Whispers followed Kenji wherever he walked.
"He froze a dummy with one swing."
"No cabin's claimed him yet. That's *weird*, right?"
"Did you see the frost trail he left behind?"
It didn't bother him. Not really. But it was… noticeable.
Even Chiron seemed to watch him more closely now.
> *Reputation Update:
> Camp General: +5
> Status: Mysterious, Potential Threat or Asset*
---
*Cabin Tour – With Annabeth*
Annabeth Chase—daughter of Athena, sharp eyes and sharper tongue—was assigned to show Percy and Kenji around.
Her gray eyes narrowed at Kenji. "You're hiding something."
Kenji met her gaze. "Aren't we all?"
Percy laughed awkwardly. "So… how do I get a cabin?"
Annabeth pointed toward the sky. "Wait for daddy to text from Olympus."
She turned back to Kenji. "And you? No claiming, but elemental control? That's rare."
Kenji just smiled. "I'm a fast learner."
---
*System Notification*
> *New Interaction: Annabeth Chase
> Affinity: Neutral
> Intelligence Challenge Detected
> Optional Objective: Gain Her Trust (Reward: Tactical Insight Passive)*
He tilted his head, intrigued. "Ever played chess?"
---
*Later – The Forge*
Kenji approached Cabin 9—Hephaestus's.
Inside, sparks flew, hammers rang.
He needed an upgrade.
He showed the Nemean fur fragments and frost-forged shard from his training.
A gruff camper with soot on his face whistled. "You want a custom blade with this?"
Kenji nodded. "Lightweight. Wind-resistant. Channeling-compatible."
> *Task: Forge a Personalized Celestial Blade
> Requirements: 2 Nemean Fur Fragments, Ice Elemental Core (Locked), Celestial Bronze Base
> Status: 50% Materials Collected*
---
*That Night – Hill of the Wind*
Kenji stood at the top of a hill just outside camp.
The breeze whispered secrets in a language only his blood understood.
Then—faint blue light surrounded him.
Snowflakes shimmered in the summer night.
> *Bloodline Trial Activated: Proving the North Wind
> Trial 1 – Endure the Windless Cold
> Survive 1 Night in Isolated Subzero ID
> Reward: Unlock Atomokinesis (Level 1), Claiming Event Triggered*
He stepped into the glowing portal.
"I'm ready."
---
*End of Chapter 13*