The academy gates towered like fortress walls, engraved with the ancient sigils of the Heavenly Demon Sect. New disciples stood in neat rows outside, their robes fresh and eyes burning with ambition.
Among them stood Jin Seo-Won—expression cold, posture relaxed, aura unreadable.
To his left, Do-Yoon stood silently. Though still bruised, his eyes no longer held fear. He stood with pride, like a man reborn.
Whispers rippled through the crowd as Seo-Won stepped forward.
> "Is that… the discarded son?"
> "I thought he wasn't even allowed to enter the academy."
> "He must be here by mistake."
Seo-Won ignored them all.
This time, he wasn't here to survive.
He was here to dominate.
---
Inside the central courtyard, the Elders sat on an elevated platform, robes flowing like clouds. Behind them, stone statues of the Seven Clans loomed—Sword, Spear, Poison, Wind, Flame, Shadow, and Beast.
Elder Gwan of the Sword Clan rose to speak.
> "Today, a new generation begins its journey. You will be tested. You will suffer. But if you survive... you may rise."
His gaze swept across the disciples—and paused on Jin Seo-Won.
A flicker of disdain.
Seo-Won met his gaze without blinking.
From the opposite side of the courtyard, a trio of young men entered—elegant, confident, and surrounded by sycophants.
The three princes.
> Jin Yeon-Ho — heir of the Sword Clan, tall and radiant like a divine warrior.
> Jin Seo-Jin — spear in hand, eyes sharp with pride.
> Jin Seo-Gi — his smile venomous, his steps lazy but calculated.
All sons of noble women.
All favored by the sect.
Yeon-Ho's eyes fell on Seo-Won, his steps halting slightly.
> "You shouldn't be here," he said quietly as he passed.
Seo-Won didn't answer.
But Do-Yoon growled beside him.
> "Watch your mouth—!"
Seo-Won raised a hand, stopping him.
> "Not yet," he said coldly. "Let them enjoy the illusion of superiority a little longer."
---
The disciples were assigned to dorms. Seo-Won and Do-Yoon were placed in the lowest-grade barracks at the mountain's edge—old, moss-covered, barely livable.
But Seo-Won didn't complain.
> "Let the weak grow strong in the shadows," he murmured.
> "When I strike... they'll never see it coming."
---
That night, while others celebrated their entry into the academy with cheers and wine, Seo-Won sat in silence, meditating.
Do-Yoon entered the room quietly, dropping a wrapped cloth before him.
> "I stole it from the supplies," he said. "Medicine, and a clean robe."
Seo-Won looked up.
Do-Yoon knelt.
> "Let me serve you, Prince. I'll carry your burden, bleed for your name."
For a moment, Seo-Won said nothing.
Then, he nodded.
> "Then rise, Do-Yoon. From now on, you are my first shadow."
Far above, hidden in a secret hall beneath the sect, Guardian Baek Ho-Gun watched once more.
> "He has entered the game."
> "And the board will soon begin to crack."
---