The Academy ground burned in flames—
or at least, that's what it looked like.
Students screamed, running from fire that didn't exist.
Darpanesh stood at the center, his cloak rippling, his voice sharp like glass:
"Your eyes see lies. Your heart feels fear. And that… is all I need."
Parashu gritted his teeth.
"Yakshini, Veerath—hold the others together. I'll break his illusions."
He rushed forward, sword blazing with aura.
The moment his blade slashed—
Darpanesh split into five.
Each one laughed.
Each one struck back.
Steel clashed against shadows, but every strike passed through empty air.
Suddenly, Parashu felt blades pierce his body from all sides—
blood, pain, fire in his chest—
He staggered, gasping.
But then—
Yakshini's voice cut through the chaos.
"Parashu! It's not real! Don't believe it!"
Parashu bit his lip till it bled.
He closed his eyes—
and with one focused swing, cut through the real Darpanesh's shadow.
For a moment, the illusions broke.
The fire faded. The screams hushed.
Only silence remained.
Darpanesh smirked.
"Impressive… but not enough."
With a wave of his hand, the illusions doubled.
This time, Parashu couldn't keep up.
Every strike missed. Every sound disoriented him.
Finally—
a hard blow hit his back.
He fell to his knees.
His chest heaved.
His sword shook in his hands.
His voice cracked, almost whispering—
Everyone outside thinks... I'm strong... But that's not true... I'm still weak. Very weak
The illusions faded for just a second.
Even Darpanesh paused, tilting his head, watching the boy admit his weakness.
But in that weakness—
a strange kind of strength began to rise.