After classes ended, the students were free to use the rest of the day however they pleased. So preferred to bury their heads in books or spend their ti sharpening their skills, driven by ambition or fear of falling behind. Others, however, took the opportunity to goof off, finding solace in freedom and the temporary escape from the academy's relentless pace.
But for Kairos, this evening was already accounted for.
He had made plans with Carlos to investigate his summon further—an agreent he'd kept to, driven partly by curiosity and partly by sothing deeper. Responsibility, perhaps? Either way, he wanted to understand what his shadow wolf truly was.
When the trio exited Class D, Darnell had imdiately waved them goodbye, his usual smirk on his face.
"I need to train for a bit," Darnell called out, already moving off without waiting for a reply.
Kairos and Carlos exchanged a glance before they headed toward the academy's outskirts. Without words, they made their way into the dense forest that wrapped around the school grounds like a dark curtain. They knew better than to conduct a summon test out in the open. Too many eyes. Too many questions.
The deeper they ventured into the woods, the quieter it beca. Birdsong died out, the wind lessened, and finally, after walking for what felt like miles, they stopped.
"This should be far enough," Carlos said, taking a few steps back and positioning himself behind Kairos. "Let's start by summoning your summon out."
Kairos gave a slight nod, his fingers twitching with anticipation. He exhaled deeply and called forth his summon.
In an instant, the Shadow Wolf erged from the void, materializing before their eyes. But what stood before them was no longer the creature Kairos had summoned previously.
It was bigger—much bigger. Its claws shimred like sharpened tal, dangerous and foreign. Wisps of shadow curled from its dense fur, dancing unnaturally in the air. A faint, ominous red aura outlined its body. And its eyes... its eyes were glowing blood red.
It wasn't the sa summon.
Even Carlos, who had maintained a calm deanor, took a startled step back. "Whoa... this thing's insane..."
Kairos, anwhile, stared in awe, unable to form words. His heart pounded. This was more than an evolution. It was transformation.
The shadow wolf... it's changed completely.
[Your shadow wolf has grown stronger, thanks to it consuming another summon] the familiar, detached voice echoed in his mind.
Kairos's brows twitched.
I think you omitted the part where it also consud the summoner too, bastard! And co to think of it, why do you ignore every ti I ask questions?
This ti, however, the voice responded.
[I am not ant for chatting. I exist to notify you about your summons. Questions will only be answered if deed worthy.]
Kairos didn't expect a reply, but he was grateful nonetheless.
Do you have any idea what the second summon might be? How will I summon it?
[It's an egg. You won't be able to use it until it has fully hatched.]
Kairos gave a silent nod, absorbing the information.
That makes sense... So when will it hatch?
[Since the shadow wolf has been upgraded, you have received a skill.]
A skill? His eyes narrowed slightly in confusion, still not used to how this voice dropped knowledge like breadcrumbs.
Before he could reflect further, Carlos tapped him on the shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Why don't we try a few basic moves? See what it can do now. From the looks of it, it's already pretty damn powerful."
Kairos agreed and began issuing commands to the Shadow Wolf. It obeyed effortlessly, sprinting from one point to another, its speed shocking both of them.
It slashed its tallic claws against a tree with pinpoint precision, cutting deep gouges into the bark. But it didn't stop there. Suddenly, the wolf lted into a nearby shadow and reappeared behind another tree—then again, and again. Rapid succession. Its mobility was terrifying.
Then ca sothing entirely new.
The Shadow Wolf whipped its tail forward, releasing a massive, dark crescent beam. The black energy hissed through the air and cleaved through a thick tree trunk with terrifying ease. The upper part crashed to the forest floor, echoing through the woods.
"Whoa..." Kairos breathed, both proud and a little wary. The power was undeniable. The wolf returned to him and affectionately rubbed its head against his uniform, its red eyes now calm.
"It's okay, boy," Kairos chuckled, patting its head. He could already tell—the agility, the strength, even the precision of its attacks—it had improved exponentially since their last battle. And yet, one thing was missing.
It's not speaking... like it does in the summoning space. That must be the only place it can communicate fully.
With a final pat, he dismissed the Shadow Wolf, and it faded into thin air. He turned to Carlos, who now had a contemplative look on his face.
"What do you think?"
Carlos shrugged lightly, but a grin tugged at the edge of his lips. "Your summon is incredible. Not too experienced, but it's clearly modeled after you—powerful and sharp. That shadow-jumping ability... and that beam attack? That's next level."
Kairos smiled, the praise matching his earlier observations.
[Would you like to try skill: Stealth Walk?]
Kairos's eyes lit up as he heard the voice again.
A new skill? He didn't even hesitate.
"Stealth Walk!"
The words had barely left his mouth before his body and clothes dissolved into pitch-black mist. He vanished.
Carlos's jaw dropped.
"What?!"
His eyes darted wildly, trying to find any trace of his friend. But before he could panic, a dark pillar rose from his own shadow—and Kairos stepped out of it casually.
"Hey," he grinned mischievously.
Carlos stumbled back, hand over chest. "Holy crap! Don't scare like that!"
Kairos laughed. He couldn't help it. This power—it was exhilarating.
Carlos's excitent was palpable now, far from his usual calm self. "Dude! That skill is incredible! You just vanished and ca out of my shadow! That's insane!"
Kairos was equally thrilled. His mind raced.
How far can I travel in shadows? How long can I stay inside? What are the limits?
He wanted to push it. Test every inch of what this ability could offer. And Carlos clearly shared the sentint.
They would use the rest of the day diving deep into this skill.
---
anwhile...
In the shadowed halls of the Second-Year building, a tense conversation was about to unfold.
Ashen Ronvale, head of the Blood Trials, walked through the dimly lit hallway and stepped into a small office. The door clicked shut behind him.
General Albert sat at his desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork. He didn't glance up.
Ashen bowed his head.
"General Albert, you called for , sir."
There was silence. Just the steady scratching of pen on paper.
Seconds dragged. Minutes passed. The General never looked up.
Finally, he set his pen down and locked eyes with Ashen.
"A student died yesterday."
The words were cold. Bare.
Ashen's face stiffened. He didn't speak.
"The bla will likely fall on the Blood Trials," the General continued, watching him closely.
Ashen finally replied, voice steady, "Sir, I can assure you, I haven't killed anyone. It was probably—"
The General raised a hand. Silence fell again.
"No one will care about your assurance. You brutalize the students. This year's Trials are more ruthless than any that ca before. If you have a personal grudge, bury it. We're ant to break the first-years—not bury them in trauma."
Ashen felt a knot form in his stomach.
"I'll warn you once. This ti, I'll stop the investigation. But there will not be leniency next ti."
Ashen swallowed hard. The tension was thick. But inside, he seethed.
You don't want anyone to die? Fine. But don't question my thods, old man.
The General's tone turned final. "You will end the Blood Trials in two days. Your point has been made."
With a casual wave, he dismissed Ashen.
Ashen bowed again and turned to leave. His fists were clenched tight.
Two days, huh? Fine. I'll make sure the finale is unforgettable.
Reviews
All reviews (0)