Chapter 6: Lessons in Blood and Shadow

The trek back to the academy was tense and silent. Kaelen’s mind was spinning, the encounter with the creature replaying in his thoughts. That was no mere E-rank entity; it was something more powerful, something the council had to know about. They had sent him into a trap, testing him against forces beyond what any first-year should face. And he had survived.

Mara, who had fought by his side, watched him carefully. She hadn’t questioned his new skill, Umbral Grasp, during the fight, but Kaelen could feel her curiosity burning. He’d have to be cautious. Each time he showed a new ability, it increased the risk that others might uncover the full extent of his powers, putting him in even greater danger.

When they finally reached the academy gates, Kaelen’s group was met by a senior mage—Magister Ellara, a woman with sharp eyes and an aura of tightly controlled power. She took one look at their disheveled state, her expression shifting from mild curiosity to something darker.

“What happened at the gate?” she demanded, her voice cold but precise.

Kaelen gave a slight nod. “We encountered a creature stronger than any E-rank. Its energy was far denser, and its aura seemed unstable. I don’t believe it was a natural entity of that rank.”

Magister Ellara narrowed her gaze. “An irregular creature in an E-ranked gate? Unusual. The council will want a full report. And you…” Her eyes lingered on Kaelen, a flicker of interest crossing her face. “It appears you handled yourself well. Continue in this way, and the council may take a particular interest in your progress.”

A shiver ran through Kaelen, but he held his expression steady. He nodded respectfully and remained silent, already sensing that any further questions would be both unwelcome and dangerous. The council was watching him closely—perhaps more closely than they’d ever admit.

The Academy’s Hidden Depths

Over the next week, Kaelen threw himself into training, carefully expanding his abilities without drawing attention. The dark vial Varyn had given him had brought him to Novice Middle with Dark particles, but each skill he unlocked felt like another piece in a larger puzzle. Every spell, every surge of power, was a step closer to mastery—and a step closer to the day he’d confront the council.

One evening, while slipping through the academy grounds to reach the Tower of Shadows for another night of training, Kaelen noticed Mara waiting for him. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable, though her eyes betrayed a hint of concern.

“You know the council is taking notice of you, don’t you?” she said as he approached. “That creature we fought… it wasn’t normal. I’ve heard rumors—people say the council sometimes uses students to investigate unstable gates. And the few who come back… they’re never the same.”

Kaelen nodded, his jaw clenched. He’d suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed was a bitter reminder of the council’s twisted priorities.

“So why keep doing it?” she pressed, searching his face. “Why risk yourself?”

Kaelen met her gaze, weighing his words carefully. “Because if I don’t, they’ll find another pawn to send. And because there are things I want from this academy that only the council can provide.”

Mara studied him in silence, then gave a slight nod. “Just… be careful. You’re stronger than most of us, but the council doesn’t value strength. They value control.”

As she turned to leave, Kaelen felt a pang of gratitude for her words. Mara’s caution only strengthened his resolve; he knew he’d need to navigate the council’s interests carefully. Each step forward was a risk, but every particle, every skill, was essential to his freedom.

The Magic Tower’s Secrets

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Kaelen had heard of a ritual performed by higher-ranked mages within the Tower of Shadows. It was called the Binding of Night, a ceremony that was said to enhance a mage’s connection with Dark particles, allowing them to sense and draw on the power of shadows more efficiently. Normally, only Adepts and higher-ranked students were allowed to attempt the ritual.

But Kaelen couldn’t afford to wait for permission.

After securing his entry with Dark Shroud, he slipped into the Tower of Shadows under the cover of night. He moved through the dark corridors to a concealed chamber he’d discovered only days ago—a space set aside for the Binding of Night. The room was empty, the walls etched with ancient runes that glowed faintly in the dim light.

In the center of the room stood a black stone pedestal, a shallow bowl filled with shimmering, dark liquid that pulsed with energy. This was the focal point of the ritual. According to what he’d learned, mages who attempted the Binding had to channel Dark particles into the liquid, merging with the shadowed energy and forming a connection that would amplify their power.

Kaelen closed his eyes, focusing on the dark energy within his chest. The status window shimmered in his mind, reminding him of his progress and the new strength he had acquired.

