Ash walked through the academy courtyard, cloak trailing behind him like a shadow stitched in firelight. His expression? Calm. Unreadable. But every student who passed felt the same thing crawling up their spine.
Something was coming.
And it wore a name they didn't dare speak too loudly.
He wasn't just the top of the rankings.
He was a problem.
A prophecy in motion.
A myth with a pulse.
Inside the Council Hall, six of the highest-ranking members of Dominion sat in a circle — runes glowing beneath them, binding truth, silencing lies.
And in the center of their table?
Ash Elric's name.
"His existence breaks our equilibrium," said Councilor Varyn, voice calm, hands shaking.
"He saved the academy," said another.
"He did," Varyn agreed. "And next time, he could end it."
Silence followed.
Until the Head Chancellor finally spoke.
"Begin proceedings. Quietly. We expel him, or we bury him in regulation."
---
Kirito stood in the shadows above the hall, invisible to even the Council's sentries.
He didn't blink.
Didn't speak.
Just listened.
And then he vanished.
---
Later that day, Ash was summoned to the Administrative Wing.
No reason given.
No charges listed.
But when he entered the hall?
Dozens of nobles, instructors, and political puppets turned toward him in silence.
At the end of the chamber stood High Chancellor Vaelore.
Seraphina's father.
"Ash Elric," he said, voice thunder without weight. "You stand accused of concealing divine-grade abilities, inciting duels without sanction, and destabilizing the order of Arcanum Imperium."
Ash raised one brow.
"That all?"
"No sarcasm," a noble snapped. "This is formal judgment."
Ash didn't speak.
He simply stepped forward — and every rune in the hall flickered.
Because the room wasn't judging him.
It was fearing the answer.
"I didn't destabilize your order," Ash said quietly. "I revealed it for what it is."
Gasps echoed.
But the Chancellor wasn't done.
"Unless you submit your power to our regulation and containment protocols, your enrollment will be suspended."
Ash tilted his head.
"Regulation?"
"You will report all divine abilities, submit to weekly mana audits, and wear a limiter seal on your core."
Ash laughed once.
Short. Hollow.
"You want me in a collar."
"Safety must come first."
"Safety for who?"
"Everyone."
Ash stared at them — eyes burning violet.
"I've already died for everyone. I don't need your permission to live."
---
The runes flared.
Dozens of magic circles lit up, surrounding him.
Not lethal.
Just binding.
But Ash didn't flinch.
Because someone else moved first.
Kirito.
From nowhere, from everywhere, he stepped forward through time-warped space — one hand raised.
A pulse of gravity tore through the council chamber.
Spells shattered.
Chairs collapsed.
Paper turned to dust mid-air.
And all he said was:
"Touch him… and I make this place silent. Forever."
---
Chaos erupted.
But Seraphina stepped between it all.
No spells.
No threats.
Just presence.
She walked to her father.
Met his eyes.
And said:
"He has saved this world more times than you've tried."
"Seraphina—"
"I've knelt to your name long enough. Today, I kneel to the one who bleeds for us."
Then, softly.
"I stand with Ash. And if you cast him out, you cast me out too."
---
The Council chamber collapsed into silence.
The storm had not fallen.
It had spoken.
And in that silence?
Ash turned toward the door.
"Keep your chains," he said.
"I carry enough already."
---
That night, news spread faster than fire through oil.
Ash Elric — not expelled. Not broken.
Untouched.
And Kirito?
He had finally been seen, truly, for the first time.
Whispers echoed.
Two kings walking beside flame.
Two storms that couldn't be caged.
---
On the tower roof, Ash sat quietly, bandaged hand resting over his heart.
Kirito stood beside him.
"I told you not to come," Ash said.
"I didn't," Kirito replied. "I arrived before the moment needed me."
Ash looked at him.
"You heard the prophecy, didn't you?"
Kirito nodded once.
Ash smiled sadly.
"Then you know what's coming."
Kirito looked at the stars.
"I also know what doesn't change."
Ash raised a brow.
"You."