The faint glow of dawn seeped through the cracks in the thick curtains of Eren's room, casting long streaks of light across the floor. He sat in the middle of the chamber, his breathing slow and deliberate as he meditated. The grimoire floated before him, its pages flickering with a strange, otherworldly light that mirrored his rising and falling breaths. The whispers had grown quieter now, more subdued, but they still lingered at the edge of his consciousness—a constant reminder of the power he had tapped into.
Today marked an important step in Eren's journey. For weeks, he had trained in isolation, mastering the basics of controlling the grimoire's energy. The shadowy blade he had conjured earlier now felt like an extension of himself, and he had begun experimenting with new ways to wield his power.
But as much progress as he had made, he knew it wasn't enough. The academy was no safe haven; it was a battlefield cloaked in pretense. Every student harbored ambitions, alliances, and secrets. And then there were those who watched from the shadows—those who had noticed his potential and sought to exploit or destroy him.
Eren's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. He tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at his side.
"Who is it?" he called out, his voice steady.
"It's me," a familiar voice replied.
Eren relaxed slightly and moved to open the door. Standing there was Selene, her fiery red hair tied back and her sharp green eyes scanning him with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"You're up early," she said, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation.
"So are you," Eren replied, closing the door behind her.
Selene crossed her arms, her gaze falling on the grimoire that now rested on the desk. "Still working on that cursed thing?"
"It's not cursed," Eren said defensively.
Selene raised an eyebrow. "Sure, keep telling yourself that. Anyway, I came to warn you. There's talk among the students—rumors about a duel."
"A duel?" Eren frowned.
She nodded. "One of the senior students, someone from House Drakhan, has been challenged. It's supposed to happen tonight, in the courtyard. But the interesting part? Your name came up."
Eren's expression darkened. He had deliberately kept a low profile, avoiding unnecessary confrontations. The last thing he needed was attention, especially from someone connected to a powerful house like Drakhan.
"Who's spreading these rumors?" he asked.
Selene shrugged. "No idea, but you've definitely caught someone's eye. Whether they want to test you or trap you, I can't say."
Eren sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just what I needed."
Selene leaned against the desk, her expression softening slightly. "Look, I know you're trying to stay under the radar, but you can't avoid this forever. If you don't face them head-on, they'll just keep coming after you."
Eren knew she was right. The academy wasn't just a place for learning; it was a crucible, a place where the strong rose to power and the weak were crushed. If he wanted to survive—and protect his secrets—he couldn't afford to be seen as weak.
"Fine," he said. "I'll deal with it."
---
That evening, the courtyard was alive with murmurs and whispers as students gathered to witness the duel. The air was electric with anticipation, the soft glow of enchanted lanterns illuminating the cobblestone square.
Eren stood at the edge of the crowd, his hood pulled low to hide his face. He watched as his opponent stepped forward—a tall, broad-shouldered boy with an arrogant smirk and the unmistakable crest of House Drakhan emblazoned on his cloak.
"Eren!" the boy called out, his voice booming across the courtyard. "I've heard a lot about you. Let's see if the rumors are true."
The crowd parted as Eren stepped forward, his movements calm and deliberate. He could feel their eyes on him, their curiosity and judgment palpable in the air.
"I didn't ask for this," Eren said evenly, his voice carrying just enough edge to cut through the noise. "But if you insist, I won't hold back."
The boy laughed, drawing a gleaming sword from his side. "Good. I'd hate for this to be boring."
A hush fell over the crowd as the duel began. The boy charged forward, his sword gleaming as it caught the light. Eren sidestepped the attack with ease, his movements fluid and precise.
The boy swung again, faster this time, but Eren was already moving, his shadowy blade materializing in his hand. The crowd gasped as the weapon took shape, its dark energy crackling in the air.
Eren countered with a swift strike, his blade meeting the boy's sword with a sharp clang. The force of the impact sent sparks flying, but Eren didn't relent. He pressed forward, his attacks coming in quick, calculated bursts that forced his opponent to backpedal.
The boy's confidence began to waver as he realized he was outmatched. Eren's movements were like a dance—each step, each strike perfectly timed and executed.
But as Eren gained the upper hand, he felt the whispers of the grimoire creeping into his mind. The darkness surged within him, urging him to go further, to unleash its full power.
"Finish him," the voice whispered.
Eren gritted his teeth, fighting to maintain control. He couldn't lose himself to the grimoire, not here, not now. With a final burst of energy, he disarmed his opponent, sending the boy's sword clattering to the ground.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, but Eren barely heard them. He stood over his defeated opponent, his shadowy blade still crackling with energy. For a moment, he considered striking again, but he forced himself to stop.
"You lost," he said coldly. "Walk away while you still can."
The boy scrambled to his feet, his face pale and his confidence shattered. He didn't say a word as he fled, leaving Eren alone in the center of the courtyard.
As the crowd began to disperse, Selene appeared at his side.
"Not bad," she said with a smirk. "But you might want to work on your showmanship."
Eren shot her a tired glance. "I'm not here to entertain people."
Selene shrugged. "Maybe not, but like it or not, you've made an impression. People are going to talk about this for a long time."
Eren sighed, the weight of the grimoire's power still heavy on his shoulders. He had won the duel, but the battle within him was far from over.