The blue and gold armor catches the firelight as the hero stands amid the chaos. The insignia—a stylized sword crossed with a lightning bolt—gleams on his chest. My vision blurs with pain and exhaustion, but I can see the black-robed figures shifting uneasily, stepping back from this newcomer.
"The Heroic Corps," one whispers, his voice thick with dread.
Heroic Corps? What the hell is that?
The masked man in the red suit turns slowly to face the armored figure, his posture relaxing into something almost casual.
"Kade Veyron," he says, his modulated voice betraying a hint of amusement. "An A-rank hero. I'm surprised you're here."
Kade straightens, his armored hand gripping what looks like a metal baton that suddenly extends into a full-length staff.
"Of course I am," Kade replies, his voice tight with controlled fury. "We've been tracking the Shadow Cult's movements for a while. Once we got info that you were sending a group to the Dark Forest, we had to know why." His helmet tilts as he surveys the carnage around us. "Imagine our surprise finding an orphanage."
The masked man spreads his arms wide, showcasing the destruction.
"Well, too bad you're late," he taunts. "As you can see—" His gloved hand gestures to the bodies scattered across the floor. "all the kids, the guards, everyone is dead." He chuckles, the sound distorted through his mask. "Some hero you are."
Kade's posture shifts, tension radiating from every line of his body.
"I'll have to make up for those deaths with your head," he growls.
The masked man snaps his fingers. "Kill him."
The black robes surge forward, blades drawn. I try to push myself up, to help somehow, but my body refuses to respond. Blood soaks my shirt, my limbs leaden with exhaustion and pain.
Kade moves like lightning. His staff blurs through the air, connecting with the first attacker's chest. The impact creates a visible shockwave that sends the black robe flying backward, his body crumpling against the far wall with a sickening crunch. Two more attackers fall in a single sweeping motion, their bodies hitting the ground before I can even track Kade's movement.
The masked man snarls beneath his featureless face, fingers sparking with black electricity. He thrusts his hand forward, releasing a jagged bolt of darkness that tears through the air toward Kade.
But the bolt freezes mid-air, suspended in crackling stasis inches from Kade's chest.
"What—" the masked man begins.
A cool hand touches my shoulder. I jerk my head around to see a woman crouched beside me, her face mere inches from mine. Dark hair frames a striking face, her lips curved in a gentle smile that doesn't reach her predatory eyes.
"Damn, he did a number on you, sweety," she says, her voice soft yet somehow carrying across the room. She glances toward the masked man, her smile hardening. "I don't know how you can call yourself an Awakener."
The man in the red suit whirls toward the voice, his body language shifting from confidence to sudden alarm.
"Selia Drayven," he hisses, taking an involuntary step backward. "Another A-rank hero."
Selia's hand remains on my shoulder, but her shadow stretches across the floor unnaturally, extending toward the masked man. I blink, wondering if I'm hallucinating from blood loss, but no—her shadow moves independently, rising from the ground like living darkness.
"You know," Selia says conversationally, "normally we'd try to take you in alive. The Corps has questions about your little cult." Her eyes flicker to the bodies of my friends, lingering on Lyra's outstretched hand. Something cold enters her expression. "But I'm thinking we might make an exception today."
The masked man raises both hands now, black electricity arcing between his fingers. "Two A-ranks," he says, voice tight. "Unexpected, but not insurmountable."
I try to speak, to warn them, but blood fills my mouth. The world spins around me as darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision. The last thing I see is Selia's shadow rearing up like a striking serpent as she rises to her feet, her eyes never leaving the masked man.
"Let's see about that," she says as
The black-robed men charge toward Selia like a wave of shadow. Their movements are coordinated, precise—these aren't ordinary soldiers. My eyelids flutter as I struggle to stay conscious, my body slumped against the blood-slick floor.
"Stay with us, kid," Selia calls over her shoulder, not even looking at the approaching attackers.
Her shadow explodes outward, separating into tendrils that whip through the air with lethal precision. The first black-robed figure tries to dodge, blade slashing toward her throat—but her shadow catches his arm mid-swing, constricting like a serpent. A sickening crack echoes as bones shatter beneath his sleeve.
