Thum! Thum! Thum!
Echoing footsteps reverberated through the entrance, the oppressive darkness shuddering as its master took form. The shadows coiled and twisted, shaping themselves into a humanoid figure. Nyx stepped forth, the darkness clinging to him like a second skin.
His raven-black hair cascaded down like a silken veil, his pitch-black eyes an abyss of malevolence against his unnaturally pale skin. An unnatural silence followed him, thick and suffocating, as though even sound feared to encroach on his presence.
Nyx stood before the assembled monsters, unmoving and cloaked in absolute silence.
"Asmodeus... What clan is that?!"
"I've never heard of it!"
"Black hair? That's so rare!"
The crowd erupted into a storm of whispers and murmurs, their words laced with curiosity and unease.
Mira observed him with a curious gaze, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Hey, Jin, doesn't he look just like you?" she teased, her tone light but laced with intrigue.
"Shut up," Jin snapped, his voice low and taut.
The grinding of teeth echoed as Jin clenched his jaw, a guttural growl rising from his chest.
"Excuse me!" Mira protested, taken aback.
"I… said… SHUT UP!" Jin roared, his voice trembling with uncharacteristic fury.
Mira stared at him in surprise.
Jin was always calm and composed—or at least that was the persona he presented to others. But this moment was different. There was no restraint, no mask to hide his emotions.
His feelings surged uncontrollably, his hands trembling as beads of sweat trickled from his forehead to his fingertips. His jaw tightened, teeth grinding audibly as frustration radiated from him in waves.
"That hair. Those eyes." His voice trembled with barely contained fury. "There's no doubt. It's just like his... just like mine!"
His words rang with venom.
"He's my half-brother!"
A murderous intent exploded from Jin, raw and unfiltered, slicing through the air like a blade. The sheer force of it sent a shiver down Nyx's spine. Nyx's black eyes darted toward the source of the hostility.
[Elemental Art (Lightning): Thunder Spear]
Spiritual energy coalesced in his hand, crackling and surging as it took the shape of a spear. Infused with the elemental power of lightning, it pulsed with a blinding brilliance.
With a sharp, electric groan, the spear tore through the air, hurtling toward where Jin the murderous intent came from.
BOOM!
As it neared its target, the spear exploded in a deafening burst of light and sound. But to everyone's astonishment, a barrier materialized in the blink of an eye, absorbing the attack entirely and leaving the area unscathed.
"How foolish."
Mira sighed, deactivating the barrier with a flick of her hand. She exhaled softly, releasing her aura in the same motion.
She raised a single finger toward Nyx and dropped it without hesitation.
In that instant, an overwhelming pressure exploded from her, crashing down on Nyx like a tidal wave. He buckled, forced to his knees under the sheer weight of her aura. The oppressive force didn't stop there—it reached Jin as well, dragging him down with equal ferocity.
[Trait: Adaptation]
Jin's trait activated instinctively, but unlike before, it was useless.
'She was holding back last time,' Jin realized bitterly.
Pinned under her oppressive aura, he collapsed to the ground, every attempt to resist crushed beneath her aura.
Mira let the pressure fade and spoke with cold authority. "Watch yourself, boy."
Her words left Nyx stunned. As the aura subsided and he shakily rose to his feet, he stammered, "Please forgive me. I thought I sensed killing intent coming from there."
"You sensed wrong," Mira snapped, her tone sharp and dismissive.
The examiner hurried toward Nyx as he recovered. Several guards moved toward Mira, only to freeze when they noticed the insignia on her badge.
Confusion rippled through the crowd, their murmurs growing louder.
It wasn't their fault. Mira's mastery over her aura was so precise that only Nyx and Jin had felt its effects. The unawakened in the crowd had no way of comprehending what had just happened.
Nyx's black eyes darted toward the spot where Mira was, but she was only one there.
"Have you calmed down now?"
"Yes... um... sorry about that. I lost control," Jin replied, his voice subdued.
[Illusion Arts: Invisible Mist Cloak]
Slowly, Jin emerged from the veil of mist that had concealed him.
'He even learned an optional illusion technique,' Mira thought, a hint of amusement flickering in her expression.
"I'm leaving."
Jin turned away without another word and started walking.
"You're not staying to see your brother's performance?"
