Night had fallen over Celestial Academy.
The massive campus that bustled with activity during the day had grown quiet.
Most students had already returned to their dormitories.
Only a few lanterns flickered along the stone pathways, casting long shadows across the gardens and towers.
But in the distance—
One figure moved silently through the darkness.
Lucien Aurelius.
His black cloak blended almost perfectly with the night as he walked along the outer wall of the academy.
The system interface floated faintly in front of him.
Active Mission
Steal Hero's Opportunity
Target: Ancient Shadow Relic
Location: Academy Underground Ruins
Time Remaining: 69 Hours
Lucien studied the map displayed by the system.
A small glowing marker blinked near the western training grounds.
"Just like the novel," he murmured.
In the original story, Adrian discovered a hidden entrance to the ancient ruins beneath the academy while exploring late at night.
Inside those ruins, he would obtain the Shadow Relic, a mysterious artifact that enhanced shadow magic.
That relic became one of the first treasures that boosted the hero's power.
But now—
Lucien had arrived first.
He stepped carefully through a narrow stone passage behind an old training hall.
Most students never visited this area.
It was quiet.
Forgotten.
Exactly the kind of place where secrets hid.
Lucien stopped in front of an old stone wall covered with ivy.
According to the story—
The hidden entrance should be here.
He brushed the vines aside.
Sure enough, faint carvings appeared on the stone surface.
Ancient runes.
Lucien pressed his hand against the center of the wall.
For a moment nothing happened.
Then—
RUMBLE.
The stone slowly shifted.
A narrow passage opened, revealing a staircase descending into darkness.
Cold air drifted upward from the depths.
Lucien smiled faintly.
"Found it."
Without hesitation, he stepped inside.
The hidden door closed behind him with a low rumble.
The underground ruins were ancient.
Very ancient.
The stone walls looked worn and cracked with age.
Dim blue crystals embedded in the ceiling provided faint light.
Dust covered the floor.
It was clear that no one had entered here for many years.
Lucien walked carefully down the corridor.
His footsteps echoed quietly through the empty hall.
The system interface updated again.
Relic Location Detected
Distance: 130 meters
Lucien followed the path deeper into the ruins.
The corridor eventually opened into a large underground chamber.
Broken pillars surrounded the room.
Ancient statues stood along the walls, many of them partially destroyed.
At the center of the chamber—
A small stone altar stood beneath a beam of pale blue light.
And floating above the altar…
Was a dark crystal.
The Shadow Relic.
Lucien approached slowly.
The crystal pulsed faintly with dark energy.
Even from a distance, he could feel the power inside it.
"So this is the treasure the hero was supposed to obtain."
In the original story, Adrian would accidentally trigger a trap while approaching the altar.
Then he would fight a guardian creature protecting the relic.
After defeating it, the relic would choose him as its new master.
Lucien stopped a few steps away from the altar.
"Well… let's see if the story changes again."
He reached toward the crystal.
The moment his fingers touched it—
The chamber suddenly trembled.
BOOM!
A loud sound echoed through the ruins.
The ground cracked open.
From beneath the altar, a massive stone figure slowly rose.
A guardian.
Its body was made entirely of ancient rock.
Glowing runes covered its surface.
Two bright blue lights ignited where its eyes should be.
The Stone Sentinel had awakened.
Lucien stepped back calmly.
"Right on schedule."
The massive guardian raised one arm and slammed it toward him.
CRASH!
The stone fist shattered part of the floor.
Lucien dodged smoothly to the side.
Dust filled the air.
The sentinel turned its head slowly.
Then it attacked again.
Lucien moved quickly between the broken pillars.
The guardian was powerful—
But slow.
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
"I can't waste too much time here."
He gathered shadow energy in his hand.
Dark mist formed around his fingers.
Then he activated his newly acquired skill.
"Shadow Step."
In an instant—
Lucien vanished.
His body blurred into darkness and reappeared behind the guardian.
SHH!
His blade slashed across one of the glowing runes on the sentinel's back.
CRACK.
The rune flickered.
The guardian roared.
It spun around violently, smashing another pillar.
Lucien stepped backward calmly.
"So the runes are the weak points."
Just as he prepared to attack again—
A sudden voice echoed from the entrance of the chamber.
"What the hell is that thing?"
Lucien turned his head.
Standing near the corridor entrance—
Was Adrian Solhart.
The hero had arrived earlier than expected.
Lucien sighed quietly.
"You're early."
Adrian stared at him.
"What are you doing here?"
Lucien gestured toward the giant stone guardian.
"Exploring."
The sentinel roared again and charged toward them.
Adrian cursed under his breath.
"Forget the questions!"
He drew his sword.
Lucien smirked slightly.
"Well then…"
"Let's see how the hero handles this."
The Stone Sentinel slammed its massive arm downward.
Both fighters moved instantly.
Adrian rolled to the left.
Lucien dashed to the right.
The floor cracked under the impact.
Adrian attacked first.
His sword struck the guardian's leg.
CLANG!
Sparks flew.
But the stone armor barely chipped.
Lucien called out calmly.
"Attack the glowing runes."
Adrian glanced at him.
Then he noticed the faint crack on the guardian's back.
"You already figured it out?"
Lucien shrugged.
"Basic observation."
The guardian roared again.
This time both fighters moved together.
Adrian distracted the creature from the front.
Lucien activated Shadow Step again.
He appeared behind the sentinel.
SHH!
Another rune shattered.
The guardian staggered.
Adrian seized the moment.
He jumped high and drove his sword directly into the creature's chest rune.
CRACK!
The rune exploded.
The Stone Sentinel froze.
Then its entire body began crumbling.
With a final rumble—
The guardian collapsed into a pile of broken rock.
Silence returned to the chamber.
Adrian exhaled heavily.
"That thing was tough."
Lucien walked calmly toward the altar again.
The Shadow Relic still floated there.
Adrian noticed it immediately.
"What is that?"
Lucien reached out.
The crystal slowly descended into his palm.
Dark energy swirled around his hand.
The system interface appeared instantly.
Mission Completed
Hero Opportunity Stolen
Ancient Shadow Relic Acquired
Reward:
+800 Destiny Points
New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Domain (Dormant)
Lucien smiled faintly.
Adrian stared at the crystal.
"You knew this was here."
Lucien turned toward him.
"Maybe."
Adrian's expression became serious.
"Who exactly are you?"
Lucien chuckled softly.
"Just another student."
But Adrian didn't look convinced.
For some reason—
It felt like Lucien was always one step ahead.
Lucien turned toward the exit corridor.
"We should leave before the academy notices the damage."
Adrian watched him walk away.
Then he glanced at the empty altar.
Something told him that relic had been important.
And somehow—
Lucien had taken it before he could even understand what it was.
Adrian tightened his grip on his sword.
"…Lucien Aurelius."
The rivalry between them had only just begun.