[Academy – Abandoned Training Grounds]
The moon was high.
Lohan stood across from Kael, his coat fluttering in the night wind. A ritual circle pulsed beneath their feet—carved from old-world glyphs no one but Hajun Ardyn would remember.
Kael shifted nervously. "You sure this won't kill me?"
Lohan gave him a sharp look. "Only if you scream."
Kael paled.
---
[System Prompt – Forbidden Ritual: Chain Severance Initiated]
> [Target: Kael Elaris – Soul Bond Level: Low]
[Warning: Incomplete synchronization may result in permanent memory loss or soul fragmentation.]
Lohan inhaled deeply.
He began chanting in a tongue that hadn't been spoken in fifty years.
The runes lit up—one by one.
Kael screamed.
---
[Justine – Divine Temple]
She staggered.
A flash of light had just torn through her soul—connected to someone else.
"Chain severance?" she muttered.
"That's impossible."
The gods stirred behind her.
One spoke.
> "Find the source. Destroy it."
---
[Back at the Grounds]
Kael's body floated, glowing red with divine fire.
Lohan extended his hand, reaching into the light.
> [Skill Copied – Soul-Tether Resonance: A-Rank]
[System Upgrade – Chain Severance (Stage 1): Unlocked]
He found it.
A thin thread of divine energy embedded deep in Kael's spirit.
One tug—
Snap!
Kael collapsed. The light vanished.
He was breathing. Barely.
> [Chain Severed – Result: Success]
[Side Effect: Kael's Flame Affinity Increased]
Lohan grinned.
"I've done it… One chain down."
---
[Winter – Medical Wing]
Winter's body trembled in her sleep.
Visions of a chained world, of burning gods and freezing storms, flickered in her dreams.
Then—Lohan's voice.
> "You won't burn alone."
She smiled in her sleep.
---
[Justine – Receiving Her Orders]
The divine voice thundered.
> "Eliminate the Arclight girl. Sever the Phoenix Spark."
Justine clenched her jaw.
"…And if I refuse?"
Chains lashed her arms, glowing red-hot.
Pain lanced through her.
The gods said nothing more.
---
[Final Scene – Lohan's Dorm]
He stared at his hands.
They were shaking.
Not from fear—but thrill.
"Chains… the gods never thought I'd find them. One student down."
He looked toward the Tower's peak.
"Next is you, Justine."
---