Shadow Being System

Chapter 59

As the lesson wrapped up, Mr. John glanced at his students with a stern expression, pausing before he left the room. "For those of you who haven't formed your soul crystal yet, tomorrow is your deadline. And for those without an ability… you'll be choosing one tomorrow as well."

Excitement buzzed through the students, with whispers breaking out across the classroom. William felt his heart leap in his chest. Finally, he thought. I'll get an ability. His thoughts spun with possibilities, each more thrilling than the last.

After class, Liam and Gazi started toward the dorms together, talking about the day's lessons and the upcoming deadline, but William broke away without a word. His eyes were focused, determination setting his jaw. He made his way toward the edge of the academy grounds, his pace quickening as he entered the shadowed trails of the forest.

The trees loomed around him, their leaves thick, casting dark shadows on the forest floor. As William moved deeper, the air grew cooler, and soon he reached the edge of a deep, foggy chasm. This place was infamous among the students—a foreboding spot, with mist that clung to the ground like ghostly fingers. Few dared to venture this far, and fewer still would consider going beyond the chasm itself.

William took a steadying breath, the chill of the air seeping into his bones. "I have to form the Shadow Crystal soon," he murmured, eyes narrowing as he steeled himself. Without another thought, he leaped into the chasm.

The air whipped past him as he fell, the world around him becoming a blur of dark fog and distant shadows. The sound of wind roared in his ears, and the cold bit into him, sharp and relentless. His heart pounded, not from fear, but from the rush of adrenaline.

As he descended, the dense fog swallowed him, and the darkness closed in, pressing down on him.

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The B10 meeting room lay shrouded in darkness, its dim lighting casting eerie shadows across the walls. The faces of those present were hidden in the gloom, their expressions unreadable, only the faint outlines of their figures barely visible. The low hum of tension lingered in the silence, broken only when one of the members, a woman with a sharp, steady tone, began to speak.

"My scouts have been gathering information on the heretics' recent movements," she said, her voice laced with urgency. "And they've reported that whatever the heretics are planning this time… it's bigger than any attack they've attempted before. This isn't going to be a mere skirmish. It's a large-scale assault, and they'll strike soon."

There was a brief pause as her words sank in, a silence filled with apprehension. Then, another voice—a calm, measured tone that held an air of authority—spoke. "Understood. We'll all need to remain on high alert and guard our sections closely. We cannot allow them to catch us off guard."

The members nodded in unison, the gravity of the situation settling over them like a shroud. With a collective understanding, they quietly dismissed the meeting, each figure slipping back into the shadows, vanishing from sight as the room fell silent once more.

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Far away, atop a towering mountain that pierced the sky, a temple stood nestled within the clouds. Its ancient walls, weathered by time, held a serene atmosphere that seemed to merge with the sky itself. Inside, the flickering light of candles illuminated a solitary figure—a monk, seated cross-legged before an imposing statue.

His hands were clasped together in prayer, his head bowed in silent reverence.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open, a glint of knowing shining within them. His face, though aged and wise, was marked with an intensity that belied his years. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he murmured into the stillness, "It seems… a cat is out of its cage."

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As night descended upon Military Academy 4, the fading sun cast a warm, golden glow across the clouds, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. Deep in the forest, within the misty chasm, William sat cross-legged at the bottom of a tranquil lake, surrounded by an otherworldly quiet.

He focused intensely, drawing in the soul essence from the lake, guiding it through his body, and channeling it toward the dark core where his Shadow Crystal was forming. Each pulse of essence steadied his breath, aligning him with the lake's raw, primal energy.

Suddenly, a piercing alarm shattered the silence, breaking his concentration. His eyes snapped open, their usual calm momentarily replaced by urgency. Pushing off from the lake's floor, he swiftly swam up, surfaced, and pulled himself to shore.

After slipping into his uniform, he strode toward a nearby stone wall, pressing his hand against its rough surface and said with a sign "I can't get use to this."

On the academy grounds, William walked toward the towering vibranium wall separating Military Base 4 from Military Academy 4. The gatekeeper guards stood tall, flanking the entrance as he approached. Flashing the wooden tag given to him by General Zhao, he waited as the guards inspected it and nodded, permitting him through the heavy vibranium gate.

Beyond the gate, the base appeared as it always did—brimming with purpose and bustling with soldiers in a constant state of readiness. Weapons sparkled under floodlights, vehicles stood in meticulous rows, and the air was thick with the scent of steel and oil. William walked past the bustling scenes toward a solitary building situated above the underground dojo.

He entered the building, moving directly to the elevator, which quietly descended deep below the surface.

The doors opened to reveal the vast underground dojo, where walls of vibranium bore scars of fierce training. The sight of these battered walls sent a chill through him; vibranium, known as the toughest metal, bore marks only from the most brutal impacts, showcasing the staggering power it took to damage it.

He stepped into the dojo's center, where General Zhao sat cross-legged, seemingly undisturbed by William's arrival.

William saluted, straightening as he began, "Sir, I have a report."

The general looked up from the documents spread before him, his piercing gaze fixed on William. "Go ahead," he said, his voice calm but carrying a weight of authority.

Taking a deep breath, William recounted the events in the alleyway, particularly the artifact used by Billy Stark. General Zhao listened intently, nodding occasionally. When William finished, General Zhao leaned back slightly, his expression contemplative.

"Good work, William," he said, nodding with approval. "But I'm guessing you're reporting this because of the artifact."

William nodded, his brow furrowing. "Yes, sir. It doesn't make sense. When we entered the academy, every student was searched, and anything remotely dangerous was confiscated. Yet, Billy managed to bring in an artifact powerful enough to block soul essence. How could he have hidden that?"

General Zhao's expression darkened, and he shook his head. "I personally ensured that no one entered with any restricted artifacts. It's impossible that Billy brought that on his own… unless, of course, it didn't belong to him in the first place."

William's eyes narrowed, thoughts racing. "Could it be… him?" he asked, a hint of tension in his voice.

The general held up a hand. "Don't concern yourself with it, William. Leave that to me. I'll make sure it's thoroughly investigated."

Relieved but still uneasy, William saluted once more and turned to leave. Just as he reached the elevator, the general called out to him. "Oh, and congratulations on forming your Soul Crystal."

Surprised, William glanced back, offering a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, General. Honestly, it's all thanks to that lake you showed me."

The general gave a curt nod of approval before turning back to his work. With a final salute, William stepped into the elevator, his mind buzzing about tomorrow's lesson as he made his way back to the surface.