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The sky above Vanguard Academy looked like it was carved out of lightning.
A jagged spire of blackstone and gold stood at the center of the floating campus, surrounded by layered platforms, hanging gardens, and glowing runes that crackled with divine presence. Giant statues of gods loomed over the gates—each representing one of the Five Core Pantheon Houses.
As Kairo stepped off the sky shuttle, wearing a borrowed uniform and dragging a single duffel bag, he muttered one thing:
"…This place looks like Hogwarts and a Final Fantasy boss room had a baby."
Zerith responded inside his head, smug as ever.
"This is where the elites are forged. Heroes. Demigods. Divine champions."
"Cool. I've been here five minutes and already want to punch someone."
"Good. Hold that feeling. You'll need it."
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Orientation was brutal.
First, they took blood. Then aura samples. Then forced everyone into a divine compatibility test chamber where Kairo's scanner literally caught fire.
"Error: Incompatible Deity Class. No tier match found," the system said.
A girl behind him whispered, "Wait, does that mean he's godless?"
A blonde guy in gold-trimmed robes smirked. "No. It means he's a mistake."
Kairo turned. The guy was taller, built like a poster boy for 'I drink expensive water and punch people for sport.' A gold insignia of the House of Judgment glowed on his collar.
Name tag: Draven Lysium.
Divine Rank: A-Class. Bonded to Vexar, God of Dominion.
"You look like someone whose entire personality is expensive cologne," Kairo said.
The crowd chuckled. Draven's eye twitched.
"You don't belong here, anomaly."
Kairo cracked his knuckles. "Cool. Say that again after I rearrange your teeth."
Before a fight could erupt, a massive bell rang overhead, its sound shaking the plaza. A shadow swept across the crowd.
A woman descended from the air in a vortex of feathers and flame—her eyes burning silver, her armor humming with controlled divinity.
Instructor Silen. B-Rank Battle Priest. Bonded to Aelra, Goddess of War Discipline.
Her voice echoed.
"Welcome to Vanguard. You are the best of the best. Or you were. Until today."
She looked directly at Kairo.
"You've all trained for years. Honed your bonds. Studied under minor gods. He hasn't. And yet, he's here. Why?"
Kairo raised a hand. "Because I'm the main character?"
Silen blinked. Then smiled—not the good kind.
"Perfect. Let's see how far that carries you."
She turned and pointed at the Combat Arena.
"Placement battle. Now."
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Ten minutes later.
Kairo stood shirtless in the circular arena, his uniform jacket tied around his waist. He faced Draven, who held a glowing scepter and radiated power like a damn lighthouse.
Crowds of students gathered. Bets were made. Even some instructors leaned in.
Zerith spoke inside Kairo's mind.
"This will hurt."
"Yours or mine?"
"Yes."
The gong rang.
Draven struck first—launching a shockwave from his scepter that split the stone beneath Kairo's feet. Kairo dodged sideways, slid under a second strike, and hurled a punch—
—only for it to bounce off a divine barrier.
"You can't touch me," Draven said. "You're just raw chaos. No control. No class."
Kairo wiped blood off his lip. "That's where you're wrong."
He closed his eyes.
And for the first time, he stopped resisting the pull in his chest—the heat, the hunger, the war-drums under his skin.
Zerith's voice roared.
"You are Warbound. Let them see it."
System Notification:
> WAR GOD BOND - STAGE ONE UNLOCKED.
Skill Acquired: Echo Reave (Lv.1)
Effect: Strike once. Hit twice.
Kairo's eyes snapped open, burning crimson. He shot forward—faster than anyone expected—and landed a single clean punch to Draven's chest.
The second hit landed half a second later. From inside.
Draven went flying across the arena, smashing into the barrier wall.
The crowd exploded.
Someone screamed, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
Instructor Silen stared. Then smiled for real this time.
"…Interesting."
Kairo stood in the center of the arena, breathing heavily. One eye glowing, one fist still steaming.
Then he raised his hand and flipped Draven the bird.
"Call me a mistake again. See what happens."
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