Night fell over Velerion Academy, the towers casting long shadows over marble courtyards and glowing runes humming with mana.
I sat alone in the training dorm, pretending to study spell theory like the rest of the common-born. My arms still ached from the earlier trial—not from damage, but from the restraint.
I could've crushed that beast.
But I didn't.
Not yet.
---
A faint knock broke the silence.
Not from the door.
From the window.
I turned.
There, standing on the outer ledge of the tower wall, balanced like a cat in the moonlight—
Selene Eiradelle.
---
"Come," she said simply.
Then disappeared into the shadows.
No explanation. No question.
Just expectation.
---
I hesitated… then stood.
[System Notice: Hidden Event Triggered – "Moonlit Duel"]
Reward (If Survived): One random Demon Technique OR Rare Equipment Piece.
Warning: This encounter may expose fragments of your power. Proceed with caution.
Of course.
---
I followed her through silent halls, up spiraling towers, and finally into an abandoned dueling hall covered in ivy and moonlight.
She stood at the center of the ring, sword in one hand, silver mana dancing around her like frost.
"I don't like mysteries," she said.
"You seem to."
I didn't answer.
She stepped forward, lowering her blade slightly.
"That wasn't 'luck' today," she murmured. "That pressure you released—it didn't come from any known magic."
Her violet eyes narrowed.
"So, who are you really, Arjen Velerion?"
---
I smiled coldly.
"What do you think I am?"
She tilted her head.
"A threat."
She lunged.
---
I dodged the first strike barely.
[Shadow Serpent Step Lv. 3]
She wasn't holding back.
Each swing of her blade coated in ice magic. Clean, efficient. She was a prodigy for a reason.
But she was testing me.
Not trying to kill me.
So I played along.
I blocked a strike here, let her graze me there. Every motion designed to look clumsy.
And then—when she overcommitted—
I stepped into her guard.
My hand brushed her neck, two fingers glowing with crimson-dark mana.
[Demon Pulse – Pulse Point Strike Lv. 1]
She froze.
Not from injury, but shock.
The pulse stopped her muscles for a moment. Enough to prove I could've ended it.
And I stepped back.
She stared.
Then… laughed softly.
"Interesting."
---
We stood in silence, breathing heavily.
Then, she sheathed her blade and walked past me.
"You're not what you pretend to be."
She paused at the door.
"I'll keep your secret—for now."
"But Arjen… this world doesn't let monsters hide for long."
And just like that, she was gone.
---
[System Notification]
Hidden Affinity Boost – Selene Eiradelle: +15 (Curiosity Awakened)
Optional Quest Unlocked: Earn Selene's Trust or Break It
Reward: Choice of Demon Heart or Legendary Spell Core
---
I smiled to myself in the empty dueling hall.
Let them come.
Let them suspect.
Because this time, I wasn't just fighting to survive.
I was planning to rule.
---