Selia doesn't even move. Her shadow does all the work, extending in every direction, becoming solid enough to block blades and spears. One tendril forms a spike that punches through a cultist's chest, lifting him off the ground as he struggles, blood bubbling from his mouth.
"You've got some nerve," she says, still eerily calm, "killing children and calling it protocol."
Across the room, Kade faces off against the masked man in the red suit. Five black-robed figures flank the masked leader, their blades gleaming in the firelight. Kade twirls his staff, a blur of motion as he shifts his weight.
"Shadow Cult," Kade's voice carries a sharp edge. "Always hiding in the dark. Let's see what you look like in the light."
The masked man laughs, the sound distorted and hollow. "Such bravado from a man who can't even save a few orphans."
He raises his hand, and black lightning crackles between his fingertips, illuminating the featureless white mask in ghostly relief. The bolt launches forward with devastating speed, tearing through the air toward Kade.
Instead of dodging, Kade braces himself, planting his feet. The lightning strikes him full in the chest—but something impossible happens. The electricity doesn't burn him. It simply... disappears, absorbed into his armor. Kade's body glows with a faint blue aura.
"My turn," he says.
Kade slams his staff into the ground. The floor splinters beneath the impact, and a shockwave ripples outward, knocking two of the black-robes off their feet. The masked man leaps backward, hovering in the air momentarily before landing with inhuman grace.
"Kinetic absorption," the masked man hisses. "How troublesome."
My vision darkens momentarily, then returns. Through the haze of pain, I watch as three black-robed figures converge on Kade. One unleashes a torrent of flames from his palms; another summons what looks like crystalline spikes from the ground. The third moves with blinding speed, appearing behind Kade with daggers drawn.
Kade responds with fluid efficiency. He twists, allowing the fire to wash over his left side while he strikes the crystal-maker with his staff. As the blow connects, blue energy discharges from the point of impact, and the black-robe flies backward, his chest caved in. The speedy attacker's daggers find only air as Kade drops low, sweeping his leg in a circular motion that sends his opponent crashing to the floor.
The masked man gestures sharply, and more black lightning erupts from his fingertips—not at Kade this time, but at the ceiling above him. Debris crashes down, forcing Kade to shield himself.
"Your Gift is formidable," the masked leader calls out, "but it has limits. You can only absorb what hits you directly."
On the other side of the room, Selia dances through the remaining black-robes. No—not dancing. She barely moves at all. It's her shadow that does the fighting, stretching impossibly across the floor, walls, and ceiling. It forms blades, spikes, and hands that grab and crush. Three more cultists fall in quick succession, their screams cut short by darkness made solid.
One black-robe, more clever than the others, tries to use light magic to banish her shadow. Golden rays pulse from his hands—but Selia just laughs, a melodic sound that somehow chills me to the bone.
"That might work on ordinary shadows," she says, flicking her wrist. Her shadow shoots upward, piercing the cultist's throat. "Mine isn't ordinary."
I cough, spraying blood across the floor. The movement draws the masked man's attention, his featureless face turning toward me. Something changes in his posture—a calculation, a decision.
Kade uses the distraction, charging forward and striking with his staff. The masked man barely dodges, the weapon grazing his shoulder. Even that glancing blow releases a burst of kinetic energy that sends him staggering.
"You're outmatched," Kade says, advancing steadily. "Surrender now."
The masked man laughs bitterly. "You heroes always think in such simple terms. Victory or defeat. Surrender or fight." He gestures, and the remaining black-robes form a defensive line around him. "There are other options."
He raises both hands, and the air itself seems to darken, as if light is being devoured. "Such as... creating new opportunities."
Selia's eyes widen. "Kade! He's using void magic!"
The masked man's hands blur with motion, drawing complex patterns in the air. Black energy coalesces between his palms, growing into a sphere of absolute darkness that pulses with malevolent power.
"All things return to shadow," he intones, his voice resonating strangely, as if coming from multiple throats at once.
With a violent thrust, he hurls the void sphere—directly at me.
