Chapter 7: Shadows of Deception

Days passed since Kaelen’s first C-rank mission, and the academy felt different. The quiet halls were filled with the whispers of students, rumors weaving tales of his growing power. Kaelen worked to keep his head down, but he felt the weight of eyes on him everywhere he went. Those watching eyes reminded him of the academy’s hidden dangers—the council’s interest, his classmates’ suspicions, and the very real risk of exposing his intentions too soon.

He continued with his studies in Elemental Theory, World Particle Manipulation, and Combat Magic, classes that were central to every mage’s development. Each day, he advanced slowly but methodically, keeping to the shadows while learning everything he could. His focus remained on perfecting the basics, strengthening his control without attracting undue attention. He’d discovered that his status window reflected not only the particles he accumulated but also the improvement of his control over them.

[Status Window]

Name: Kaelen

Energy Heart Rank: Novice (Dark, Middle)

World Particles:

•Dark: 300/3000 (Next Rank: Novice Peak requires 3000 particles)

•Light: 650/1000

•Space: 470/1000

•Mind: 420/1000

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.

•Umbral Grasp (E) - A spectral hand of shadow reaches out, able to grasp and drain energy from a target. Duration and strength increase with rank.

•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.

Despite the increasing pressure to hide his abilities, Kaelen knew he’d need to keep gathering particles in secret, particularly now that he was close to reaching the Novice peak for Dark. But he also understood that his path to strength would be long and difficult, especially while juggling the facade he maintained.

A New Rivalry

Kaelen’s calculated plan to remain inconspicuous was shattered one morning in the Elemental Combat Hall. He was summoned for a demonstration by Magister Ronn, who was known for pushing students to their limits.

Ronn’s stern voice echoed in the hall as he addressed the students gathered. “Mages are only as strong as their ability to adapt,” he announced. “Today, we’ll test the adaptability of our students in an elemental sparring match. Kaelen, you’ll be sparring with Calder.”

Kaelen’s heart sank. Calder’s smirk was unmistakable, his gaze sharp and malicious. Calder, a fire mage from a powerful family, had harbored resentment toward Kaelen since their previous encounter, and the jealousy that simmered behind his eyes was unmistakable.

Kaelen took his place across from Calder in the ring, his heart steady but his mind racing. This was no simple spar. If he was to keep his abilities hidden, he’d need to hold back, while still being competent enough to avoid suspicion.

“Ready?” Magister Ronn’s gaze shifted between them, calculating.

Kaelen gave a slight nod, preparing himself. Calder wasted no time, hurling a torrent of fire toward him. Kaelen sidestepped, using Shadow Veil to blend into the shadows, making it appear as though he’d simply moved quickly out of Calder’s line of sight.

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Calder’s frustration was obvious, his attacks growing fiercer. Flames curled around his fists as he advanced, his movements swift and brutal. Kaelen stayed calm, focusing on evasion, letting Calder waste his energy while he observed his opponent’s rhythm.

“Fight back, Kaelen,” Calder sneered, casting an arc of fire that Kaelen narrowly dodged. “Or are you only good at hiding?”

Kaelen’s jaw clenched. The academy expected him to show some degree of skill in a spar, and he couldn’t keep dodging without drawing more attention. He raised his hand, focusing on Dark Pulse, and released a small burst of dark energy toward Calder, not enough to harm him, just enough to throw him off-balance. The dark energy struck Calder, sending him stumbling backward, his expression twisting with surprise.

But Calder recovered quickly, his eyes narrowing. “Finally fighting back? Good.”

Calder launched forward again, his flames blazing, and Kaelen reacted instinctively, his hand twitching as he felt Nightcaller tug at his energy heart. Shadows rose around him, forming a shield just as Calder’s flames crashed against it. The dark energy held, absorbing the impact, but Kaelen knew he had to end the spar soon. If he used any more of his skills, the council would notice his unusual mastery over Dark particles.

In a quick motion, Kaelen dismissed the shadows and struck Calder with a short blast of Dark Pulse, knocking him back just enough to send him off his feet. Calder fell, his expression livid, but he made no attempt to continue the spar.

Magister Ronn nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Enough,” he announced, calling an end to the match. “Well done, Kaelen. Controlled, effective use of your element.”

Kaelen inclined his head respectfully, his heart still racing from the confrontation. Calder’s gaze was cold as he brushed himself off, shooting Kaelen a glare before turning away. Kaelen could feel the tension settling around him like a thick fog, the beginning of a rivalry that would inevitably complicate his plans.

