The training grounds had become completely silent.
Students, instructors, and guards stood frozen as the shadow creature knelt before Ren.
The massive being lowered its head again.
"Master…"
The word echoed through the courtyard.
No one moved.
Lyra whispered quietly.
"This is insane."
Instructor Varis tightened his grip on his sword.
"A demon… obeying a human."
Captain Kael watched Ren carefully.
"Ren."
But Ren's attention remained on the creature.
The shadows around it moved like living smoke.
It did not look hostile.
It looked loyal.
Ren asked calmly.
"Why are you calling me master?"
The creature lifted its head slightly.
"Because you are the one who commands the shadows."
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"I don't command anything."
The shadow beast spoke again.
"You awakened the ancient power."
"The power of the Shadow King."
Whispers spread among the students nearby.
"Shadow King?"
"What does that mean?"
From the academy tower balcony, Headmaster Aldren watched the scene with a serious expression.
He had read about this in ancient records.
But he never believed he would see it happen.
Back on the training field, Ren stepped closer to the creature.
The shadows around his body reacted immediately.
They flowed toward the beast like a magnetic force.
Ren could feel something strange.
A connection.
Like the creature was tied to his power somehow.
He spoke again.
"What are you?"
The creature answered immediately.
"A shadow servant."
Ren frowned slightly.
"Servant?"
"Yes."
"We exist only to serve the Shadow King."
The creature lowered its head again.
"You summoned me."
Ren shook his head.
"I didn't summon anything."
The shadow servant replied calmly.
"Your power did."
Lyra stepped forward carefully.
"Ren… ask it something."
Ren glanced at her.
"Like what?"
Lyra pointed at the massive creature.
"Like why it appeared inside the academy."
Ren looked back at the servant.
"Why did you come here?"
The shadow beast responded.
"To protect you."
Those words surprised everyone.
"Protect him?" Varis repeated.
The creature continued.
"The enemies of the Shadow King have begun to move."
Ren asked quietly.
"You mean demons."
"Yes."
"Stronger ones."
Kael crossed his arms.
"The demon general yesterday."
The shadow servant nodded.
"That was only the beginning."
The creature's voice became darker.
"The demon army is awakening."
"Soon, they will begin the true war."
Students listening nearby felt their stomachs tighten.
A true war between demons and hunters had not happened for hundreds of years.
But the creature wasn't finished.
"And they are not the only threat."
Ren asked.
"What do you mean?"
The servant's glowing eyes flickered.
"There are others who seek the Shadow King."
"Humans."
Aldren immediately understood.
Ancient organizations.
Secret groups that hunted forbidden powers.
If they learned about Ren…
They would come.
Back on the training field, the shadow servant slowly stood up.
Its massive body towered over everyone again.
But it remained calm.
It did not attack.
It simply waited for Ren's command.
Ren stared at it for several seconds.
Then he asked one final question.
"If you serve me… what do you want?"
The creature answered without hesitation.
"To fight for you."
"To kill your enemies."
"To expand your shadow army."
The last words caught everyone's attention.
Lyra blinked.
"Shadow army?"
The servant nodded.
"All beings who die within your shadow can become your soldiers."
The courtyard went completely quiet.
Even Kael looked surprised.
Varis muttered.
"That's not a normal power."
Ren looked down at his hand again.
The shadows beneath him slowly moved.
As if they were alive.
If what the creature said was true…
Then his power was far more dangerous than he thought.
The shadow servant suddenly knelt again.
"Give me a name, Master."
Ren looked confused.
"A name?"
"Yes."
"All shadow servants receive names from the Shadow King."
Lyra whispered.
"This is getting weirder every second."
Ren thought for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Shade."
The creature repeated the name slowly.
"Shade…"
Its body trembled slightly.
The shadows around it stabilized.
"From this moment forward…"
The creature stood tall.
"My name is Shade."
Then it bowed deeply toward Ren.
"I will serve you until the end of existence."
Students nearby could barely process what they were seeing.
Ren had just gained control of a shadow monster.
And possibly the beginning of an army.
Headmaster Aldren finally spoke from the balcony above.
"Everyone return to your duties."
The students slowly began dispersing, still whispering about what had just happened.
But Aldren continued watching Ren.
His expression was serious.
"The prophecy has begun."
Far away in the demon fortress—
The Demon King sat on his throne again.
A dark smile spread across his face.
"So the Shadow King has begun gathering servants."
His massive hand clenched.
"Good."
"Let the war begin."
Across the world, powerful beings had begun to awaken.
And Ren Akatsuki had unknowingly taken the first step toward becoming something far greater than a hunter.
The true ruler of shadows.