For the next week, Shin faced a relentless onslaught of undead knights. Each day brought a new challenge, a new lesson for the fable ‘Mirror'. The pain was unbearable at times, but with each battle, he grew more adept at channeling it, using the very essence of his agony to fuel his sense. His body was pushed to its limits and beyond, healing from wounds that would have killed any ordinary person.

Master was always there, guiding him through the pain, pushing him further than he ever thought possible. "Very well," she said after one particularly grueling battle, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling excitement. "You've learned not to turn from the pain. Now it's time for the next step."

"This week you have absorbed much of Devota faith from the knights, do you sense it?" Master voice was ethereal watching him from a tree in the sunset forest in the outskirt of Devota sector.

Shin nodded, his eyes glowing faintly with the power of the defeated knights. He could feel the energy of their beliefs resonating within him, a strange and heady feeling that both empowered and unnerved him. "Every time I slay one of them, I feel... different, stronger"

Master nodded, her smile growing broader. "That’s the point," she said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Now it's time to harness that power. To truly pass the affinity test, you must learn to connect your wave to this newfound energy."

Shin frowned, "But why can't I just use your fable?

Master leaned against the tree; her eyes gleaming like stars. "Because, child," she said, her voice a gentle reprimand, "Mirror is my fable, a powerful ace, but if you want to advance in the academy you have to gain control of Devota energy and master it, what do you think everyone will say if magically a disciple with a ridiculous wave with the constellation like you started defeating everyone?”

Shin looked down at his trembling hands, the energy from the fallen knights pulsating within him. He knew she was right. To truly stand against Devota, he needed to understand the power of the very constellation he despised, be patient and wait for his moment.

The affinity test was a rite of passage for those wishing to ascend in the world of the constellations. It measured one's ability to connect with and manipulate the waves of energy that flowed from the constellations themselves. The stronger the bond, the more powerful the wave one could control. And the more power one had, the higher their rank in the Academy.

“But unlike you the only way to increase a connection with the constellation is with relics, objects only for the elite”.

Master's voice grew solemn from the tree "Now i will give you my second fable"

As soon as the words left her lips, a burst of power surged into Shin, like a river of stars rushing through his veins. The memories of the slain knights filled his mind, a cacophony of battles, oaths, and death. Each memory brought with it a new understanding of the waves they had wielded, the unique blend of energy and fighting style that had once made them formidable warriors.

Shin took a deep breath, focusing on the energy that now surged through him. He closed his eyes and reached out with his mind, trying to feel the echoes of the knights' battles, the very essence of their existence before they were bound to the service of Devota. The air grew thick with anticipation as he tried to grasp the unseen threads of their former lives.

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"is called "Trace"

Master's voice grew softer as she explained the next phase of his training, "With Trace, you can weave the fabric of their lives into your own, creating a tapestry of skills. The more you fight, the more versatile you become.

Shin's eyes narrowed as he considered her words. "How much of this...fable or repiques, do you have?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Master's voice was enigmatic. "As much as you can handle," she replied, her smile playing at the corners of her lips. "But for now, you will stop at two. Two fables are enough to begin our quest."

The sun had starting setting, casting the forest in a deep blue hue, the only light coming from the bioluminescent fungi that clung to the trees. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the lingering stench of decay. As the final knight of the week lay at his feet, a newfound strength surged through Shin. He could feel the power gained from ‘Trace' swirling within him, eager to be unleashed.

With a fierce determination, Shin turned to the horizon where the faded light of Devota hung in the sky. His hand curled into a fist and with a snarl, he reached out towards the new moon, mimicking the motion of the knight that had first struck him with the light-infused weapon. A beam of light shot from his sword, a perfect version of the one that had pierced his legs a week ago. The light grew brighter and more intense as it traveled, mimicking the prime of that powerful warrior.

He watched with astonishment as the light collided with the barrier that surrounded the sector, the impact sending a ripple of power through the air. The trees swayed in the sudden gust, leaves fluttering down like confetti. It was a stark reminder of just how much stronger he had become in such a short time. The awe of his newfound abilities was overwhelming, it took only one week to reach the level of a Top tier disciple.

"Master..... can you come here for a moment?"

Master's eyes sparkled as she gracefully descended from the tree, her movements as fluid as the waves of energy that flowed through her. She landed lightly beside him, her gaze intent on the horizon. "What is it, pupil?"

Shin couldn't tear his eyes away from her, mesmerized by the way the moonlit shone on her hair, making it seem as if it were woven with the very stars of the night sky. Her skin was the color of the darkest midnight, yet it was somehow illuminated by an inner glow that spoke of a divine origin. Her eyes, a piercing red, were like the heart of the hottest sun, filled with ancient knowledge and a power that could burn worlds.

"Thanks"

Master raised an eyebrow at his sudden formality. "What is it, Shin?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Shin took a deep breath, his hand still trembling slightly "I... I just wanted to thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "For giving me this power, for teaching me, for choosing me."

Master chuckled, the sound a melodious tinkling that seemed to resonate through the very air. "You call this power?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "This is but a taste of what we can achieve. A mere whisper of the storm that you will become."

Shin nodded getting on his knees, his expression earnest. "I understand, Master!"

Master's form began to fade into the shadows of the night, her smile lingering like a ghostly afterimage. "The fun will start very soon".

With that, she disappeared, leaving Shin alone in the moonlit clearing with the defeated undead knights at his feet. He took a moment to collect himself, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He had a new purpose now, a new strength, but also a deep sense of responsibility. He stood up, his eyes set on the distant glow of the moon.

The journey home was a blur of memories and newfound sensations. Every step he took, every heartbeat, seemed to resonate with him “ so with the mirror fable I can reflect every attack as long as my head remains unharmed, and with trace I can absorb my opponent's fighting style and merge it with my own…so far I have absorbed over fifty undead knights styles and everyone is similar but different, and I can even use the remnants of Devota faith I absorbed to synchronize it to my wave to unleash more power”.

Shin's words echoed through the empty street, the only sound other than the distant murmur of the city and the cobblestone beneath his feet. He looked around, realizing he had been speaking aloud to no one but the shadows. The reality of his situation began to set in—his sister dead, the voice in his head, and his body a vessel for stolen power. He had to be careful not to lose himself. "Katy without you I’m going crazy" he muttered, his eyes welling up with tears.

Just as he was about to continue his introspection, a blood-curdling scream pierced the stillness of the night. It was a woman's scream, filled with desperation and fear. It didn't take long for the newfound instincts to kick in—his heightened senses honed by the fables guiding him to the source. His heart raced as he sprinted through the alleyways near the market, the adrenaline mixing with the power in his veins.