Chapter 3: Shadows and Allies
Kaelen had grown accustomed to the academy’s daily routine: training sessions, meditation practices, lectures on the fundamentals of magic. But none of the structured lessons matched what he was truly here for. His real training began each night in the dim glow of the elemental towers, far from the watchful eyes of instructors and rivals.
The academy’s resources, its storied history and power-infused towers, were exactly what he needed. It was the ideal place to develop his strengths—while remaining unassuming enough not to attract too much attention. His Dark element allowed him to slip through the shadows, his presence faint, and he used it to great effect each night as he sought to push his limits in secret.
One evening, Kaelen found himself in the Tower of Shadows, a place designated for Dark element mages. Here, the stone walls seemed to absorb light, creating an atmosphere thick with silence. The dark aura settled comfortably over him, feeding the thrill of power he felt as he drew on the particles around him. His status window hovered before him, a reminder of the progress he had made.
[Status Window]
Name: Kaelen
Energy Heart Rank: None (Next Rank: Novice)
World Particles:
•Dark: 980/1000 (Novice Rank requires 1000 particles)
•Light: 520/1000
•Space: 450/1000
•Mind: 320/1000
Skills:
•Dark Element Skills:
•Shadow Veil (F) - Allows the user to blend into shadows for a short duration. Duration increases with energy heart rank.
•Dark Pulse (F) - Releases a surge of dark energy in all directions, briefly stunning nearby enemies.
He was close to reaching the Novice rank in Dark. The idea that he was just twenty particles away from a transformation drove him to absorb with greater focus. Reaching Novice rank would unlock a new skill, and with every new ability he gained, he felt his goals inch closer.
Just as he focused his energy, he sensed movement—a faint but definite presence nearby. His eyes snapped open, and he extended his senses outward. At the edge of the room, just barely concealed by the dim shadows, stood a figure he hadn’t noticed.
Kaelen slipped back into the shadows, his instincts urging caution. The figure stepped forward, their outline sharpening as they moved closer. He recognized them as Mara, the aloof Water mage he’d been partnered with in the Trial of Shadows. Her usual distant gaze was replaced by a wary curiosity.
“You’re… training alone,” she said, her voice soft but edged with suspicion.
Kaelen kept his face neutral. “And you’re watching people who aren’t your business.”
She crossed her arms, glancing around the shadowy tower. “You’re different, you know. Most of the other students struggle to handle even their primary element, but you… you move through shadows like they’re an extension of yourself.”
Kaelen’s pulse quickened. He had gone to great lengths to keep his progress hidden, but Mara’s perceptiveness worried him. If she could sense his growth, others might too.
“And you’re here because…?” he asked, keeping his voice calm.
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Mara shrugged, her expression unreadable. “Because I don’t buy the act you’re putting on. You’re hiding something. Power, maybe. Something… more.”
Kaelen forced himself to remain calm. He couldn’t risk letting his guard down, not even slightly. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” she replied, her eyes narrowing. “But I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here to offer an understanding. If I keep your secret, you’ll keep mine.”
Kaelen studied her in silence, assessing. Mara had always been an outlier, rarely mingling with the others, and he’d often caught her watching him during training. But she never made her interest known until now. She wasn’t here out of mere curiosity—there was something she wanted.
“Then let’s be clear,” Kaelen said quietly. “What secret are you offering to share?”
A faint smile tugged at Mara’s lips. “I wasn’t entirely honest during the Trial of Shadows. I’m not just a Water mage. I have two elements. Water… and Ice.”
Kaelen’s eyes narrowed. Two elements were rare, and those with such abilities were often monitored closely by the council. Mara’s secret was as dangerous as his own, and if she’d kept it hidden, she was risking a lot by telling him now.
“So you’re not just here by chance, are you?” Kaelen asked, his voice cautious.
“No,” Mara admitted. “I wanted to see if you’d be open to an alliance. We both know the council loves to use mages with rare talents, and the more powerful we get, the harder they’ll watch us. If we work together, we can keep each other hidden… and help each other grow.”
Kaelen considered her words. An alliance would have its advantages, and Mara seemed genuine in her desire to keep their secrets mutual. He could use an ally within the academy, someone who knew how to cover their tracks and had a shared interest in evading the council’s gaze.
