Chapter 11: Shadows of Ambition

Lahsiv returned to his room that evening, his body relaxed but his mind racing. The victory over Serik had been expected, but the look of fear in the eyes of the other students had been… satisfying. They understood now that he wasn’t someone they could ignore or challenge lightly. It wasn’t just the win; it was the way he had dismantled Serik, exploiting his weaknesses and making it clear that brute strength alone meant nothing. Lahsiv was a hunter in a world full of prey.

But even with that small triumph, Lahsiv knew this was just the beginning. The Academy was a vast, dangerous place—far more complex than it appeared on the surface. And while the other students might fear him now, he couldn’t allow himself to become complacent. There was always someone stronger, lurking in the shadows.

The door to his room creaked as he closed it behind him. His quarters were spartan, with only a simple bed and a small desk where he could plan and reflect. Sitting down, Lahsiv absentmindedly touched the Sword of Ruin, feeling its familiar weight. The dark energy that pulsed through the blade was a constant reminder of the path he had chosen—the path of darkness, power, and isolation.

But not complete isolation.

His thoughts drifted briefly to his parents, the only people in this world who had ever shown him true warmth. He hadn’t been reincarnated into a wealthy or powerful family, but his parents had raised him with care. They were simple people, and though they could never understand the scope of his ambitions, they had always supported him in their own way. That was the only soft spot he allowed himself to have. The only people he cared for, and they were far from here—safe from the chaos he would bring to this world.

‘They’ll be proud of me once I ascend to the top,’ he thought, his mind wandering back to his mother’s gentle smile and his father’s steady, reassuring presence. They believed in him, even when the rest of the world hadn’t.

But that soft spot, that small part of him that held affection, was also a vulnerability. Lahsiv knew this. And in this world, vulnerabilities were dangerous.

A knock at his door broke his thoughts. It was light, hesitant.

“Come in,” Lahsiv called, already on edge. He wasn’t expecting anyone.

The door opened slowly, revealing a familiar figure. It was the girl from the forest—her. The one who had followed him, who had tried to confront him after the first test. Lahsiv had spared her then, more out of curiosity than anything else, but seeing her here now surprised him.

She stepped inside, her gaze uncertain but determined. Lahsiv remained seated, watching her with a cold expression.

“You again,” he said, his voice flat. “What do you want?”

The girl hesitated, then closed the door behind her. She seemed nervous, but there was something different in her eyes now. Determination, perhaps? Or desperation.

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“My name is Elira,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.

Lahsiv raised an eyebrow. “And why should I care?”

Elira’s fists clenched at her sides, but she didn’t rise to his bait. “You killed them. Those students in the forest. But you didn’t kill me. Why?”

Lahsiv leaned back in his chair, studying her. She still hadn’t figured it out. “You weren’t worth the effort.”

Her eyes flashed with anger, but she held herself back. “I could have told the instructors what you did. I could have reported you for murder.”

“And yet you didn’t,” Lahsiv replied calmly. “Because you know it wouldn’t matter. The Academy doesn’t care about those who are too weak to survive. They only care about results.”

Elira frowned, clearly unsettled by how little her threat had affected him. She stood there for a moment, as if weighing her options, before finally speaking again.

“You’re right,” she admitted. “The Academy doesn’t care. But I’m not here to report you.”

Lahsiv tilted his head slightly, intrigued. “Then why are you here?”

She hesitated, clearly struggling with whatever it was she wanted to say. “You’re strong,” she finally said. “Stronger than anyone I’ve seen here. I need that strength.”

Lahsiv’s eyes narrowed. He had expected anger, perhaps vengeance. Not this. “You think I’m going to help you?”

Elira shook her head. “I don’t need your help. I need a chance to survive in this place. And if you let me, I can be useful to you.”

Lahsiv leaned forward, his gaze cold and sharp. “You want to ally with me? After everything I’ve done?”

Elira met his eyes, unflinching. “Yes. You’re right—power is all that matters here. And I want to live long enough to find my own. You spared me in the forest, so I know you’re not reckless. You saw something in me, even if you won’t admit it.”

Lahsiv regarded her for a long moment. She wasn’t like the other students. There was no arrogance in her, no delusion about her strength. She was smart enough to recognize the truth of this world, and more importantly, she was smart enough to understand her own limitations. That was rare. Very rare.

Still, Lahsiv had no intention of taking on an ally. Alliances were liabilities, distractions from his own goals. But Elira was persistent, and there was something about her that made him pause.

“Why should I trust you?” he asked, his voice colder now. “What makes you think you’re worth keeping around?”

Elira didn’t hesitate. “I’m not asking you to trust me. I’m asking you to see me as useful. I can gather information, blend in with the other students. I’m not a threat to you, and I don’t want to be. But I also don’t want to be crushed by the stronger students, and I know how this world works.”

Lahsiv considered her words. She was pragmatic, calculating. If nothing else, she might be a convenient tool, someone who could move in the shadows and collect information while he focused on more important matters.

“You’ll do as I say?” Lahsiv asked, testing her resolve.

Elira nodded. “Yes. I’m not here to challenge you. I just want to survive.”

He could see the truth in her eyes. She wasn’t like the others who foolishly believed they could rise to the top through sheer willpower. She knew the reality of this world. And perhaps, for now, she could be of some use to him.

“Fine,” Lahsiv said finally. “You can stay. But understand this—if you become a liability, I’ll kill you without hesitation.”

Elira’s expression remained steady, but there was a flicker of relief in her eyes. “Understood.”

Lahsiv gestured toward the door. “Now go. I’ll find you when I need something.”

Without another word, Elira turned and left the room, leaving Lahsiv alone with his thoughts once more.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Lahsiv leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the hilt of his sword. The interaction had been unexpected, but it wasn’t without its advantages. Having someone like Elira in the shadows could be useful. He would never trust her, of course, but that wasn’t necessary. As long as she served her purpose, she would stay alive.

His mind shifted back to the Academy, to the looming battles that would come as the Apex class progressed. The students here were growing stronger by the day, each one honing their skills and preparing for the next test. But they weren’t the only challenge Lahsiv would face.

Beneath the Academy’s surface, he could feel it—the presence of something darker, something ancient. There were whispers among the students about a secret power hidden within the Academy, a forbidden knowledge that only the highest ranks had access to. Lahsiv didn’t know exactly what it was yet, but he knew one thing for certain: he wanted it.

The Academy was just the beginning. There was far more at stake than ranking or status. Somewhere deep within these walls lay the true source of power, and Lahsiv would stop at nothing to find it.

His gaze darkened as he stared out the window, his thoughts sharpening into a single, unwavering goal.

‘I will ascend. And this world will bow before me.’