The rhythmic drumming of the rain had turned into a torrential downpour, soaking the academy grounds as Kai made his way back to his dorm. His breath fogged the air in uneven puffs, the weight of the recent fight pressing on his mind.
The attackers had been skilled—not ordinary students but individuals trained for combat. Their masks and precision hinted at something larger, a conspiracy he was now unwillingly entangled in.
"Tebu," he murmured, his voice low but steady. "Who were they?"
"Analyzing..."
The system's delay unsettled him. Tebu rarely hesitated, its responses typically instantaneous.
"Identity inconclusive," it finally admitted. "Hostile presence matches patterns of independent hunter guilds and covert factions."
Hunter guilds. Kai clenched his fists. These weren't ordinary rivals or students jealous of his strength. These were people who hunted those with dangerous systems—people like him.
He slammed the dorm door shut behind him and leaned against it, his heart racing. The shadows in the room flickered, responding to his turbulent emotions. His creature, still manifesting faint traces of battle energy, curled in the corner. Its glowing eyes watched him, unblinking.
"I need answers," Kai said aloud.
"Recommendation: Investigate external data sources. Interaction with knowledgeable individuals may yield results."
Kai snorted. "You're suggesting I trust someone? That's not exactly in my skill set."
"Isolation has limits," Tebu replied flatly.
Kai frowned. The system wasn't wrong. He couldn't fight this war alone, no matter how much he wanted to. But trust? That was a dangerous gamble.
---
The following morning, the academy buzzed with tension. The news of the masked attackers had spread like wildfire, though the details were murky at best. Some claimed it was a personal vendetta; others whispered about rogue system holders.
Kai kept his head low as he walked through the corridors. His hood concealed his face, but his heightened senses caught the murmurs around him.
"Did you hear? Three bodies were found near the courtyard."
"They say it was the shadow summoner."
"No way! He's just a rumor."
Kai's jaw tightened. Every step felt heavier, every glance sharper. The anonymity of his mask was slipping, and the academy's curiosity was a double-edged sword.
He ducked into an empty classroom, his breathing shallow. The walls felt like they were closing in, the weight of the stares suffocating.
"Get it together," he whispered, gripping the edge of a desk. "You can't afford to lose control now."
The shadows around him quivered, sensing his distress. They wrapped around his hands like comforting tendrils, grounding him.
"Tebu," he said, his voice firmer. "Do we have any leads?"
"Potential ally detected: Lila."
Kai froze. The girl from the library. She had warned him about this—warned him about the people watching him.
"Where is she now?"
"Location: Eastern training grounds."
Kai hesitated. Seeking her out felt like walking into a trap, but what choice did he have? She knew more than she let on, and right now, knowledge was his most valuable weapon.
---
The training grounds were a sprawling maze of open fields and enclosed arenas. Kai stayed in the shadows, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Lila.
He found her near a secluded corner, her movements fluid as she practiced with twin daggers. Each strike was precise, her agility impressive. She moved like someone who had been fighting her entire life.
Kai stepped forward, his presence deliberate. He wanted her to know he was there.
She turned instantly, her daggers raised. Recognition flickered in her eyes, and she lowered her weapons slightly.
"You're not very subtle, are you?" she said, a wry smile on her lips.
"I wasn't trying to be," Kai replied.
"What do you want?"
"Answers," he said bluntly. "You warned me yesterday. Now I need to know who sent those attackers."
Lila's expression darkened, her playful demeanor vanishing. "You're in deep, aren't you?"
Kai didn't respond.
She sighed, sheathing her daggers. "Come with me. This isn't the place for this conversation."
---
They ended up in a small café just outside the academy grounds. The rain had eased into a light drizzle, the soft patter on the windows providing a semblance of privacy.
Lila leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're being hunted."
"By who?" Kai asked, his eyes locked onto hers.
"By everyone," she said simply. "The guilds, the academy, even some of the students. They all see you as a threat."
"Why?"
"Because of Tebu," she said. "Because of what it represents."
Kai's heart pounded. "Explain."
Lila hesitated, her gaze darting to the door as if expecting someone to burst in. "Tebu isn't just a system. It's a relic—a fragment of something ancient. Most people don't understand it, but they fear it. And fear makes people dangerous."
Kai leaned back, his mind racing. A relic? That explained the system's unique abilities, its connection to otherworldly creatures. But it also painted a target on his back.
"What do they want from me?" he asked.
"They want to control you," Lila said. "Or destroy you. Either way, you're not safe."
The weight of her words settled over him like a shroud. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed was a different kind of terror.
"What do I do?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
Lila studied him for a moment before leaning closer. "You fight. You evolve. And you stop underestimating the people around you."
Kai frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You think you're alone," she said. "But you're not. There are others like you—people who've been pushed to the fringes, hunted for what they are. If you can find them, you might stand a chance."
Kai's thoughts churned. The idea of allies was foreign to him, almost laughable. But Lila's conviction was hard to ignore.
---
The café's door slammed open, the sound jolting them both. Three figures entered, their eyes scanning the room.
Kai recognized the insignia on their uniforms immediately—academy enforcers.
"They're here for you," Lila hissed.
Kai's mind raced. Fighting here would draw too much attention, but running would only confirm his guilt.
"Tebu," he murmured. "Suggestions?"
"Escape route available: rear exit. Host is advised to utilize shadows for concealment."
Kai nodded, his shadows already stirring. He turned to Lila. "Can you cover me?"
She smirked. "What do you think?"
As the enforcers approached their table, Lila stood abruptly, knocking over her chair. "What's your problem?" she demanded, her voice loud enough to draw the attention of the other patrons.
The distraction was all Kai needed. The shadows enveloped him, rendering him nearly invisible as he slipped toward the rear exit.
He was outside in seconds, the cool air biting at his skin. But he didn't stop. He ran, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Tebu," he said, his breath ragged. "Status?"
"Pursuit detected. Two individuals closing in from the south."
Kai cursed under his breath. He turned down an alley, his shadows spreading out like a web.
The first pursuer rounded the corner, their weapon drawn. Kai didn't hesitate. The shadows struck like a serpent, wrapping around their legs and pulling them to the ground.
The second pursuer hesitated, their eyes darting around in confusion. Kai used the moment to strike, his creature materializing behind them. It roared, its claws slashing through the air.
The fight was over in seconds, the alley silent once more.
Kai leaned against the wall, his chest heaving. He couldn't keep this up—not alone.
Lila's words echoed in his mind.
You think you're alone, but you're not.
Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to stop running.