Legendary Guardians: Mad Emperor

"Wait, what?" Kael blurted out, unable to think of a response.

He watched as Ra raised his claw, pointing in Kael's direction.

"Since I chose you, there will be no trials. It's not like you have the capabilities to pass them anyways." Ra scoffed, his voice laced with amusement.

Before Kael could respond, azure blue flames erupted around him, consuming his entire figure but he wasn't getting burnt.

"You wield my power and I wield your mind. That is a fair trade, something humans deprived my people of." Ra said, his anger noticeable in his tone.

— Back in the Chamber —

Kael's body levitated above the platform, azure flames erupting from his skin. His screams filled the chamber, but Professor Lysandra stood firm, her hands weaving patterns in the air as she guided the energy.

"Good! Channel it, Kael!" she commanded. "Do not let it consume you! Control it!"

He threw his head back, letting out a roar that sounded more beast than human. The flames steadied, their wild dance becoming a controlled, harmonious blaze that wrapped around his body like a second skin.

The shard crumbled into black dust, flowing into Kael's airborne body as the light in the chamber dimmed. Kael collapsed to the platform, panting heavily. His body was covered in faint azure markings that glowed softly before fading into his skin.

Professor Lysandra stepped forward, her expression unreadable. She crouched beside Kael, placing a hand on his wrist to check his pulse. She watched his heavy panting slowly normalize.

"You survived," she said simply, though there was a hint of pride in her tone.

Clank!

The door swung open as two soldiers walked in, their questioning glare fixated on Professor Lysandra.

"Yes, it was a success…. Announce it." She said, her voice trembling with emotions.

Her gaze flipped back to Kael but he was snoring away, a peaceful smile spread across his lips.

The kingdom of Auranos has created not only the first demi-human but the first Pantheon-level demi-human. How could she not be excited?

— Beast Containment Zone, Waiting room —

Ding!

[Congratulations to Kael Ardyn for successfully becoming the first pantheon-level demi-human and the first demi-human in the realm of dawn]

Buzz!

Murmurs and yelps of surprise broke out among staff stationed in the waiting room. Eric slapped the magazine in his hands closed, a crazed smile blooming on his lips.

"That little bastard, I knew he had it in him." Eric chuckled, rubbing his chin with a thoughtful expression. "Since Ra has chosen him, what demi-beast should I go for?"

— Academy Southern Region; Cafeteria —-

Ding!

[Congratulations to Kael Ardyn for successfully becoming the first pantheon-level demi-human and the first demi-human in the realm of dawn]

Heads whipped in the direction of the speakers, their eyes widening in disbelief. The noisy cafeteria fell into a deafening silence, questioning glances exchanging nearly fifty students seated.

"This is a mistake right?" A student's voice pierced through the silence but his question was met with more silence.

Liora sat, frozen like a statue as her eyes remained fixated on the speakers.

'It's not even 9:30 am. Did he go in early?'

'Pantheon level? Ra? That loser?'

She shut her eyes and rubbed her face, hoping to wake up and realize this was a bad dream.

"I need to confirm this for myself," Liora said as she abruptly stood up.

However before she could move, she felt a firm hand grab her wrist gently. Liora's chilling gaze fell on Travis's seated figure, causing him to shudder and instinctively let go.

This was not the same girl who laughed at his jokes.

Bam!

"That bitch!" Travis banged the desk, his body trembling with anger. "I'll show you!"

The look in Liora's eyes when she looked at him was similar to the way she had always looked at Kael. Her chilling gaze conveyed her message clearly; 'Let go of me, loser!'

—-

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Kael's eyes yanked open, a familiar scenery taking form as his blurred vision cleared up. He glanced around, taking note of the messy reading desk and his empty bookshelf just to confirm his location.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The alarm clock kept ringing but he didn't move. Kael remained this way for nearly ten minutes before speaking.

"Was all that a dream?" Kael mumbled, his voice filled with disbelief and confusion. "Did I really become a Pantheon-level demi-human?'

{The only Pantheon-level demi-human. There cannot be two of me.} Ra responded, causing Kael to yelp in shock and roll off his bed.

Bang!

Kael's facelifted over his bed, his eyes darting around his little room in search of the intruder.

{You know, I'm beginning to think I made the wrong choice making you my vessel.} Ra sighed.

"Ra?!" Kael abruptly stood up, his voice laced with genuine shock.

{Who else? Your mother?} Ra snapped, annoyed by this human's cluelessness.

"This… this should be impossible…" Kael mumbled, his voice barely a whisper

The past four days spent at the academy were dedicated to teaching them the basics and what to expect. After successfully becoming a demi-human, one is plagued by the cravings and chaotic instincts of the demi-beast of their choice, not hearing its voice.

Mystic resonance doesn't bring back the dead, so Ra shouldn't be alive.

{Do you really think the rules that bind mere demi-beasts can hold down a Pantheon guardian of the realm?} Ra asked, his voice oozing with contempt.

{Or have you forgotten the deal we made? You wield my power and I wield your mind.} Ra added, his voice oddly low.

Ding!

[Unfortunately, Travis Gilman lost his way during the ritual and was neutralized.]

Kael's head snapped toward the speaker hung at the left corner of his room, his jaws dropping in shock.

"Travis? … Dead?" he stuttered, his tone wavered with doubt.

If there was someone everyone believed would succeed, it would be Travis. His genetics made him much stronger than normal people; he got the Silverback nickname on his first day here.

Everyone believed he had a bright future, including Kael.