[Unknown Divine Realm – Shrine of Binding]
Chains—etched with celestial scripts—wrapped tightly around Justine's wrists, ankles, and neck. Her once-golden eyes had dulled over time, hidden beneath the veil of her title: God's Loyal Disciple.
But tonight, something was wrong.
The chains trembled.
> [Warning: Divine Seal Integrity – 63%]
[External Trigger Detected – Source: Magebane Armor Awakening]
[Memory Suppression Weakening…]
Justine's breath caught.
Images flashed—her former master, Hajun Ardyn, cloaked in flames and wisdom… smiling as he taught her the first forbidden spell.
> "Remember, Justine. Trust no gods… not even me."
Her fists clenched.
> [Chain Fracture – Left Wrist: 82%]
[Consciousness Sync Engaged…]
---
[Flashback – 53 Years Ago | The Tower, Floor 72]
She stood beside Hajun, bloodied but alive, staring down a divine beast ten times their size.
He smiled, then whispered, "I'll draw its attention. You, hit its core."
"But you'll die—!"
"Then avenge me properly."
She didn't.
She ran.
---
[Present – Shrine of Binding]
Justine screamed as her divine shackles cracked.
> [Seal Broken – Memory Fragment Restored]
[Trait Evolved: Betrayer's Resolve → Fallen Disciple's Wrath]
She dropped to one knee.
Her eyes gleamed gold again—but darker.
> "I… remember now. Everything."
> "Master… Hajun… is alive."
The realm shook.
Celestial guardians stirred.
And Justine, the god's most obedient disciple, finally turned her blade.
---
[Academy – Underground Vault | That Same Night]
Lohan stood before a sealed gate deep below the academy—a place even the current Headmaster had forgotten.
> [System Notification: Hidden Legacy Detected – 'Vault of Ardyn']
[Access Granted: Soul Signature Confirmed]
The doors rumbled open.
Inside: a chamber lined with glowing spellbooks, ancient weapons, and a coffin-sized core of pulsating silver metal.
Lohan stared at it, breath shallow.
"…My old core."
The very heart of his past life.
And it still remembered him.
---
[Meanwhile – Divine Council Chambers]
High above the heavens, the gods stirred. The failed assassination had awakened a truth they had long buried.
"She's breaking free," a voice growled.
"And he's reclaiming his legacy," another spat.
A third god, cloaked in moonlight, whispered, "Prepare the Ascension Trials. We'll end this ourselves."
Lightning cracked across the realm.
The gods were moving again.
---