Chapter 8: The Seeds of Chaos
Lahsiv walked silently through the Sombra Forest, his mind already planning the next steps. The test had served its purpose, but it was only the beginning. The Academy would soon be crawling with students desperate to rise through the ranks, each one hungry for power and recognition. He knew that in their pursuit, they would overlook the true source of strength—the hidden forces beneath their very noses.
Dark Karma was a forbidden topic, a force the Academy refused to teach openly. Only a handful of students and instructors knew of its true nature, and even they used it sparingly, too afraid of its corrupting influence. But Lahsiv was different. He had already embraced its power, and his Soul Reaper title had unlocked the path to even greater abilities. His dark path would set him apart from the rest, and eventually, the Academy would tremble beneath his feet.
But there was still the matter of timing. He needed to bide his time, grow stronger, and wait for the right moment to strike. Chaos was a delicate tool, one that could either destroy his enemies or consume him if wielded poorly.
As he approached the edge of the forest, the Academy’s towering walls came back into view. The sky above had darkened, the test nearing its conclusion. The gates stood open, and Lahsiv knew that many of the students had already returned, eager to prove their survival. Most would have spent their time hunting low-level beasts or hiding from the more dangerous creatures like the Alpha he had slain. Those that had failed would already be back at the bottom of the hierarchy, humiliated and weak.
He was not one of them.
When Lahsiv stepped through the Academy gates, the training ground was abuzz with activity. Students who had completed the test were gathered in groups, exchanging stories of their experiences, their voices filled with excitement, relief, and—above all—pride. He scanned the crowd briefly, noting that most were too caught up in their own achievements to notice his return. Good. He preferred it that way.
The instructors stood nearby, monitoring the students and reviewing the data recorded by the tracking stones. Kaelor, the lead instructor, stood in the center, his arms crossed as he oversaw the evaluations. His eyes swept over the crowd, sharp and cold, missing nothing.
Lahsiv approached the designated area where students were expected to return their tracking stones. He pulled his out, handing it to one of the junior instructors. The man gave him a cursory glance, then turned his attention to the stone as it glowed faintly with recorded data. Lahsiv watched as the instructor’s face shifted slightly, his brow furrowing in confusion, then surprise.
“You… killed an Elite Beast?” the instructor asked, his voice low but incredulous.
Lahsiv nodded without a word. The instructor looked back at the stone, still processing the information. Killing an Elite Beast in the first test wasn’t just uncommon—it was nearly unheard of. Most students barely managed to survive, let alone take down something as dangerous as a Corrupted Alpha.
The instructor cleared his throat, his voice more composed now. “I’ll report this to Instructor Kaelor. You’ll be summoned for evaluation later.”
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Lahsiv nodded again and walked away, uninterested in the conversation. He could already feel the stares of a few nearby students as whispers spread through the crowd. News of his achievement would soon circulate, but Lahsiv had no interest in accolades. His goal was far greater than any recognition from the Academy’s ranks.
As the evening progressed, Lahsiv found himself sitting alone on a stone bench near the outskirts of the training ground, away from the noisy groups of students. His mind wandered back to the girl in the forest. She hadn’t returned yet, and he doubted she would. If she had any sense, she would stay away from him. Lahsiv’s patience with weakness had limits.
Suddenly, the air shifted, and a familiar presence approached him from behind. Lahsiv didn’t need to turn to know who it was. He had sensed her coming long before she arrived.
“You made it back,” Lahsiv said without looking up. His voice was calm, almost bored.
The girl stepped out from the shadows, her figure tense, but there was a fire in her eyes. She had survived the forest, though she looked worse for wear. Dirt and scratches covered her face, and her clothes were torn in places. But she was alive. Somehow.
“I did,” she said, her voice steady but guarded. “I won’t be afraid of you.”
Lahsiv finally looked up, his cold gaze meeting hers. She stood only a few feet away, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Despite her words, he could see the remnants of fear in her posture. She had barely made it out of the forest, and yet here she was, standing before him again.
“You should be,” Lahsiv said, his tone flat.
The girl narrowed her eyes, clearly frustrated by his indifference. “You think killing your own classmates makes you powerful? That it makes you untouchable?”
“It makes me smarter than the rest of you,” Lahsiv replied coolly. “They were weak, and they didn’t deserve to survive. You’re only alive because you weren’t worth killing.”
Her face flushed with anger, but before she could respond, a voice called out from behind them.
“That’s enough.”
Lahsiv and the girl both turned to see Instructor Kaelor approaching, his expression unreadable. His gaze shifted between the two of them before settling on Lahsiv.
“Come with me, Lahsiv,” Kaelor said. “We need to talk.”
Lahsiv stood without hesitation, ignoring the girl as he followed Kaelor across the training ground. He could feel the eyes of the other students on him, but none dared to approach. The atmosphere had shifted since his return, and while most of the students didn’t understand why, they could sense the danger that surrounded him.
Kaelor led Lahsiv to a small building near the back of the Academy, far from the other students. The inside was sparsely furnished, with only a single desk and a few chairs. Kaelor motioned for Lahsiv to sit before taking a seat behind the desk.
“I’ve reviewed your tracking stone,” Kaelor began, his voice measured. “You killed an Elite Beast, a Corrupted Alpha. Impressive, considering this was only your first test.”
Lahsiv said nothing, waiting for Kaelor to continue.
“There’s something different about you, Lahsiv,” Kaelor said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I’ve seen students rise quickly before, but none like you. You aren’t just strong—you’re ruthless. And that can either make you a great asset to the Academy… or a threat.”
Lahsiv met Kaelor’s gaze without flinching. “I’m not here to be an asset.”
Kaelor smiled faintly. “I thought as much. You’ve already made enemies, you know. Not just among the students, but among the instructors as well. Some are concerned about your… methods.”
“Let them be concerned,” Lahsiv said coldly. “I have no interest in their approval.”
Kaelor leaned back in his chair, studying Lahsiv for a long moment. “You’re walking a dangerous path, Lahsiv. The Academy has rules for a reason, and while you may be strong now, strength alone isn’t enough to survive here. You’ll need allies, whether you like it or not.”
“I don’t need anyone,” Lahsiv replied, his voice sharp. “I’ll succeed on my own.”
Kaelor’s smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression. “Be careful, Lahsiv. The Academy isn’t as simple as it seems. There are forces at play here that you don’t understand yet. You may think you’re in control, but there are powers in this world that would see you destroyed before you even have the chance to rise.”
Lahsiv said nothing, his mind processing Kaelor’s words. He had no doubt that the Academy held secrets—secrets he would uncover in time. But for now, he would play along, bide his time, and continue to grow in strength.
Kaelor stood, signaling that their conversation was over. “Return to your dormitory. The test results will be posted tomorrow.”
Lahsiv rose from his seat and turned to leave, but before he could step through the door, Kaelor spoke again, his voice low and serious.
“And Lahsiv—remember this. Power is never free. There is always a cost.”
Lahsiv didn’t respond as he walked out of the room, his thoughts already elsewhere. He knew the cost of power—and he was more than willing to pay it.