The lecture hall buzzed with the soft hum of students packing up their belongings. The rustling of papers, the scraping of chairs, and the low murmur of conversations filled the air. Theodore stood, adjusting his tunic with precision, his movements deliberate and calm. He slung his satchel over his shoulder, ready to leave, when a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Theodore turned sharply, his piercing red eyes locking onto Jin's trembling figure.
(He dared to grab me? After avoiding me for weeks?) Theodore thought, his gaze narrowing.
Jin's face was pale, and his hands quivered as he clung to Theodore's sleeve. Despite the fear in his wide blue eyes, there was desperation there—an unrelenting need for answers.
"W-Well…" Jin stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "What changed you? How did you become this… this strong?"
Theodore's lips curled into a small, detached smile. It didn't reach his eyes. "By training," he replied curtly, pulling his wrist free.
"You think I'll believe that?" Jin suddenly shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. Realizing the classroom had gone quieter, he shrank back, adjusting his glasses nervously. "I-I'm sorry, my prince… but I'm desperate," he muttered, his voice shaking. "I'm weak, pathetic. I can't even stand up to the nobles who bully me. How can I become stronger?"
Theodore tilted his head slightly, his expression cold and unyielding. "And how does that concern me?" he asked flatly. His tone cut through Jin like a blade. "If you want to stop being pathetic, you'd better start focusing on yourself instead of expecting salvation from others."
Jin flinched, his face paling further at the harsh words.
Leaning in slightly, Theodore lowered his voice to a whisper, his tone sharp and unforgiving. "No one will save you forever. You'd better start thinking of how to save yourself."
Straightening, Theodore adjusted his satchel and walked away without sparing Jin another glance. His footsteps echoed through the hall, leaving the stunned boy frozen in place.
Yet, as Theodore's words sank in, Jin felt something shift within him. A small, defiant smile tugged at his lips. The prince's brutal honesty stung, but it ignited a spark deep inside—a flicker of determination.
Theodore's strides were purposeful as he made his way to the dormitory. His thoughts churned like a storm, frustration and irritation bubbling beneath his composed exterior.
First Caden and his obsession with me, now Jin wants answers. Even the principal won't leave me alone. Everyone's either mocking me or idolizing me. It's exhausting.
As he entered his room, the air immediately shifted. Belial and Mimi noticed Theodore as he step inside .
"Welcome back, my prince,"they said in unisom,their voices reverent.
unison, their voices reverent.
"How was school today?" Mimi asked, her neutral tone betraying a hint of curiosity.
Theodore threw his satchel onto a chair and sighed heavily. "Should I start with my brother and his ridiculous obsession? Or perhaps the principal, who seems to enjoy stalking me?"
Mimi's expression darkened. "Should I take care of them, my prince?"
"NO!" Theodore snapped, his voice firm. "They're not my enemies, and we have more important things to focus on."
Mimi bowed her head. "Understood."
Theodore slumped into a chair, rubbing his temples. Women are terrifying sometimes, he thought.
"Did anything happen while I was away?" Theodore asked, his tone shifting to one of curiosity.
Belial stepped forward, his towering frame casting a long shadow. "I encountered Principal Roman," he said. "We had a… normal conversation, but something about him is unsettling."
"Unsettling how?" Theodore asked, narrowing his eyes.
Belial hesitated for a moment. "He praised you, of course, but there was something about him—something familiar. I feel as though I've met him before… centuries ago, long before I was punished in that cursed mountain."
Theodore's brows furrowed. "A human who's lived for centuries? It wouldn't surprise me in a world like this, but it's worth investigating. His mana is overwhelming—it feels like standing in a crashing wave. Even his staff radiates power."
Belial nodded solemnly. "I'll try to recall more about him, my lord."
"Good," Theodore said, his tone sharp. "The sooner we uncover his secrets, the better."
Mimi stepped forward next, her voice soft but steady. "My prince, I made a discovery during my errand in the market near the school. I… encountered two men. Brothers, I suppose you could call them."
Theodore raised an eyebrow. "Brothers?"
