The arena's air was heavy with magic and tension. Dust still floated from Livia's last attack, and Zane stood amidst it, hoodie half-torn, eyes glinting silver-gray beneath the flickering light.
Without warning, he moved.
Zane sprinted forward, the sound of his boots echoing sharply against the stone. His expression was calm—too calm for someone charging an instructor.
Then—
DING!
A faint blue shimmer appeared before his eyes.
> System Message:
The Shadow is part of the human being.
Quest Unlocked: Master Shadow Reflection
Reward: ???
Zane's lips curved into a small smile. "Guess it's about time."
His shadow shifted unnaturally, as if alive. It crept up along his arm, curling around his fist like smoke drawn to a spark.
Another shimmer.
> System Message:
Shadow Punch — Activated
Before the glow could fade, Livia disappeared again, her presence vanishing in a blur of water and wind. She reappeared behind him mid-spin, leg cutting through the air with surgical precision.
But Zane didn't need to turn.
He'd already predicted it.
His body tilted sideways, barely missing the kick. His left hand touched the ground, using the rebound to twist his torso—momentum carrying his right arm forward like a whip.
CRACK!
The punch hit her squarely in the stomach.
Livia's breath caught. For a heartbeat, her body refused to react—then the shadow after-image rippled out from his fist, like an echo hitting twice. The second impact drove her back a step.
The crowd of students gasped.
Livia steadied herself mid-slide, landing on both feet this time, though her eyes narrowed.
Her body felt heavier—slower.
Her gaze flicked to Zane. The way he'd moved… it wasn't just instinct. He'd learned her rhythm, mirrored her tempo, and found the one flaw in her flow.
She also noticed something else.
Every hit he'd landed—her stomach, her legs—never higher.
Her lips quirked.
(Huh… at least he's got manners. Most students would've tried something stupid just to show off.)
Zane flexed his hand, the faint shimmer of his shadow still dancing around his knuckles.
He didn't speak—he didn't need to. His calm grin said it all.
Across from him, Livia's eyes hardened.
(So that's how it is…)
She raised her hand, water circling around her wrist like a coiled serpent.
(Zane Caelum... you're dangerous.)