The academy lay silent under the silver glow of the moon. After the chaos of the cooking competition, most students had collapsed into their beds, exhausted and dreaming of less chaotic days. But not Kade.
He stood alone in the courtyard, his breaths steady, his arms extended as shadows danced around him. They writhed and twisted like living ink, pooling at his feet. Since his awakening, these powers had become a secret obsession—something he needed to understand and control before they consumed him.
Tonight, his goal was ambitious: to create a shadow clone that could hold form longer than a fleeting second.
Dark energy surged from deep within, coalescing into a rough outline of a figure. The clone flickered, unstable, before solidifying into a shadowy silhouette of himself. Kade felt a brief surge of triumph.
Then, like smoke caught in the wind, it disintegrated.
"Still not enough," he muttered, clenching his fists. His abilities were linked to his core—a reservoir of energy he could barely comprehend. Strengthening it seemed to be the key, but the how remained maddeningly elusive.
With a frustrated sigh, he decided to call it a night. He turned toward the academy baths, only to pause mid-step as movement caught his eye. A figure slipped into the library.
His instincts sharpened. The library was off-limits after hours—especially the forbidden section.
Curiosity gnawed at him. Sticking to the shadows, Kade followed, careful not to be seen. The figure moved with purpose, heading directly for the sealed entrance of the forbidden section. Kade's heart raced as the figure bypassed the heavy lock with practiced ease.
Jarek.
"What's he doing here?" Kade whispered to himself.
Jarek disappeared inside, re-emerging moments later with an ornate scroll clutched in his hands. Kade barely had time to process what he was seeing when another figure stepped out of the shadows—a teacher, identifiable by the academy insignia on their cloak.
The teacher exchanged a brief nod with Jarek, gesturing for him to leave. No words were spoken, but the implication was clear: someone within the academy was aiding Jarek.
Kade's mind reeled. What could be so important that Jarek would risk sneaking into the forbidden section? And why was a teacher involved?
Before Kade could make a move, the two vanished into the night.
The next morning, the academy buzzed with its usual energy. Students chatted and laughed as if nothing had happened. But Kade's unease lingered. The theft should have caused an uproar, yet there was no sign of alarm.
During the midday announcements, the headmaster's tone was calm, his words routine. No mention of the scroll. No warnings about a breach.
Later, in a private meeting, the headmaster sat with a group of senior instructors. One of them leaned forward, their voice a whisper. "The forbidden library was breached last night. An ancient scroll is missing."
The headmaster's expression darkened. "This cannot go public. If word spreads that we failed to protect such a relic, the academy's reputation will crumble. Dispatch an investigation team. And until we have answers, not a word of this leaves this room."
Kade knew none of this, of course. He spent the day distracted, the theft replaying in his mind. Why had Jarek stolen the scroll? And why was the academy pretending nothing had happened?
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, chilling sensation. A prickling at the back of his neck.
Instinctively, he turned.
Jarek stood behind him, his usual smug expression replaced by something colder, sharper.
"You've been nosy, Kade," Jarek said, his voice low and laced with menace.
Kade's pulse quickened. Jarek knew. Somehow, he knew Kade had seen him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kade replied, keeping his voice steady despite the weight of Jarek's glare.
Jarek stepped closer, his presence oppressive. "Stay out of my way, or you'll regret it."
Kade's fists clenched as Jarek walked away, leaving a trail of unspoken threats in his wake.
Whatever was in that scroll, it wasn't just important—it was dangerous. And Jarek wasn't the only one involved.
Kade exhaled slowly, his mind churning. He didn't fully understand the role he was playing in this unfolding mystery, but one thing was certain: he couldn't stay in the shadows any longer.