Time seems to slow. I can't move, can't defend myself. The orb of darkness hurtles toward me, promising oblivion. This is it. This is how I die. Again.
A blue blur intercepts the sphere. Kade appears before me, his body glowing with absorbed kinetic energy, arms crossed in a defensive posture. The void sphere strikes him with catastrophic force, and I feel the shockwave wash over me like a physical blow.
Kade grunts, his armor cracking under the strain. The void energy doesn't fully absorb into him—it partly dissipates, partly crawls across his armor like living shadow, eating away at the blue metal.
"Interesting," the masked man says. "Kinetic energy you can absorb, but void energy? Not so easily."
Selia's shadow lashes out, aiming for the masked man's heart—but the remaining black-robes intercept, their bodies torn apart by her darkness. The sacrifice buys the masked man precious seconds.
"You think you can stop what's coming?" he calls out, backing toward a section of collapsed wall. "You have no idea. The Null Protocols are just the beginning."
His body begins to shimmer, edges blurring as if dissolving into the air itself.
"All things return to the shadow," he says, voice fading.
Selia's shadow shoots across the room, but passes through empty space where the masked man stood just moments before. He's gone, vanished like smoke.
"Damn it!" she hisses, her shadow returning to normal beneath her feet. "Shadow-stepping. I hate that trick."
Kade staggers, the glow fading from his armor. Parts of his chest plate have been eaten away by the void energy, revealing scorched fabric beneath.
"You okay?" Selia asks, rushing to his side.
"Been better," he grunts, then turns to me. "But the kid's worse. We need to get him medical attention."
My vision tunnels, darkness creeping in from all sides. I try to speak, to thank them, to ask about my friends—but no words come. Just blood.
Selia kneels beside me, her cool hand on my forehead. "Stay with us, kid. What's your name?"
"C-Cael," I manage to whisper.
"Well, Cael, you're one lucky survivor," she says, her voice growing distant. "Let's keep it that way."
Kade's face appears above me, his expression grim. "The void energy that hit me—it was meant to completely erase you. Why would they want you dead so badly?"
I can't answer. My consciousness is slipping away like water through cupped hands.
The last thing I see is Selia's shadow extending, wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. Strangely comforting, despite its darkness.
* * *
White. That's all I see at first. A blank white ceiling stretching endlessly above me. My eyes struggle to focus, my mind swimming through a haze of confusion. Where am I? What happened?
I try to move and wince as pain shoots through my body. Every muscle protests, but I manage to push myself up slightly, blinking against the harsh light.
This isn't Ashwood Haven. The room around me is pristine—crisp white walls, gleaming metal equipment, soft blue curtains hanging beside a large window that lets in streams of sunlight. A hospital room? I've never seen anything this clean, this... advanced.
A rhythmic beeping comes from a machine beside the bed. Tubes run from it to my arm. I stare at them, fascinated and confused.
A gentle knock interrupts my thoughts. The door swings open, and two figures enter—familiar faces from the chaos of my last conscious moments.
"Look who's finally awake!" Selia Drayven steps forward, her voice cheerful. Her shadow dances slightly beneath her feet, seeming almost happy. "We were starting to think you'd sleep forever."
Behind her, Kade Veyron leans against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. His blue and gold armor has been replaced with casual clothes, but he still radiates power and authority.
Selia approaches my bed, checking the monitors beside me with practiced ease. "How are you feeling? You gave us quite the scare."
"I'm..." My voice comes out as a rasp. My throat feels like sandpaper.
She immediately pours water from a nearby pitcher and holds it to my lips. The cool liquid is blissful against my parched throat.
"The kid's tougher than he looks," Kade remarks, pushing off the wall to approach the bed. "Taking a hit like that and pulling through—impressive."
His words trigger a flash of memory—the masked man, the void energy, Kade intercepting it. And then... everything before that.
The orphanage in flames. Max falling. Tarek's lifeless eyes. Finn's last stand. Nessa's scream. Keiran's blood pooling on the floor. Lyra reaching for me as the life drained from her.
I gasp, the weight of it all crashing down on me at once.
