The morning bell tolled softly — a deep, resonant hum that rolled through the academy grounds like distant thunder.
Cain's eyes opened instantly. He hadn't truly slept — his body had rested, but his mind hadn't. He sat up, rubbing his face as dawn light filtered through the window slats. The faint smell of dew mixed with spirit ink filled the dormitory. Around him, the others began to stir.
Eren groaned first, stretching with a yawn. "Ahh… my back feels like it got trampled by a spirit beast." He blinked at Cain, who was already sitting up. "You're an earlybird man, couldn't sleep?
Cain gave a faint-- tired nod.
The door slid open to reveal a young attendant in plain robes, bowing slightly.
"Group DOS-Z" he said softly. "The instructor requests all your presence at the Jade Courtyard by the second bell.After the information, the door was shut.
Seeing the others standing and putting on their sect uniform immediately, Cain stood up, saw his uniform beside his bed with his other materials, he picked it up and dressed in the sect's uniform — white and black with silver threading across the sleeves. The fabric was unfamiliar, almost ceremonial. He tied the sash at his waist, straightened his collar, and stepped outside.
The mountain air was sharp and clean. Mist rolled down from the peaks, blurring the distant towers of the sect into ghostly silhouettes. Stone paths wound between old pines whose roots clutched the earth like veins.
Disciples walked the path in quiet lines — some whispering about their excitement, others fidgeting with nervous hands.
When he reached the courtyard, a man in dark gray robes stood waiting. The instructor's gaze swept over them — calm but heavy, like a weight pressing on the chest.
"Seven names," he said, unrolling a scroll.
He began reading.
"Eren of the North Ridge."
A broad-shouldered boy stepped forward, his grin too casual for the tension in the air.
"Lior of the Stone March."
A silent one — expression carved in stone, eyes cold and unreadable.
"Ryn of the Blue Valley."
A lean figure with half-lidded eyes and a faint smirk that never reached them.
"Sera of Cloud Reach."
She bowed with elegance — poised, composed, but her stillness felt calculated.
"Varric, son of the Iron Forge."
His footsteps were heavy, deliberate. A craftsman's strength in every motion.
"Keil of the Wind Step."
Light-hearted, restless — he was already whispering to Eren, earning a laugh.
You are all teamates already so you know the rules.
The instructor paused before the last name.
"…And Cain" Your new Accepted team member
Every eye turned toward him.
He stepped forward, his expression calm, though his chest felt oddly hollow.
"You seven," the instructor said, "will form Group DOS–Z. You will train, eat, and live as one. Succeed together… or be expelled together. The sect has no place for fractured strength."
No one spoke. The morning wind stirred their robes, carrying faint traces of incense and pine.
The instructor rolled up the scroll. "Your dormitory lies beyond the south bridge. Training begins at dawn. Until then—acquaint yourselves."
The group dispersed slowly. Eren stretched, muttering something about breakfast. Keil followed him with a teasing grin. Ryn gave Sera a knowing look before walking off. Lior stayed silent, already distant.