"Yes," Mimi said. "After consuming the original Mimi's soul, I inherited all her memories. She was the daughter of two powerful figures—an assassin from the infamous fang clan and a mercenary from the Steel Vanguard. Those young boys I saw in the market… they were her blood relatives."
Theodore's lips curled into a malicious grin. "So, the original Mimi was far more useful than I thought. Daughter of an assassin clan and the Mercenary King? Interesting."
He leaned back in his chair, his crimson eyes glinting with wicked intent. "Prepare yourself, Mimi. This body of yours will serve its purpose soon. I've devised a gift for the queen. I hope she appreciates it."
Mimi bowed, her voice unwavering. "As you command, my prince."
"Good," Theodore muttered, his voice steady but tinged with determination. "It's time to train. I need to raise my aura and mana." He clenched his fists, the anticipation of pushing his limits surging through him like a tidal wave.
Mimi stepped forward, carrying the alchemical ingredients Theodore had requested. Beside her, Belial held a tray of tools, his movements precise and measured. "My lord," Belial began, "if you feel any discomfort or danger, give me a sign. I'll stop the process immediately."
Theodore smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Don't worry, Belial. I've already signed off on this madness, haven't I?"
Belial gave a curt nod. With an air of ceremony, he removed his white gloves with his teeth, exposing pale hands veined with dark energy. Using a sharp blade, he nicked his palm, letting the blood drip into a shallow dish. The metallic scent filled the air as he used telekinesis to guide the crimson liquid into forming a complex magic circle on the ground.
Theodore seated himself cross-legged within the blood-drawn circle, the dim light of flickering black flames casting shadows across his sharp features. The air grew thick, almost oppressive, as the ritual began.
"This method will accelerate your aura growth, my prince," Belial said, his crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation. "But remember, you're fighting yourself—your worst enemy."
Theodore closed his eyes, exhaling slowly as he focused.
Theodore's consciousness sank deep into the illusion realm, a place that mirrored his psyche. He found himself standing in a barren wasteland, the ground cracked and lifeless. Above him, a roiling sky churned with violet lightning, the thunder resonating like a war drum.
Ahead of him stood his opponent: a perfect replica of himself.
The doppelgänger smirked, a cruel mockery of Theodore's own confidence. Its aura was suffocating, wild and untamed, contrasting sharply with Theodore's controlled, smoldering power.
"So, this is the so-called prince who thinks he can change his fate," the doppelgänger sneered, its voice dripping with disdain. "You can't even control what's already inside you."
Theodore's expression remained stoic, but his fists clenched at his sides. "If you're supposed to be me, then I'll take you down like any other obstacle."
Without warning, the copy launched forward, its blade a streak of light. Theodore barely had time to summon his own weapon—a sleek black sword shimmering with dark mana. Their blades collided with a deafening clang, the shockwave ripping apart the ground beneath their feet.
Theodore gritted his teeth as he held his ground. Sparks flew as their swords locked, each pouring mana into the clash. "You think you can stop me?" the copy sneered, its voice dripping with malice. "You're nothing but a shadow of what you could be."
Snarling, Theodore pushed back, forcing the copy to leap away. "I'll show you," he growled. "I'll surpass even my limits."
The two clashed again, their movements blurring with speed. Theodore aimed for the copy's chest with a diagonal slash, but his opponent twisted effortlessly, dodging the strike and countering with a quick thrust. Theodore parried, the force vibrating through his arms, and retaliated with a spin kick. The blow landed, sending the copy skidding back.
But his triumph was short-lived. The doppelgänger recovered mid-air, flipping gracefully before charging again. This time, its sword crackled with aura, a blazing trail of blue energy slicing through the air. Theodore barely managed to block the strike, but the sheer force shattered his blade into fragments.
Stumbling back, he glared at his opponent. The copy smirked, brandishing its unscathed weapon. "What's wrong? Is this all the 'Prince of Shadows' can do?"
Theodore's chest heaved with effort. Anger flared in his veins, but he forced himself to focus. Summoning his mana, he forged another sword—this one heavier, jagged, pulsing with his dark energy. "You'll regret underestimating me," he snarled.
