A few days passed after his strange conversation with Elara, and Jude still hadn't gotten used to the fact that his own shadow talked back.
It felt wrong. Unnatural. Shadows were supposed to follow, not speak, not think.
But now, his shadow had a personality… and an annoying one at that.
Abaddon had been explaining the foundations of shadow energy to him since morning.
"Listen properly, kid," Abaddon's voice echoed from the floor beside him. "Shadow energy is similar to mana, but also completely different. Mana belongs to the world. Shadow belongs to death and silence."
Jude sat cross-legged inside his room, eyes half closed. "You've said that already."
"Tch, then listen better." Abaddon clicked his tongue. "As a contractor of Morthos, all shadows in the world recognize you. They don't belong to you, but they answer you. Like soldiers to a general they've never seen before."
Jude frowned. "So I command all shadows?"
"In theory, yes. In reality? Not yet. Not until your soul grows strong enough to bear it." Abaddon's tone grew more serious. "Shadow is older than mana. It isn't gentle. It doesn't forgive mistakes."
Silence filled the room for a moment as Jude absorbed his words.
"And shadow isn't just for hiding," Abaddon continued. "It's a foundation of existence. Death, concealment, distance, illusion… shadows exist because light exists. But the world forgets… without shadows, light has no meaning."
Jude's eyes opened slightly. "So it's not just darkness."
Abaddon chuckled. "Good. You're smarter than you look, kid."
Then, his shadow stirred unnaturally.
Abaddon stepped out of it, manifesting into his human form, standing in front of Jude. His black hair hung loosely over sharp eyes, his arms folded loosely like this was all far too casual for an ancient shadow entity.
"Let's move from theory to application," he said.
Jude straightened immediately.
"Shadow Walking," Abaddon said, raising one hand slightly. The ground under his feet darkened, stretching like ink.
"Shadow Walking allows you to step into a 'path' that exists in the shadows. It's a thin world layered over the real one. While inside it, you can move faster than the human eye can follow… and pass through solid objects."
Abaddon stepped forward — and his body half-sank into the blackness beneath his feet, like it was liquid. The air rippled, and in the next instant he was standing behind Jude.
For a brief second, the air where he disappeared still trembled.
Jude's breath hitched. "You… passed through the wall?"
Abaddon smirked. "Through the shadow on the wall. Don't mix things up."
His expression sharpened.
"But there's a catch. While you are inside the shadow path, the world is solid to you, but you are not solid to the world."
"So I can't hit anyone while inside?" Jude asked.
"Exactly. You have to step out to strike," Abaddon replied. "Combat becomes a high-speed dance. Flicker in, flicker out. One mistake, and you take a blade through your skull."
Jude swallowed.
"And that's just movement," Abaddon added. "Now, constructs."
He looked down, and his shadow spread across the floor like spilled ink. Slowly, it extended outward, condensing, shaping itself.
A sword rose from the darkness.
A perfect blade made entirely of shadow.
It pulsed faintly, releasing a quiet, eerie pressure.
Jude stared at it.
"The user can form shadow constructs… weapons, barriers, chains, even creatures," Abaddon explained. "But everything you create consumes shadow energy. And unlike mana, shadow fights back if you're greedy."
He dispersed the shadow sword with a wave of his hand.
Then he bent down and picked up Jude's wooden training sword.
"You don't just summon shadow," Abaddon muttered. "You can apply it."
He placed the wooden blade in front of Jude and gently released shadow energy.
Black streams flowed like water over the surface of the sword, covering it completely. The dull wood transformed, its edges sharpening, its surface turning pitch black as faint symbols flickered across it.
Jude could feel it… a cold, heavy presence flowing through the handle into his palm.
"This is what you'd call using it like aura," Abaddon continued. "But don't confuse the two. Aura is life energy. Shadow is death's echo."
Jude tightened his grip. "It feels…"
"Uncomfortable?" Abaddon smirked.
"…Alive," Jude finished.
Silence hung between them.
Then Abaddon sighed.
"But before you can even dream of properly using shadow energy, there's something more important."
He raised his finger. "Your mana cycle."
Jude blinked. "It's already open."
Abaddon stared at him.
"…What?"
"My mana cycle. It opened when i was six," Jude said calmly. "I've been training since."
Abaddon's expression froze.
"Are you serious, kid?"
Jude nodded.
Abaddon stepped forward immediately and grabbed Jude's wrist, his fingers cold as shadow itself. His energy slipped inside Jude's body, scanning carefully.
A second passed.
Then two.
Abaddon's eyes widened slightly.
"It's open…" he muttered. "And not only that…"
His gaze sharpened.
"You're already a three-star mage?"
Jude tilted his head slightly. "Is that bad?"
Abaddon slowly released him.
"…You're eight."
"So?"
He stared at Jude like he was looking at some rare specimen.
The corners of his mouth curled into a strange smile.
"A once-in-a-lifetime prodigy…" he whispered to himself. "Now I see why Morthos took an interest in you."
Jude didn't respond.
He didn't look proud.
He didn't look excited.
He just looked tired.
Abaddon noticed.
"Kid," he spoke again, quieter now. "Talents like yours don't show up often. Most die before they even understand what they are."
Jude looked up at him. "Will I?"
Abaddon stared at him for a long moment… then his lips twitched.
"…Only if you don't listen to me."
A faint pause.
His eyes darkened slightly.
If I train him properly… he might even reach Shadow Summoning one day, Abaddon thought.
He didn't say that out loud.
Instead, Jude broke the silence.
"So… can we begin the real training?"
Abaddon looked at him.
Then shook his head.
"The only thing I'll teach you for now is how to channel shadow energy into your body," he replied. "Nothing more."
Jude frowned slightly. "Why?"
"Because you're not ready," Abaddon said seriously. "Shadow energy isn't like mana. If you force it too fast, it eats you from the inside."
He stepped closer.
"Your soul can be consumed by darkness if you lose control. Slowly. Painfully."
A faint chill ran through Jude.
"So what do I do?" he asked.
Abaddon placed a hand over his chest.
"Feel," he said.
He released a tiny thread of shadow energy, letting it brush Jude's body. It was cold…but not freezing. Heavy…but not crushing.
"Don't resist it. Don't invite it either. Let it touch you… but never let it own you."
Jude closed his eyes.
Slowly, the shadows in the room responded.
They stretched.
They leaned toward him.
And for the first time, they didn't just follow.
They listened.
But before Abaddon could speak again…
A deep bell echoed across the outer residence.
Dong.
Dong.
Dong.
It vibrated through the stone walls.
"What's that?"
Abaddon asked. "That means I am needed outside",Jude replied.
He stepped back, merging partially into Jude's shadow again.
"All children to the outer court," The head guardian voice echoed. "The Patriarch prepares to depart."
Jude stood up slowly.
"So we stop here?" he asked.
"For now," Abaddon replied. "You're still too fragile. Jude nodded slightly.
The bell rang again.
Dong.
He turned toward the door.
As his hand reached for the handle, Abaddon's voice came softly from the shadow at his feet.
"…Kid."
"Yes?"
"Don't let anyone see what you're becoming."
Jude paused.
"…I won't."
And he stepped outside, as the shadows behind him silently stretched once more.