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When they returned to the village, the teacher spoke in a tired but calm voice:
"Children, all of you go home. Rest and recover for three days."
Then he gave Selion a brief but meaningful glance.
Selion understood more than enough from that look.
Three days later, Selion went to see his teacher at school. The teacher was sitting at his desk, waiting for him.
"I want to hear it from you," he said.
Selion told everything from beginning to end. The teacher listened without saying a word. He didn't interrupt or even raise an eyebrow. When the story ended, he asked only one question:
"You said a black rod… Where did you find it?"
Selion tensed up. He still didn't fully understand this power. He thought he had to learn about it himself first, so he lied:
"Gohean told me to go into the trees… I found it at the base of a tree. It looked like a sword, so I thought it might be useful."
The teacher gave him a suspicious look but didn't press further.
"Alright. You may go."
Selion returned home excited. He now had a new power. And he wanted to see what he could do with it. He went to the backyard. Quietly, yet with determination, he whispered:
"Shadow."
A black rod appeared in his hand again. But this was no ordinary rod. It was a sword.
Long, rectangular-shaped, jet black. Its hilt was completely black, and the upper part was a semi-transparent prism. Even though it was rectangular, it was incredibly sharp.
To test its limits, he went to the forest behind the school. He swung the sword at a nearby tree. The tree split with a massive gash.
Selion's mouth hung open.
"This… is unbelievable," he whispered.
Having tested the sword's power, he headed home. He entered the kitchen. His mother was cooking. He approached silently. He got almost right next to her, but she didn't notice him.
"Mom?" he said.
His mother jumped in fear.
"When did you get here?! I didn't even hear you!"
Selion was stunned. How could his mother not sense him?
Then a thought occurred to him: the power of the Shadow Lord.
Just like shadows… pure stealth.
He wanted to confirm this. The next day, he returned to the forest. He found a rabbit and approached silently. The rabbit didn't notice him.
As long as he made no sound and stayed out of sight, no one could sense his presence.
"If I combine this with 'Swift Steps'... it'd be almost like teleportation," he thought.
But it wasn't the time yet.
He had to speak with the Shadow Lord again.
He wanted to learn how to develop his power. So, he decided to return to the Dark Forest.
Using his Swift Steps ability, he reached the forest's edge in two hours. He took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and stepped inside.
He had barely taken a few steps when…
A heavy killing intent surrounded him.
His chest tightened, and he couldn't breathe.
As he looked around, he suddenly felt cold metal at his throat.
A knife.
A voice behind his ear made his skin crawl:
"Who are you? How did you get into this forest?"
Trembling in fear, he answered:
"I came from Huimang village… I need to ask the Shadow Lord a few questions!"
The voice belonged to a woman.
When she heard his answer, she grew even more hostile:
"How do you know the Shadow Lord is here?!"
Selion was so scared…
He wet himself.
For real.
The woman noticed this and realized he was still a child, but she didn't lower her guard. She slowly withdrew the knife from his throat.
Selion was a bit relieved.
But the woman bombarded him with questions.
"Hold on! Ask one at a time and I'll answer," Selion said.
The woman sighed.
"What's your name?"
"Selion."
"Tell me who you are."
"I just did. I'm an ordinary kid from Huimang village. I didn't come to fight."
The woman got angry.
"An ordinary person wouldn't know the Shadow Lord is here!"
Selion narrowed his eyes.
"I… am the heir of the Shadow Lord."
The woman didn't believe him.
"Then prove it. Show me your shadow power!"
Selion summoned the sword.
The woman's eyes widened in shock.
"No way… Did he really give it to you?
Alright kid, I believe you. Follow me."
Selion followed the woman.
As they walked, he felt like the forest was watching him. He glanced around, but saw only darkness.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a massive tree.
Selion looked at the woman. He didn't understand.
"What are you waiting for? Go on," she said.
Selion hesitantly approached the tree.
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them… he was no longer in the forest.
Everything around him was black.
Ahead, there was a throne.
He walked slowly and stopped before it.
The Shadow Lord sat on the throne.
"Why have you come, my heir?" he asked.
Selion took a deep breath.
"I'm grateful for the power you gave me. So far, I've gained a sword and stealth-like ability. You said you only gave me a small portion of your power.
But how do you expect me to grow stronger?
What do I need to do to gain more?"
The Shadow Lord narrowed his eyes.
"The sword I gave you is called Tariki. Take good care of it. It is very precious to me.
To grow stronger… you must first awaken Tariki."
"How do I awaken it?" Selion asked.
The Shadow Lord smiled.
"That, you must discover for yourself, my dear heir."
Then he let out a dark laugh.
Selion still didn't quite know what to do, but some ideas had started forming in his mind.
He slowly turned…
and left the Dark Forest.
He set off toward home.