crown of shadow

"Among 3,000, only one stood above them all.

And Kaen had already seen her fall once."

---

Velucia Hunter Academy – Orientation Hall

The entire student body filled the sky-arched ceremonial chamber of Velucia.

Floating crystal projectors shimmered above their heads, projecting rank lists and welcome banners.

Excitement buzzed through the air.

3,000 survivors.

All passed the entrance gates. All elite.

But only one name glowed at the very top of the main tower.

> 📜 [ #1 – ZIAN ]

[Assigned: Class A1 ]

A spotlight curved downward. And then—

She stepped forward.

> White hair glinting like moonlight.

Golden eyes calm, calculating, distant.

Dressed in the black-and-gold uniform of an A1 student.

She climbed the central stage, picked up the crystal mic… and stood in silence.

Everyone waited.

Kaen had stopped walking the moment he saw her.

> Everything in the world muted.

Noir stirred in his pocket, sensing the sudden pull of ancient energy.

Kaen's red eyes narrowed.

> "Zian... you survived."

"But they made you forget, didn't they?"

---

Zian's Speech – The First Command

> "I am Zian. Rank 1."

Her voice was clear, sharp, and emotionless.

> "This academy is not your dream. It is a battlefield."

> "If you are weak, you will fall."

> "If you are strong, you may still fall."

> "Only those who adapt, survive."

No cheers followed.

Only stunned silence—and then applause. Loud. Reluctant. Almost afraid.

Kaen didn't clap.

He was still watching her—through memory, through time.

> She had once fought for a god.

Had once made a pact with him in hell.

Had once burned eleven angels with her shadow army.

Now she stood on a stage, mortal and unaware.

But Kaen could see the remnants of divine strength radiating beneath her skin.

> "They buried your wings."

"But they couldn't erase your soul."

---

System Announcement – Class Divisions

> 🌀 [Top 30 students → CLASS A1]

[Kaen Delven – Rank 10]

[Zian – Rank 1]

---

Class A1 – The Crownless Seat

The academy grounds shimmered with layered enchantments as Kaen made his way toward his new class zone.

A1 was the most advanced of the ten sections—reserved for elite talents, noble family heirs, and monster-level prodigies.

Kaen passed by loud conversations and whispers:

> "Did you see Zian's mana scan? Off the charts."

"She refused all guild offers. Said she works alone."

"Who's this Kaen guy? Rank 10 with no background?"

Kaen ignored them.

He wasn't here to rise.

He was here to awaken someone who had once fallen… for him.

---

First Glance – Not a Stranger

As he entered the Class A1 training dome, the ceiling projected a simulation of stars.

Zian stood at the far end, inspecting weapons from the armory table. Students kept their distance.

She didn't notice Kaen at first.

But then—she turned.

Their eyes met.

> Golden. Crimson.

For a moment—nothing.

Then—

> A flicker of recognition.

The flash of broken wings.

A spear buried in her ribs.

Darkness whispering in her ear: "Do you want power?"

Zian's brows furrowed. She looked away. Shaken. Confused.

Kaen smiled.

> "Your soul remembers."

"That's enough—for now."

---

That Night – Zian's Dream

She stood in fire.

Feathers. Screaming. Betrayal.

A throne cracked in half. Eleven figures watching her fall.

And then—

A voice.

> "You were the last to fight."

"The only one who didn't kneel."

"And I—remember."

She woke up gasping, sweat clinging to her back.

> "Why does this feel so… real?"

---

That Night – Kaen's Void Realm

Beneath swirling stars made of broken timelines, Kaen sat beside Noir, who now took the shape of a long, sleek black fox.

He opened his palm.

> Inside: a shard of her old spear. Still warm.

> "Zian," he whispered.

"You were meant to be more than an angel."

"You were meant to be a god."