The world shimmered.
Maximilian stood once more in the Hall of Selection—an impossible chamber forged of polished voidsteel and celestial glass, suspended somewhere between the city and the stars. Above him loomed the mural of the Divine Seven, whose trials had guided all awakenings since the First Cataclysm.
Before him, five pathways opened—each a living gate, pulsing with aura, mana, and the scent of history.
System Prompt:
"Candidate Maximilian Kriegswald – bearer of Thronenschlüssel Tier 1.""Select University Affiliation."
Universität der Ewigen Flamme
Universität der Blutkrone
Universität Eisenfaust
Universität Noctra
Universität der Stillstern
Each door radiated a unique presence.
But only one made Maximilian's bones sing—the Flame Eternal.
Universität der Ewigen Flamme
As he stepped through the blazing sigil, fire did not consume him—it welcomed him.
He emerged into a world unlike any he had seen.
A continent-sized floating fortress suspended above a living caldera. Volcanoes danced like candlelight. Lava rivers formed magical channels of power. Dragons and phoenix-constructs flew overhead. Towering monoliths of fire-stone reached toward the heavens.
Students in crimson-and-gold robes walked among titanic forges, dueling arenas, and scripture-flames that floated midair—scrolls made of burning light.
"Welcome to the Flame Eternal."
A woman in obsidian robes greeted him, her eyes glowing amber.
"I am Magistra Virelda Kaas, Master of Combustion Rhetoric and Dean of First-Phase Combat."
"You're early."
University Structure (Tier: Monarchial-Factional)
Houses within the University:
Haus Pyrolith – Frontline warriors, flame aura dominion, magma-forged weapons
Haus Cindervault – Fire alchemists, ember enchantments, explosive combat
Haus Aetherfeuer – Mana-flame theorists, radiant spellcraft, energy condensers
Haus Wyrmbinder – Beastmasters, draconic cultivators, fire-born familiars
Haus Vulcanos – Smith-kings, weapon-constructors, soulsteel engineers
Each house operated like a micro-nation, led by a House Warden and voted seat in the Flame Parliament.
University Politics & Power Struggles
"You'll need to pledge allegiance," said Virelda."Or win a duel against a House Scion to remain neutral."
Maximilian remained silent, watching the parliament building ahead: a thousand-meter-high flame-crowned cathedral encircled by twelve burning rings.
Neutral status was rare—usually granted to divine-class beings or those from ancient bloodlines.
But he had the Throne Key.
He would need to make a move soon.
First Flame Forge – Weapon Soul Ceremony
Beneath the University, Maximilian was escorted to the First Flame Forge, a circular sanctum containing a literal star shard suspended by thirty-nine chained divine runes.
Here, Throne Key bearers could awaken a Soulbound Armament, tailored to their class resonance.
System Prompt:
"Weapon Form Calculating… Class Signature Identified: Stellarmind Chronoweaver."
"Material Match: Meteoric Dream-Iron + Blackfold Essence + ??? Unknown Celestial Core."
"Begin Soul Forge?"
Forging Sequence Engaged
Molten rune-steel rose around him. His aura flared—his hidden SSS+ talent pushing dangerously close to the surface.
He barely suppressed it.
He envisioned a blade, no—something more. A multi-form weapon. One that danced with time, shattered starlight, and pierced fate.
"You hide behind S+."
A voice, his own but not, echoed in the forge.
"But your soul burns like the heart of a dead star."
The flames coalesced.
His weapon took form:
Soul Armament: Zeitbrecher – The Timebreaker
Form 1: Starsteel Longsword – precision and rapid-strike aura weaves
Form 2: Chain-Fang Chakram – orbital slashes, defensive rhythm control
Form 3 (Locked): ???
He collapsed after the forging, vision swimming with flames and starlight.
Virelda watched him with narrowed eyes.
"You carry something strange, Kriegswald."
"The forge sang like it hadn't in centuries."
Maximilian forced a smirk.
"Maybe it liked my haircut."
Internal Training Halls – First Lesson: Aura Pressure Theory
The next day, he sat in a circular colosseum where aura was the air itself.
An instructor entered—Professor Albrecht Stahlgrau, war-veteran, former Rune-Fist of the 11th Cataclysm.
"Aura is pressure. Aura is resonance. Aura is will."
They were taught to suppress lesser auras by mere presence, to layer aura for offense, defense, and deception. Aura could ignite flame, split stone, fold mana, bend sound.
"Master your aura... or die surrounded by your inferiors."
Maximilian's own aura remained hidden, chained tightly around his SSS+ signature, disguised as S+.
But under pressure… cracks would show.
Meanwhile: Nova Der Abgrund – Forbidden University
In the deepest layer of space, where even divine sight fails, the Abyss stirred.
Dark robed students gathered under inverted stars.
A professor, whose face was carved into nonexistence, whispered:
"The boy has claimed a Throne Key."
"And yet, he denies our gates."
"We shall… invite him again."
End of Chapter 6: Universität der Ewigen Flamme – The Flame Eternal