The Academy courtyard buzzed with noise as students exited the Awakening Hall, waving their new talent certificates like trophies. Some boasted. Some cried. Some stared blankly at the results that would shape their futures.
Lucian walked among them silently.
A D-Rank talent.
The perfect disguise.
He blended into the crowd like a smudge of charcoal among bright colors. Nobody spared him more than a passing glance—except Mira, whose eyes lingered on him with a quiet uncertainty.
But Lucian's attention wasn't on her.
It was on the darkness beneath his feet.
His shadow… moved.
Not with the sun.
Not with his own steps.
But on its own—stretching, coiling, breathing.
Like a creature waking up.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
[Passive Skill: Talent Devour — Active]
[Current Load: 1 Talent]
[Warning: Further absorption may trigger Shadow Instinct]
Lucian exhaled slowly.
The Monarch's power was meant to conquer worlds.
It had never been meant to be contained in a human body.
If this continues, I'll reveal myself before the first Rift even opens.
He ducked into an empty corridor and pressed his back against the wall. The hallway hummed with distant footsteps and the low thrum of machinery. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, slicing shadows into long lines across the marble floor.
Lucian knelt.
And his shadow lifted its head.
A ripple passed through it like a shiver. The dark shape rose a few inches from the floor, forming a distorted outline of a humanoid figure—featureless yet unmistakably alive.
Lucian's pulse froze.
The System chimed.
[FIRST SHADOW MINION FORMING]
[Designation: <>]
[Tier: 0 — Proto-Shadow]
[Warning: Proto-shadows are unstable without Sovereign control.]
The creature swayed, its form glitching like a corrupted hologram. The edges wavered and melted, as though gravity couldn't decide whether to claim it or abandon it.
Lucian reached out instinctively—
And the shadow recoiled, trembling violently.
A voice brushed against his thoughts—faint, static-laced.
"…command… me…"
Lucian swallowed.
In the last timeline, he had never controlled a single shadow. He had fought them, survived them, and died to them. He had learned their patterns, their weaknesses, their hunger… but he had never led them.
This was new.
Dangerous.
And the second he mistimed a command, it could tear free.
"Follow," he whispered, testing the bond.
The proto-shadow stiffened, struggling like a newborn learning to stand.
Then it slid back into the shape of his normal shadow—still, silent, obedient.
[Shadow Minion — Bound]
[Stability: 32%]
Lucian exhaled.
Good. That's… good.
He straightened, wiping the cold sweat from his palms.
But he wasn't alone.
A sharp voice snapped across the hall.
"Hey! You."
Lucian turned.
A tall boy with spiky red hair strode toward him, scowling like Lucian had personally offended his ancestors. Behind him lingered two smaller boys, both wearing red badges that marked them as combat-track students.
Great.
Kyle Rowan.
Ranked Top-50 in the Academy.
Arrogant. Violent.
And in the previous timeline—dead on Day 2.
Kyle jabbed a finger at Lucian's chest.
"I saw your Awakening result," he sneered. "D-Rank? And you still walk around like you belong here?"
Lucian kept his expression blank.
Kyle pushed him backward.
"You transfers think you get special treatment. News flash—you don't."
Lucian remained silent.
Kyle smirked. "What? Not even going to defend yourself? You scared?"
Lucian almost laughed.
If Kyle knew what stood behind him in the shadow, he would be praying for mercy.
But Lucian didn't want scenes.
Not today.
Not yet.
Still, he couldn't afford to appear weak.
Because predators always sensed prey.
Lucian stepped forward slightly—into the sunlight.
His shadow lengthened behind him.
The proto-shadow reached out, just an inch, a dark curl that slid across the ground toward Kyle's ankle.
Kyle's body went rigid.
His pupils dilated.
His breath hitched.
A primal signal of danger screamed through his instincts—something ancient, buried in the human psyche since the first night tribes stared into the wilderness.
He stumbled backward.
Lucian tilted his head causally. "Problem?"
Kyle swallowed, the bravado draining from his face.
"N-No. No problem."
He turned quickly. "Let's… go."
His lackeys scrambled after him.
Lucian watched them flee.
He didn't smile.
He didn't gloat.
He simply turned and continued walking toward Class Hall 2.
The proto-shadow curled behind him—quiet, satisfied, hungry.
A whisper brushed the edges of Lucian's consciousness.
"More…"
Lucian closed his eyes.
"Yes," he murmured. "Soon."
Because today was Awakening Day.
Tomorrow would be Combat Placement.
And on the third day…
The first Rift would open.
And Lucian Gray would be ready this time.