After the announcent from Sergeant Henry, the students were allowed to return to their dorms and rest for the next day’s trials.
The three boys made their way back to their room, finding everything seemingly intact, just as they had left it. However, so things had changed.
As soon as they stepped inside, the room lit up by itself. A soft, golden glow radiated from the roofing, casting a warm hue that gently illuminated every corner of the space.
"Wow, so upgrades," Darnell comnted, gazing up at the ceiling in awe. The other two boys glanced up as well but quickly accepted it as the new norm, not giving it much thought.
Kairos didn’t feel like talking to Carlos, and the tension between them was unmistakable. If Darnell were soone with sharper instincts or a higher IQ, he might have seen right through the act they were both putting on.
He turned to Carlos with a grin, attempting to break the silence with his usual carefree tone.
"Man, what do you think about the hunt? Insane, right? Can’t believe we’re about to go through so mad stuff like that... but I really want to fight stronger beasts."
Carlos furrowed his brows, not replying. His silence was loud—he was distant, reserved. Kairos, on the other hand, had a mind too sharp to let that go unnoticed.
He glanced sideways at Carlos and thought to himself, ’Why is there even an exam right after a leadership change? That’s no coincidence. The military must be aiming for sothing specific—sothing deeper.’
He studied Carlos’ expression again, and from that alone, he knew that sothing was definitely off. Carlos wasn’t just quiet; he was conflicted, perhaps even hiding sothing crucial.
Whatever it was, I need to keep an eye on him, Kairos thought. I don’t know what his plan is, but I sure as hell know what he’s capable of.
Darnell, oblivious to the tension, continued to chatter excitedly, moving the conversation to topics Carlos actually found tolerable. Slowly, Carlos began to engage with him, if only mildly. He appreciated the distraction—a voice that wasn’t Kairos’—and that gave Kairos sothing rare and valuable: silence.
He used the mont to think.
Kairos moved toward the bathroom, wanting nothing more than a hot shower and a change of clothes. Not because he needed to be clean, but because he wanted a mont alone. A mont to think. A mont to feel.
As the warm water cascaded down his skin, his mind spiraled deeper into the matters haunting him. Ravin Elteth. Project Dark Wing. His system.
The system’s silence lately disturbed him more than he let on.
After drying off and dressing in clean clothes, Kairos stood before his bed. He was just about to lie down for a much-needed nap when—
Carlos appeared at his side, silently. Before Kairos could react, Carlos reached out and patted him on the shoulder.
The sudden contact sent a chill down Kairos’ spine. His eyes widened slightly, shocked by the gesture. For a brief second, he considered if Carlos was trying to pull sothing... but what ca next surprised him more.
"Now that Darnell is gone, I wanted to apologize for what happened a month ago," Carlos said, his voice low and steady. It sounded almost believable. Almost like a genuine plea.
Kairos wasn’t fooled. His gaze darkened as he frowned, roughly shoving Carlos’ hand off his shoulder.
"Keep it to yourself," he snapped. "I’ll never give you the trust I did the first ti... And I’ve been aning to ask you sothing."
He turned fully to face Carlos, staring directly into his eyes. There was no hesitation in his expression, only cold, burning intent.
"On the day we t Mike and his sister, after leaving the cafeteria... What did you want to tell then?" he asked. "I suspected you already, but now that I’ve lost every ounce of trust I had in you... why don’t you finally tell ?"
Carlos frowned and took a step back. There was a mont of silence before he muttered, "You know more than enough already. Any further information would be considered as—"
But before he could finish his sentence, Kairos lunged forward and grabbed him by the shirt, yanking him close in one swift, aggressive motion.
Their faces were inches apart, and Kairos made sure to keep eye contact—staring deep into the void behind Carlos’ eyes.
There was nothing there. No fear. No remorse. No guilt. Carlos’ gaze was hollow.
Truly heartless.
[Shadow aura in use]
"What?" Carlos whispered, his voice tight.
Kairos didn’t answer his question. His grip tightened, and through clenched teeth, he spoke, low and deliberate, "I’ll tell you this once. If you try anything funny... if you dare to threaten again... I swear, I’ll kill you."
Carlos’ eyes widened, and for the first ti, a crack appeared in his composure. He shoved Kairos off him and staggered a few feet back, breathing heavily as he regained his footing.
He didn’t say another word. Instead, he turned around, walking stiffly toward his bed. The sound of his footsteps echoed with a strange weight—like sha or pain. Or both.
Kairos stared at him, unmoved.
This ti I ca ready for you, he thought, his gaze steeled with renewed confidence.
But what Kairos didn’t realize was that Carlos hadn’t left so abruptly because of the threat. No—he had felt sothing much worse.
The shadow aura that leaked from Kairos had touched him. It had seeped into his body, intoxicating his senses, burning at the very edges of his soul. And more dangerously... it hurt his summon.
Carlos reached his bed and slowly lay down. But there was no rest to be found.
In his heart, a fla began to burn.
It wasn’t fear that he felt—it was anger. A quiet, simring rage that had found its source in Kairos.
With the way he acted... he’s a threat now, Carlos thought, staring up at the ceiling. I’m sorry, Kairos... but this sester will be your last.
In his mind, the choice was made. A risk like Kairos couldn’t be left unchecked. And so, Carlos turned to the one thing he knew best—elimination.
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