Chapter 9 Rank A

Seran stepped into the watchtower with calm steps. He looked like a man who had never needed to fear any room.

I read his panel quickly. "Name Seran Vale. Class Sovereign Knight. Rank A. Age twenty-four."

Lyra stood straighter. Her good hand stayed near her sword. "Seran."

"Lyra Voss," Seran said. His eyes softened for a second. He looked at her like it cost him something.

She crossed her arms and winced when her bad shoulder moved. "What are you doing here?"

Seran turned toward where I stood. His eyes looked slightly off, like his System tried to focus on empty air. "I cannot see you clearly. My System detection is one of the best active. That should not be possible."

I stepped forward into his direct line of sight. "I am Kane. I am Null. And you said you need to talk."

Seran studied me carefully. "There was a System anomaly logged twelve hours ago. An unregistered entity absorbed a skill remnant. The System flagged it as an unhandled exception. I have never seen that notification before. I have full access to the Registry log."

Lyra shifted her weight. Pain showed on her tight face. "Why are you really here, Seran? Not on a purge mission?"

"I am here because I want to understand what you are before anyone above me decides to classify you and have you eliminated cleanly," Seran said. His voice stayed even.

"That is thoughtful of you," I replied, keeping my tone dry.

Seran ignored the dryness. "I am practical. What you did with that skill remnant should not be possible. The System has no framework for it. That is interesting to me."

"You came into the Ashfields alone to find the interesting impossible thing?" I asked.

"Yes," Seran answered. "Doesn't everyone?"

Lyra stepped between us. "What does the Registry Authority know about him specifically?"

"About him? The anomaly log and a ghost-flag report from the purge squad hunter who ran," Seran said. "They know a Null absorbed a skill. They do not know the Null is still alive. The purge squad leader reported a self-termination."

"Buying me time," I said.

"Accidentally," Seran replied. "Do not read loyalty into it. He was covering his own failure."

I watched how they talked. Short words. Old shorthand. "How do you two know each other?"

"We do not," Lyra said quickly.

"We trained under the same Registry program," Seran said at the same time.

They looked at each other. Lyra’s jaw tightened. "Ancient history."

I filed it away. "Seran, you want to guide us to the northern gate. Use your Rank A authority for a lockdown exemption. In exchange you want to observe me. Watch how I interact with the System."

"Yes," Seran said. "I frame it as research."

"You want to study me," I said. Frustration mixed with curiosity inside me.

"Yes," he answered simply.

"And if what you learn makes you decide to turn me in?" I asked. I watched his face closely.

Seran met my eyes. "Then you will have made a mistake trusting me."

It was honest. No soft promises. I respected that.

Lyra rubbed her bad shoulder. "This is risky, Seran. For all of us. You know that."

"I know," Seran replied. He looked at her. "But the alternative is worse."

I leaned against the wall. "The System tried to kill me from the start. Now you show up wanting to watch. Why should I believe you will not hand me over the second it gets hard?"

"Because I have seen the Registry logs," Seran said. "What you did broke something. I want to know what it means before the Administrator decides for all of us."

"You talk like the System is not perfect," I said.

"It is not," Seran answered. "But most people never see the cracks. You stepped into one."

Lyra stayed quiet. She watched both of us with tired eyes. Her body looked worn from the long day.

Seran stood up. "I will take the first watch. No argument on this."

He moved to the window. His steps stayed sure. Rank A showed in every motion.

Then he went very still. His hand rested on his sword.

"The purge squad," Seran said. His voice stayed controlled. "All six of them. They are two kilometers south and moving north."

He looked straight toward me. "Your timer was flagged. Something updated. They know you are alive."

Seran reached for his sword. "And they sent six because last time two was not enough."

Lyra gripped her own sword tighter. Pain and worry crossed her face. "We cannot fight six with my arm like this. What is the plan, Seran?"

Seran did not turn around. "We move before they reach us. Or we make a stand. Your choice, Kane. But choose now."

I felt the weight hit hard. My fists clenched. "They keep pushing. The System keeps sending more. What exactly can your Rank A authority do against six hunters right now?"

"It can slow them down," Seran answered. "Buy us time to reach the gate. But we need to decide fast."

Lyra breathed hard. "Kane, if he is telling the truth, this might be our best chance. But if he turns on us..."

"I know," I said. Frustration burned hot inside. "Seran, one more question. Why risk your Rank A status for a Null you just met?"

"Because what you represent could change everything," Seran replied. "I need to see it with my own eyes."

The distant horns sounded closer. Six hunters are coming. One Rank A who might help or might betray us. Lyra breathing hard beside me with her ruined arm. My Null tricks against real power.

Seran stood ready at the window. "They are moving faster now. Decide, Kane. Run or fight?"

The night felt heavier. Everything was about to explode.