"Hey, hey," Selia's voice softens, her hand gently squeezing my shoulder. "Take it easy. You're safe now."
But I'm not. Not really. Because they're all gone. Everyone I tried to save.
"They're all dead," I whisper, staring at my hands. The same hands that held a sword but couldn't protect anyone. "Everyone... they killed everyone."
Selia's eyes fill with compassion. "I'm sorry, Cael. We... we couldn't save the others. By the time we arrived, the attack was already well underway."
"Why were you even there?" I ask, looking up at them.
Kade steps forward. "We received intelligence about suspicious activity in that sector. The Heroic Corps has been tracking the Shadow Cult for months. Unfortunately, we didn't anticipate a full-scale elimination protocol."
"Speaking of which," he continues, his tone shifting to something more professional, "I need to ask you some questions about the orphanage, if you're up for it."
I nod slowly, careful to control my expressions. I can't tell them everything—about the System, about Odin, about the Warlock's legacy.
"What was Ashwood Haven really?" Kade asks.
"A training facility," I reply, keeping my voice steady. "They took in orphans but trained them to become Hunters—people who could venture into the Dark Forest to gather resources and hunt beasts."
"And who was in charge?"
"Head Enforcer Silas Thorne. He answered to someone else though—whoever those people in the black robes and the man in the red mask represented."
Kade nods, exchanging a glance with Selia. "The Shadow Cult. They've been operating in the shadows for years, but this is the first time they've executed something this brazen."
He fixes me with an intense stare. "Which brings me to my next question. Why did the man in the mask want you so badly? He specifically targeted you."
I hesitate, then decide a partial truth is better than an obvious lie, besides I can afford let this out.
"I can use spatial magic," I admit. "I discovered it recently. Maybe they detected it somehow."
Their eyes widen simultaneously.
"Space affinity?" Selia asks, leaning closer. "That's incredibly rare."
"I can feel your aura" Kade says, studying me intently. "Mid F-rank, but space manipulation? That's an ability most awakeners never achieve, even at higher ranks."
Selia sits on the edge of my bed. "No wonder they wanted you. Space users are valuable"
"What happens now?" I ask, trying to sound innocent rather than calculating.
"What happens now?" I ask, trying to sound innocent rather than calculating.
Kade runs a hand through his hair and exchanges a quick glance with Selia. "Well, actually, our supervisor has authorized a reward as compensation for what happened. The Corps takes partial responsibility for not detecting the Shadow Cult's activities sooner."
Selia nods, her expression brightening. "Basically, you get to choose something—within reason, of course. It has to be something the Heroic Corps can actually provide."
I blink, processing this unexpected turn. "A reward?"
"Within reasonable limits," Kade emphasizes.
"I'm sorry, but..." I hesitate, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Who are you guys, exactly? What are the Heroic Corps?"
They both stare at me for a moment before Selia bursts into laughter. Even Kade's serious expression cracks with an amused smile.
"Of course you wouldn't know," Selia says, her shadow rippling beneath her as she shakes her head. "Makes perfect sense, considering where you've been."
"The Heroic Corps is the primary peacekeeping organization across the Human Domain," Kade explains. "We're elite Awakeners who protect civilians from threats—whether they're beasts, criminals, or cultists like the ones you encountered."
Selia gestures to our surroundings. "You're currently in the medical bay of one of our hover carriers. We're en route to headquarters right now."
"A flying ship," I murmur, remembering the vessel that had landed at Ashwood Haven days earlier. The world beyond the orphanage walls is so much more advanced than I'd imagined.
"So," Selia continues, leaning forward, "about that reward. Any thoughts?"
I stare down at my hands, considering my options. The System remains silent, but I don't need it to recognize an opportunity. What would help me get stronger, provide access to knowledge, and position me to eventually deal with the Shadow Cult?
Lyra's words echo in my mind—her dream of attending Valefort, the academy she'd described with such longing. A place for the elite, for those destined for greatness.
I lift my gaze, meeting their eyes with newfound determination. "I want to attend Valefort Academy."
