The Academy grounds were unusually silent that morning, a deceptive calm that masked the growing storm. Crimson sunlight filtered through the tall spires, casting long, sharp shadows across cobblestones. Every noble-born student paused in their morning routines, feeling the subtle, almost imperceptible pulse of Kaelith's growing power in the air.
Lyra clung to his arm as they walked toward the central courtyard, the Heart inside her pulsing erratically. Kaelith's shadow stretched around them like liquid night, tendrils flickering in anticipation. He could feel it — the system pulsing, warning, urging, guiding.
> [System Status – Nyxion Active]
[Anger: 96/100]
[NP: 3,470]
[Skill Ready: Negative Surge – 15 Years Lifespan Cost – Optional]
Nyxion's voice hummed in his mind:
> "The heart stirs… now, little pawn. Will you claim the burden, or will you falter? Do not mistake hesitation for caution; hesitation is weakness in the theater of shadows."
Kaelith's jaw tightened. "I will not falter."
> [System Alert: Heart Fusion Available – Power Unlock Potential: Extreme]
---
The Awakening
In the center of the courtyard stood a circle of crimson sigils, remnants of an old ritual, faintly glowing. Kaelith approached, Lyra close behind. He knelt, placing his hands over her chest, feeling the pulse of the Heart within her.
Lyra's eyes widened. "Brother… it's… it's responding to you. I can feel it… stronger, but… it hurts."
Kaelith's gaze hardened. "Pain is temporary. Survival… is forever. Trust me."
> [System Notification: Heart Influence Critical – Fusion Sequence Initiated]
[NP: 3,470 → 3,600]
The Heart quivered, pulsing violently. Tendrils of silver and black energy erupted from her chest, wrapping around Kaelith in a cocoon of raw emotion: fear, anger, despair, love, and trust intermingled into a tangible aura.
> [System Status: Fusion in Progress – Negative Points Multiplier x2]
Kaelith absorbed it slowly, each beat of the Heart feeding him, each pulse drawing in the Negative Points of surrounding emotions. The system hummed, warning of the cost: fifteen years of lifespan for a full activation.
> [System Alert: Lifespan Sacrifice Pending – Current Age: 17]
He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then allowed it. The silver energy fused with his aura, shadow and light twisting together in perfect chaos.
> [Skill Unlocked: God of Negative Emotions – Level 1]
[Special Passive: Absorb All Negative Emotions – Activation Cost: 15 Years Lifespan]
---
First Display of Godhood
The courtyard trembled under the sheer force of Kaelith's aura. Students who had whispered "commoner" days ago fell to their knees instinctively. The upper-year assassins, observers, and even the masked figure from the labyrinth froze, sensing the immense, unnatural power radiating outward.
Kaelith's shadow expanded, consuming the light around him, while silver pulses of the Heart's energy intertwined with it. Lyra's small hands rested on his chest, her eyes wide with awe and fear.
> [NP Earned: 1,200]
Kaelith exhaled slowly. "The world… feels different. Sharper. Every emotion, every thought, every whisper… it's mine to command."
A ripple of shadow shot outward, immobilizing a group of nobles who had been scheming to humiliate him. Their fear and envy funneled directly into Kaelith, NP accumulating faster than ever.
> [NP Earned: 650]
[Shadow Veil Enhanced – Maximum Stealth Active]
---
The Rival Appears
From the upper balcony of the Academy's main tower, a familiar figure appeared: Selene Arivelle, one of the highest-ranking nobles and Kaelith's long-time rival. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, eyes narrowed, hand poised over a glyph-inscribed staff.
> "So… the little commoner thinks he can rise beyond his station?" she called, voice echoing across the courtyard. "I should have expected nothing less from your little tricks and shadows."
Kaelith did not flinch. Instead, he tightened the Shadow Dagger in his hand, shadows swirling violently at his feet. Lyra's aura pulsed beside him, protective and synchronized with his.
> [NP Earned: 300]
[Anger: 98/100]
Selene descended from the balcony in a flash, her staff leaving streaks of silver light. "Show me… the power that comes from stealing what is not yours!"
---
Clash of Powers
Selene's strike was precise, fast, and infused with magic drawn from envy and pride. Kaelith's Shadow Veil absorbed part of the strike, his movement a blur. He countered, unleashing tendrils of shadow entwined with the Heart's silver energy, binding her temporarily in mid-air.
> [Shadow Bind – Level II Active]
[NP Earned: 500]
The courtyard became a theater of elemental chaos: shadow, silver light, and raw emotion clashing violently. Lyra chanted protective wards, keeping collateral damage to a minimum, though her aura occasionally flared unpredictably from the Heart's influence.
Kaelith's internal struggle peaked: to unleash Negative Surge fully would cost 15 years of his lifespan, but the temptation to end the fight quickly surged through him.
> [System Alert: Negative Surge Available – Recommended Only in Mortal Threat]
Instead, Kaelith relied on strategy, patience, and the fusion's subtle enhancements. Every strike drew NP, every dodge converted enemies' fear into raw power.
> [NP Earned: 800]
---
Public Shock
The other students, watching from windows and balconies, gasped in unison. Commoners, whispered about and despised… now stood as living avatars of godly emotion. Nobles' fear fed Kaelith further.
> [NP Multiplier x2 – Emotional Resonance Active]
He took a deep breath. Shadow Dagger spun, tendrils wrapping Selene's attacks and redirecting them harmlessly into the air. His eyes glowed with the mix of shadow and Heart silver — the first true display of the God of Negative Emotions.
> [Skill Ready: Negative Surge – Still Optional]
---
Aftermath
Selene fell back, recovering her balance, her pride wounded more than her body. Kaelith lowered the aura gradually, allowing the fusion to settle within him. Lyra stepped forward, gripping his sleeve.
> "Brother… you… you're…" her voice trembled. "Different… stronger…"
Kaelith's hand rested gently on her shoulder. "Stronger, yes. But still careful. Every gift has a cost."
> [System Notification: Heart Fusion – Successful]
[NP: 5,450]
[Anger: 75/100]
From the distant spires, faint portals shimmered in molten light, distant observers watching. Nyxion purred:
> "Excellent. The pawn becomes a player. Now… let the real game begin."
Kaelith's eyes narrowed, reflecting the light of distant portals and the shadows of challenge yet to come. He would rise, he would protect Lyra, and no force — mortal, noble, or divine — would stop him.
> [System Status – God of Negative Emotions Level 1 Fully Active]
[Skill Ready: Negative Surge – Optional Activation]
The chapter closed on Kaelith and Lyra standing together, united by blood, shadow, and a heart that now belonged fully to him.
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