The ground didn't just crack this time.
It collapsed.
BOOM.
The academy hall split open beneath Kael's feet, black light erupting like something buried had finally forced its way out.
Students screamed.
Teachers lost formation.
Barriers shattered like glass.
And at the center of it all—
Kael floated.
His body lifted off the ground, suspended in the air by something no one could see.
"…What's… happening…" his voice came out weak.
Unstable.
But the voice that answered him—
was not his.
"You took too long to wake me."
The entire hall froze.
The First Forgotten Legend's eyes widened.
"…This presence…"
A pause.
"…It's not like the others."
Kael's head tilted slightly.
Slow.
Unnatural.
"…Who… are you…?" he whispered.
Silence.
Then—
laughter.
Not calm.
Not ancient.
Wild.
"You really don't remember anything, do you?"
Kael's body jerked suddenly.
His fingers twitched.
"…Stop…"
But the voice ignored him.
"Fine."
"I'll introduce myself the way you like it."
The black light around Kael intensified.
Swirling.
Violent.
Then—
a system message forced itself into reality.
Visible to everyone.
⚠️ FORCED AWAKENING COMPLETE
ENTITY RELEASED: SSS-RANK FORGOTTEN LEGEND
DESIGNATION: THE DEVOURING KING
The air shattered.
Students collapsed instantly.
Some fainted.
Some screamed.
Some couldn't even process what they were seeing.
The First Forgotten Legend stepped forward.
Her chains trembling.
"…You… were sealed deeper than the others…"
Kael's body smiled.
But Kael wasn't smiling.
"Of course I was."
His voice changed.
Deeper.
Heavier.
Hungry.
"I'm the one you sealed last."
Kael's consciousness pushed forward.
"…GET OUT OF MY BODY!"
The Devouring King laughed.
"This is our body."
Kael's vision blurred.
His control slipping.
"…No… this is mine…"
The Devouring King's tone dropped instantly.
Cold.
"Then prove it."
Silence.
Then—
Kael's arm moved.
Not by his will.
It raised slowly.
And pointed forward.
At the academy.
"Let's test how much control you really have."
BOOM.
A wave of black energy exploded outward.
Walls shattered.
Magic formations collapsed.
The academy structure began breaking apart from the inside.
The First Forgotten Legend moved instantly.
She raised her hand—
And blocked part of the blast.
The ground behind her still exploded.
"…You're unstable," she said sharply.
Kael's body turned toward her slowly.
"No."
A pause.
"I'm awake."
Kael fought back internally.
"…STOP THIS!"
The Devouring King responded immediately.
"Then take control."
Kael's body froze mid-air.
Shaking violently.
Two forces pulling in opposite directions.
Inside—
Kael saw it.
A massive throne.
Dark.
Endless.
And sitting on it—
a figure.
Not fully visible.
But unmistakable.
Himself.
Smiling.
"You used to sit here."
Kael's voice trembled.
"…I don't want this…"
The Devouring King leaned forward slightly.
"You don't get to choose anymore."
Outside—
the academy was collapsing.
Students running.
Teachers shouting.
Barriers failing.
And in the distance—
the Correction Executor had stopped walking.
He turned slowly.
Watching.
"…So the Devouring King came out early."
A pause.
"…This changes things."
Back at the center—
Kael screamed.
"I SAID STOP!"
For a brief moment—
everything froze.
The Devouring King's control slipped.
Just slightly.
Kael's arm dropped.
His body shook violently.
"…I… won't… let you…"
Silence.
Then—
the Devouring King laughed again.
But this time—
softer.
"Good."
Kael froze.
"…What?"
"Fight me."
A pause.
"Because if you don't…"
The black energy surged again.
Stronger.
Wilder.
"I'll erase everything around you until you remember how."
The First Forgotten Legend stepped closer.
"…You can't control him like this."
Kael's voice came out strained.
"…I'm not trying to control him…"
A pause.
"…I'm trying not to disappear."
The Devouring King went quiet.
For the first time.
Then—
a whisper.
"Then hold on tighter."
Kael clenched his fists.
His body stabilized slightly.
The black energy calmed.
Just a little.
⚠️ CONTROL STATUS
HOST: 61%
ENTITY: 39%
The academy stopped collapsing—for now.
Kael hovered in the air.
Breathing heavily.
"…I'm still here…"
The Devouring King chuckled quietly.
"For now."
And deep inside—
something else moved.
Watching.
Waiting.