Kai awoke to the sound of rain tapping against the window. The soft rhythm was a stark contrast to the chaos of the arena the day before. His body ached from the battle, each movement a reminder of the toll it had taken.
"Tebu," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "Status report."
The system responded instantly.
"Host's physical condition: 78% optimal. Minor injuries sustained in the previous battle are healing. Evolution points: 20. Skill points: 10."
Kai frowned. He needed more. The fight with Damon had shown him the limits of his current abilities. He couldn't afford to stay stagnant, not when the world around him was teeming with threats.
"Allocate skill points," he said, his mind already racing through the possibilities.
"Recommendation: Enhance shadow manipulation or creature evolution."
Kai hesitated. Both options were tempting, but the memory of Damon's near-fatal wind spear lingered in his mind. He needed more control, more versatility.
"Shadow manipulation," he decided.
"Skill upgraded. Host now possesses 'Advanced Shadow Manipulation.'"
A surge of energy coursed through Kai's body, the pain in his limbs receding slightly. He flexed his fingers, feeling the shadows respond to his call like a loyal servant.
---
The academy was quieter than usual that morning. The rain had driven most students indoors, leaving the corridors eerily empty. Kai moved through them like a ghost, his hood pulled low to shield his face.
He was headed for the library, a place he rarely visited. But today, he had questions—questions that needed answers.
The librarian barely glanced at him as he entered, her nose buried in a thick tome. Kai appreciated her disinterest; it made his task easier.
He wandered through the shelves, his fingers brushing against the spines of books. The academy's library was vast, its collection spanning centuries of knowledge. Somewhere within these walls was the information he needed.
"Secret realms," he muttered under his breath, scanning the titles. "Otherworldly creatures. Anything about forbidden systems."
After what felt like an eternity, he found a section labeled "Ancient Myths and Legends." The books were old, their pages yellowed with age. Kai pulled one from the shelf and settled into a corner, the dim light casting shadows across his face.
The text was dense, filled with archaic language and cryptic illustrations. But as he read, pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
"The Tebu system…" he whispered, his eyes narrowing. "It wasn't always feared."
According to the book, systems like Tebu were once revered for their power and versatility. They had been used to protect kingdoms, to forge alliances, and even to seal away great evils. But something had changed. A calamity, the details of which were frustratingly vague, had turned public opinion against them.
Kai's thoughts were interrupted by a faint noise—a whisper, so soft he almost missed it.
"...dangerous…"
He froze, his eyes darting around the library. The sound had come from the adjacent aisle, but there was no one there.
"Tebu," he murmured. "Are we alone?"
The system's response was immediate.
"No. A presence is detected nearby. Hostile intent uncertain."
Kai stood, his movements slow and deliberate. The shadows around him stirred, responding to his unease.
He rounded the corner and found himself face-to-face with a girl. She was about his age, her long black hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders. Her eyes were sharp, like a predator sizing up its prey.
"You're the shadow summoner," she said, her voice low and steady.
Kai didn't respond, his body tensed for a fight.
"I saw your match yesterday," she continued, taking a step closer. "You're different from the others. Stronger. Smarter."
"Who are you?" Kai demanded, his voice colder than he intended.
She smirked, unfazed by his hostility. "Call me Lila. And don't worry—I'm not here to fight you."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "Then what do you want?"
"To warn you," she said simply.
"About what?"
Lila's expression turned serious, her gaze boring into his. "There are people watching you, Kai. People who don't take kindly to someone with your… abilities."
Kai's heart skipped a beat. He had known this moment would come, but hearing it spoken aloud made it feel all too real.
"Who?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lila hesitated, glancing around as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows. "I can't say much. Not here. But trust me, you're walking a dangerous path."
Kai studied her, searching for any signs of deception. But her eyes held a sincerity that was hard to fake.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked finally.
"Let's just say I don't like bullies," she replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "And right now, you're their favorite target."
Before Kai could respond, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the maze of bookshelves.
---
The rain had stopped by the time Kai left the library, but the sky remained overcast, the clouds heavy with the promise of more storms.
Lila's words echoed in his mind, a warning he couldn't ignore. If she was telling the truth, then his situation was even more precarious than he'd realized.
"Tebu," he said quietly. "Do you trust her?"
"Trust is irrelevant," the system replied. "However, her information aligns with existing data. Increased caution is advised."
Kai sighed, his breath visible in the cool air. He pulled his hood tighter around his face and began the long walk back to his dorm.
But as he crossed the courtyard, he felt it—a presence, faint but unmistakable.
"Tebu," he said sharply. "Report."
"Hostile intent detected. Three individuals approaching from the east."
Kai's heart pounded as he turned, his eyes scanning the shadows. Sure enough, three figures emerged from the alleyway, their faces obscured by masks.
"Looks like the rumors were true," one of them said, his voice dripping with malice. "The shadow summoner is real."
Kai didn't respond, his mind racing. He was outnumbered, and there were no witnesses around.
"Tebu," he said. "Any suggestions?"
"Engage with caution. Utilize the shadows to your advantage."
The first attacker lunged, a blade glinting in the dim light. Kai sidestepped, the shadows around him surging forward to block the strike.
The second attacker followed, hurling a fireball that lit up the courtyard. Kai's creature materialized, its form absorbing the flames like water into a sponge.
The third attacker hesitated, clearly unnerved by the creature. But his hesitation was short-lived. He drew a whip crackling with electricity and lashed out, the weapon cutting through the air with a sharp snap.
Kai ducked, the whip missing him by inches. His creature roared, its claws slicing through the air as it lunged at the attackers.
The fight was brutal and chaotic, the courtyard a battlefield of fire, shadows, and lightning. But Kai's training and instincts carried him through. One by one, his opponents fell, their bodies crumpling to the ground.
By the time the last attacker was down, Kai was gasping for breath, his body trembling with exhaustion.
"Tebu," he said, his voice ragged. "Status?"
"All hostiles neutralized. Host's condition: 63% optimal."
Kai nodded, his vision swimming. He leaned against a nearby wall, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
Who were those attackers? And what did they want?
As he stood there, the rain began to fall again, washing away the blood and soot from the courtyard. But the questions remained, unanswered and gnawing at the edges of his mind.