The Astralis Academy infirmary, usually a sterile, quiet place, released Nox feeling surprisingly invigorated despite the profound energetic drain from his battle. His minor cuts and bruises were patched, but the true healing was internal, a fierce clarity in his mind. The hum of his power, the ability to shift perceived reality, still vibrated beneath his skin. Kaelix, his limp gone, walked proudly beside him, occasionally nudging his hand with his silver snout.
Nox found Jad Smyth in his office, just as commanded. The Vice Headmaster sat behind his desk, the room's usual meticulous order now feeling almost fragile. Smyth's expression was a mix of stern disapproval and intense curiosity.
"Sit, Cadet Vale," Smyth commanded, his voice low, a quiet gravity replacing his usual booming tone. "Explain yourself. A Shadow Stalker? In the Academy's perimeter forest? These beasts are legends, creatures of pure, consuming darkness. Our sensors detected an enormous, unclassifiable energy surge from deep within the restricted zones. An energy signature that points directly to you."
Nox met his gaze, his own eyes clear and unwavering. He began to speak, his voice steady as he recounted the harrowing experience in the ravine. He described the oppressive silence, the chilling presence of the Shadow Stalker, its scales that swallowed light, its malevolent emerald eyes. He spoke of Kaelix's brave but futile interception, the corrosive shadow-venom, and the absolute, terrifying certainty of his own impending death.
"It was at that moment, sir," Nox explained, a shiver running down his spine as he recalled the sensation. "When its fangs were inches from my face. I didn't think. I just… understood. The void isn't just absence. It's the point where reality can be… re-perceived."
Smyth listened, his expression slowly shifting from skepticism to profound awe. He was an elemental master, a man of logic and established power. But what Nox described defied every elemental principle he knew. He spoke of unmaking his presence, making his body unreal for a fraction of a second, causing the beast's attack to pass through nothing. He spoke of redirecting the beast's tail by making a section of it not perceived as hitting him, shunting it harmlessly elsewhere.
"You… you manipulated its very senses?" Smyth leaned forward, his voice a strained whisper. "You altered its perception of reality?"
"Yes, sir," Nox affirmed. "Its shadow aura, which should have drained me, I made it not perceived as harmful. Its vision, I made it unreliable, causing it to strike at phantoms. Its mind couldn't handle the contradiction. It was like… showing it a truth its being couldn't accept, over and over."
Smyth stood abruptly, walking to the panoramic window, his back to Nox. His Thunder Resonance, usually a calm hum, now crackled with an underlying tension, a visible sign of his internal turmoil. "This… this is beyond anything elemental," Smyth breathed, his voice barely audible. "It is the source, perhaps. The core of how reality is put together. The void… it is merely a tool, a visible aspect of a power that can fundamentally reshape existence itself."
He turned back, his gaze firm, almost piercing. "No wonder the mysterious figure has taken such an interest in you, Cadet Vale. He spoke of an 'imbalance,' of 'eyes' seeking the Unclassified. He warned me the Championship would be merely a prelude. Your power… it's not just unclassified. It's primal. Fundamental."
Smyth walked back to his desk, picking up a data slate, but not looking at it. "Your victory over the Shadow Stalker, while undeniably monumental, was also incredibly reckless, Vale. It sent a massive, undeniable ripple through the very fabric of the forest's energy signature. A ripple that has drawn attention. You are now Astralis Academy's most potent, and most unpredictable, asset. And a potential target for those who might want to control or eliminate such a primal power."
Smyth's voice dropped, becoming a low, urgent murmur. "Because of this, Cadet Vale, you will not speak of what happened in the ravine. To anyone. Not the Shadow Stalker. Not your methods. Your official story is that you encountered a formidable beast, sustained injuries, and through sheer luck and Kaelix's intervention, managed to escape with your life. Understand?"
Nox nodded, the gravity of the instruction sinking in. The true nature of his power was to be a secret.
"Furthermore," Smyth continued, his gaze heavy, "the true nature of your Resonance, your ability to manipulate perception, is to remain hidden. For now, we will say your 'Unclassified Resonance' is developing into something unique, perhaps an advanced form of void energy. Anything else would draw too much scrutiny, too many dangerous questions from outside. And for the Championship, while your new abilities will be crucial, you must use them with extreme discretion. Make them appear as extreme speed, incredible luck, or bewildering tactical decisions. Not as overt reality manipulation. Do you grasp the importance of this?"
Nox nodded again, the weight of the secret settling upon him. He was a champion chosen for a destiny he was only just beginning to understand, a destiny that required a hidden blade.
Smyth met Nox's gaze, a heavy burden in his own eyes. "From this moment, your training will intensify beyond anything you've experienced. Under my direct supervision, we will try to understand and control this 'perception manipulation.' This is no longer just for the Academy's pride. This is for something far greater. You are ready to step onto the biggest stage, Nox Vale. And the world is about to witness a power it has long forgotten."
Nox felt the weight of his words, but also a surge of fierce pride. He wasn't just a boy with a strange power anymore. He was a piece of a larger cosmic puzzle. The Championship was no longer just a competition; it was the first step on a perilous journey. He nodded, Kaelix letting out a soft, determined growl at his feet. They were ready.