Chapter 84: The Shane Investigation - Part 2
POV: Sam Barton
The confrontation with Shane happens in his office during my free period, and I'm walking into it with my Mind Shield and Defensive Shield clones positioned for maximum protection against whatever supernatural violence might erupt.
"Mr. Barton," Shane greets me with smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "I was hoping you'd request this meeting. Please, sit."
His office is warded with Expression magic—my Magic Absorption clone detects it from the hallway, malevolent energy woven into the walls themselves. Stepping inside feels like entering predator's den.
I sit across from Shane, very aware that we're both pretending this is normal student-teacher conference.
"I wanted to discuss my parents' archaeological work," I begin with the cover story we'd prepared. "You mentioned interest in their research."
Shane's smile sharpens. "Let's dispense with pretense, shall we? Sam Barton. The Clone Sovereign. The anomaly who commands shadow entities and survives threats that should kill ordinary humans. Yes, I know what you are."
My Mind Shield clone reinforces his defenses, preparing for compulsion or worse.
"Your parents discovered something remarkable in their research," Shane continues, leaning forward. "References to another system-wielder who existed two thousand years ago—someone who helped create Silas's prison specifically because they understood his threat. You're not the first anomaly, Sam. The system has chosen others before you."
The revelation hits like physical blow. My parents knew about the System? About other users?
"This ancient system-wielder," Shane explains, clearly enjoying my shock, "possessed abilities similar to yours—manifestation powers, supernatural resistance, the capacity to coordinate forces beyond normal human capability. They were instrumental in imprisoning Silas because they recognized what he represented—immortal power without balance."
"The system chose you for the same reason," Shane concludes. "To be balance against immortals who break natural order. Silas is that imbalance made flesh, and you're meant to be his counter."
My mind races through implications. If this is true, my entire transmigration might not be accident—it could be the System itself selecting someone to maintain supernatural equilibrium.
"Why tell me this?" I ask carefully.
"Because I'm offering partnership," Shane replies. "Help me wake Silas, and I'll give you your parents' full research. Everything they discovered about the system, about ancient wielders, about what you truly are. Refuse, and you'll never understand your own nature."
It's tempting—desperately so. The knowledge my parents had, the understanding of why I'm here, all offered on a silver platter.
But the cost is unleashing a monster.
"Silas stays buried," I decide. "Whatever my parents discovered doesn't justify releasing an insane immortal who's been trapped for two thousand years. He'll destroy everything."
Shane's expression hardens, predatory warmth vanishing. "Then you're an obstacle to be removed. Pity—I hoped the anomaly would understand the necessity of Silas's return."
He attempts compulsion immediately—Expression-enhanced mental assault that crashes against my Mind Shield like tsunami hitting cliff.
My clone strains under the pressure, purple-black energy flaring as he fights to maintain defenses. This isn't normal vampire compulsion—it's witchcraft amplified by death magic, designed to override supernatural resistance.
"Nice try," I manage through gritted teeth, my Defensive Shield clone projecting golden barrier between Shane and me.
I back toward the door, both clones maintaining defensive formation.
"Stay away from my friends, Shane," I warn. "Or I'll show you what this anomaly can really do."
Shane's smile is cold. "You can't protect everyone, Sam. Expression requires sacrifice, and I'll get those deaths one way or another. The question is whether they come from strangers or people you care about."
I leave before he can escalate further, but his threat echoes in my mind.
[MIND SHIELD MASTERY: 62%]
[CRITICAL LORE DISCOVERED: ANCIENT SYSTEM-WIELDER]
[SHANE RELATIONSHIP: ACTIVE ENEMY]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: +800]
[LEVEL 35: 2,500/5,000 TO LEVEL 36]
Caroline finds me in the parking lot afterward, shaking from adrenaline crash.
"What happened?" she demands, gripping my arms.
I explain everything—parents' knowledge of the System, the ancient wielder who helped imprison Silas, Shane's offer and threat.
Caroline pulls me into fierce embrace. "Your parents knew. They were trying to protect you even before you were born. Sam, this isn't random—you were chosen for this."
"Chosen to fight an immortal witch who's probably completely insane after two thousand years of burial," I mutter.
"Chosen because you can win," Caroline corrects firmly. "You've survived Klaus, Esther, Katherine, and every other threat. You'll survive Shane and Silas too."
Her faith in me is simultaneously comforting and terrifying—what if I can't live up to it?
But I don't have the luxury of self-doubt. Shane's planning mass murder, Silas's tomb is out there somewhere, and the cure for vampirism might actually exist.
One crisis at a time.
We've survived everything else.
We'll survive this too.
To supporting Me in Pateron .
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