Tang San adjusted his sleeve and walked past the guard, and the tension eased as Yu Xiaogang gestured them in.
From across the courtyard, I watched, shadows coiling lightly around my hands. Then, almost like whispers in the darkness, I heard a thought — or perhaps a voice — carried by the shadows themselves:
He had a weapon… he could've killed the guard… but he didn't.
My eyes widened slightly. The shadows seemed alive, resonating with Tang San's restraints and hinting at hidden power and cunning.
Yuri smirked faintly and gave a small nod before turning away. "I have business elsewhere," she said, her white eyes glinting one last time.
Old Jack lingered for a moment, glancing at Tang San and the Academy gates, then shook his head slightly. "I'll head back to the village," he said quietly, his steps measured as he walked away, fading into the distance.
With the path clear, Tang San walked steadily toward the Academy gates, calm and composed. His sleeve adjusted subtly, concealing the small weapon tucked within. Yu Xiaogang followed, arms folded behind his back, silently observing the boy, noting the alignment of his martial spirit and his restrained aura.
I hesitated for only a moment before deciding to follow at a distance. Shadows coiled lightly around my hands, sensing the latent power in Tang San and the subtle presence of Yu Xiaogang.
The contrast was striking — Tang San, confident despite being underestimated; Yu Xiaogang, composed and observant; and me, learning to read the hidden depths of their power from afar.
Interesting… Blue Grass might seem weak, but there's far more beneath the surface. And the man behind him… he's quietly measuring everything.
I moved carefully, letting the shadows guide my steps, as the two disappeared into the Academy grounds, leaving the village and its quiet streets behind.
I finally reached the living quarters, a long corridor lined with doors engraved with student emblems. The faint hum of spirit energy echoed softly through the hall, and sunlight filtered through the windows, casting shadows that seemed to move on their own.
No sooner had I stepped toward the door marked for my dorm than a shadow fell across the corridor. Arms crossed and aura brimming with authority, Wang Sheng, the self-proclaimed boss of Room Seven, blocked my path.
"Hold it right there," he said, voice sharp and commanding. "You just arrived at Nuoding Academy, and you think you can step into this dorm like you belong? Not so fast."
Wang Sheng lunged forward, fist aiming straight for my chest. The moment I sensed the strike, the shadows around my hands shivered and twined, almost like they had a mind of their own.
Step left… now! a faint whisper hissed through the darkness. My body reacted instinctively, shifting sideways just in time as Wang Sheng's punch sliced through the air where I had been standing.
He spun into a high kick, and again the shadows coiled tightly around my arms and legs. Back… angle right… the darkness guided me, and I twisted fluidly, letting the kick glance harmlessly past.
Each movement wasn't conscious — it was as if the shadows themselves were reading the attacks, showing me the safe paths before I could fully process them. My reflexes were enhanced, my body flowing with the quiet rhythm of the Devouring Veil.
Wang Sheng's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "What… how are you dodging so easily?!" he exclaimed, throwing a rapid series of jabs.
Up… step forward… now! The shadows whispered again, and I moved as if guided by some unseen hand, each strike passing by without touching me. The students lining the corridor murmured in shock, watching the "new kid" dance with uncanny precision.
I exhaled slowly, letting the shadows pulse lightly, still aware but calm. I didn't need to attack — the Devouring Veil was already protecting me, guiding me through the fight. Wang Sheng's smirk faltered, replaced with a mixture of caution and amazement.