"He... is... not... my... brother!"
"Yes, yes," Mira replied with a smirk. "But he's already at level 10. Not bad at all."
Jin paused but didn't turn around.
'It doesn't matter. I may be weaker than him now, but I'll become strong enough to kill him next time.'
He cast one final, hate-filled glare at Nyx before leaving.
'I will kill you next time we meet. He will pay for everything he did.'
*****
The examiner released a monster from the magical cage.
It was a towering beast, standing on two legs, its body encased in incredibly strong armor enhanced by spiritual energy.
"That's a Marakoto," someone in the crowd murmured.
"Yes, known for its armor. It's almost indestructible," another voice responded.
Amid the crowd's whispers, the examiner began Nyx's test.
Nyx stared at the monster with his jet-black eyes, unwavering. Slowly, he unsheathed his sword.
[Bloodline Ability: Spirit Block]
The spiritual energy enhancing the Marakoto's armor flickered and stopped instantly.
[Sword Art: Sword Drawn]
With a whistle from the examiner, the monster killing board displayed a name in the top spot:
Nyx Asmodeus.
*****
"Come on, don't make that face."
Mira placed her hand on Jin's shoulder.
"I'm fine."
"So you don't like your broth—"
Jin's sharp gaze stopped her mid-sentence.
"What happened?"
"That bastard... he... he..."
Jin clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Forget it. I don't have time for it."
Not pushing further, Mira summoned a spellbook into her hand and tossed it to Jin.
"Here's your payment, as per our deal. I have some Art for you to teach me. Come to my room tonight."
'Come to your room... It might sound like that.. if looked at in another way.'
"Calling me to your room? Aren't you bold?"
"You're not my type."
'Rejected before trying... I've got a dark, lonely future ahead.'
Mira's gaze shifted to a man in the distance.
"On second thought, let's do that tomorrow."
Jin's gaze followed hers.
'I… I never thought she...'
With a sigh, he looked at Mira with wide eyes.
"You can make it to the hotel on your own, right? I've got some important business now."
She turned and left without another word.
"At least give me money for a taxi."
Not having any money, Jin decided to run to the hotel.
His Trait, Undying Soul, gave him an untiring body. His speed, though, was quite good for a level 1.
It only took him a minute to reach the hotel.
Running or other physical exercises didn't enhance abilities for Awakened, only Harmony Cultivation could do that. But training still helped, as it improved control over their powers. Like swinging a sword a thousand times made the strikes more precise, with fewer mistakes.
Jin couldn't do Harmony Cultivation, so mastering his current abilities to perfection was his only choice.
Afterall tomorrow was the day for his final test.
*****
Jin and Luke entered a vast field where all those taking the optional test were gathered.
There were quite a few participants, considering how rare Awakened individuals were. For commoners, the number was even lower since they could only awaken through natural death, accidents, or other such events, unlike nobles.
But Jin didn't see many older people. Most of the participants were young, whereas commoner Awakened were typically older—mostly middle-aged or elderly.
'So, these must be lesser nobles or perhaps half-bloods.'
"Umm... we'll be fine, right?"
Jay spoke in a slightly nervous tone. Jin couldn't read his emotions due to the sunglasses he was wearing.
Jin searched his mind for the right words to say in this situation, but his socially distant brain failed him again. So, he decided to go with his gut.
"I'll be winning, so just stick with me."
His words weren't exactly what he wanted to say, but they seemed to help Jay… maybe.
Not bothering with him anymore, Jin's gaze swept the area again.
He wanted to use his unique skill to assess the surroundings, but he stopped himself. Wasting mental energy this early wasn't a good idea.
After a moment, a lady radiating a holy light entered the field. Her face was hidden behind a white veil, and her robe matched the purity of the light surrounding her.
"That's a Holy Knight."
Jay whispered softly.
"A Holy Knight, huh... slaves to the so-called gods and goddesses."
[Unique Skill: Seer of Unseen]
Seer of Unseen, an ability that allowed Jin to perceive what his eyes couldn't. He saw the holy radiance around her—not like those near her, but far brighter, like the explosion of a dying star.
Jin's crimson eyes narrowed, a smile tugging at his lips, though it was unwanted.
"She's not a Holy Knight... She's what they call a Saint."