The days at Azure Cloud Preparatory Academy blurred together in a whirlwind of sweat, aching muscles, and growing excitement.
By the end of the first week, the new students had settled into a strict routine. Dawn qi circulation exercises, morning sword foundation training, afternoon theory classes on spirit roots and basic arcana, and evening self-study. The academy was merciless — talent alone meant nothing if you lacked discipline.
Ryan thrived in the chaos.
"Again!" he shouted, swinging his wooden sword in wide arcs during free practice. His Grade 7 Fire Sword Root made his strikes explosive. Sweat flew from his auburn hair as he grinned wildly. "Come on, Marcus! Don't hold back!"
Marcus dodged the incoming blow with surprising smoothness, his own wooden sword flashing up to parry. Each day he trained, his movements felt more natural — as if the shadows around him subtly adjusted to help him find the perfect angle. He still believed it was simply his newly discovered darkness affinity at work.
Their wooden blades clashed again. Marcus stepped sideways into a shaded patch beneath a spirit tree and counter-attacked. The strike landed cleanly.
Ryan staggered back, laughing. "You're getting faster every day! That Grade 4 reading was definitely wrong."
Nearby, Emily sat on a stone bench, gently circulating healing qi as she watched them. A soft golden glow surrounded her hands.
"You two are improving so much," she called out softly. "But please don't push too hard."
Ryan waved dismissively, though his grin softened. "We're fine! Right, Marcus?"
Marcus nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. His gray eyes flicked toward the next training yard.
Sophia Drake was sparring again.
Her snow-white hair whipped behind her like a banner as she dismantled her opponent with precise, ruthless efficiency. Her dark blue eyes remained ice-cold and focused.
The instructor nodded approvingly. "Excellent Phantom Step foundation."
Marcus couldn't stop watching. There was something about her that pulled at him.
Ryan nudged him. "Still staring at Ice Princess? You've been doing that a lot."
"She's… different," Marcus muttered.
Emily smiled gently. "She seems very strong. And a little lonely, maybe."
Before they could continue, a group of second-year students approached with arrogant smirks.
The impromptu match was short but fierce. Ryan charged with fiery enthusiasm. Marcus joined in, coordinating naturally. His strikes came from unexpected angles — always from the shaded side.
In the end, Ryan landed the decisive blow.
As the older group walked away, Emily quickly soothed a small bruise on Ryan's arm.
"You were both amazing," she said warmly.
Ryan beamed. "Did you see Marcus? He was moving like a ghost in those shadows!"
Marcus stayed quiet, flexing his fingers. Darkness affinity… It really is helping me.
That night, back in their room, Marcus finally opened the wooden box from Old Man Harlan.
Inside was a simple black jade pendant on a silver chain. The jade was pitch dark, almost absorbing the lantern light. When Marcus touched it, a faint cool wave washed over him — the same sensation he associated with his darkness affinity.
A small note was tucked beneath:
"When the darkness calls, do not fear it. It is yours. — H."
Marcus stared at the note for a long time, then slipped the pendant around his neck.
That night, the dream returned — stronger and clearer than before.
He saw the blurred silhouettes again. A tall man standing protectively. A graceful woman beside him. And a young girl, about seven years old, clinging desperately to the woman while crying and reaching out with a small hand toward him. Their mouths moved, saying words he still couldn't understand, blocked by some powerful interference.
Because in the memory, Marcus had only been a toddler — barely two years old — when it happened. That was why the images had always been so blurry and distorted. But lately, the vision was becoming sharper. The colors were clearer, the movements more distinct… yet the faces remained frustratingly blurred, as if something still refused to let him see them fully.
Just as the girl's hand nearly touched his, the cool darkness gently wrapped around Marcus and pulled him back into peaceful sleep.
He woke with tears in the corners of his eyes and no memory of why.
The following weeks passed in steady growth.
Ryan's raw power continued to explode. Emily's healing talent deepened. Marcus's darkness affinity grew subtly stronger — he could now faintly blend into shadows during drills.
But the biggest change came during a joint training exercise in the fourth week.
Marcus was paired against Sophia Drake.
When their names were called, the yard quieted. Ryan gave a thumbs-up. Emily watched with hopeful eyes.
Sophia stepped into the ring, wooden daggers in hand. Her dark blue eyes met Marcus's gray ones directly.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then she attacked.
She was terrifyingly fast. Marcus relied on instinct and his darkness affinity, dodging into shaded areas. Their exchange was intense and strangely harmonious — shadows and phantom afterimages dancing together.
The instructor eventually called it a draw.
As they lowered their weapons, Sophia spoke for the first time.
"You fight like someone who belongs in the dark."
Marcus felt his heart skip. "And you fight like someone who owns it."
A tiny, almost invisible smile touched Sophia's lips before she turned and walked away.
Ryan and Emily rushed over.
"That was insane!" Ryan exclaimed.
Emily's eyes sparkled. "She smiled… a little."
Marcus touched the black jade pendant beneath his robe, feeling the cool darkness stir gently.
For the first time, he felt like something truly important had begun.