaelen. Prepare yourself. The journey ahead is yours to shape.”

Kaelen turned, the other pillars watching him closely as he made his way toward the door. As he reached for the handle, he paused, glancing back at the assembled figures. He could feel the weight of their expectations and the pressure of what was to come.

Stepping out of the Vice Chancellor’s office, Kaelen knew that this was only the beginning. With the Primal mana coursing through him, the ancient storage ring on his finger, and the eyes of the academy and beyond watching his every move, Kaelen felt the vast unknown before him.

But for now, he allowed himself a small moment of satisfaction—he had won the tournament, and he had earned his place among the greats.

As Kaelen left the room, the pillars of the Academy remained silent for a moment, each contemplating the events of the day. The Vice Chancellor sat back down, his fingers drumming softly on the surface of his desk, while Bowen’s gaze was still fixed on the door Kaelen had just exited.

Carmilia, the Ice Queen, finally broke the silence. Her voice was cold, as if laced with frost. “You all seem quite eager to celebrate the boy, but no one has thought to ask—who is Kaelen Dragonyx? Where did he come from? What of his background and family?”

The question hung in the air, her sharp eyes scanning the room. General Cao shifted slightly, while Bowen’s scowl deepened, though he said nothing. As for Vlahiç, he just quietly sat comfortably on his seat while he began to ponder deeply

But before anyone could respond, the Vice Chancellor’s voice cut through the room, firm and unwavering. “Enough, Carmilia,” he said, with a commanding tone that left no room for argument. His eyes, usually calm and composed, flashed with an uncharacteristic intensity.

Carmilia raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting such a quick rebuke. “Is there something you’re not telling us, Vice Chancellor?” she pressed, her voice softer but no less insistent.

The Vice Chancellor rose from his chair, stepping forward with a commanding presence. “Kaelen Draegor is not some mystery to be unraveled. I know exactly where he came from, and that is all you need to know.”

The room fell silent again, but Carmilia’s expression remained unchanged, the frost in her eyes glinting like shards of ice. “And where might that be?” she asked, her tone now more measured, but still probing.

The Vice Chancellor took a deep breath, his eyes briefly flickering toward Bowen and General Cao before returning to Carmilia. “He is an orphan,” he said, his voice firm but quiet. “I took him out of the orphanage in the city years ago. He was placed in the Pacesetters Academy as an external student under my guidance.”

There was a pause as his words settled over the room. General Cao nodded slightly in understanding, while Bowen’s gaze finally left the door, focusing intently on the Vice Chancellor.

“I’ve kept an eye on him ever since,” the Vice Chancellor continued, his tone softening slightly. “He has no known family. His background is not a matter of concern for this academy. What matters is his potential—and that potential has only begun to show itself.”

Carmilia, though clearly unsatisfied with the answer, said nothing more. Her cold gaze lingered on the Vice Chancellor for a few moments before she finally sat back in her chair, crossing her arms in silence.

The Vice Chancellor’s expression softened, though his authority remained intact. “Kaelen’s past is his own,” he said, his voice now calmer. “We should not burden him with questions that lead nowhere. His future is what matters, and we are responsible for guiding him on that path.”

General Cao nodded again, his voice rumbling with agreement. “The boy has proven himself. That much is clear. He has earned his place here, no matter where he came from.”

Bowen, ever silent and brooding, finally spoke. “His power is undeniable. Whatever his origins, we cannot afford to overlook him.”

The Vice Chancellor gave a small nod of approval. “Exactly. Kaelen’s origins are irrelevant to his potential. He has already surpassed many expectations, and he will continue to do so.”

Carmilia narrowed her eyes but said no more. The conversation had been decided, and the Vice Chancellor’s authority was absolute. The room fell silent once more, the tension easing as the pillars returned to their thoughts, each one contemplating the mysteries and potential of Kaelen Draegor.

As they did, the Vice Chancellor quietly turned his gaze toward the window, his mind racing with thoughts of what Kaelen’s future might hold.

But the person in question was completely clueless about what the vice chancellor is thinking concerning him as he was stopped dead in his tracks by a young lady who stood right in front of him.

This lady stood gracefully in the Pacesetters Academy’s internal students’ female uniform. The outfit was elegant yet practical—a deep midnight blue tunic trimmed with silver, fitting her slim form perfectly. The flowing skirt reached just below her knees, while silver accents adorned the cuffs and collar. A finely embroidered insignia of the academy rested on her chest, marking her as an elite student. Her white boots, laced tightly, added to the sense of disciplined refinement, while her long hazel nut hair contrasted sharply against the dark hues of the uniform, giving her an ethereal, ice-like presence.

When Kaelen saw this lady, he couldn’t help but have a warm and excited smile crept up on his face as he thought with a relieved heart.

‘Lila’