"Some flames burn the body. Others burn fate itself."
Zerathos learns the difference when death comes in fire — and life answers back.
---
Zerathos blinked twice, staring at Hans with his hand still stretched out.
Am I dead?
So this is what death feels like… when your soul leaves your body—
"What the…" Hans muttered, lowering his hand.
The hall was dead silent.
Dozens of eyes stared in disbelief.
> "We just saw him get burnt to ashes!"
"Yeah, he should be dead—and he's not even a Shifter."
"He's not up to Level 2—look at his watch!"
"Then how… wait—ISN'T THAT THE HEADMASTER?!"
Every head turned toward the high seat.
---
A Second Earlier
Shit… shit… I'm dead.
Those were Zerathos' last words before the world became fire.
The heat was merciless—searing his skin, devouring his breath, and biting into bone.
Every nerve screamed.
Every breath turned to smoke.
He couldn't move.
Couldn't think.
Only burn.
Vex rushed forward, reaching out—only for his own hand to catch fire.
"Argh!" he hissed, staggering back.
Is he really at Disciple stage? I'm Ascendant—this shouldn't even hurt this much!
His eyes narrowed at Hans. Monsters.
At the Gravemont table, a student muttered,
> "He's done for."
That's when the Headmaster appeared.
> "What the—already?"
---
Present Time
All heads turned to the altar.
The Headmaster sat calmly in his seat, drink in hand, swirling it lazily.
Hans clicked his tongue. "I should've known. That old geezer… I think I know what he did. Such a troublesome ability."
"Alright, everyone," the Headmaster said, his voice carrying through the hall.
"Take your seats. I can't have you killing each other on the first day. Keep this up and half of you won't survive till next year."
He sighed, muttering under his breath.
Vareth brats… trying to kill a Keeper. Even if he's not treasured, he's still one.
"Anyway," he said louder, "let's welcome our dignitaries."
He gestured to Flint, the Head Instructor.
Flint bowed. "First, the Five Head Elders of the Great Houses."
Four aged men entered—faces lined with centuries of wisdom—and the fifth, a young man who looked barely thirty.
---
At the House Tables
> "The youngest elder ever," someone from House Eclipsera whispered.
"Doesn't mean he's actually thirty," another replied. "It takes centuries to reach a master"
Zerathos blinked. "Centuries?"
A boy with a scar across his eye smiled. "Yeah. Name's Oscar, by the way."
Both Vex and Zerathos nodded.
"It's possible through a ritual," Vex explained. "A dangerous one. Only a fifty-fifty chance to survive. My house holds the tools and ingredients to do it."
> "Wow," Oscar said. "So that's why most houses lick your boots."
Vex smirked. "That youngest elder achieved it naturally. He's 205 years old. At that level, he can stop aging and alter his appearance."
> "Then the others are… 300 to 400 years old?"
"Exactly. Though 410 is the max for a master. Any longer—and you die, the extra 10 is meant for you to climb to the next stage, though some have other way to extend their life span, anyway "
He began counting levels on his fingers:
Level 1: Initiate — 6 to 60 years
Level 2: Adept — 60 to 120 years
Level 3: Specialist — 120 to 220 years
Level 4: Ascendant Master — 220 to 400 years
Level 5: Exalted Master — 400 to 800 years
Level 6: Emperor — 800 to 1,500years
"Each level has four stages," Vex said. "And the other two are near-immortality, but immortal at thesame time"
He took Zerathos' hand, sensing his essence.
"Your body's around Level 1, Stage 2… but your essence—it's already at the final stage of an Adept."
---
Arrival of the Freeholds
"Enough chatting," Flint announced. "Let's welcome the Freehold Elders."
The doors opened.
A tall wolf-like man strode in, muscles tense beneath his cloak, golden eyes gleaming.
> "The Shifters," Hans muttered. "Wild dogs. Overrated because of their quick breeding."
"Watch it, Vareth brat," growled a Shifter across the room.
The hall erupted in murmurs and laughter.
> "Seriously," said a girl in a red cap, a Virellen descendant, "those two groups fight so much they're practically twins."
"Birds shouldn't chirp among dragons and beasts," said Hins Vareth, Hans's twin brother.
"Oh really?" the girl shot back.
Hins clicked his fingers. Blue flame sparked between them. "Ever tasted blue-flame roasted bird before, Stacy?"
"Ugh! Whatever—leave me alone!" she snapped.
At Zerathos' table, Oscar laughed.
"Why call them Shifters and not Werewolves?" ask zerathos
"A valid question," Vex said.
"Their founder had a unique gift—the power to shift into any living thing they've seen or imagined. It gave them a massive edge in the war against House Vareth."
> "So they used to be one house?"
"Yes," Vex said softly. "Long ago"
---
The Dieght Elder
Flint cleared his throat. "Now, the Dieght Elder."
A woman entered—tall, slender, her green hair flowing like liquid emerald.
Her presence drew a hush across the room.
> "Wait—isn't that the Head's sister?!"
"She's beautiful!"
"Dieght—the kingdom of women…"
Vex's voice was calm. "Don't be fooled. She's equivalent to Level 6."
> "HUH?!" Zerathos and Oscar said together.
"Their leader's Level 9," Vex continued. "Same as the Shifters' head. But power levels differ by technique. Level doesn't 'always' mean stronger—it just increases your essence and lifespan."
Zerathos leaned closer. "Then who is stronger?"
"No one truly is," Vex replied. "In our world, strength is never absolute."
> "Then… what about the Umbracrown?" Oscar asked.
The air froze.
Even the throne pulsed faintly, dark energy rippling through the room.
Whispers died.
Eyes turned toward the royal seat.
Even the Headmaster's drink stilled.
Will he show himself? the Headmaster wondered.
Minutes passed.
"Perhaps not," he muttered. "Got my hopes up for nothing."
"Let's not talk about that," Vex said quickly, noticing the stares aimed their way.
---
The Rufan Elder
Flint exhaled. "Next, the Rufan Elder."
Silence.
Ten seconds later—
The doors slammed open.
A young man stumbled in, panting.
"Ah… I thought I was late."
He straightened. "I'm Shuka Rufan. Level 9."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
> "Since when do they introduce themselves?"
"Forget that—he's Level 8!"
"Then why can't I feel his essence? He feels like… an exalted master."
Zerathos turned to Vex expectantly.
Vex shook his head. "Not much is known. But the Rufan hold three Level 9s."
> "Three?!"
"They could take on a House!"
"Didn't they serve King Edmond?" someone asked.
"Actually," said Oscar, "they served under King Gamos—before Edmond reached Level 9. Together, they led the war against House Drikel, before the Houses ever thought to unite."
Zerathos groaned.
"All this knowledge… my head's gonna explode."
---
Clap. Clap.
Flint smiled faintly.
"Alright. Now let's welcome… the Six Shadow Council."
The entire hall went still.
Even the air held its breath.
---
End of Chapter 8
---