Five years later…
"Mom, I'm going to the awakening ceremony," Dev said, tightening the strap of his coat as he moved toward the door.
"Dev—wait." Helena's voice cut through the room, sharp with restraint rather than fear.
She stepped forward and pressed a small crystal fragment into his palm. It was thin, translucent . "Take this communication fragment. If anything happens—anything at all—use it and contact me. I will reach you within minutes." Her eyes hardened. "And remember this clearly. If your awakening blood ability shows signs of exposure, hide it. Say whatever comes to your mind. Lie if you must."
Dev nodded, exhaustion visible on his face. "Okay, Mom."
Helena stopped him again. "What are your rules?"
Dev inhaled once and recited them without hesitation.
"First. My name is Edward Shade, not Dev Ravenclaw.
Second. My mother's name is Helena Shade. Your real name stays buried.
Third. Grandfather is not to be mentioned. I do not reveal myself under any circumstances."
Helena studied him for a long second, then nodded. "Good. That's my boy. Go now. And remember—if any problem rises, use the fragment."
She took his hands, her grip firm and grounding. "If you ever reach a moment where panic clouds your mind," she said, pulling out a coin and placing it in his palm, "rub this. Feel its weight. Focus. Collect your thoughts before you act."
Dev looked down at the coin.
One side bore the mark of a dragon's claw, sharp and dominant.
The other side carried the word Ravenclaw, etched in ancient lettering.
The bronze surface was worn, as if it had passed through generations.
He flipped the coin into the air with his thumb and forefinger, eyes tracking it until it landed back in his hand.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "I should hurry. The ceremony starts in an hour."
Helena smiled faintly. "Go. I'll be waiting."
Dev walked down the street until the road ahead opened into a wider junction. He removed a transparent, glass-like fragment from his pocket, the size of his palm, and crushed it without hesitation.
The shard shattered mid-air.
Fragments struck the ground and began forming a circle, glowing faintly as arcane lines connected themselves with mechanical precision. After exactly one hundred and thirty seconds, a fragment cycle materialized within the circle.
Dev mounted it and rode toward his destination.
From Street 54, Liberair Road, to the Academy of Heavenfall in the Shade Main City, the journey took approximately forty-five minutes by fragment cycle.
It took him forty-six.
Edward Shade arrived.
Even from a distance, the Academy of Heavenfall dominated the horizon.
The structure was ancient, yet unbroken. Its foundation looked capable of withstanding earthquakes, storms, or even the collapse of the land itself. The central tower rose to a height comparable to the Eiffel Tower, piercing the sky with quiet dominance.
Two colossal statues stood guard before the academy—each taller than the tower in Paris. They were armored figures carved from stone, holding spears forged from black metal so dark it absorbed light. Their presence alone radiated authority.
The academy itself was built entirely from black marble. Majestic. Oppressive. Mysterious.
To reach the main building from the entrance gate, one had to walk a full mile.
Dev slowed his cycle and stopped. He felt the magic saturating the air, heavy and ancient, pressing against his senses. For a brief moment, he simply stood there, admiring the structure—not with awe, but with respect.
In his mind, he issued a single command.
Reform.
The cycle shattered and collapsed inward, reverting back into fragments that vanished into his palm.
He walked toward the academy entrance gate.
Two guards stood there, motionless as statues. One by one, candidates were stopped, questioned, and checked for entry permission before being allowed inside.
Dev joined the line.
There were two rows—one for each guard.
Ahead of him, a boy his age was speaking excitedly to his friend. "Elijah, look at this. My new cycle fragment—NJ-24. Latest model cycle . Cost me thousand Rees."
"thousand Rees for a cycle?" Elijah shouted, disbelief written across his face. kevin did your father buy it for you ?
yes .
Rees was the currency of this world. An average worker in the Heavenfall Empire earned 10,000 rees a month. My father worked twelve-hour shifts and earned 15,000 rees, yet even that was barely enough. Rent for a small house. Two meals a day. Survival. That was the reality of an average household in the Shade Kingdom.
Then I remembered
My mother had given me a communication fragment. Its value alone was 10,000 rees. Communication fragments were rare—beyond the reach of mother right now . Money alone could not buy them. I did not know how my mother obtained it, nor did I ask. That truth was meant for another day.
The line moved forward.
Soon, it was Edward's turn.
Edward reached into his coat and took out a fragment. Black and heavy, ancient in design. Engraved upon it was the Shade family insignia—a roaring black dragon, claws extended, fangs bared. Dark energy leaked from the carving, pressing down on the surroundings.
The guard took the fragment into his hands.
They began to tremble.
Fear filled his eyes. Sweat rolled down his face. His knees gave out and he dropped to the ground. "W–Welcome," he stammered, "Welcome to the royal member of shade family "
The moment shattered the silence.
Twenty soldiers rushed forward in formation, armor clashing as they knelt in unison. "Welcome, to the royal member of shade family !"
The students standing in line were frozen in shock. Faces pale. Breathing shallow. None of them had expected this.
Edward, however, was unmoved.
"Stand," he said calmly.
The guard obeyed instantly.
"Where is the Royal Bloodline Awakening Test?" Edward asked. "I do not know the precise location. Take me to the entrance exam."
"Yes, sir," the guard replied without hesitation. "As you command."
A soldier stepped forward, head lowered. "Please follow me, sir."
As Edward turned to leave, the children in line dropped to their knees one by one. Not by order. By instinct. Fear ruled them. A faint smile curved on Edward's face.
In this world, non-awakened people and common bloods were nothing more than pawns. Royal bloodlines and fragment users stood above all. There existed an unspoken law—common people kneel before those with power. It was not written, but it was enforced through death.
Some royal bloods killed commoners like insects. Mosquitoes. Flies. Life without value. Power decided worth, and the powerless had none. That fear was the foundation of this world.
The soldier halted before massive stone doors. "Sir, this is the entrance to the Royal Bloodline Awakening."
Edward lifted his gaze.
Two ancient doors towered before him, carved from solid stone. Elephants were engraved across their surface—war beasts frozen in eternal rage. The doors were thick, oppressive, built to separate gods from mortals.
Edward took out the fragment.
The doors reacted.
Stone groaned. Dark light pulsed. Ancient mechanisms awakened as the doors slowly opened on their own.
Edward smiled.
"Let's see," he said coldly, "which fools I'll have to kill to last here."
His killing intent surged outward, heavy and suffocating.
Without hesitation, Edward stepped forward and crossed the threshold.