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Chapter 31 - CHAPTER 31

Steam still clung to the air as Akira stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. He stretched with a groan.

"Damn, my arms are stiff," he muttered, rotating his shoulders. As he passed the mirror, he paused, flexing and smirking at his reflection.

"I see those muscles coming in."

But his smirk faded. His gaze locked with his reflection—and for a moment, it changed. The figure in the mirror stood emotionless, its left side completely engulfed in shadow. Akira stumbled back, sweat forming as his breath quickened.

"Sigvard," he called out.

The air shimmered, and from the darkness, Sigvard emerged, kneeling. "You called, Master?"

"Yeah… I have a question," Akira said, composing himself.

"I will answer as best I can."

"Did Malakar ever mention anything about… his reflection?"

Sigvard paused. "No, Master. You never brought up anything like that. Even as a child, you were distant. You rarely spoke to me."

"I see… Then tell me—what was Malakar like?"

"You were a man of few words. Feared across Earth and other realms. None dared to cross you."

"Thanks. You can go now."

As Sigvard began to fade, he suddenly paused. "Ah—one more thing. You often spoke of a man named Merlin. You called him the Light. Also, if I may say… in this short time, you've made the shadow magic your own. Not quite like before, but still—impressive."

With that, he vanished.

The Light? Akira thought. Could it be the same Merlin from the stories?

He stepped out of the bathroom and glanced over at Mikage, who was fast asleep. Smiling, he turned off the light.

The Next Morning

The hallway buzzed with noise and chatter. Students moved between lockers and classrooms. Akira and Mikage weaved through the crowd.

"Mikageee! Akiraaa!"

They turned to see Trixie waving wildly. Beside her stood Yukiko, a lollipop in her mouth.

"Morning!" Trixie chirped.

"Hey," both boys replied.

"Leg's all better, huh?" Yukiko said, nodding toward Mikage's healed leg.

"Yeah, quick healing," Mikage said, bouncing on it slightly.

Akira and Trixie gave an approving clap.

"It's 7 AM and you already have a lollipop?" Mikage raised an eyebrow.

"It's my first—and only—one today," Yukiko replied innocently.

"Sigh… I feel like you're lying."

"She's totally addicted to candy," Trixie added.

"I am not!" Yukiko shot back.

"Kiko… yes, you are, love," Trixie teased. Akira just laughed at their banter.

Edward passed by them silently, face buried in his phone. Mikage's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he grabbed Edward by the collar.

"Not so fast. Where've you been these past few days?"

"Let me go, fire prince. I don't owe you anything," Edward snapped.

"Yelling won't get you free. You've been skipping training. Getting sloppy?" Mikage asked, tightening his grip.

"What I do is none of your business. And I'm the last person to get sloppy."

"You're hard to work with," Mikage muttered.

"Funny. I was just thinking the same about you."

A voice interrupted the tension.

"Good, most of you are here."

They turned to see Mr. Oliver, sharp as ever in his tailored corporate suit, papers in hand.

"Good morning," they all greeted in unison.

"Morning. Since I've caught most of you—here." He handed out mission sheets. "You've all been assigned to the same mission in a few days."

Yukiko scanned the papers. "Sir, it's the same location for all of us?"

"Good catch. That's because you're working as a team," Mr. Oliver explained. "There's a museum exhibit happening—an artifact on display. It'll attract crowds… and probably Night Walkers. We want you there for civilian protection. Don't worry—everything's been secured. This is routine."

He gave a final nod and disappeared into the hallway.

"Seems easy," Akira thought to himself.

As the bell rang, Mikage and Edward turned to leave.

"Wait!" Yukiko called. Mikage paused.

"Open your hand," she demanded. He did.

She dropped a handful of candy wrappers into his palm.

"Good boy," she smirked, patting his head like a pet before striding off.

Edward stared. "Is that five wrappers? That's tough, man."

Mikage stared at them, then chuckled—before burning them in his hand.

The voices of teachers echoed through the academy's halls.

