Kalm stared at the pendant in his hand, eyes wide, breath steady.
It looked... ordinary.
Simple.
Just like his title.
No engravings.
No decoration.
No power humming from its surface.
He raised a finger and touched it gently.
Unlike the strange wings before, it didn't erupt into sparks—
Instead, it simply slipped between his fingers with silent grace, cold to the touch.
Its metal surface was a dull gray, reflecting his eyes in its curved edge.
A small, round coin was fused to the ring.
Curious, Kalm lifted it closer, squinting for detail.
**"Hmm... Wait, this..."**
His eyes widened slightly as he caught a glimpse of a faint inscription—
But for the first time…
**he couldn't read it.**
It was written in the *language of the world's voice*,
That glowing, unknowable script—
Mysterious and ancient, like the whisper of a forgotten god.
But this time, it wasn't meant for him.
It wasn't something crafted or narrated to him directly.
**It was something he'd have to uncover himself.**
In time.
With a sigh, he simply slipped the pendant over his neck.
Kalm was never one for flashy ornaments.
He disliked standing out—preferred to exist quietly, like a shadow on the edge of light.
As that thought passed, he reached up with his right hand,
Fingering the dangling earring in his ear with a quiet tenderness.
A bitter smile curved his lips.
A shadow passed through his eyes.
**"On second thought…
This is the only exception I'll ever make.
I'll never take this one off."**
He stood there in stillness, gaze distant—
Not seeing anything.
Thinking of everything.
Of the past.
The present.
And everything beyond it.
Then, after several long seconds, he blinked his dark eyes.
He was still in the void.
**Still... here.
There was something else to do.**
He inhaled deeply, chest rising,
And exhaled it all in a breath that felt like shedding weight.
**"...Oh.
I completely forgot—
I'm not alone anymore.
I'm with... myself."**
With a faint smile tugging at his lips,
He focused on summoning his manifestation.
As if called by instinct—
It appeared.
This time, not cloaked in stardust or radiance—
But emerging quietly...
Like a shadow\... stepping out of a shadow.
Kalm turned.
Met his own eyes.
Two versions of the same soul.
He blinked, surprised.
But the manifestation—**The Calm One**—wore the same unreadable, still expression as always.
Kalm opened his mouth first.
**"What did you do...?"**
The manifestation gave him a long look, then turned toward the dark and,
without saying a word, tried to summon his own golden script.
Kalm sighed.
**"Seriously?
You're ignoring *yourself* now?"**
The Calm One closed his eyes for a moment, then turned his head slowly to meet his own gaze.
"Really, me...?
Talking to yourself again?
We're the same person.
The same soul.
The same consciousness.
You already know what I'm going to say—because I know it too.
Which means *you know*...
that *I don't know*."
Kalm flinched.
Those words hit like a dagger straight into his back.
He covered his face with a hand.
**"Great.
I'm going insane..."**
He scratched the back of his head in frustration.
**"I made *one* copy of myself and this is already happening...
What the hell is going to happen when I make eight more?
All of us in the same room...?"**
The Calm One redirected his attention to the golden letters before him and spoke:
"At that point…
I might *actually* be insane.
Anyway, come see this."
Kalm stepped closer, eyes scanning the interface hovering in front of the Calm One:
---
**Name:** Kalm
**World Title:** *The Calm One*
**Aspect:** Shadows
**Commitment:** You cannot lie
**Stage:** First
**Ichor:** \[Shadow Serpent], \[Shadow Raven], \[Shadow Wolf]
**Elements:** \[Grace, Rule of death ]
---
The Calm One stroked his chin in thoughtful silence, dark eyes fixed on the script.
**"Kalystra's shadow mark is gone.
But I've inherited her *aspect*—
One tied to shadows themselves..."**
Kalm closed his eyes in reflection.
\*\*"What's strange…
is that *you* advanced.
From Dormant... to First Stage.
It's like the world's voice counted you as a *true* challenger—
Right alongside me."\*\*
He opened his eyes again, brows slightly furrowed.
**"Which means…
Something's not right."**
Kalm didn't fully understand how it all worked—
He knew this was an **Awakening Trial**,
Which meant the manifestation was part of unlocking his inner power...
