The dormitory was again silent, the moonlight spilling across the polished floor and casting long, silver streaks against the walls. Lucian Vale sat cross-legged upon his bed, his shadowy tendrils coiling and extending across the floor, restive for command. The events of the day-classroom lessons, casual observations of Rylan Cross, and the flashing moments with Seraphine-swam in his brain. But now, in solitude, he could give his entire attention to the power that pulsed in his breast, awaiting comprehension.
He extended his hand, and the shadows leapt into immediate response, coiling around his fingers like greeting an old friend. They twisted and shifted, forms taking and releasing: a wolf, a serpent, a small, flickering bird. It was all done in grace and precision, and Lucian's eyes sparkled with excitement. So much potential…
But excitement was tempered with caution. The shadows were not just tools—they were an extension of his will and emotion. Let arrogance or carelessness seep into his control, and they would spiral into chaos, revealing far more than he intended.
A faint flicker in the corner of his dorm room caught his attention. Immediately, the shadows obliged by bending toward that energy as if it sensed his curiosity. He reached out and let his mind merge briefly with the darkness, feeling its pulse and rhythm. It was almost alive, a reflection of his own thoughts and desires.
As he fiddled, his mind strayed to Seraphine. Her laughter from this morning, her soft voice, the way she tilted her head when curious-it all tugged at something deep inside him. She's the reason these shadows are so stable, he realized. The reason they respond so clearly. My will is strong, yes, but my emotions anchor them.
A flicker of guilt passed through him, too. In his past life, he had failed to protect her; he had allowed rivals, betrayals, and his own inexperience to make her vulnerable. Now, the shadows stirred for him, answering his determination, his resolve. He would not fail her again. Never.
By the time the first hints of dawn crept through the window, Lucian had formed more sophisticated shadow shapes: blades that twisted in his grip, shields that shimmered with a faint protective aura, and tendrils that could extend several feet in response to thought alone. Each movement required concentration-a delicate balance of intent and control. Yet he felt a thrill at the possibilities. With this power, I can change everything.
The sun had barely risen when he came to the academy training grounds. Already, students milled about, stretching, greeting each other, and getting ready for the morning duels. Today was special; he would meet his first official one-on-one duel against Rylan Cross. Since the academy treats the dueling as a test of skill and strategy, Lucian knew that every move carried lessons, every outcome a chance to assert dominance or observe weaknesses.
Rylan was waiting at the other end of the arena, his dark eyes keen and calculating. There was the usual arrogant smirk on his face, the one that was as recognizable as it was infuriating. A small crowd of students had gathered around them, murmuring excitedly to one another at the prospect of a duel. The instructors were lingering nearby, too, their faces neutral yet watchful for any breach of the rules.
Lucian stepped closer, his cool reserved. No posturing yet. Keep it light. He held out a hand, the familiar friendly obeisance, and Rylan shook it with a short, negligent jerk of his head.
"Don't think I'll go easy on you," Rylan said, his voice thick with challenge. "I've been practicing all week."
Lucian merely smiled faintly. "I wouldn't expect anything less," he said with a casual lilt to his voice, even as the shadows at his feet stirred, curling around each other and watching with quiet anticipation for when they would be called upon to act.
The duel began with a clash of wooden practice swords, a common protocol for the academy's training sessions. Rylan struck first, aggressive and precise, his form nearly flawless. Lucian parried each blow easily, his keen insight into every motion brewed from memories of all the mistakes he had made in his past life. He let Rylan wear himself out, feeling for weaknesses, observing patterns.
As the duel continued, Lucian let a flicker of shadow appear, unseen by the crowd. A tendril extended just behind his movements, subtly shifting his balance, heightening his reflexes, almost imperceptibly. Rylan's eyes narrowed as he sensed something off, yet couldn't place what. Lucian smiled to himself. Not yet. They're learning - both of us.
Clashing swords, the rhythmic sound of footwork, and soft gasps of the onlooking students created a pulse of anticipation. Lucian's shadows responded emotionally, surging much faster when his excitement surged and pulling back slightly when caution dominated. It was a delicate dance: power restrained by discipline, aggression tempered by strategy.
Finally, an opening appeared. Rylan overextended in a strike, and Lucian allowed a shadow blade to extend just enough to intercept, tapping Rylan's sword lightly and disarming him without injury. The crowd gasped at the sudden outcome, but Lucian's expression remained calm, almost casual. Victory achieved, but subtly-no suspicion could be raised that the shadows had weighed in.
Rylan scowled but nodded in acknowledgment, hiding the frustration churning within him. "Not bad," he muttered, backing away, trying to keep himself composed. Lucian just inclined his head. Observation is more important than pride. He will learn. So will I.
After the duel, Seraphine appeared at the edge of the training yard, eyes wide with admiration. "Lucian… that was amazing!" she exclaimed, unaware of the secret force that had tipped the scales.
He smiled with an unintended flash of genuine warmth through the veneer of a carefully crafted mask. "It was just practice," he said lightheartedly, belying his words. The duel still coursed in his veins, mingled with the quiet satisfaction of not revealing his actual skill.
The students broke off soon afterwards, talking about techniques and what they could have done, as instructors talked about small adjustments. Lucian remained a bit longer, observing Rylan withdrawing with irritation and respect mingling. He'll push me further than anyone else. Good. Every challenge teaches me control, patience, and timing.
As the day wore on, Lucian retreated to his dormitory, shadows twisting around his hands with avid enthusiasm as they, too, anticipated continued practice. He reflected on the events: the shadows had performed flawlessly, responding emotionally to his focus, his excitement, and even the subtle tension in the duel. They were growing stronger, more intuitive, more attuned to his will.
And yet, there was that niggle, a small ache along the edges of his mind. Seraphine. Her impression of him, the damnable admiration in her eyes, and her presence during the duel brought back all he had lost in his past life. Intertwined was the guilt and longing, yet he felt his determination, a fierce promise burning in his chest. I will not fail again. I will protect her. I will be stronger, smarter, faster.
He let the shadows swirl free once more with nightfall, taking shapes, testing boundaries, and responding to every slightest twitch of thought. He allowed a small wolf of shadow to curl around him, an anchor of company and focus. The Royal Hunter Academy lay quiet, unaware that one of its young students stirred in a bed that would soon be too small to contain the power which would come to command. Lucian's second life had taken another deliberate step forward.
He had tested his shadows, measured his rivals, and sown the seeds of his strategy. And through it all, the quiet thought that had accompanied him since he awoke remained unfailing: This time… nothing will take her from me. Not Rylan, not Selene, not fate itself. The shadows pulsed back as if in response, as if in acknowledgement of the vow.
Lucian closed his eyes as the first true night of his second life passed with reflection, determination, and a quiet thrill. The path ahead was to be long, full of rivals, betrayals, and monsters yet to emerge. But Lucian Vale was ready-and the Shadow Monarch's awakening had begun.