Shin's heart raced at the thought. The academy was a place of legend, where the chosen ones went to hone their skills under the watchful eyes of high priests and even Devota herself. It was a place where power was cultivated and dreams were made or shattered. He had always dreamed of attending, of being one of those chosen to wield the wave light of the gods and protect Katy. But now, the reality of his situation hit him like a sledgehammer.

"I tried three times," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rain, "but I couldn't connect over 5% to the wave of Devota, so i guess now my wave with master is much more high?"

Master's chuckle was a soothing balm to his doubt. "Well, with me, your connection is like 1.5%, child," she said, her voice a gentle tease.

".......What?"

Master's words echoed in his mind, a cold slap of reality. "You heard me," she said, her voice still a whisper but now carrying a hint of amusement. "Your affinity with Devota was 5%, but with me, you have a mere 1,5%."

"1.5%?!, is not enough to make a cup levitate!

Master's laughter grew louder, the sound bouncing off the wet buildings around them. "Fear not, my pet," she said, her eyes shimmering with mischief. "My power is not measured by the same standards as Devota's. With me you will be able to increase the connection that for others Is decided by birth"

Her grip on his chin tightened, forcing him to meet her gaze. "But remember," she warned, "you are a wolf in sheep's clothing. You must play the part of a devoted disciple, eager to learn and serve. Only when the time is right, will you reveal your true colors."

The reality of the situation hit him like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the path ahead. "What do I do until then?" he asked, his voice a mix of hope and dread.

Master's eyes gleamed with excitement as she began to explain the fundamentals of the new power within him. "Each disciple of Devota is bound to a percentage of her wave, but their power is limited by their understanding and talent to use it," she said. "Your power, however, is different, i will give you my fables and training in his use.

Shin listened intently, his heart pounding in his chest as the words sank in. "What is a fable?" he asked, his curiosity piqued despite the situation.

Master's smile was cold, a twisted reflection of the one that had once graced the girl's face. "A fable is a story, a myth, a lie that the constellations weave around themselves to justify their existence," she said. "Each one holds a piece of their true power, and now, you shall hold a piece of mine. My first fable will allow you to mirror every attack thrown at you, to become a reflection of your enemies' strengths and weaknesses."

Her words echoed in his mind, and he felt the power within him stir, eager to be unleashed. "But remember," she continued, her voice a warning, "the disciples of Devota are not to be underestimated. Their specialty lies in healing, and they are notorious for their resilience. They can use the light to enhance their weapons and shoot rays of pure energy at a distance, and they learn to cultivate their skills from birth thanks to their rich supports.

Shin nodded, the weight of his new mission pressing down on him like a leaden cloak. "I will not fail you, Master," he said, determination etched into every syllable.

Master's eyes narrowed, a hint of something unreadable flickering across her face. "Go home," she murmured. "Mourn your sister. You have one day to grieve, to let the anger and pain fuel you. But when the sun rises tomorrow, you will be mine.

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With that, she vanished into the night, leaving Shin alone in the rain. He stumbled back to their small, dilapidated apartment, his thoughts racing. The room was exactly as it had been when he left, except for the absence of Katy's bright presence. Her favorite book lay open on her bed, a reminder of the gaping hole her loss had left in his heart. He picked it up, feeling the pages stick to his wet hand, and sank to the floor, the tears he had been holding back now flowing freely.

The night was long and dark, filled with memories of laughter that now seemed like echoes from another life. He could almost feel the warmth of Katy's hand in his, her gentle encouragement to keep trying, to never give up. The ache in his chest grew with each passing hour, a constant reminder of the price he had paid for his newfound power. But amidst the sorrow, anger grew, a hot ember that began to burn away his grief. He clung to it, letting it fuel him, letting it drive him forward.

The morning sun rose with a cruel indifference, casting its light through the cracks in the blinds and onto his tear-stained cheeks. He stood, and made his way to the mirror broken by the knight. The reflection that stared back at him was a stranger, one with the eyes of a man who had seen the face of a god and survived. The weight of his new reality settled on his shoulders as he made his way to the door.

".....I’m ready master".

Shin's voice was firm, the grief from the night before transformed into a fiery determination. He had made his choice, and there was no turning back. He stepped into the rain, the droplets mixing with the tears that still clung to his lashes. The academy camp loomed in the distance, a bastion of power and knowledge that he had only ever dreamed of entering.

Master's words echoed in his mind: "There is a forest over the outskirt district, we will start there."

…………………………………..

Shin approached the forest with a mix of trepidation and resolve. The trees whispered secrets to one another, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, beckoning him into the shadows. It was said that the forest was a training ground for the mortal who claim to became disciples, a place where the weak were weeded out by their masters, but it was a drop in the ocean compared to other district or constellation domains.

Master's words echoed through his thoughts, "To master 'Mirror', you must first build your capacity to receive damage." He steeled himself, knowing that the path ahead would not be an easy one. Each step into the forest felt like a step into the unknown, the damp earth squelching beneath his boots as he ventured deeper into the foliage.

As he moved through the dense underbrush, Shin's thoughts drifted to His Armor. His father's armor to be precise, a relic from a time when the world had not yet been divided by the tyranny of the constellations. It was said to be light, yet strong, a symbol of the unyielding spirit that had once protected their family from the horrors that lurked in the shadows. The only Heirloom in his family, an old but sturdy black light armor without enchantment.

Master's instructions had been clear, but the how was a puzzle that still eluded him. He knew he had to build his tolerance to pain, to be able to withstand the onslaught of his enemies and reflect their power back at them. " But how the training work Master?"

Master had only chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down his spine. "You'll find out soon enough," she said, her eyes glinting with a dark amusement after a snap of his finger.

The air grew thick with the scent of decay and magic, a potent reminder of the ancient battles that had been waged here. Suddenly, the ground trembled, and two figures emerged from the trees, their rusted armor groaning as they moved.

" Undead knight "

Master's words came back to him as he faced the two figures, their rusted armor gleaming dully in the half-light of the forest. "This forest is full of bodies died in grief," he murmured to himself, trying to remember the lessons she had taught him in his brief time under her tutelage. These knights were likely the lost souls of those who had fallen in the War, their sorrow and anger now fueling their undying existence created by his master.

The first knight took a step forward, its sword drawn and pointed at his chest.

Master had warned him, "These undead knights are not to be underestimated. They may not be as fast as the living, but even disciples will be scared by their skills, and they can use some of their ability from when they were alive”.

Shin's gaze fell upon the rusted sword in his hand, a weapon passed down from his father. The metal was pitted and dulled, a stark contrast to the gleaming weapons of the disciples of Devota without enchantment or wave from the wielder, master didn’t press to give him better.

"master how can I use your fable….mirror was it"?

Master says " well you can't obviously "

"Then how i kill this knights" evading a hit near his face with his new funding agility.

Master's voice, a whisper on the wind, responded, "You have to be hit, of course. To truly understand the power of 'Mirror', you must first experience the pain and the power of your enemies."

"And how do I not die in the process?" Shin called out to the retreating figure of his master a evading shadow in the wind, the rain pattering against his armor.

Master's laughter was faint but clear, "Oh, you'll figure it out," she said, her voice fading away as she left him to face the undead knights alone.

The second knight took the opportunity to stomp him from behind, swinging his sword in a wide arc aimed at his unprotected back. The blade penetrated the metal of his armor, sending a wave of pain through his body. He felt the heat of his own blood run down his back as the undead creature's strength seeped into him. With a growl, Shin stumbled forward, the sword going through him, the pain excruciating.