Their reactions are immediate—Selia's eyes widen, and Kade actually pushes himself away from the wall in surprise.
"Are you... sure about that?" Selia asks carefully. "You do know what Valefort is, right? I know you're from the orphanage and have been a—" she struggles with her wording, "—a commoner for most of your life, but—"
"I know it's one of the best Awakener academies in the world," I interrupt.
"No," Kade corrects me, his expression serious. "It's the best. Only sons and daughters of nobles, kings and queens, and high-ranking Awakeners are allowed to attend. It's not a place for..." He trails off, but his meaning is clear. Not a place for someone like me.
I straighten my shoulders despite the pain flaring through my body. "Well, you said I get one wish. That's what I want."
Kade's brow furrows. "Is there a reason why?"
The faces of my dead friends flash before my eyes. "I need to get stronger," I say, my voice hardening. "I need to get rid of the Shadow Cult, and for that, I need power. Real power. I need to learn from the best."
Silence falls over the room, thick and heavy. Selia and Kade exchange glances again, communicating silently.
Finally, Selia breaks the silence. "Well, by law, anyone above the age of fifteen must attend an academy. And we do have that slot for the academy that the President still hasn't used..."
"It's already been a month since the academy started," Kade points out, crossing his arms. "Would there even be a point?"
Selia shrugs, a small smile playing at her lips. "Well, that's up to the kid. But I think I can convince the President. I am his favorite, after all."
She winks at me, and for the first time since waking up, I feel something close to hope. This is it—my path forward. My chance to gain the power I'll need for what lies ahead.
Kade rubs the bridge of his nose, looking both amused and annoyed. "Fine," he says with a sigh of resignation. "We'll get confirmation for your attendance at Valefort. Once that's done, we'll prep you to get you there." He gestures toward my bandaged body. "And while that's going on, you'll need to rest. We gave you a high-grade healing pill, so you should be fine in a few minutes. We'll get you some clothes in the meantime."
He turns to leave, and Selia gets up as well, though she casts one last curious look over her shoulder before the door closes behind them.
Alone in the sterile room, I stare at the ceiling, my mind racing with everything that's happened. The orphanage. The Shadow Cult. The deaths of everyone I'd started to care about. Their faces flash before my eyes—Keiran's gentle smile, Lyra's determined gaze, Finn's easy laugh, Tarek's solid presence, Nessa's quiet strength. All gone.
And Max... who tried to warn me.
I clench my fists against the hospital sheets. I never asked for any of this—not this body, not this world, not this life. But now I'm here, and I've got power coursing through me that I barely understand.
"Odin?" I call out softly, suddenly needing confirmation that at least one thing remains constant.
{I am here, Cael} the metallic voice responds in my mind, and I exhale with relief.
{Are you sure about Valefort?} Odin asks. "The Academy is known for its rigorous standards and competitive environment. You will be entering as an outsider."
I sigh, relaxing slightly now that I know the system—and my connection to the Warlock's legacy—remains intact. "Yeah, I need to get stronger. And if it's as elite as these people keep saying it is, then that's where I'll go next."
{Understood. I am here to help you in any way I can on your journey.}
I stare at my hands, turning them over as if I might find answers written on my palms. What exactly is Odin? What is this System? Where did it come from, and what's its true agenda? .
Then again, maybe it doesn't matter right now. I'll deal with those questions when the time comes. For now, I'll use it to my advantage, the way I want to.
{You have missed several notifications since you fell unconscious} Odin interrupts my thoughts. {Would you like to view them now?}
"Bring them up," I say.
Blue text materializes before my eyes:
[You have killed a shadow cult member. You have gained EXP.]
[You have killed a shadow cult member. You have gained EXP.]
[You have killed a C-rank awakener. You have gained bonus EXP.]
The blue text continues to scroll, a stark reminder of what I've done.
I stare at the words, my stomach twisting into knots. I'd killed people. Not beasts. Not monsters. People. I'd sliced through flesh and bone, watched the light fade from their eyes, and part of me hadn't even hesitated.
"I killed them," I whisper, my voice barely audible even to myself. My hands begin to tremble. These aren't game stats anymore—they're death receipts.
