The sun rise like it's ready for fight. The sky was too blue and too quiet, like it knew something was coming. The school field was already full before Coker even reach. Everyone wear their uniforms clean for once, all shiny and tight. The teachers was shouting names, the students was lining up like scared chickens. But today was not a normal day. Today was **the exam**.
And not just any exam. This one decide which Captain will take who. It decide your future, your group, your respect. Or if you even get chosen at all.
Coker stood far at the edge of the ground, head down, sweat on his face but not from fear, just from thinking too hard. "What if I faint again?" he say. "What if the shadow come out in front of all them?"
But Lira was already beside him, hands on her hips. "Stop shaking," she said. "You strong now, remember? Even Kaien look worried."
And she wasn't lying. Kaien wasn't laughing like always. He was warming up his hands, little fire sparks dancing from his fingers, but his eyes keep turning to Coker like something was off. Like he still hear the footsteps from the shadow yesterday.
The ground was divided into big circle parts, each marked by elements. Fire. Water. Wind. Light. Earth. And then the middle one— blank. For those who never awaken their power. The magicless. The failures.
That's where Coker was standing.
The teacher yell, "Line up! When I call your name, step in the circle and show your attribute! Then the Captains will watch!"
From a tall stage, all 11 Captains was sitting like Kings and Queens. Each one shining with power. One with a big red armor, flames coming off his back. One glowing with yellow wings. One wearing black like night itself. Their eyes scan every student like hunters choosing weapons.
The first student walk into the fire circle. "Name: Bato. Attribute: Fire." He light his hand and throw a fireball in the air. People clap. Kaien smirked. "Small spark," he muttered.
One by one students went up. Water, wind, earth. Some fail. One girl tried to fly but fell on her butt. Everybody laugh. But she laugh too so it was fine.
Then the teacher shouted a name that made everybody go quiet.
"Coker... step forward."
The whole field went still.
Kaien whispered, "This should be fun."
Coker took a step. Then another. His legs felt like bones was shaking inside jelly. Lira gave him a thumb up but her face also had fear. Even she wasn't sure if Coker was ready.
He walk into the blank circle. Everyone already whispering. "That's the one with no power." "Didn't his brother take all the magic?" "Why is he even here?"
Coker heard them. All. Every word feel like a small knife. But he stood tall.
The teacher clear his throat. "Attribute... unknown. Coker, do you have something to show?"
Coker didn't answer. He closed his eyes. He didn't scream. He didn't punch. He just thought. Inside his head.
He whispered, "Shadow… can you come out? Just a little?"
For a second, nothing happen.
Then his shadow moved.
First small, then big, then rising like a smoke wave. People gasped. One Captain even stood up.
The shadow formed into a boy shape. His shape. His clone. It opened eyes just like his. Same face. Same hair. But darker.
The students start panicking. "What is that??" "He summoned something??" "Is that even magic??"
Kaien mouth opened wide. He didn't say nothing. Just stared.
The teacher stepped back. "Coker… is that… a clone?"
Coker nod slow. "I think so."
The Captains whisper to each other. One fire Captain smile. "Interesting… very rare type."
Then another Captain said loud, "What kind of magic is that? Say your element!"
Coker didn't know what to say. But then, deep inside, the voice came again. Not loud. Just clear.
**Shadow. Vessel. You carry me now.**
He opened his mouth. "Shadow…" he said. "I think I'm… Shadow."
Silence.
Then the crowd exploded. "SHADOW??" "That's impossible!" "They was extinct!!" "HE LYING!!"
But the Captains wasn't laughing. They was serious. Some even frown. Some look scared. Some look… excited.
The black-armored Captain lean forward. "What's your name again, boy?"
Coker blinked. "Coker…"
The Captain smile small. "Coker… You're not normal."
Then he sit back and the exam continue.
But the fire in the field wasn't the only thing burning.
Because now everyone know.
Coker got power.
And it's not just any power.
It's the one they thought was gone forever.
The one that scare demons.
The one that the other races destroy cause it was too strong.
Shadow.
And now it's back.
Inside him.