“Fine,” he said, his tone measured. “We keep each other’s secrets. But that’s all. We don’t owe each other anything else.”
Mara nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her gaze. “Agreed.”
Over the following days, Kaelen and Mara trained in secret, each careful to remain hidden from the academy’s ever-watchful eye. Mara’s Ice element added an unexpected layer to her magic, allowing her to create barriers of frozen mist, which helped shield them from prying eyes. Together, they learned to sharpen their skills, pushing each other to the limits without drawing attention.
Kaelen found that Mara’s reserved demeanor masked a sharp intelligence. She had an instinctive grasp of magic, especially defensive spells, and as they trained together, she began sharing her insights into using world particles efficiently. Kaelen, in return, showed her how to remain undetected within shadows, an ability she found surprisingly useful as they practiced evading the academy’s patrols.
One evening, after an intense session of particle absorption, Kaelen finally felt a surge within his energy heart. The sensation was different this time, an expansion, as though his energy heart were reaching a new level. The status window appeared before him, words shifting, confirming what he’d hoped for.
[Status Window]
Energy Heart Rank: Novice (Dark, Start)
World Particles:
•Dark: 0/2000 (next rank: Novice Middle requires 2000 particles)
•Light: 530/1000
•Space: 470/1000
•Mind: 340/1000
Skills:
•Dark Element Skills:
•Shadow Veil (F) - Allows the user to blend into shadows for a short duration. Duration increases with energy heart rank.
•Dark Pulse (F) - Releases a surge of dark energy in all directions, briefly stunning nearby enemies.
•Dark Shroud (E) - Encases the user in a veil of darkness, rendering them nearly invisible for a short period.
He had unlocked Dark Shroud, a skill that was leagues beyond his previous ability. With this, he could evade even the sharpest gaze, blending entirely into shadows without a trace. The feeling of reaching Novice filled him with both exhilaration and caution. Every step closer to power came with greater risks.
“What is it?” Mara asked, noticing the change in his expression.
Kaelen kept his tone steady. “I’ve reached Novice in Dark. My control… it’s stronger now.”
Mara’s eyes widened slightly, an unmistakable glimmer of respect flashing through her gaze. “Impressive. You’ll be the first in our year to reach Novice in any element.”
“We keep that fact to ourselves,” Kaelen replied firmly. “For now, no one needs to know how far I’ve come.”
Mara nodded, her face serious. “Agreed. But this means we need to be more careful. The council has ways of sensing sudden shifts in power. They may come looking if they suspect anything.”
Kaelen understood. His awakening might draw attention he wasn’t yet prepared to handle. But with his new skill, he had the means to protect himself, and he would use every advantage to avoid becoming their pawn.
An Unexpected Test
A week later, the academy announced the Assessment of Ranks, an event that tested students’ progress and sorted them based on their elemental rank. Kaelen’s heart pounded as he heard the announcement. An assessment meant that his growth—and his newly acquired rank—could be exposed. He needed a plan.
He spent the night before the assessment strategizing with Mara, who helped him create a shielded aura, dimming his energy heart’s presence just enough to avoid raising suspicion. As far as the academy knew, he was just a promising novice, not yet at the first minor rank.
The assessment was held in an arena enchanted to amplify each mage’s power so the instructors could accurately gauge their strength. As his turn approached, Kaelen centered himself, mentally reinforcing the shadowy shield he and Mara had crafted.
When he entered the arena, he summoned just enough Dark energy to appear competent, pulling his shadows close but not unleashing his true potential. The instructors nodded approvingly, seemingly satisfied that he had progressed without suspecting the extent of his abilities.
The assessment passed without incident, and Kaelen allowed himself a small sigh of relief as he left the arena. Thanks to Mara’s help, he had managed to keep his Novice rank hidden.
As the weeks turned into months, Kaelen continued to push forward in secret. He and Mara strengthened their alliance, sharing knowledge and skills, each helping the other grow without revealing their true power. With Dark Shroud, Kaelen was nearly invisible at night, giving him the freedom to explore parts of the academy others never saw.
In the quiet hours, he practiced alone, absorbing particles and honing his new skills. Each hard-won particle was a step closer to mastering his elements, a piece of the power he would need to fulfill his promise to himself.
He would become strong enough to face the council one day. But for now, he would bide his time, learning, growing, and sharpening his abilities in the shadows.