Training in Shadows

Following the spar, Kaelen continued training in the early hours of the morning, pushing his limits with the Dark particles he had absorbed. His encounter with Calder had only reinforced the need for secrecy, and he spent every night testing the extent of his new skills, working to control the raw power that Nightcaller offered.

One evening, Kaelen returned to the Tower of Shadows, eager to harness the shadows more fully. The tower had become his refuge—a place where he could explore the depths of his magic undisturbed. He sat cross-legged on the stone floor, focusing on his energy heart and the swirling particles within.

He felt the familiar pulse of his energy heart, like a second heartbeat, and visualized his progress. He could sense the near-completion of his Dark element’s Novice level, a few hundred particles away from reaching the next minor rank.

The status window shimmered before him, updating his progress:

[Status Window]

Name: Kaelen

Energy Heart Rank: Novice (Dark, Middle)

World Particles:

•Dark: 850/3000 (Next Rank: Novice Peak requires 3000 particles)

•Light: 680/1000

•Space: 500/1000

•Mind: 430/1000

Each particle he absorbed came slower, more painstakingly. As his rank increased, so did the difficulty of further expansion. The pace frustrated him, but he reminded himself that patience would ultimately grant him the strength he needed.

Tonight, he focused on refining Nightcaller, summoning shadows to his side in controlled waves. They rose like tendrils from the stone floor, thickening and hardening as he manipulated their form. This skill allowed him to use shadows both offensively and defensively, but he had yet to fully grasp its potential.

“Interesting technique.”

Kaelen’s head snapped up. In the doorway stood Magister Varyn, his presence calm but commanding. Kaelen immediately let the shadows fall, schooling his expression into neutrality. He hadn’t expected to see Varyn here, especially not in the middle of the night.

“Magister Varyn,” Kaelen greeted, inclining his head.

“Nightcaller is not an easy skill to master,” Varyn observed, stepping further into the room. “Especially not for someone of your rank. It’s rare for a novice to command shadows so… naturally.”

Kaelen forced himself to meet Varyn’s gaze. “I… practice often.”

Varyn’s mouth curved into a faint smile. “So I’ve seen.” He paused, his expression thoughtful. “You have a gift, Kaelen. But gifts come with responsibilities. Tell me, what drives you to seek such power?”

Kaelen hesitated, sensing the weight of the question. He had no intention of revealing his true motivations to Varyn, but he also knew that a shallow answer would only invite suspicion.

“I want to become strong enough to defend myself,” he replied carefully. “To ensure that I’m never at the mercy of others.”

Varyn studied him, his gaze piercing. “Wise words. But remember, the path of power is a narrow one. Mages who crave strength without understanding its cost often fall to their own ambition.” He paused, then added, “I will not warn you again—watch your steps closely. The council is observant, and even the slightest misstep could be… costly.”

Kaelen nodded, feeling the unspoken threat in Varyn’s words. He understood all too well that one wrong move could shatter everything he’d worked for. “Thank you for the advice, Magister.”

Varyn gave a final nod and left, his presence lingering even after the door closed behind him. Kaelen exhaled slowly, his mind racing with questions. Why had Varyn taken such an interest in him? Was it curiosity, or something more dangerous?

A Shadowed Encounter

The next morning, as Kaelen walked through the academy’s gardens, he felt a familiar presence by his side. Mara appeared, her expression intent.

“What happened with Varyn last night?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Word is he’s been keeping an eye on certain students—those who might pose a… risk.”

Kaelen’s gaze remained steady, but a knot of concern tightened in his chest. “He offered advice. Warnings about… ambition.”

Mara’s eyes darkened. “Varyn is a complex player in the council’s schemes. He might seem neutral, but his loyalty shifts with the tides. Don’t rely on his interest in you as a safety net.”

Kaelen nodded. “I never planned to.”

“Good.” Mara glanced around, her tone softening. “Whatever happens, remember that there are others here who distrust the council as much as you. And when the time comes… we may need allies.”

Kaelen took her words in, feeling the weight of the path he had chosen settle upon him. His journey was only beginning, but each step led him closer to his goal, and each encounter sharpened his resolve.

As he watched Mara disappear into the crowd, he reminded himself that he had only scratched the surface of what he needed to accomplish. The council might be watching him, but he would use every lesson, every battle, and every skill to his advantage.

He would grow strong. Strong enough to shatter their control.

And one day, he would be the one holding the power.