Rise of Lihas RAYZADA

The first rays of dawn painted the horizon gold as Lihas Rayzada emerged from the Whisperpine Forest, his boots crunching on the gravel path that led to Valenfort City. The sixteen-year-old's silver eyes widened at the sight before him: towering spires pierced the sky, their stone facades gleaming with runes that pulsed with mana. The city sprawled like a living beast, its walls ringed by bustling markets, airships humming overhead, and the distant clang of forges echoing like a heartbeat. After days of danger and mystery, Lihas had arrived, the Soul Rune Pendant warm against his chest, its glow a quiet promise of destiny.The Starforge System's screen flickered in his vision, its voice as cold and steady as ever:Host StatusName: Lihas RayzadaCultivation: Tier 1, Level 2 (Beginner)Skills: Mana Sense (Enhanced), Iron Rune StrikeProgress to Level 3: 80/150 EXPQuest: [Special Quest – Seize the Path: Reach Valenfort City and pass the Celestial Origin Academy entrance exam. Time remaining: 2 days]Reward: 50 EXP, Skill [Rune Spark]Lihas adjusted the sack on his shoulder, the recommendation scroll from Captain Voren tucked safely inside alongside the Starveil Rune Fragment from the forest altar. His iron dagger, a gift from Garen Holt, hung at his belt, its weight a reminder of Elderoot Village—now a world away. "Valenfort," he whispered, a grin tugging at his lips. "Time to make my mark."The city gates loomed ahead, flanked by guards in crimson armor bearing the Empire of Dawnfire's crest. Merchants and travelers thronged the entrance, their voices a cacophony of haggling and laughter. Lihas's Enhanced Mana Sense buzzed, picking up the city's mana flows—vibrant, chaotic, like a river of light weaving through the streets. He stepped into the queue, ignoring the curious glances at his tattered clothes. A village boy he might be, but the Starforge System had chosen him, and he wouldn't falter now.At the gate, a grizzled guard eyed him skeptically. "State your business, kid."Lihas held up the scroll, its golden seal glinting. "I'm here for the Celestial Origin Academy entrance exam. Recommended by Captain Voren of the Crimson Claw Guild."The guard's eyebrows shot up, and he waved Lihas through. "Don't get cocky, boy. Valenfort eats dreamers like you for breakfast."Lihas smirked, stepping into the city. The streets were a whirlwind of color and sound—vendors hawking mana-infused trinkets, beast tamers parading exotic creatures, and cultivators in flowing robes striding with an air of untouchable power. His Mana Sense flared, overwhelmed by the sheer density of energy. Valenfort wasn't just a city; it was a crucible where legends were forged.He wandered the market district, marveling at stalls piled with Mana Crystals, Rune Scrolls, and weapons that hummed with enchantments. His few coppers wouldn't buy much, but the sights fueled his ambition. The academy was his goal, but one day, he'd own a piece of this city—maybe a forge, maybe a guild. The pendant pulsed, as if agreeing.As he navigated the crowds, a prickling sensation made him pause. His Enhanced Mana Sense detected a faint, familiar void—like the shadow in Whisperpine, but subtler, masked by the city's mana. He glanced over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of a cloaked figure slipping into an alley. The figure's mana was cloaked, but Lihas's pendant throbbed in warning. Someone was watching him.Before he could pursue, a melodic voice cut through the noise. "Lost, are you?"Lihas turned to find a girl his age leaning against a stall, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight, emerald eyes sparkling with mischief. She wore a green cloak adorned with beast-taming runes, a Moonshadow Wolf pup lounging at her feet. Her presence radiated confidence, tempered by a warmth that eased Lihas's guard."Not lost," he said, hand resting on his dagger. "Just… taking it in. Who're you?""Sylvara Elthorne," she replied, offering a slight bow. "Beast tamer, future academy prodigy, and your unofficial guide to Valenfort—unless you'd rather stumble around like a country bumpkin."Lihas snorted, relaxing slightly. "Lihas Rayzada. And I'm no bumpkin. I'm here for the academy exam."Sylvara's eyes lit up. "A fellow candidate? Bold, for a…" She glanced at his worn clothes, then grinned. "Let's just say you're not from around here. Come on, I'll show you to the academy registry. You'll need to sign up before the exam tomorrow."Lihas hesitated, his Mana Sense still tingling from the cloaked figure, but Sylvara's wolf pup yipped, nudging his leg. He followed her through the streets, her chatter about Valenfort's guilds and the academy's brutal trials filling the air. "The exam's no joke," she said, tossing her hair. "Combat, mana control, strategy—they test everything. Fail, and you're out. Pass, and you're on the path to greatness.""Sounds like my kind of challenge," Lihas said, though his stomach twisted. He'd fought wolves and bandits, but the academy was a different beast. The pendant pulsed, and the system's voice echoed:[Sub-Quest: Register for the Celestial Origin Academy Entrance Exam. Reward: 20 EXP. Deadline: End of day.]Sylvara led him to a grand plaza dominated by a towering structure—the Celestial Origin Academy's outer gate, its marble walls etched with constellations that glowed with mana. A crowd of hopefuls gathered at a registry pavilion, overseen by robed instructors. Lihas presented his scroll, earning a nod from a stern woman who recorded his name. "Lihas Rayzada, recommended by Captain Voren. Exam begins at dawn. Don't be late."The system chimed:[Sub-Quest Complete: Register for the Entrance Exam. Reward: 20 EXP. Progress to Level 3: 100/150 EXP.]Sylvara clapped his shoulder. "Not bad, village boy. Let's grab some food—you look like you haven't eaten in days."They found a street vendor selling skewers of mana-infused meat, the aroma making Lihas's mouth water. As they sat on a bench, Sylvara's wolf pup curled up beside him, and Lihas felt a rare moment of ease. "Why help me?" he asked, biting into a skewer. "You don't even know me."Sylvara shrugged, her smile softening. "You've got fire in your eyes, Lihas. Reminds me of someone I used to know. Besides, the academy's tough. We outsiders gotta stick together."Lihas nodded, warmed by her words, but his Enhanced Mana Sense flared again. Across the plaza, the cloaked figure stood motionless, their hidden gaze locked on him. The pendant burned, and Lihas's grip tightened on his dagger. "Sylvara," he said quietly, "someone's watching us."She followed his gaze, her wolf pup growling low. "Stay sharp," she whispered. "Valenfort's full of eyes—some friendly, some not."The figure vanished into the crowd, leaving only a ripple of void-like mana. Lihas's silver eyes hardened. The Starforge System had brought him here, but enemies were already circling. Tomorrow's exam was his first step, and he'd face it head-on—no matter who, or what, stood in his way.Upcoming Chapter Following Grandmaster Wolf: