After the exam finish, the field never feel the same again. The students was walking slow, whispering loud, like the air itself was heavy. The sun was high but no one smile. Nobody was talking about fire or water magic anymore. The only thing in every mouth was one name—**Coker**. The boy who had **Shadow** magic. The boy who was **magicless** just days ago.
People no longer laugh at him like before. But they didn't treat him like friend either. Now, they looked at him like he was something strange, maybe dangerous. Some eyes full of fear, some eyes full of hate, some with jealousy that burn hotter than any fire magic.
Lira walked beside Coker with her hands in her pockets, her usual confident smile missing today. "Well... now you did it," she said softly. "You made everybody confused. Even Kaien is quiet now."
Coker sighed deeply. "I didn't want to... It just happen." He looked at his hand like it was a stranger. "This power... it feel like something crawling under my skin. But it not bad. Just different."
Before Lira could say anything, a loud voice broke the silence. "Liar!!" Kaien's fiery voice was sharp and angry. The fire bully stomped toward Coker, flames flickering from his fists like wild snakes ready to strike. The crowd quickly parted, giving space for their fight. Everyone always move out when Kaien get mad because no one wants to fight fire magic.
"You was magicless yesterday!" Kaien shouted. "How come today you got Shadow? You cheating, right? You hide it all along!"
Coker didn't step back even if his knees wanted to shake. He stood still and looked Kaien in the eyes. "I'm not cheating. I didn't even know I have this power."
Kaien's fire flared up bigger. "You lying! You probably wait for this moment to show off. Trying to look cool now?"
Before Kaien's fire fist hit, something move fast from the ground. Coker's shadow jumped up like a black wave and block the punch. It turned into a thick shield, soft like smoke but stronger than steel. Kaien was shocked, his eyes wide like he just see a ghost.
"You really wanna fight me now?" Coker said calm, his voice quiet but full of power. He didn't even know how the shadow did that. Maybe it was learning with him. Or maybe protecting him like a real friend.
The students gasped. Kaien's pride was burnt in front of everyone. No one talk for a moment. Even the Captains was watching carefully.
One Captain stood up. It was Reizen, the Light user. His silver hair shined under the sun like stars. Even with no weapon, people fear him because his power was like the sun itself.
"Enough," Reizen said with serious voice. "This place is for exam, not fight. Coker passed. Now we need to understand his power."
Another Captain with red armor and flames burning around him stepped forward. His name was Veyr. He smiled wide like he like danger. "I like him. Brave and different. Shadow magic was thought lost long time ago."
Reizen frowned. "Shadow magic is dangerous. History shows us. Shadows was strongest before, then demons, then fairies, then humans last. We was always the weakest."
Some students lower their heads, knowing it was truth. Humans was never the strongest race. The other races had magic power that humans only dream of.
Captain Veyr laughed. "But we have hope again. Maybe this boy is new beginning."
Reizen looked at Coker with eyes that hold warning. "Or maybe new danger."
Then they look at Coker like he was the answer to some question no one dared to ask.
"Come with us," Reizen said. "We want to see what else your Shadow can do."
Coker heart beat fast but he didn't run. He followed them to a secret ground behind the school. The place was big and empty, used for training. The wind was blowing hard and dry leaves was dancing in the air.
Veyr threw his red cloak on the ground. "Show us your power again. The clone."
Coker close his eyes and think hard about the shadow clone. The dark figure that look like him but not him.
The shadow came again, bigger and stronger this time. It take form quick, even smile like it alive.
Veyr whistle. "Wow. How much you can do?"
"I don't know," Coker say. "I just learning."
Reizen nod. "You must learn fast. Because now you not just a student anymore."
"What you mean?" Coker ask.
Veyr serious now. "Power never come easy. Demons will know this shadow is back."
Coker feel cold inside.
"They will come for you," Reizen said. "You are the Last Shadow Vessel. Maybe only one left in the world."
"And maybe demons already know."
Suddenly, loud alarm bell ring across the town. People scream far away. The wind stop. The sky get darker.
Veyr stand tall and shout, "That no practice! That real!"
Reizen raise hand, voice loud, "Demons at gates! Everybody ready!"
The town was shaking with fear.
The fire in the training ground wasn't the only thing burning.
Because the war just start.