[Status Window]

Name: Kaelen

Energy Heart Rank: Novice (Dark, Middle)

World Particles:

•Dark: 0/3000 (next rank: Novice Peak requires 3000 particles)

•Light: 620/1000

•Space: 470/1000

•Mind: 390/1000

Skills:

•Dark Element Skills:

•Shadow Veil (F)

•Dark Pulse (F)

•Dark Shroud (E)

•Umbral Grasp (E)

He took a deep breath, then allowed the Dark particles within him to flow outward, pouring into the shimmering liquid. As the particles mingled with the dark energy, the liquid began to bubble, swirling with a deep, intense power that seemed to reach for him, latching onto his energy heart.

The surge of energy struck him like a tidal wave, flooding his senses, and he gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain control. His vision blurred, and he felt as if he were falling into a void, shadows wrapping around him, seeping into his very bones. He gripped the pedestal to steady himself as the dark energy filled every corner of his mind, amplifying his senses and connecting him with the shadows that filled the room.

A voice seemed to echo within the void, ancient and cold. You seek power. You seek freedom. Do you accept the cost?

Kaelen’s heart pounded, but he didn’t flinch. “I do.”

The shadows tightened around him, then dissipated, leaving him gasping as the connection settled within him. When he opened his eyes, he felt sharper, attuned to the darkness in a way he hadn’t been before. He could sense every shadow in the room, feel the hum of particles, the ebb and flow of energy. The Binding had worked.

But as he steadied himself, he noticed something new in his status window—a skill that hadn’t been there before.

New Skill Unlocked:

•Nightcaller (D) - Allows the user to summon shadows to attack or shield in battle. The strength of the summoned shadows increases with the user’s rank.

A thrill shot through him. Nightcaller was a skill unlike any he’d wielded before, a blend of offense and defense that would make him formidable in any confrontation. He felt the dark energy swirling within him, raw and potent, ready to be called upon at will.

A Test of Shadows

The next morning, Kaelen was summoned again to the council chambers. This time, however, he wasn’t alone. Several senior students and instructors stood around him, each one bearing the same wary expression, as though they too sensed something unusual in the council’s orders.

Magister Lorn’s gaze lingered on him. “Kaelen, it has come to our attention that you have… surpassed certain expectations. The council is pleased with your progress.”

Kaelen kept his face impassive. “Thank you, Magister.”

“We have a task that requires a mage with your affinity for darkness,” Lorn continued, his tone measured. “A mission beyond the academy grounds. There is a C-ranked gate that we believe holds something… unique. You are to enter the gate with a group and retrieve any objects or creatures of interest.”

Kaelen’s mind raced. A C-ranked gate was no simple assignment. The creatures within would be far more powerful than anything he’d faced, and this task was clearly another test, a way to measure his abilities against even greater odds.

“I understand,” he replied, hiding his suspicion.

“Good,” Lorn said, his gaze unreadable. “Report to the southern gate at first light. We expect results.”

Into the C-Rank Gate

At dawn, Kaelen and his team—Mara, along with two other students, a fire mage named Taron and an earth mage named Edrin—assembled at the southern gate. Each of them looked wary, clearly aware that a C-rank mission wasn’t something students should be assigned. But the council’s orders were absolute, and none of them dared to question the command.

They entered the gate, the air shifting as they crossed the threshold into an unfamiliar realm. The landscape was a wasteland, barren and cracked, with dark mountains rising in the distance. Shadows clung to every crevice, and Kaelen felt the pull of dark particles far stronger here than in any E-ranked gate.

They moved cautiously, their senses heightened, aware that anything could emerge from the darkness. Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the air, and a creature materialized from the shadows—a massive, wolf-like beast with eyes glowing red, its fur dark and thick as shadow itself.

“Everyone, stay close!” Kaelen ordered, activating Nightcaller. Shadows rose at his command, forming a barrier between them and the creature. The beast lunged, but Kaelen’s summoned shadows held it back, struggling against its strength.

Taron raised his hands, flames erupting as he launched a volley of fireballs, striking the creature in the chest. The beast snarled, momentarily disoriented, and Kaelen saw his chance. He extended his hand, activating Umbral Grasp, and the spectral hand of darkness latched onto the creature, sapping its strength.

The beast howled, weakening as Kaelen drained its energy. Mara conjured a shield of ice, holding the creature in place as Kaelen’s shadows tightened around it, their combined powers overwhelming it until it collapsed, dissolving into particles.

The team caught their breath, the silence settling over them. Kaelen could feel the new strength coursing through him, his skills sharper, more responsive. This mission had been dangerous, but it had also shown him the potential of the powers he now held.

As they made their way back to the academy, Kaelen felt his purpose solidify. The council wanted to test him, to push him beyond his limits. But he would grow stronger with each test, biding his time until he could unravel their secrets—and make them regret ever underestimating him.