Mid-Summer, Year 01 - The Academy of Life and Magic
Morning bells chimed across the floating campus, each note resonating through invisible runes. Kain woke to the faint hum of his brother practicing illusions in the next room.
"Shadow merchant training again?" he muttered, pulling on his coat.
Daniel's voice drifted through the door. "Shinobi economics, little brother! Every contract begins with breakfast!"
Kain sighed. "That's not how that works."
"It will be when I patent it."
The First Class: Alchemy and Life Resonance
Kain's first class took place in a circular hall lined with floating cauldrons. The instructor, Professor Valen, had hair like smoke and eyes that glowed a soft blue.
"Alchemy," he began, "isn't mixing ingredients-it's persuading the world to change its mind."
He waved a hand; a blossom of light bloomed over his palm."Mana is emotion, and matter listens to emotion."
Laora was already there, her desk covered in neatly labeled vials. She grinned as Kain sat beside her. "Try not to blow up the bench, brother."
"I only do that on weekends."
Selene sat across from them, quiet but observant, wings folded like moonlit silk. When she worked, her touch was delicate-every movement precise. Kain found himself staring until she glanced up, catching him.
"You should stir," she said softly. "Your potion is judging you."
He blinked. "Potions… judge?"
"They do, if you ignore them."
He quickly resumed stirring, cheeks warm. Laora smirked. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
The Blacksmith's Workshop
That afternoon, Kain joined the Life Forging Lab, a mix between engineering bay and temple. Students shaped blades, armor, even tools using runes tied to their Tree ranks.
The master blacksmith, Roderic the Iron Monk, inspected each student's aura before handing them a hammer.When he reached Kain, he paused. "You carry a strange flame, boy. Not holy, not cursed… something between."
Kain nodded. "I call it the Shadow Nihility Flame."
Roderic's eyes widened slightly. "Then you'll learn not to fear your own creation. Begin."
When Kain struck the metal, the silver-black flame danced along the edges of the forge, shaping not only steel but the air around it. The other students watched in silence as a faint echo of singing filled the room-Laora's resonance from afar, guiding him subconsciously.
By the end of class, Kain had forged a slender short sword: dark silver, veins glowing faintly.
Roderic touched the hilt. "You've made something that remembers its maker. Keep it. It will grow with you."
He named it Eclipsa—the first weapon born of his Flame.
Lunch Break with Selene
Later, under the academy's crystal dome, Selene sat with Kain, quietly eating fruit slices that glowed with mana.
"You forge like a priest prays," she said.
"That sounds exhausting."
"It's… admirable." She hesitated. "Most nobles use magic to dominate. You shape it like you're listening."
He smiled faintly. "My sister says creation is a conversation."
"And you listen well." She looked away, a hint of pink touching her cheeks.
From behind a nearby pillar, Daniel whispered to Laora, "I give them three days before he's proposing a business partnership."
Laora elbowed him. "You mean marriage proposal."
Evening Reflections
That night, the twins met in the dorm's courtyard. The moons shimmered over the floating gardens.
Kain lifted Eclipsa: the blade shimmered with gentle light.Daniel produced a dagger of black glass, its surface rippling like water.The twins struck
once-steel to steel-and both weapons sang in harmony.
"Yours hums like a lullaby," Daniel said. "Mine hisses like a threat."
"Balance," Kain said simply.
They sat in silence for a while before Daniel added, "Selene seems… different. You like her?"
Kain stared at the stars. "I don't know yet. But when she smiles, the Flame quiets."
Daniel chuckled. "Then keep her around. Anything that tames you is valuable."
Night Invocation
As sleep crept in, Kain dreamed again. The world dissolved into silver mist, and Ix appeared-faceless, vast, its wings forming constellations.
"The Flame grows brighter," the Aeon murmured. "But creation alone is hollow. Seek souls who balance you. Bonds are forgers of meaning."
Kain bowed his head. "Then I'll keep forging."
"Good." A faint warmth passed through him. "And beware—shadows watch those who learn to shine."
When he awoke, his hand still glowed faintly, Eclipsa resting beside his bed, its edge whispering like breath.
[Status Update]
Name: Kain Machiavelli
Race: Half Nihility Aeon • Half Blood Dragon
Level: 7 Exp: 188 / 340
Tree Rank: Hod (8th Sphere)
Guiding Aeon: Ix – Aeon of Nihility
Spirit Invoked: Van Helsing – First Dragon of Blood
Unique Skill: Shadow Nihility Flame Lv 1
Life Skills: Blacksmithing Lv 3 | Alchemy Lv 2 | Mining Lv 1Bond: Daniel Machiavelli (Twin Oath) | Selene von Arctis (Trust 6 %) | Laora Machiavelli (Resonance Aid)
Objective: Forge Eclipsa's spirit and master life skills before the Academy Festival.
End of Chapter 4 – Forging Bonds