But still,
**Something didn't feel right.**
The Calm One—his manifestation—was undeniably a part of him,
Yet… it moved with its own agency.
Its own rhythm.
Its own awareness.
Kalm considered it for a moment, then chose to let it go for now.
At the very least, it worked in his favor.
His manifestation had awakened, and odds were, if he created more in the future—
**they, too, would awaken immediately.**
The Calm One finally broke the silence.
\*\*"The problem is...
I don't know where the next ones will start.
Will they begin at the First Stage like me?
Or at whatever stage I've reached by then?
There's too much fog…
Too many shadows around me."\*\*
Kalm wanted to think more about it—
But quickly realized it would be a waste of time right now.
So instead, he shifted focus—
To examining the new abilities and traits added to his system.
---
**\[The Calm One]**:
"You were forged from solid calmness and the world's soft quiet...
These emotions now dominate your being."
---
**"In other words,"** he added with an unreadable gaze,
"The world has acknowledged you as calm and composed…
But showing *other* emotions will be far more difficult now."
He studied the description for a long moment,
Then looked at himself with quiet acceptance.
\*\*"That's fine.
You'll show the other emotions—
While me and other will each embody their own.
In truth,
It's a win for me."
A faint smile tugged at Kalm's lips.
In moments of danger—
When death loomed close—
Most people panicked.
They trembled.
They doubted their training.
They hesitated—and died.
But *The Calm One*?
He literally **couldn't** show fear,
Which made him perfect for crisis,
And probably even better for tense negotiations, high-stakes deals, and seizing opportunities under pressure.
With glowing eyes, Kalm pointed toward the next descriptor.
---
**\[Shadows]**:
"You are close to the shadows,
And capable of evolving into one of them—
A unique being among their ranks.
Your shadow…
Is your closest companion—
A part of you that cannot be severed."
---
Both Kalm and The Calm One instinctively looked down.
Even though they were in a void of endless dark,
They could clearly see *his* shadow—vivid, present.
It raised its hand and waved back warmly.
It was… happy.
Oddly cheerful—
A stark contrast to its master's stoic stillness.
Kalm clenched his fist and chuckled.
**"Hey there, little friend...
At least you're not sarcastic or bossy like Kalystra's shadow\..."**
The shadow quickly threw up both hands in an X,
Denying the claim with all its might—
As if to say:
**"I'd never mock my master."**
Kalm smiled.
**"You really *are* my friend, shadow."**
The Calm One observed their interaction for a moment,
Then quietly returned his attention to the golden text.
The shadow, disappointed, lowered its hands and settled once more at its master's feet.
The Calm One now focused on the **Ichor** section.
---
**\[Shadow Serpent]**:
A distinguished shadow beast,
Forged by the great Shadow Queen in the depths of the underworld's darkness.
**Abilities:**
* **Enhance & Substitute**:
The serpent can greatly amplify the host's senses.
If its owner loses sight or hearing, the serpent can *see* and *hear* in their place.
---
**\[Shadow Raven]**:
A unique shadow beast,
Born of the Shadow Queen within a never-ending illusion.
**Abilities:**
* **Stun**:
The raven can paralyze monsters it gazes at.
The strength of this effect scales with the owner's stage.
* **Illusions**:
Its eyes can trap targets in simple illusions.
Duration depends on the owner's power.
---
**\[Shadow Wolf]**:
An elite among shadows,
Created by the Shadow Queen after losing a duel in a battle of blades.
**Abilities:**
* **Speed & Durability**:
The wolf possesses unmatched speed and armor-breaking toughness.
---
Kalm and The Calm One locked eyes briefly.
Then both glanced down at the same time.
A moment of quiet passed.
A soft, bittersweet smile crossed Kalm's lips—
A memory stirred.
He could see her—
**Kalystra.**
That magnificent woman...
**"Damn it...
She really was incredible.
I must never forget what she gave me."**
The Calm One gave a slow, silent nod.
His fingers gently brushed against the edge of his black cloak.
At that moment, Kalm decided to offer her something.
**A moment of silence.**
And then—
The space before his eyes shimmered,
Color and shadow dancing in a quiet blink of reverence.
Then—
He returned to the sacred script.