Chapter 10: Clash of Shadows
The sun had barely risen over the academy, but tension was already thick in the training grounds.
Students whispered, eyes darting toward the center platform.
[Fear Detected: 156 individuals]
+156 Sin Points
It was not a casual duel.
It was a test of control, influence, and power.
"Lucien Vaelthorne," a voice called sharply.
I looked up.
A young noble, tall and muscular, stepped onto the platform.
Fire affinity, Rank B—Kieran Draemore, leader of the Crimson Fangs, a rival student faction.
"You're gaining too much attention," he said, flames flickering along his arms.
"I intend to survive," I replied calmly.
"I'm not your target… unless you make me one."
[Rival Faction Detection: Confirmed]
The arena barrier sealed.
The platform glowed faintly as the system prepared for combat detection.
Kieran lunged immediately, fire streaking forward.
Most students would panic.
Most would make a mistake.
Not me.
I vanished into the shadows, leaving nothing but silence behind.
When he spun, I was behind him, my shadow hand grazing his shoulder lightly.
Not enough to hurt.
Enough to make him hesitate.
[Shadow Merge Mastery Level 3 Activated]
He roared, doubling his flames.
I allowed the shadows around me to form multiple illusory duplicates, each moving independently.
Kieran struck one.
Vanished.
Another appeared elsewhere.
Vanished.
Confusion, hesitation, fear.
[Psychological Manipulation: Success]
+41 Sin Points
The crowd gasped.
Even the Crimson Fangs students muttered under their breath.
Lucien Vaelthorne… too fast, too unpredictable.
Then, a soft golden light appeared at the edge of the arena.
Caelum Ardent.
He didn't attack.
He didn't intervene.
Just observation, silently glowing.
[Hero Direct Observation Detected: Intervention Likely Soon]
Good. Let him measure me.
Let him learn my pattern.
Let him doubt the script.
I moved closer to Kieran.
Shadows stretched and coiled around him like living chains.
"Yield," I said softly.
"Or your fire will consume itself before it touches me."
He froze.
Pride battled fear.
The moment stretched.
Finally, he dropped to one knee.
"You… you're not just fast…" he muttered.
"Not just strong…"
[Fear and Respect Detected: Full]
+58 Sin Points
I stepped back, shadows retracting.
"I do not need to kill to win."
The barrier dissolved.
The duel ended.
Later that evening, I returned to the Obsidian Veil chamber.
Seraphine studied me closely.
"You are beyond expectations," she said softly.
"But power like yours… draws attention from more than just the Hero or rival students."
I smiled faintly.
"Then I will make sure they know… who is truly in control."
Above the academy, barely visible through the clouds, a faint golden pupil opened.
The ancient entity was still watching.
Not angry.
Not pleased.
Curious.
[Narrative Instability Rising: Extreme]
The world was noticing.
The Hero was noticing.
Even hidden factions were noticing.
And I… was just getting started.