Chapter 10 – School, Shadows, and Sleepless Eyes - Shadowed Iron

Ethan dragged himself into Midtown Tech High with all the enthusiasm of a zombie that had missed breakfast. His uniform shirt was wrinkled, his tie hung halfway undone, and his hair looked like it had been styled by sticking a fork into an outlet.

Inside, though, he felt… amazing. Every fiber of his body buzzed with the new stats he'd earned. Muscles felt denser, reflexes sharper, senses clearer. He could hear the faint drip of a leaky faucet two classrooms away. He could tell which teacher had worn perfume and which had drowned themselves in coffee.

Unfortunately, none of that hid the heavy bags under his eyes or the way he yawned like he'd just wrestled a bear all night. Which, to be fair, wasn't far from the truth.

Hope Van Dyne slid up next to him in the hallway, backpack slung casually over one shoulder. "Stark, you look like hell."

Ethan smirked through another yawn. "Close. I was in hell's cardio program. Ten out of ten, would not recommend."

Danny Rand gave him a side-eye as he joined them, books tucked neatly under his arm. "What does that even mean?"

"Means I've discovered the universe's greatest torture," Ethan replied, wobbling a bit as they reached their lockers. "Running. Endless running. With monsters. And the sun never goes down. Whoever invented treadmills clearly escaped from there."

Hope snorted. "You really should stop staying up late playing games. It's not a good look."

"Oh, believe me," Ethan said, eyes twinkling, "this wasn't a game. Well, maybe a game of survival." He leaned in conspiratorially. "Also, if I pass out in math class, just tell people I was wrestling Batman last night."

Hope rolled her eyes, but Danny chuckled. "You'd lose."

"Debatable," Ethan shot back. "Bats don't have mana potions."

As they walked, another voice called from behind them.

"Hey, Stark!"

Ethan turned to see a girl waving enthusiastically. Blonde hair in a neat ponytail, sharp green eyes, and an easy smile that lit up the crowded hallway. Sharon Carter.

She jogged up, matching his pace. "You going to actually stay awake in history this time?"

Ethan put a hand over his chest. "Agent Carter, your faith in me is inspiring. Sadly, my track record says otherwise."

Sharon grinned. "One of these days, Stark. One of these days."

Hope arched a brow, looking between them. Ethan caught the faintest smirk tugging at her lips. Sharon wasn't exactly subtle, and Ethan… well, he noticed. But he wasn't going to call her out. Not yet.

He lived for the banter.

Classes blurred together. Ethan forced himself to keep his head up, cracked jokes whenever teachers caught him dozing, and managed to charm his way out of serious trouble.

But when lunch came, he slipped away. Not to avoid his friends, but to check his Status.

He ducked into an empty classroom, locked the door, and whispered: "Status."

The familiar blue window appeared.

Status

Name: Ethan Stark

Level: 4

HP: 470/470

MP: 150/150

Fatigue: 20

Strength: 35

Agility: 32

Vitality: 31

Intelligence: 38

Sense: 33

Skills:

Passive:

Tenacity Lv.2

Unarmed Combat Basics Lv.3

Active:

Arise Lv.1

Shadow Storage Lv.1

Shadow Storage (4/5):

Igris [Lv.3 | Rank: Knight] – Loyalty unshaken, blade sharper.

Lesser Goblin Soldier [Lv.2 | Rank: Normal]

Skeletal Brute [Lv.2 | Rank: Normal]

Inventory:

Dagger (Common)

Low-Grade Mana Potion ×3

Ethan exhaled in relief. His shadows had gained levels from the Penalty Zone. He could feel the difference — their presence more solid, less brittle. Igris especially. His silent knight stood taller, sharper, more lethal.

"You're growing fast," Ethan muttered, grinning. "Good. We'll need it."

The System didn't reply, but the faint hum of power lingered.

Back at the cafeteria, the day's drama unfolded as usual. Hope was arguing with Danny about robotics projects, Sharon sat across from them sipping a soda, and Ethan… slid into the seat like he owned it.

Hope jabbed him with her fork. "Seriously, Stark. Did you actually train last night? You look like you went ten rounds with a treadmill."

Ethan waggled his brows. "What can I say? Cardio and I have a complicated relationship. Sometimes it chases me with claws."

Sharon chuckled, but Danny frowned thoughtfully. "Funny you mention claws. My dad's been hearing reports in Queens. Weird animal attacks, no signs of normal predators."

Hope rolled her eyes. "Great, more conspiracy theories."

"Not a theory," Danny shot back. "People are scared. Something's out there."

Ethan stayed silent, but his mind was racing. A dungeon? Or something worse? The multiverse hadn't started bleeding yet, but danger was everywhere. The world didn't know it yet — but he did.

And he was preparing.

That night, the System pinged again.

[Daily Quest: Prepare to Become Strong]

100 Push-ups (0/100)

100 Sit-ups (0/100)

100 Squats (0/100)

10km Run (0/10)

Ethan stretched, cracking his knuckles.

"Alright, let's do this the easy way tonight. No more desert hell cardio."

He dropped to the floor and started counting.

"One… two… three…"

His shadows silently watched from the corners of his room, loyal sentinels. Igris stood by the window, sword drawn like a guardian knight. Ethan smirked through his push-ups.

"Not bad for a Monday."

End of Chapter Status Update