In my old life, I'd never hurt anyone. Never even been in a real fight. Now I've taken lives with the same hands that once held game controllers and manga volumes.
The trembling stops suddenly as another memory surfaces—Lyra's face as the blade pierced her chest. Keiran's blood pooling beneath him. The sound Nessa made when she died.
My jaw tightens. This world isn't like the ones I read about. It's not a game where characters respawn or a story where the hero always wins without getting his hands dirty. It's cruel and merciless, and if I want to survive—if I want to avenge them—I'll need to be the same.
"I understand now," I murmur, my voice steadying. "If I'm going to live in this world, I need to embrace its darkness."
[You have failed the quest: The Chains We Choose]
My heart sinks. Of course I failed. They all died. Everyone I tried to save.
[Recalibrating quest...]
[Because of the situation of the Shadow Cult as well as the interference of the Heroic Corps, the quest completion will be determined by how you did during the crisis and your contribution]
[You have passed the quest with B+. Choose from one of the rewards below:
Endurance +5
Eye of Truth
Eye of Power]
A B+ grade for watching my friends die. For failing to save them. The System's cold calculation makes my jaw clench.
But I push down the anger. This is how the world works now—my world, anyway. And I need every advantage I can get.
"Odin, what are the Eye of Truth and Eye of Power?" I ask.
{The rewards are aspects of your gift that can be unlocked, but specific details are only revealed upon selection. This is a limitation built into the legacy transfer process} Odin explains.
I roll my eyes. "Great. So I'm supposed to choose blindly." This system is frustrating—unfair, really—forcing me to make decisions with incomplete information. But then again, what about this world has been fair so far?
I stare at the options hovering before me. Endurance +5 seems straightforward enough, but the other two are complete mysteries. My fingers drum against the crisp hospital sheets as I consider my options.
The image of the masked man flashes through my mind. His casual display of power. The way he killed Max without effort. The way he orchestrated the deaths of everyone I tried to protect.
"Eye of Power," I say firmly. The name itself suggests strength, and that's what I need most right now. I need to be stronger than them. All of them.
{Selection confirmed} Odin's voice echoes in my mind.
A sudden pressure builds behind my eyes—not painful exactly, but intense. The sensation spreads throughout my skull, like something unfurling in the recesses of my brain. My vision flickers, then stabilizes with startling clarity.
{Eye of Power has been integrated with your Infinite Eyes gift. You can now view the it's information}
The pressure behind my eyes recedes, leaving a warm, pulsing sensation throughout my body. It's like someone poured liquid fire into my veins—not burning, but energizing. Every muscle feels tighter, more responsive.
A blue window materializes before my eyes:
{ Eye of Power (F)
The Eye of Power grants the wielder immense destructive potential. User's strength, speed, durability and mana output are vastly amplified.
30% increase in strength, agility, endurance and mana
Grants the user the skill {Dominance Aura} this skill allows you to release a pressure of aura that is 30% above your initial magic power.
Does not work on beings two ranks above }
I blink, reading it twice to make sure I understand. Thirty percent increase across my physical attributes? That's... significant. And this Dominance Aura skill could be useful.
"Holy shit," I whisper, flexing my fingers. I can already feel the difference—a subtle but unmistakable surge of power thrumming beneath my skin. The bandages around my torso suddenly feel too tight, as if my body is straining against its constraints.
This is exactly what I needed. The Eye of Power doesn't just increase my abilities—it gives me a way to intimidate others, to establish dominance without necessarily fighting. In a place like Valefort Academy, where nobles and powerful Awakeners' children will be watching for weakness, this could be crucial.
"My A-rank luck seems to be working after all," I murmur to myself, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. For the first time since waking up in this world, I feel like the universe might be on my side. Or at least, not actively working against me.
"Odin, bring up my status screen. I want to see my updated stats."
{Displaying status screen} Odin responds, his metallic voice tinged with what almost sounds like approval.
The blue holographic display expands before my eyes, and I lean forward eagerly to see exactly how much stronger I've become.
To be continued…