The academy's nightly silence felt heavier than usual. Eren walked briskly down the dimly lit corridors, the soft echo of his boots barely masking the storm of thoughts raging in his mind. The meeting with the Council of Instructors was over, but their warning lingered like a cold shadow.
"We will be watching you closely."
Their words felt less like a threat and more like chains tightening around his neck. Eren hated being cornered, but he knew there was no room for recklessness. The council's reach extended far beyond the walls of the academy; even the smallest misstep could prove catastrophic.
---
Eren returned to his dorm room, locking the door behind him. He pulled the grimoire from his satchel and placed it on the desk. The book seemed almost alive, its black cover pulsating faintly as if sensing his unease.
"You enjoyed that, didn't you?" Eren muttered, his voice low.
The grimoire's response was immediate. Its sinister whispers slithered into his mind like a serpent.
"They fear us. Their trembling voices, their cautious words… all proof of our potential. Why resist it, Eren? Embrace the power I offer."
Eren clenched his fists. "I didn't summon you for power. I summoned you to survive."
"Survival is only the beginning," the grimoire hissed. "They will never stop watching, never stop fearing you. So why not give them a reason to fear?"
Eren slammed the book shut, the whispers fading into silence. His heart pounded, but he refused to let the grimoire's influence control him.
---
The next morning, the academy was abuzz with activity. Rumors of the Council's summons had spread, though most students were too afraid to approach Eren directly. He walked through the halls with his hood pulled low, avoiding the inquisitive stares and whispered conversations.
At the training grounds, Eren found Selene waiting for him. She leaned casually against a fence, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.
"You look like you haven't slept," she remarked.
"Thanks for the observation," Eren replied dryly.
Selene chuckled. "Word's going around that the council has their eyes on you. Care to share what happened?"
Eren hesitated, weighing his options. Selene had proven herself an ally so far, but he still wasn't sure how much he could trust her.
"They're concerned about my magic," he said finally. "That's all."
"That's all?" Selene raised an eyebrow. "You wield a shadowy blade that looks like it came straight out of a nightmare, and they're just… concerned?"
Eren shrugged, not bothering to elaborate.
Selene sighed. "Fine, keep your secrets. Just remember, you're not the only one with enemies here. If you're not careful, you'll end up making things harder for yourself—and for anyone who's foolish enough to stand near you."
Eren met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I don't need anyone to stand near me."
Selene's smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of something softer—pity, perhaps, or understanding. "You're going to burn out if you keep pushing everyone away," she said. "But suit yourself."
She turned and walked away, leaving Eren alone with his thoughts once again.
---
Later that evening, Eren decided to visit the academy library. It was one of the few places where he felt at ease, surrounded by the quiet hum of knowledge. He navigated the towering shelves with practiced ease, searching for anything that might help him understand the grimoire—or the Council's true intentions.
As he reached for a particularly old tome, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Looking for something specific?"
Eren turned to see Kieran leaning against a nearby shelf, his silver hair catching the flickering light of the lanterns.
"You again," Eren muttered. "Do you always sneak up on people?"
Kieran grinned. "Only the interesting ones."
Eren sighed and turned back to the shelf. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to help," Kieran said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "Word is, the Council's breathing down your neck. That can't be easy."
"I'm handling it," Eren replied curtly.
Kieran tilted his head. "You're strong, no doubt about that. But strength isn't enough when you're up against people who can bend the rules to their will. You need allies—people who can help you navigate the game."
"And let me guess," Eren said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're offering to be one of those allies?"
Kieran's grin widened. "Exactly. Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. You scratch my back, I scratch yours."
Eren's eyes narrowed. "What's your angle?"
Kieran shrugged. "I like keeping tabs on interesting people. And you, my friend, are very interesting."
Eren considered his words carefully. Kieran was undeniably cunning, but he also had a knack for staying ahead of trouble. Aligning with him could be dangerous—but it might also be necessary.
"I'll think about it," Eren said finally.
Kieran nodded, his expression unreadable. "Fair enough. Just don't take too long. The longer you wait, the more dangerous things will get."
With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Eren alone once again.
---
As midnight approached, Eren sat by his window, staring out at the moonlit grounds. The weight of his situation pressed down on him, but he refused to let it break him.
The grimoire lay on his desk, its presence a constant reminder of the power he wielded—and the danger it posed.
"You cannot trust them," the grimoire whispered, its voice barely audible. "They will betray you, just as they always do. But I will not. I am your only true ally."
Eren closed his eyes, forcing himself to block out the voice. He didn't know what the future held, but he was determined to face it on his own terms.