The sound of metal clashing echoed through the desolate battlefield.
Slash! Slash! Thud!
"Haa… Haa…"
"Fireball!"
I conjured a blazing sphere, hurling it toward the advancing shadow. The flames roared as they engulfed the dark figure, consuming it in an instant.
Today was supposed to be our Practical Assessment, but it was postponed after last night's horrifying events. You're probably wondering—what happened? A demon attack. And not just any attack—it struck the very village we had protected just days ago. In less than a month, the place had been reduced to nothing but charred ruins and lifeless bodies. No survivors. Worse, those twisted creatures desecrated the dead, transforming them into a grotesque army of shadows.
Now, alongside my club members and a few professors, we were dispatched to investigate. But for the past two hours, we had been locked in a relentless battle. Their numbers were overwhelming, and they had grown stronger with each passing wave.
"Ugh… I've had enough of this."
I raised my hand, shutting my eyes as I reached deep into my blessing.
"By the blessings of the Divine Dragon… I call forth… Azure Blue Flame."
A brilliant, sapphire flame erupted around my hand, its ethereal glow flickering as if it were alive, awaiting my command.
"Devour everything that dares to harm me."
The flame twisted into a violent dragon, once peaceful, now a raging inferno. It surged forward, incinerating everything in its path. Shadows writhed and shrieked as they were consumed without a trace. The flames spared me, but anything within its radius was obliterated.
[You have devoured a Shadow.] [You have absorbed Shadow Essence.] [You…] […]
"System, turn off notifications."
[System notifications disabled.]
'System, what is Shadow Essence—'
"Noah! What was that?!" Olivia's voice broke through my thoughts.
I turned to see her staring at me, her eyes wide with curiosity and suspicion.
"This? Oh, it's my self-created skill, Blue Flame," I lied smoothly, unable to admit the truth—that a dragon had granted me this power.
"You made this yourself?! Wow, Junior, you really are a genius!"
I waved her off, trying to downplay it. "It's nothing, really. I was just experimenting, trying to replicate something, but I couldn't get it quite right."
"Oh? What were you trying to replicate?"
"Dark Flame."
Olivia's expression darkened. "Dark Flame? The one used by demons? Why would you even think of using something so dangerous?"
I sighed. "Senior, just because demons use it doesn't mean it's inherently evil. Magic itself isn't good or bad—it's the user that defines it. Let me ask you something. Light magic is considered holy, right?"
"Yes… Why?"
"If a light mage sides with demons, does their magic remain holy?"
"I—"
"And if someone blessed with divine power allies with demons, are they still good?"
"Ah… I see." Olivia turned away, deep in thought. It wasn't my intention to argue, but it was better she understood now than face a harsh truth later.
"System, what is Shadow Essence?"
[Shadow Essence is the core of a shadow being. Normally, it is destroyed upon death, but because you used Azure Flame to devour them, you absorbed it instead.]
"What can I do with it?"
[Your Shadow Element will grow exponentially stronger, surpassing any ordinary shadow user. The more essence you absorb, the more terrifying you will appear to shadow creatures.]
I chuckled. "So, I'm basically painting a target on my back?"
[Yes. Stronger shadow monsters will be drawn to you. However, at a certain level, you will be able to command weaker shadows through sheer fear.]
"Interesting… Let's test this."
I focused on my shadow, willing it to stretch and take form. Slowly, it elongated, twisting into a perfect spear.
[Spell learned: Shadow Spear.]
[Shadow Manipulation: 10%.]
Excited, I tried different shapes—swords, axes, scythes, even claws.
[Shadow Manipulation: 20%.]
Finally, I encased my body in shadow, compressing it to the maximum limit. My form became unrecognizable, an ominous silhouette of pure darkness.
[Spell learned: Shadow Armor.]
[Shadow Manipulation: 30%.]
'So, it wants variety, huh?'
—
After exterminating the shadows and investigating the village, we made a grim discovery. The demon hadn't simply slaughtered the villagers—it had corrupted them. Every person in every household had been turned, their minds twisted before the village was burned from the inside out. This wasn't just an attack. It was a message. A show of power meant to instill terror.
I clenched my fists. This had to be the work of the demons we had fought before. And now, we'd be facing an even stronger foe.
Scarlett, Olivia, and I were prime targets.
I didn't care about Eric or Marcus, but I wouldn't let anything happen to Scarlett. Olivia, at least, was powerful enough to defend herself. With her divine magic, weak monsters wouldn't dare approach her.
Scarlett, however… she was my responsibility.
—
At the Hero Academy
Clang! Swish!
"Shadow Spear!"
A red-haired girl hurled her weapon, intercepting the incoming attack head-on.
"Curse Flame!"
A black-haired girl countered, her flames crackling with dark energy.
Scarlett and Layla stood face to face, their battle raging on.
"You bitch! Noah is mine!" Layla screamed, fury in her eyes.
"Sure, keep dreaming," Scarlett replied coldly.
Layla stopped attacking, her voice breaking. "You're just going to steal him from me—just like Charlotte did. And then, you'll leave him heartbroken!"
"I am not Charlotte," Scarlett snapped. "I'm not going to leave him."
Layla trembled. "Why does everyone try to take him away from me? Why can't he like anyone but me?" She sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "I was his first friend… so why? Why do childhood friends always lose?"
Scarlett sighed. "He liked you, you know. In the past."
Layla's head shot up, her tear-streaked face frozen in shock. "What?"
"Noah told me you always talked about 'him' when you were together."
"Wait… What?" Layla blinked. "You mean… Prince Arthur?"
Scarlett nodded. "You always talked about him, so Noah assumed you had a crush on him."
Layla's face contorted in frustration. "What?! Why would I ever like that idiot? I only talked about him to make Noah jealous!"
Scarlett's eyes darkened. "If you play with someone's feelings for fun, you have to be prepared to face the consequences."
Layla lowered her head. "What do I do now?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Scarlett turned away. "Go to him. Clear the misunderstanding. And more importantly, apologize—for not being there when he needed you."
Layla remained on the ground as Scarlett left. Memories of her past mistakes flooded her mind. Sweet moments now turned into unbearable regrets.