Location: Subterranean Simulation Chamber, Yuri Academy
I was supposed to be asleep.
Not standing in the center of a glowing magic circle, surrounded by cold mist, with Cassandra Nightveil staring me down—holding a blade that looked part sword, part spectral interface.
> "The test begins now."
"Wait—test for what—"
FWOOSH.
A shadow arrow flew past my ear. I barely dodged.
She didn't even blink.
> "This isn't a normal sparring session, Nox. This is a survival simulation."
> "For you. And for me."
---
System Activation
[Simulated Combat Environment Engaged]
[Injury Level: Real. No safety parameters detected.]
[System Judgment: Threat Level: Moderate–Serious]
> Of course. She's not just testing me. She's trying to confirm something.
---
The Fight Begins
Cassandra vanished.
Literally. One blink and she was gone.
I spun—
Too late. A cold presence pressed behind me.
> "You're too slow."
She swept my legs out from under me with a precision strike. I hit the floor hard.
A sigil of a blinking eye appeared beneath me—an illusion trap.
I barely had time to raise my hand.
---
[System: Auto-Defense Engaged]
Voidframe Engine: ACTIVE
Spell Replication Detected
Deploying: Mirror Break
A burst of black energy cracked the illusion and blasted her back a few feet.
Cassandra landed smoothly.
She looked... intrigued.
> "Your reaction time is accelerating. The system responds to threat stimulus."
I stood shakily. "You knew I had it, didn't you?"
> "I suspected. After the Seraphina incident… it's obvious."
> "So this test is just a way to force the system to expose itself?"
She nodded once.
> "If you're going to survive here, Nox… you need to stop pretending you're normal. You're not."
---
Combat Escalates
She lunged again—faster this time.
Our movements danced through the chamber—her blade shimmering with anti-magic, mine… mostly dodging, stumbling, panicking, then countering by reflex.
Each move pushed the sync rate higher.
Every dodge, block, or desperate parry fed the system.
---
[System Sync Rate: 78%]
[Skill Mimic: Shadowstep – 32%]
[New Passive Acquired: "Survivor's Instinct"]
> She's training me through live combat. While trying to break me. Neat.
---
Final Clash
She pinned me against the wall with a quick step and raised her hand—not to strike, but to scan.
A small orb floated out, aimed at my chest.
It glowed white.
Then instantly cracked and shattered.
She stared at it, unfazed.
> "It confirms it. The system inside you… isn't from this world."
I looked at her, panting.
> "So what now?"
She leaned closer, voice colder.
> "Now? You survive the others. I'll protect you as long as you're useful."
She turned to leave.
Then paused.
> "And Nox?"
I looked up.
> "Never let your guard down again. Especially with me."
---
Aftermath
I sat on the floor, muscles aching, heart racing.
[System Message: Skill Growth Accelerated]
[User Threat Awareness Improved]
[Cassandra Relationship Status Updated:]
— Affection : 48%
— Suspicion : 89%
— Obsession : 14%
— Control Risk : Moderate
> She doesn't want me dead. She just wants the truth.
And maybe… control of it.