The sky above the academy turned silver that morning.
Not from magic—from anticipation.
The Trial of Echohart was about to begin.
Students stood in formation, grouped by team. Some polished weapons. Others muttered incantations. But Kael? He stood quietly, hands behind his back, his mismatched team of girls gathering around him.
🎯 Team Kael:
Kael Virelion, powerless prince, secretly the forgotten god Zareth
Lyria – sword-wielding childhood friend
Elira – calm and kind healer
Selene Drakmora – seductive half-demon noble
Myra Gearspark – tech-mage genius and chaos gremlin
The headmaster raised his staff. Runes flared in the air, forming a gate of light.
"You have one mission: survive, solve, conquer. Echohart was once a battlefield of gods. What slumbers beneath may remember them. Enter now, children of fate."
The portal shimmered open.
Kael whispered, "Let's see what you remember… Zareth."
And they stepped through.
🌌 Inside the Dungeon
It was not what they expected.
No bones. No monsters.
Just… silence. Echoing halls of crystal and floating platforms. The walls pulsed faintly—alive with magic far older than anything known.
"This place feels… alive," Elira said.
"It's reacting to Kael," Myra muttered, scanning readings.
They reached a circular chamber. Four floating pedestals. Four riddles.
Selene's eyes glowed. "A test."
Kael stepped forward.
Suddenly—memories crashed into him.
A war.Screams of angels.Flames of betrayal.A voice:"Zareth! You've broken the cycle! You'll doom us all!"
He dropped to his knees.
Lyria ran to him. "Kael?!"
"I… remember… Echohart. I sealed something here…"
Then—the pedestals lit up.
"Trial accepted," a voice echoed from nowhere.
Monsters surged from the crystal walls.
Kael's eyes snapped open.
"Lyria. Right flank. Selene, high cover. Elira—support. Myra, bait the golems with mana bursts."
The girls followed his command without hesitation—and it worked.
He wasn't strong, but his tactics were divine.
By the end, rubble covered the room. The team stood victorious.
A secret door opened. Behind it—a crystal sarcophagus.
Inside it… a sleeping elf maiden. Ancient robes. Silver tattoos. And a divine aura Kael instantly recognized.
"No way…" he whispered. "Aeris."
Her eyes fluttered open—and when they landed on him, she bowed instantly.
"My god… you've returned to me."