Late Winter, Year 01 - Old Market District of Eryndor
A week after discovering the mirror beneath the academy, the Machiavelli twins stood on the edge of the city's lowest sky-platform. The snow-fog had thinned, revealing a row of abandoned taverns once owned by air-sailors. Wind whistled through broken stained glass; each gust rattled the old signs that still read "After Life Inn."
Daniel grinned. "The name's already on the door. Destiny clearly wants us to commit tax fraud."
Kain brushed dust from an old counter. The wood still smelled faintly of rum and burnt mana. "Not fraud," he said, his silver flame flickering in the gloom. "A front … and a beginning."
Laora spun in a half-circle, arms open. "Alchemy lab upstairs, music stage down here — we can rebuild it!"
Yanari crouched, tracing the floorboards. "Basement's wide. If we reinforce the mana flow, it could hold a small arena."
Daniel smirked. "You mean an illegal one."
"Preferably."
1 – The Blueprint
For days they worked in secret. Kain reforged the foundation beams with tempered void-steel; Laora brewed resonance potions to stabilize the mana flow; Selene secured funding through discreet angelic donations ("don't ask," she said). Daniel handled every contract with alarming ease.
One evening, blueprints scattered across a table, Daniel pointed with a quill. "Ground floor: tavern. Second floor: rooms and alchemy. Sub-level: training pit and… optional entertainment."
"'Optional' ?" Laora asked.
He grinned. "Gambling, duels, information exchange — all optional."
Yanari's tails flicked. "Make the floor rune-sealed. If someone dies, the blood shouldn't stain."
Selene sighed. "You people are exhausting."
2 – Arrival of the Two Strangers
During reconstruction, two women arrived uninvited.
The first stepped through the dust-haze carrying a crate of crystal bottles. Her silver-lavender hair caught the lantern light, and her crimson eyes curved into a knowing smile.
"I heard rumors," she said. "A new club run by fools and geniuses. I'm Lyra Veyren — former merchant-guild sommelier. You'll need a bartender who can sell truth better than wine."
Daniel's coin-sense tingled. "Do you work cheap?"
"I work right."
The second stranger emerged from the shadows behind her — a tall woman with rose-blonde hair and two crimson horns curling back from her temples. Her golden eyes glowed through the smoke.
"I'm Akari Noctelle," she said, voice soft as silk drawn over steel. "My shinobi network heard you plan to fight corruption. I have ears in every empire — and I prefer to sell what I hear rather than kill who speaks it."
Yanari tilted her head. "Another oni? Perfect. I was starting to feel lonely."
Kain studied them both. "If you're joining, you follow our code. We fight shadows, not become them."
Lyra poured a glass of shimmering violet liquor and slid it across the table. "Then toast to balance, Prince of Nihility."
The flame inside Kain's hand pulsed once — agreement.
3 – The Opening Night
Three weeks later, After Life reopened.
The once-ruined tavern now gleamed with obsidian glass and silver fixtures. Floating candles burned in red-blue hues. Laora played a soft rhythm from her alchemy harp, potions bubbling in time to the music. Selene greeted guests with serene grace. Lyra stood behind the bar, mixing glowing drinks that shifted color with mood.
Down below, the Hollow Arena came alive. Fighters' spirits clashed in projected duels — silver flames against fox-blue fire. Crowds roared, bets rang, and Daniel's grin widened with every coin counted.
Yanari dropped an opponent with a single spinning kick. "Next?"
From the VIP balcony, Akari observed silently, one finger pressed to an ear-com. Her shinobi reported from alleys, towers, and shadowed corners; every whisper in the city found its way to her.
Above, Kain watched the scene unfold — his creation, their creation — and felt the Flame of Nihility hum with quiet satisfaction.
"This place breathes," Ix whispered within him. "You've forged a haven from hunger. Now see if it survives desire."
4 – A Deal in the Dark
Later that night, a nobleman cloaked in silk entered the bar, eyes darting."I hear this place trades … information."
Lyra smiled faintly. "Depends on the currency."
"Gold."
She poured a glittering red drink. "We prefer truth."
He hesitated, then whispered, "The council hides something beneath the academy. They're using it."
Akari's eyes narrowed. "What kind of use?"
"Summoning … mirrors."
Before he could finish, his reflection in the bar's mirror flickered — and shattered like glass. The man screamed and vanished, leaving only crimson dust.
The room fell silent.
Kain's Flame surged, echoing the same resonance they had felt beneath the academy.
"Shadow Market," Akari said quietly. "They found a way in."
Kain looked to his companions — Selene's pale wings tensed, Daniel's coin froze mid-flip, Yanari's tails flared blue.
"This is where it starts," Kain said. "We uncover them — through the light, the trade, and the ring below."
Lyra raised her glass. "To After Life."
Everyone echoed, voices layered with fire, shadow, and faith.The chandelier above flickered — one light white, one crimson.
[Status Update]
Name: Kain Machiavelli
Race: Half Aeon • Half Blood Dragon
Level: 14 Exp: 600 / 740
Tree Rank: Netzach (7th Sphere)
Guiding Aeon: Ix – Aeon of Nihility
Spirit Invoked: Van Helsing – First Dragon of Blood
Unique Skill: Shadow Nihility Flame Lv 3
New Facility: After Life (Tavern • Forge • Arena • Intelligence Hub)
Allies Added: Lyra Veyren (Emotion Lv 1) | Akari Noctelle (Shadow Lv 1)
Objective: Expose the Shadow Market while keeping After Life hidden from the Empire's nobles.
End of Chapter 10 – After Life Rises