Late Summer, Year 01 - Eryndor Academy of Life and Magic
The sky above the academy shimmered like glass. Twin suns rested low on the horizon, painting the floating gardens gold. Everything looked peaceful - until the ground whispered.
Kain stopped mid-step on the way to the alchemy wing.The cobblestones beneath his boots pulsed faintly, a dark ripple spreading outward like spilled ink.
"…That's new," he murmured.
Beside him, Selene von Arctis adjusted her bow. "You feel that too?"
Daniel appeared behind them, carrying a small satchel and a very smug grin. "Probably just faulty mana plumbing. Or a curse. Fifty-fifty."
Laora approached, holding a vial of bright green tonic. "If it's a curse, I'm billing whoever caused it."
The First Sign
In the training hall, students gathered for Elemental Control 101.Professor Valen's normally calm expression was tight. "Remain centered," he said. "Something in the academy's wards is… unwell."
He raised a hand; the sigils around the hall flickered between light and shadow. The air grew cold — and then a ripple of darkness poured from the cracks in the floor.
It wasn't smoke. It was alive - thin silhouettes with hollow eyes, crawling from the stone like spilled nightmares.
"Shadows." Kain's heart pounded.The same presence from his dreams.
Selene drew her bow; radiant arrows formed from pure light.Daniel vanished in a shimmer of gold-black mist. "I'll circle behind."
The first shadow lunged. Kain reacted without thought — his hand flared silver-black, the Flame of Nihility erupting across his palm.
The creature stopped mid-air, caught in the glow, and disintegrated like dust in sunlight.
But the flame didn't fade. It burned brighter, hungrier.
The Voice Returns
"Do not fight in fear."
The whisper of Ix filled his mind, calm and vast.
"Your flame devours lies. Do not let anger make you the liar."
Kain exhaled, focusing on the rhythm of his hammering days. The flame obeyed, curling into a thin ring around his wrist — a forge, not a wildfire.
Selene's arrows of light struck true beside him, each impact singing in harmony with the Nihility Flame.Her wings unfolded, silver feathers scattering motes of starlight.
"Nice teamwork," she said breathlessly. "Your fire complements my light perfectly."
"I'm starting to think it likes you," Kain replied.
A giggle escaped her before she could stop it. "Then keep it under control, table-smith."
Daniel's Shadow Deal
From the upper balcony, Daniel's voice cut through the din. "Three more incoming!"
He leapt down, cloak unfurling into golden smoke. The dagger in his hand — forged from his twin's flame — absorbed a shadow mid-strike. The creature vanished into mist that funneled into a small glass orb.
"Souls for sale," he quipped. "Ethically sourced."
Laora rolled her eyes while tossing a glowing flask. "Try not to break the bottle, genius."
The potion exploded in a burst of harmonic sound; the final shadows evaporated.
Silence returned. Only the hum of the wards remained.
Professor Valen lowered his staff, astonished. "You four — report to the Chancellor. Now."
Daniel winked. "Always nice to get noticed."
Audience with the Chancellor
The Chancellor's office overlooked all of Eryndor, its walls carved with ancient runes.She studied the twins, Laora, and Selene from behind a desk made of crystalized mana.
"You encountered manifested shadow essence," she said slowly. "That should be impossible inside the academy's wards."
Kain's hand tightened around Eclipsa's hilt. "Then something let them in."
Daniel leaned casually against the window. "Or someone sold the keys."
The Chancellor's eyes narrowed. "You suspect internal sabotage?"
"I suspect opportunity," Daniel said. "And opportunity always has a buyer."
Selene frowned. "That's… disturbingly logical."
Laora whispered to Kain, "He worries me sometimes."
"Me too," Kain replied.
The Chancellor finally nodded. "Until we uncover the cause, I'm assigning you four as a temporary Life Harmony Unit. You will continue training but report any disturbances directly to me."
Kain bowed. "Understood."
Night Reflections
That night, the forge behind the dorm flickered with faint silver fire. Kain sat beside it, turning the small orb Daniel had filled earlier. Inside, the captured shadow writhed like smoke in glass.
"Child of Nihility," whispered Ix, faintly audible within the flame."These are the broken echoes of the Tree's balance. When humans forget harmony, their emotions take form. The shadows you fought were despair made flesh."
Kain's voice trembled. "Then the world is sick?"
"Perhaps. Or perhaps it's merely growing."
He looked up at the stars — two suns fading, moons rising — and felt both small and infinite.
Daniel appeared, tossing him a coin. "Payment from the Chancellor for saving her hall."
"I don't remember signing a contract."
"Consider it a family discount."
Kain smiled. "Thanks, Dani."
"Don't thank me. We've just been promoted to unpaid heroes."
Laora leaned from the doorway. "And you're both late for dinner."
Selene followed, soft laughter on her lips. "Come on, heroes. The stew's getting cold."
The twins exchanged a glance. The forge behind them pulsed once, silver light mingling with gold.The Flame of Nihility had awakened — and somewhere, far beyond the clouds, Ix watched in silence, amused.
"Good. The children of balance begin to burn."
[Status Update]
Name: Kain Machiavelli
Race: Half Nihility Aeon • Half Blood Dragon
Level: 9 Exp: 310 / 400
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 2
Life Skills: Blacksmithing Lv 3 | Alchemy Lv 2 | Trading Lv 1
Bond: Daniel Machiavelli (Twin Oath) | Selene von Arctis (Trust 12 %) | Laora Machiavelli (Resonance Aid)
Objective: Investigate the Shadow Infiltration and protect the Academy from Despair Manifestations.
End of Chapter 5 – Whispers of Shadow