Obsidian Crest Tower – Midnight
A soft breeze slipped through the open balcony where Alaric sat, sharpening a thin black dagger. He wasn't planning to use it—at least not yet. But the system advised it.
> [New Passive Gained: Resonance Edge – Allows synchronized weapon strikes when bound power activates.]
Moonlight cast faint shadows on the floor as he paused, eyes drawn to the sky. Something gnawed at him—not from outside, but from memory.
> "This is where the novel started changing," he murmured.
He'd read the original story—up until Chapter 13. That's when his phone was destroyed during a confrontation back home, and by the time he got a replacement, the author had gone on an indefinite hiatus.
He smirked.
> "Ironic. I have to live the story now… blind."
---
Council Chamber – Hidden Room in Academy
Seven cloaked figures gathered around a floating orb, each pulsing with arcane authority. The crystal projected two profiles.
> Elric Vayne – Chosen of the Flame Monarch
Alaric Thorne – Unknown anomaly. Elemental profile unstable. Not of Noble Lineage.
"He's too clean," one murmured. "Too quiet."
Another added, "The binding pattern in his duel reports doesn't match any academy-taught technique. It's as if power responds to his presence, not the other way around."
The Headmaster, Arven Drayne, narrowed his gaze.
> "Then we give him no choice but to show his hand."
---
Mission Notice Board – Next Morning
Students from all towers gathered as a magical notice board burst into the air with silver flares.
> [Optional Field Mission: Ruins of Eldrath – Scouting Task]
[Recommended: Obsidian Crest Elite – 6 Members]
[Reward: Council Favor, Spirit Token, +50 Points]
Elric's face brightened. "Finally."
Sera folded her arms. "Seems too soon. We're barely settled."
He shrugged. "Pressure reveals diamonds."
Lysandra, silent nearby, stared at the board.
> "If it involves ancient ruins, I'm going."
Whispers spread. "Will Alaric go?"
They turned—but Alaric wasn't there anymore.
Back in his dorm, he stared at his system panel.
> [Mission Eligibility: Forced Inclusion. Your fate is no longer optional.]
He sighed. "Figures. No skipping cutscenes now."
---
Team Selection
The chosen six blinked into projection.
Alaric Thorne – Flame Dominion
Lysandra Noxveil – Void Ice
Sera Valen – Frost Core
Garran – Thunderborn Warrior
Mielle of Aetherclan – Time-Type
Elric Veyne – Unclassified
"He didn't apply," said one instructor.
"The mission bound itself to him," replied another.
The Dean simply smiled. "The story moves. Let's see how much he's read."
---
Ruins of Eldrath – Beginning the Mission
Ruins jutted like ancient ribs from the dead earth. Time hung still here. Even breath felt heavy.
Elric led the charge, flame radiating around him. "Form a hexagon spread."
Garran summoned thunder beneath his boots. Mielle hovered slightly, time magic glimmering.
Lysandra summoned crystalline ice blades that hovered like orbiting moons.
Sera cloaked herself in frozen mist, spear ready.
Alaric walked at the rear, seemingly lazy, sipping from a cup.
> [Power Link Active – Elric: +1.6% / Mielle: +0.8% / Sera: +0.9%]
He had read enough of the original to know Elric would survive here. He'd even written comments speculating the ruin's hidden lore before the author vanished.
But now? The script had vanished.
> "Time to improvise."
---
The Beast Awakens
The ancient altar pulsed.
Then, from the shadows, came corrupted creatures—dozens of them. Snarling, mutated amalgamations of forgotten magic.
Elric led the charge, sword flaming.
Mielle froze small pockets of time, giving the team tactical edges. Garran broke bones with thunder kicks. Lysandra sliced the mist apart with spears of silence.
Alaric sat calmly, sipping coffee.
One beast lunged.
> [Shadow String Deployed.]
A thread snapped forward, wrapping around its throat and slicing through without resistance.
He closed his eyes, and his system pulsed.
> [Alaric has gained 5% shared power sync from all bound parties.]
[Stat Surge: Passive Boost – All Physical Stats Temporarily +40%]
The others didn't know it, but their efforts fueled him.
They fought.
He evolved.
---
The Artifact and the Echo
They reached the altar. A relic floated: an orb of flame, ice, and shadow.
Elric reached. Rejected.
Lysandra tried. Rejected.
Sera stepped forward. The orb flashed. Rejected.
Then it floated toward Alaric.
Even the wind stopped.
> [Artifact Recognizes Thorne Echo Signature – 100% Sync]
[Title Acquired: Echo of the Forgotten Throne]
[Effect: +1 Legendary Skill Slot | +10% All Stats | Awakened Legacy Potential]
Elric stepped forward. "How?"
Alaric smiled, swirling his coffee.
> "Maybe the script changed."
---
Post-Mission Observations
Back in the dorm, Alaric opened his status panel. The Binding System glowed, brighter than ever.
> [Note: Novel diverged from known chapters. From here onward, the path is yours.]
He leaned back in his chair. A grin spread across his face.
> "Guess I'll write the rest myself."
Meanwhile, far from the academy, a dark-robed cultist stared into a flame.
> "He has awakened… The one lost between pages."
--