Chapter 16: Shadows at the Gates
The vast auditorium of Hero Academy was filled with an electric energy. Principal Grey Ford stood under the bright stage lights, his presence commanding silence. He glanced out over hundreds of eager eyes, then spoke with crisp authority.
"Top three students, come forward to claim your treasures."
Ray, Lyra, and Vera rose from their seats as a hush fell over the crowd. Every gaze followed their steps—some filled with awe, others burning with envy. The trio walked down the central aisle toward the stage, their reputations elevated by the whole academy watching.
But heroes weren't the only ones moving that day.
Outside, past the grand gates of the academy, two men stood side by side. Their contrast made them an odd pair: one wore a pristine white suit, the other a stark black one. Both surveyed the sprawling campus with cool, measured interest.
"So this is it—the most famous academy on the continent?" asked the man in black, a sly smile ghosting across his lips.
The man in white gave a small shrug, unimpressed. "That's what our information says. Looks impressive enough, I suppose."
Behind the security booth, the academy's guard watched, hand on his baton as the two men approached.
The man in black glanced at his partner, then back at the ornate gates. "Still, it doesn't look as special as they say. We'll see for ourselves soon enough."
Before they could proceed any further, the guard stepped out, blocking the entrance with a firm hand. "Stop right there. Entry is restricted. You'll need identification if you want to go in."
His words barely finished hanging in the air.
With one fluid motion—too fast for the human eye—the man in black stepped forward. In a flash, the guard was violently sliced in two, his body collapsing without a sound or warning. Blood seeped into the afternoon sunlight.
The two strangers continued down the academy path, as calm as if they were taking a stroll in a garden.
The day at Hero Academy had started as a celebration for its brightest. Now, sinister shadows crept silently through its gates, and the real test was about to begin.
Grey led the three students down the wide, ornate corridor toward the Treasury Hall of the university. Two guards stood firmly at the massive doors, watching silently as Grey approached. With a subtle nod from the principal, the guards moved aside, granting them entry into the enigmatic chamber.
As they stepped inside, B's voice echoed quietly in Ray's mind. "There are many treasures here, kid. I'm going to tell you when to choose. Listen carefully and pick only that one—I sense something here, something I didn't expect to see in this place. You must claim it."
The heavy doors slammed behind them, sealing the hall in shadow and silence.
Grey's voice broke the stillness as he turned to Ray. "Because you secured first place, you are allowed to select two rewards. You also broke several records, so you deserve this honor."
A whirlwind of artifacts, gems, and ancient relics surrounded them. Ray's eyes swept the vast hall filled with glowing treasures, intricate designs, and mysterious powers waiting to be unearthed.
Curious, Ray took a few cautious steps forward and asked B softly, "What was it you were talking about? Where should I look?"
B instructed, "Move a little further ahead."
Ray did as told. Keeping his gaze sharp, he observed two lockets shining under a beam of light—one black, the other white.
"See those two?" B whispered. "The white one—take that one. It's a fragment of my power. An artifact that will help you, especially as a void user."
Ray's hand closed around the white locket and lifted it to wear. In an instant, the locket vanished, integrating into his body. A glowing white orb appeared on his hand, radiating a calm, quiet energy.
B's voice was pleased. "It has accepted you. Soon, it will awaken inside you, and only then will you understand its true power."
Ray glanced toward the black locket and reached out, but B stopped him with a warning. "Don't bother with that one. It won't accept you. That locket belongs to a friend of mine, though I'm not sure where he is now. It waits for its destined owner."
The black locket shimmered briefly and then disappeared without Ray even touching it.
B's voice turned curious. "Huh, what just happened? Kid, where did that locket go?"
Another mark appeared on Ray's other hand—a dark black orb mirrored the white one on his opposite palm.
B replied thoughtfully, "That mark is strange. It won't benefit you because it only works for the contractor of that specific Raspel. For it to accept you… I don't know how that's possible."
Lost in thought, B added, "I'm trying to figure out what you really are. This is beyond anything I've seen."
Suddenly, Ray's system screen flashed a new mission notification. His eyes widened as he read:
Mission: Defeat the two entities who are threatening.
Threat Level: Low.
The path ahead was clear, but the stakes had just become much higher.