"Shadows Are the Reflection of Our Souls."
The Shadow Class dormitory looked like an abandoned dungeon. The beds were cold and hard, cobwebs clung to every corner, and dust coated every surface like a shroud.
"What a horrible place," Kikoshin muttered.
"Better than your house," Rioyin shot back.
Without hesitation, Kikoshin swung his fist with all his strength—landing a brutal blow across Rioyin's jaw. Rioyin crashed to the floor, blood trickling from his split lip.
"Dare mention my home again," Kikoshin growled, eyes glistening with fury.
"You'll pay for that," Rioyin snarled, pushing himself up, his voice thick with rage.
"Will you two just stop fighting? You're acting like monsters!" Kaory snapped, arms crossed.
Rioyin wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve and spat onto the floor. "I'll make you regret this," he hissed, storming toward Kikoshin.
"Rioyin, stop!" Kaory shouted.
But Rioyin was already charging.
Kikoshin didn't flinch—he lunged forward to meet him.
Yet before either could land a single touch—before their fingers even grazed—their shadows moved.
Both shadows surged to life, wrapping around their masters like living nooses. Kikoshin's shadow coiled around his throat, choking him. Rioyin's did the same.
From the floor, a figure rose like a predator emerging from the dark—Nagatho Soo. Kaory dropped to her knees, trembling at his sudden appearance.
"Rule number two," Nagatho said, arms crossed, voice sharp as a blade, "Beware the reflection of your own shadow."
Kikoshin and Rioyin clawed at their throats, faces turning purple as oxygen fled their lungs.
"Please… let them go!" Kaory begged.
Nagatho said nothing. He walked slowly to Rioyin and leaned down.
"If you don't know the past," he murmured, "don't judge the future."
He turned next to Kikoshin—seconds from blacking out, his shadow tightening like a serpent.
"The only thing that destroys a man," Nagatho said, voice low and cold, "is his own rage."
Then he turned to Kaory. With a single, sharp snap of his fingers, the shadows released their hosts and slithered back to the floor, returning to their normal, silent forms.
Kikoshin and Rioyin collapsed, gasping for air like drowning men pulled ashore. Nagatho watched them, expression unreadable.
"Next time," he said calmly, "I'll turn you into my enslaved shadows."
"What the hell was that?" Rioyin rasped, still wheezing.
"A warm embrace from your reflection," Nagatho replied, offering a half-smile that sent chills down their spines—more terrifying than comforting.
"You nearly killed us," Kikoshin said, struggling to his feet.
"Don't be a crybaby. You weren't even close to dying," Nagatho said flatly.
"Your first training begins now: learn to work as a team—and leave your differences behind."
He glanced around the filthy dormitory and grimaced.
"Ugh. This place is a mess. Looks like a prison for corrupted shadows."
"You're the one who brought us here," Rioyin muttered.
"Then you'll start by cleaning it," Nagatho said. "Just because we walk with the dead doesn't mean we live like them."
Without another word, he turned and strode out, the door clicking shut behind him.
Kaory rose slowly, her eyes fixed on the door.
Rioyin approached Kikoshin, fists still clenched.
"Don't think this ends here," he said, venom in his voice.
Kikoshin opened his mouth to retort—but both their shadows twitched ominously, stretching toward their throats as a silent warning.
Kikoshin shut his mouth. Instead, he grabbed a broom.
"You'd better grab yours and start sweeping," he said flatly.
Rioyin glared—but said nothing. He snatched a broom and began sweeping furiously. As he worked, he noticed Kikoshin sweeping faster. So he sped up.
Kikoshin saw Rioyin gaining on him—and swept even faster.
Soon, an unspoken competition raged between them: who could sweep the floor quicker?
Kaory watched them, arms slack at her sides, utterly disappointed.
"These two will never change," she murmured.
She picked up a rag and walked to a dusty shelf. As she wiped it down, her fingers brushed against an old, forgotten book buried under grime. She pulled it free, wiped the cover, and read the title to herself.
Her eyes widened in horror.
The book slipped from her hands—and the moment it hit the floor, her own shadow swallowed it whole.