The two charged at each other, their blades meeting with an earth-shattering impact. The ground beneath them splintered as waves of energy exploded outward, creating craters in the barren wasteland. Theodore grunted under the strain, his arms trembling as he pushed against the copy's relentless power. His mind raced. It's as strong as me in every way—but it's just an illusion. I have to outsmart it.
He feinted a retreat, letting the copy overextend its strike. As the doppelgänger's blade slashed downward, Theodore sidestepped and slammed his elbow into its ribcage, sending it staggering. Without giving it a chance to recover, he infused his sword with mana and drove it forward in a piercing strike aimed at the heart.
The copy twisted at the last second, the blade grazing its side instead of landing a fatal blow. Its expression contorted with rage. "You'll pay for that."
Theodore had no time to respond. The copy unleashed a barrage of strikes, each faster and more precise than the last. Theodore dodged and parried as best as he could, but one particularly vicious swing managed to slice across his shoulder. He hissed in pain, clutching the wound as blood seeped through his tunic.
The copy laughed, circling him like a predator. "This is where you fall."
But Theodore wasn't finished. He closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, feeling the mana coursing through his body. He let the pain sharpen his focus. When he opened his eyes, they burned with determination.
"Not yet," he said, his voice low and dangerous. His aura surged, darker and more potent than ever before. The wasteland trembled as cracks spiderwebbed across the ground, and the air grew heavy with the weight of his unleashed power.
The copy hesitated, its smirk faltering. That was all Theodore needed. He surged forward, his movements blindingly fast, and delivered a devastating upward slash. The copy barely blocked, but the force of the attack sent it flying. Before it could recover, Theodore was upon it again, raining down strikes with relentless precision.
"You're just a shadow," Theodore growled. "I'll surpass you and everything you represent!"
With one final, earth-shaking blow, his blade cleaved through the copy's sword, shattering it into fragments. The doppelgänger stumbled back, its eyes wide with shock. Theodore didn't hesitate. He drove his blade through its chest, and the copy let out a guttural scream before dissolving into mist.
Back to Reality
Theodore gasped as he opened his eyes, his body drenched in sweat. His chest heaved with each labored breath, the magic circle around him now flickering faintly.
Belial stepped forward, his expression a mix of pride and relief. "You've done it, my prince," he said, bowing slightly. "You've broken through your limits. But there's still one step left—your mana."
Mimi handed Belial a vial of thick, ominous liquid. The smell alone was enough to make the air feel heavier.
Theodore took the potion without hesitation. "Let's finish this," he said, uncorking the vial and downing its contents in one swift motion.
The effect was immediate. The potion burned like molten fire as it coursed through his veins, electrifying every nerve in his body. Agony tore through him, his muscles spasming uncontrollably.
"Remember to breathe, my lord," Belial said calmly, his voice a steady anchor. "Focus on the flow of your mana."
Theodore clenched his teeth, suppressing the screams that threatened to escape. He closed his eyes, visualizing the sluggish flow of mana within him. Slowly, painstakingly, he commanded it to move faster, shaping it into perfect circles around his heart.
The minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Each breath was a battle, each second an eternity.
Finally, with a surge of dark energy, the mana within him solidified into six glowing circles. Theodore's aura expanded, radiating power that made the very air around him vibrate.
He opened his eyes, their crimson depths gleaming with newfound strength. His body felt lighter, his muscles more defined. Clenching his fists, he marveled at the raw power coursing through him.
Belial smirked, his voice tinged with admiration. "Congratulations, my prince. You've reached six-star aura—and your mana circles are flawless. But…" He pinched his nose dramatically. "The impurities expelled from your body are… quite pungent."
Theodore frowned, only now noticing the foul stench clinging to him. "Ah, right. I'll clean up."
Mimi, ever composed, handed him a fresh set of robes. "Your highness, your progress is nothing short of remarkable. Shall I prepare a bath?"
Theodore chuckled, standing tall despite his exhaustion. "Yes, Mimi. And make it quick. I've got no time to waste. This is only the beginning."
As he walked away, his mind raced with plans for the future. He had climbed one step closer to his goals, but the path ahead was still shrouded in darkness—and he was ready to conquer it.