The chill of midnight wrapped the academy in a heavy silence. Moonlight filtered through the cracked edges of the dormitory window, casting faint silver beams across Eren's cluttered desk. There, amidst scraps of notes and a fading candle, lay the grimoire. Its faint, ominous pulse seemed to breathe with life, exuding an air of malevolence that filled the room.
Eren leaned back in his chair, staring at the book. For weeks, its whispers had grown more insistent, each one gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. It wasn't just a tool of power—it was a force with its own will, a force that sought to mold him.
"You delay too long, Eren," the grimoire's voice hissed, its tone smooth yet biting. "The world does not wait for indecision. While you hesitate, others seize opportunities that could be yours."
Eren's jaw tightened. "And what? Rush into failure? One wrong step, and I'm exposed. This isn't some game I can win with brute force."
The grimoire chuckled, the sound like distant thunder. "A king does not wait for the world to acknowledge his rule. He claims it. Each delay, each moment of caution, only feeds your enemies."
The grimoire's insistence burned, but Eren shoved it aside. He wasn't a fool; power without precision was a double-edged blade. Still, the weight of its words lingered as he leaned forward, tracing the patterns on the grimoire's cover.
A sudden knock at the door shattered his focus.
Eren froze. For a moment, his mind whirled with possibilities: a spy? An instructor? Someone curious about his reclusive habits? Quickly, he threw a cloth over the grimoire and moved to the door, his fingers brushing against the dagger concealed in his belt.
When he opened the door, he was greeted by a familiar figure: Kael.
Kael had always been an enigma, his sharp green eyes constantly observing, calculating. Among the academy's students, he was one of the few who seemed to walk the fine line between obedience and rebellion.
"We need to talk," Kael said, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation.
Eren shut the door behind him, watching as Kael's gaze swept over the room. He stopped at the covered grimoire but said nothing, his expression carefully neutral.
"You've been keeping secrets," Kael began, leaning against the wall. "And secrets don't stay hidden for long here."
Eren's pulse quickened, but he kept his face impassive. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kael smirked. "Don't play coy with me. I've been watching you. You're different—smarter, sharper. You don't follow the academy's rules. You question them."
"And?" Eren asked, his voice calm but laced with caution.
Kael stepped closer, his smirk fading into a more serious expression. "There's a group within the academy. Students who've seen the truth—who understand that power isn't about following orders or upholding traditions. It's about shaping the world to your will."
Eren raised an eyebrow, feigning disinterest. "And why are you telling me this?"
"Because I think you're one of us," Kael replied. "And because we could use someone like you."
Eren's mind raced. A secret group? If they were real, they could provide him with resources, allies—perhaps even a foundation for his own plans. But it could also be a trap, a test designed by the academy to root out dissenters.
The grimoire stirred, its voice slithering into his thoughts. "This is no coincidence, Eren. Fate aligns itself with those who dare to grasp it. Learn their secrets. Use them."
Eren met Kael's gaze, his expression unreadable. "Let's say I'm interested. What's next?"
Kael smiled, though his eyes remained sharp. "Meet me in the abandoned storage hall tomorrow at midnight. I'll introduce you to the others. But remember—this isn't a game. If you show up, there's no turning back."
As Kael turned to leave, Eren's mind was already spinning with possibilities. He locked the door behind him and returned to the grimoire, uncovering it once more.
"This could be dangerous," he muttered.
The grimoire's voice crackled like a flame catching wind. "Danger is irrelevant. This is your path, Eren. Step into the shadows and seize the power that awaits. Hesitation will only weaken you."
Eren's fingers brushed the grimoire's cover, its pulse aligning with his own heartbeat. The academy was a battlefield, and in the shadows, alliances were forged and lives destroyed. Kael's group could be a stepping stone—or a trap.
But either way, Eren had already decided. He would play their game, learn their secrets, and use them to build his foundation. If they betrayed him, he would be ready.
For now, he was just another student. But in the shadows, his plans were taking form.
Tomorrow, the first step toward his organization would be taken.
And when the time came, the world would bow to the Sovereign of Calamities.