Eldric stood in the examination chamber, the fragment of pure shadow still pulsing with dark energy in his hand. Dean Malakar observed him with a measured gaze, the weight of the upcoming trial hanging in the air.

"You have proven your mana core's stability and affinity with the dark element," Malakar began, his voice steady. "But to truly master the dark element, one must conquer the shadows within their own mind. This final test will challenge your willpower, your resolve, and your very sense of self. It is not a test of strength or skill, but of your ability to face the darkness within you."

Eldric nodded, his determination unwavering. He had faced many challenges since awakening in this new world, but he knew that this test would be different. It would not be a battle against an external force, but against the shadows of his own mind—against the doubts, fears, and memories that could break even the strongest of wills.

Malakar raised his hand, and the air around Eldric began to ripple as if reality itself was bending to the Dean's will. The chamber faded away, replaced by a vast, endless void. Eldric found himself standing alone in the darkness, with only the faint echo of Malakar's voice to guide him.

"Within this space, time and reality have no meaning," the Dean's voice echoed through the void. "Here, you will confront the darkest parts of your soul. You will face the memories that haunt you, the fears that paralyze you, and the doubts that cloud your mind. There is no escape, no hiding from what you find here. You must face it head-on and emerge victorious."

As the Dean's voice faded, the void around Eldric began to shift and change. He felt a cold, creeping sensation, as if the darkness itself was seeping into his very being. Then, before him, the void gave way to a familiar scene—one that Eldric had long buried in the recesses of his memory.

He stood on the edge of a small village, its buildings reduced to smoldering ruins. The sky above was filled with smoke and ash, and the air was thick with the scent of death. Eldric knew this place—it was the village where Eldric Thorne, the original owner of his body, had lived with his parents before they were murdered.

A figure appeared in the distance, walking toward him with slow, deliberate steps. As the figure drew closer, Eldric recognized him immediately—his father, Eldric Thorne's father, a man who had once been a proud and noble viscount. But now, he was a mere shadow of the man Eldric had seen in the memories that flooded his mind.

"Father…" Eldric whispered, his voice trembling with a mix of emotions.

The figure stopped a few paces away, his face shrouded in shadow. "Eldric… my son…" The voice was haunting, filled with sorrow and regret. "Why didn't you save us? Why didn't you protect your family?"

Eldric felt a pang of guilt and anguish, emotions that were not his own but those of the boy whose body he now inhabited. The original Eldric had been a child, powerless to stop the events that had unfolded. But the weight of that guilt still lingered, a heavy burden on his soul.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"I… I wasn't strong enough," Eldric replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't…"

The shadow of his father stepped closer, his eyes piercing through the darkness. "You are not him, are you? You wear his face, but you are not my son. You are an intruder, a usurper of his life, his memories, his pain."

Eldric recoiled at the words, the truth of them striking deep. He was not Eldric Thorne—not truly. He was Albert, a man from another world, who had taken over this life and this identity. The realization filled him with a deep sense of unease, as if the very ground beneath him was crumbling away.

The shadow stepped closer still, its form shifting and changing, becoming more monstrous with each passing moment. "You stole his life," it hissed, its voice growing darker, more sinister. "You took what was not yours. How can you hope to control the dark element when you cannot even control the darkness within your own soul?"

Eldric took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest. The darkness around him seemed to close in, threatening to swallow him whole. He could feel the doubt creeping in, the fear that he was not worthy, not strong enough to face the challenges ahead.

But then, deep within him, something stirred—a spark of resolve, a reminder of who he was and what he had fought for. He was Albert, yes, but he was also Eldric Thorne now. He had inherited this life, this identity, and he had chosen to embrace it. The darkness was a part of him, but it did not define him.

With a deep breath, Eldric straightened, his eyes blazing with determination. "I may not be the original Eldric Thorne," he said, his voice strong and unwavering, "but I am not an intruder. I have taken on this life, this name, and I will carry it forward. The darkness within me is not something to fear, but to embrace. It is a part of who I am, and I will not let it control me."

The shadow before him snarled, its form twisting and writhing as if trying to resist his words. But Eldric stood firm, refusing to be swayed. He reached out with his mana, channeling the dark element within him, and willed the shadow to dissipate, to return to the void from which it had come.

The darkness around him began to recede, the oppressive weight lifting as the shadow dissolved into nothingness. Eldric felt a sense of calm wash over him, a newfound clarity that had eluded him before. He had faced the darkest parts of his soul, and he had emerged victorious.

As the void faded away, Eldric found himself back in the examination chamber, his breath coming in steady, controlled breaths. Dean Malakar stood before him, a look of quiet approval in his eyes.

"You have passed the final test," Malakar said, his voice filled with a rare note of respect. "You have faced the darkness within yourself and have proven your strength of will. Few can do what you have done, Eldric Thorne."

Eldric nodded, a sense of accomplishment swelling within him. He had faced his past, his fears, and his doubts, and had overcome them. He was ready to move forward, to embrace the path of the dark mage with confidence and resolve.

"The fragment of pure shadow you obtained in the Shadow Realm will serve as a key to unlocking greater power," Malakar continued. "But remember, the journey of a dark mage is a difficult one. You will face many more challenges, both within and without. But I believe you have the strength to overcome them."

With those words, the Dean turned, his robes billowing as he moved toward the door. "You are dismissed, Eldric Thorne. Welcome to the University of Arcane Studies, and may the shadows guide you on your path."

Eldric watched as the Dean exited the chamber, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He had passed the examination, but he knew that this was only the beginning. The journey ahead would be filled with trials and tribulations, but he was ready to face them head-on.

With a determined smile, Eldric left the chamber, the fragment of pure shadow safely tucked away. The path of the dark mage awaited him, and he was ready to walk it, no matter where it might lead.