The hallways of the Academy buzzed with excitement. Tomorrow was the Class Evaluation Trials, the first true display of power for all first-years — a chance to show what they were made of.
For Kairen, it was a stage.
Not for fame.
But for fear.
---
> [New System Alert]
[Trial Detected: Combat Evaluation Event]
[Optional Objective: Gain Dominance over Peers. Reward: Title Upgrade + Trait Extraction Skill.]
> [Bonus Condition: Make your opponent submit rather than defeat them.]
Kairen smirked. "So it's not about winning… it's about breaking them."
---
The Night Before the Trials
Kairen sat alone in the candlelit archives beneath the academy.
The Mirror of Malice laid open before him. He'd spent hours decoding its cursed language. With every passage, new knowledge poured in: forbidden arts, shadow alchemy, soul branding.
Then ZERO spoke.
> [New Passive Learned: Aura of Dread (Lv.1)]
→ Enemies with lower willpower suffer fear and stat debuffs when near.
→ Effect doubles in darkness.
> [Suggested: Save "Hopebreaker" Sigil for a high-profile target during the Trial.]
Kairen closed the book, standing. His aura flared briefly — invisible to the eye, but thick like smoke to those with mana senses.
"Let the world call me a monster," he muttered. "As long as they never forget my name."
---
The Day of the Trials
The arena echoed with cheers. Hundreds of students gathered, each preparing to show off their magic, weapons, or spirit beasts.
Kairen stood silently, cloak flapping, eyes scanning the lineup.
Then he saw him.
Rael Sorin – lightning-user. Noble bloodline. Top 5 in class. Arrogant. Loved by faculty. Hated by Kairen in his past life.
> [Target Selected: Rael Sorin]
[History: Participated in your downfall. Publicly mocked your exile. Led purge vote.]
[Current Weakness: Overconfidence | Hidden Fear: Failure]
> [Recommended Plan: Shatter his pride.]
---
"Next match: Kairen Volk vs. Rael Sorin!"
The crowd roared. Rael grinned, twirling his lightning-forged spear.
"You're that quiet one from Combat Class C, right? Don't blink — I'll end this fast."
Kairen gave no reply.
The whistle blew.
---
Rael lunged, sparks flying. The arena shook with the force of his charge.
But his strike... stopped mid-air.
Kairen raised a single hand. Shadow tendrils burst from his feet, wrapping around Rael's weapon and legs like vipers.
"What the—!?"
> [Skill Used: Shadow Lock]
[Passive: Aura of Dread Activated]
→ Enemy Willpower drop: 32%
→ Accuracy -20% | Mana flow unstable
Kairen stepped forward, calm.
Then activated his new curse.
> [Hopebreaker: Target – Rael Sorin]
[Effect: Converting Hope → Fear... 68%]
"You dream of being a hero, Rael," Kairen whispered. "Let me show you the truth."
A pulse of black energy slammed into Rael's chest. His confident expression melted into sheer panic.
His aura flickered. Mana control slipped. His knees hit the ground.
"I... I yield! I YIELD!"
The crowd gasped.
Not because Rael lost.
But because he begged.
---
> [System Notification]
[Bonus Objective Complete: Target Submitted]
[You have earned: Title Upgrade – "Fearmonger"]
[New Skill Unlocked: Trait Extraction]
→ Steal a minor trait from any defeated target.
→ Trait stolen: Quick Reflexes (Lv.1)
Kairen turned and walked away.
The crowd was silent.
ZERO's voice hummed like static in his ear.
> [Fear begins where respect ends. You're becoming... legendary.]
---
Later that night...
Elira found him sitting beneath the Academy's moonlit archway.
"You were... terrifying today," she said softly.
Kairen didn't look at her.
"Still trust me?"
She sat beside him, close.
"More than ever."
> [Trust: 77%]
[Corruption: Stable Progress]
[Bond Status: Emotional Attachment Forming]
For a moment, something warm flickered in his chest.
Then he killed it.
---
End of Chapter 4
---