As night fell, the academy was quiet, like the calm before the storm. After saying goodbye to Roine at the library, Dan didn't go to his room... Instead, he went outside the walls and walked quietly toward the academy's forest.
He didn't have a clear goal in mind, except for one thing...
"The lone wolf."
The tall trees stretched out in front of him, like a dark passageway to another world. The ground was damp, and the cold air bit at him. When he got to that spot—the place where he had first met the wolf—Dan stopped.
There he was.
The tall man stood like he had before, with a wolf mask covering his face , an indescribable aura surrounding his body.
As soon as they exchanged silent glances, he said in his deep voice:
"Put your sword up and show me what you've got."
Dan didn't say anything. He didn't ask any questions.
He just stood there, calmly drawing his sword and lowering himself into a ready stance.
Then he moved.
He took quick steps, and his sword flashed as if it were part of the shadows themselves.
He started using the black shadow technique.
Faint shadows rushed behind his blows, like the specters of silent ghosts, mirroring his movements and doubling his presence.
And through it all, the lone wolf remained standing, motionless and silent.
Dan kept breathing slowly, and his eyes were on the man.
A moment passed, then the wolf said in a calm tone:
"Why do you use the black shadow technique? "Aren't your family members more skilled in the dark element ?"
Dan's features shook for a moment.
He looked at the mask and asked, surprised, he couldn't hide:
"How do you know the name of this art?"
The black shadow technique was not known outside the Noctain family.
Only the elders and those who had mastered the technique.
But the lone wolf didn't answer the question. He only replied calmly, as if it were not worth dwelling on:
"That's not important. Just answer me—isn't it better to use the art of cutting darkness?"
Dan let out a long sigh and said:
"My talent in darkness... is weak. It doesn't allow me to master it."
The lone wolf shook his head slightly, as if he had already expected the answer.
"What are your talent ratios?"
Dan paused, then said:
"Darkness: 60%."
Shadows: 75%.
Blood: 74%.
Fire: 62%."
Silence reigned.
Then the lone wolf said quietly:
"Many elements... and incomplete talent, unfortunate."
He rested his hands on his hips and continued:
"But... that doesn't mean you're hopeless. It just means you have to be smarter and more precise than others.
You have the tools, but how you use them will determine whether you survive or break.
The lone wolf smiled faintly, a smile that Dan didn't see, but which was reflected in his tone of voice:
"The art you use is a weaker version."
Dan's eyes opened wide, but he didn't say anything.
The wolf continued.
"The true art of black shadows... is not used with swords. It is based on daggers. It is the art of assassination, not dueling."
Dan thought as he repeated the man's words.
"The one who taught it to me was my personal Persian... He is trustworthy and would not give me an incomplete version."
The wolf replied calmly, without sarcasm, and without raising his voice:
"He probably didn't mean to give you a weaker version, but the best version for you. The original version requires a talent for shadows that exceeds 80%. And you... are not even close to that level."
The lone wolf watched Dan closely as he moved between attacks and steps, his sword glinting in the moonlight.
"Don't attack with brute force," the wolf said angrily.
"Focus on moving smoothly. You can use a sword, but you're better at killing people than fighting."
Dan stopped for a moment, then continued his attack, but this time he was more careful.
"Remember," the wolf said, "the goal is not to defeat your opponent, but to do so with minimal effort and maximum impact."
With every turn and every movement, the wolf continued to guide him:
"Lower your center of gravity more."
"You're not hiding your intentions. Learn to move as if you don't intend to fight."
The training continued like this for about an hour, until the wolf finally said:
"Okay, let's stop here for today."
Dan took a step forward and said, breathing heavily:
"There's still time."
The wolf replied calmly:
"I was planning to train you for longer...
But you need to rest because of the injury to your chest."
Dan's eyes widened, and he said in a faint voice:
"So... you noticed that too."
The lone wolf replied.
"Why don't you rest? We can delay the training until you recover. It will heal quickly."
Dan replied:
"There's no need for that. I can handle it. It's no big deal."
The wolf looked at him for a moment, then picked up a small pebble and threw it at Dan's broken rib. It wasn't a strong throw, but as soon as it hit him, Dan sat down on the ground, gritting his teeth in pain.
When he looked at him, the lone wolf said in a calm tone:
"Why are you so stubborn? Nothing will happen if you rest for a few days."
Dan lifted his head slowly. His ribs were still sore, but he spoke calmly.
"Because I'm weak..."
He stared at the mask in front of him and continued, as if he was being forced to confess something:
"What will I do when I'm in a situation where I can't count on anyone?"
The lone wolf looked at him silently, then said in a steady voice:
"Dan Noctain... Why do you put yourself down?"
Dan took a deep breath and said:
"You know, I recently got into a fight with one of the students.
If he hadn't lost his focus after I broke his rib... I wouldn't have had a chance to win."
He looked down for a moment, then continued:
"I won by luck."
He paused for a moment, then added:
"Even when I met you... I should have been more careful.
I was supposed to act like I didn't know anything, and then go tell Director Ilaris."
"I improvised because I was nervous. I acted without thinking."
His voice shook as he continued, his emotions growing:
"At the Noctain house... I was attacked and tried to be killed.
If I hadn't counted on Tia and Kyle, I wouldn't be here now."
"I couldn't do anything... I was just a burden. Dan Noctain? Nothing without those around him."
Despite everything he said, the wolf didn't interrupt him, didn't object, and showed no sarcasm or pity. He just kept listening.
Dan suddenly shouted in a loud, sad voice.
"Damn it! Why me? Why me of all people?!
I never wanted to be Dan Noctain.
All I want is to go back to my normal life."
Silence reigned.
Then the wolf finally spoke, in his deep, calm voice:
"Dan, do you know why I decided to train you?"
Dan slowly lifted his head and looked at him with teary eyes, feeling unsure.
The wolf continued, his tone steady and unwavering:
"Because you were scared, but you still faced me."
"Many people are not afraid of death... but you are afraid of it, and yet you did not run away.
In a matter of moments, you came up with a plan of action... even under pressure."
He paused for a moment, then said:
"You might not be very talented, but you have something even more important: the ability to adjust to your environment."
"You are not weak, Dan Noctain."