In one classroom, Yukiko sat attentively, jotting notes, while beside her, Akira absentmindedly shaped miniature figures from his shadows under his desk—daggers, birds, a spinning cube. Across the campus, Trixie sat near a window, chin in her palm, eyes glazed as she stared at nothing in particular.

Elsewhere, Edward was dozing off, head bobbing slightly. Mikage, seated a few rows away, sighed quietly and shook his head.

Then something shimmered at the edge of his vision.

A single snowflake drifted down past the window, followed by another. Then more.

A student shouted, "Is it snowing?!"

Voices erupted in excitement as students rushed to the windows. The announcement of early snowfall meant Christmas was near—and school break not far behind.

But not all joined the excitement. Akira and the others remained still, quietly watching the snow fall, appreciating the stillness it brought.

Few Days Later — London

Under a cold night sky, a crimson moon loomed above the glowing London skyline. Streetlights flickered. Cars passed. Crowds gathered outside a brightly lit museum, eager to witness the unveiling of a mysterious artifact.

On a rooftop opposite the museum, Mikage sat cross-legged, while Akira stood, observing the crowd.

"Didn't know Londoners were so into arts and crafts," Akira muttered.

"They do have a taste for stolen art," Mikage replied. "But that's not why they're here. The museum's offering £20,000 to anyone who can guess the artifact's origin. People love a gamble."

"Sounds like a scam."

"Maybe. But either way, they'll rake in profit, hoax or not."

Mikage exhaled slowly, a faint glow of flame escaping his lips. Akira glanced at him.

"Hey… how do you tell the difference between a light mana core and a dark one?"

Mikage tilted his head, slightly amused. "You've been studying?"

Akira nodded. "Can't be a clueless sorcerer forever. Besides, it helps me sleep."

Mikage smiled faintly. "Alright. Light mana users are attuned to nature and elements—calm, harmonious, their energy feels warm and inviting. Dark mana users are born of the void—curses, blood, poison, shadow. Their mana feels… wrong. Suffocating. Makes your skin crawl."

"So mine feels like that?"

The question hit heavier than expected. Mikage paused.

"Yeah… but I've gotten used to it. And don't worry—our school doesn't discriminate. Unlike the other one."

Akira noted the bitterness in his voice. That other school isn't on Earth, he thought. There's history there… but I won't press.

"Tell me about your Sunstate," Akira said.

Mikage's expression shifted. "It's more than a technique—it's legacy. Back when Merlin still walked the Earth, he met one of my ancestors. That man mastered flame magic and eventually surpassed even Merlin in fire control."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. But his flames eventually grew beyond anything on Earth. So, he aimed higher—at the Sun. He pushed his limits to emulate its heat and intensity. That obsession birthed Sunstate—a form where the user becomes a living incarnation of fire. Eventually, he passed it down our bloodline."

"No one's ever reached the true heart of the sun?"

"Not yet. But I think my sister and father are close."

Akira raised a brow. "When you activate 50%, why do only your mouth, hair, and eyes change?"

"Because the transformation is internal. My insides burn like a star, but I keep it contained. If you cut me, I'd bleed fire."

Akira grinned. "That's badass."

Suddenly, Edward's voice crackled through their earpieces.

> "I found one. It's already devoured someone."

Trixie frowned from her rooftop perch. That means one's already gone... We can't let this happen again.

"We stay alert," Mikage replied over comms. "This isn't just a patrol anymore."

From an alley, a Night Walker lunged at Edward—but with a calm flick of his wrist, Edward drew a shadow-forged dagger. In one motion, the creature's head rolled to the pavement.

Yukiko's voice came through next. "What about Kane?"

Mikage's voice hardened. "Leave him. We don't need a street fight with him and his boys. Not here."

Among the crowd, Charles strolled calmly into the museum, flanked by two vampires.

"May the night commence," he whispered.

As he passed through the entrance, a phantom veil spread outward like mist—unseen by the crowd. It settled over the building, cloaking it… and everyone inside.

The trap had begun.

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