Shadow Being System

Chapter 63

The library grew quieter than a graveyard at midnight, every ear hanging on the old man's words as his voice echoed faintly around the room. Each word he spoke seemed heavy, as if it carried the weight of countless stories, many too dark to be shared. The students shifted uneasily, glancing around and then back at the old man.

He cleared his throat, his voice deep and crackling with age. "Today is… an important day for many of you."

William felt his heart race, his blood pounding in his ears. The ability ceremony. Today would be his chance to step up, to gain power, to finally stand on par with everyone else—to finally feel as capable as his friends, as Gavin, as everyone.

The old man continued, "…today, you'll have your first opportunity to get your ability."

A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd, yet beneath it was a current of tension. Some students couldn't contain themselves, fidgeting with hands damp from nerves, while others gave forced, awkward smiles, unsure of what was about to come.

Then a voice from the back broke the silence. "I guess this is where we find out who's got the good stuff, huh?" It was a boy with messy hair and a wide, mischievous grin, clearly too restless to stay quiet.

A few students chuckled, the tension momentarily melting away as even William found himself grinning. But the old man's face remained unchanged, his eyes growing darker, his expression casting shadows across his weathered face. He muttered, almost to himself, "This isn't about 'good stuff.'"

The room fell silent again, everyone's attention snapping back to him, tension growing thicker with each passing second.

"There are powers in this world," the old man continued, his voice low and deep, "better left undisturbed." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, piercing each student. "Once you unlock your abilities, you'll have access to strengths you can't even imagine… but this path is one of hardship."

He let his words hang in the air, each syllable like a stone sinking into the minds of the young audience. "Many of you may think abilities are something to flaunt, but true power is far more… perilous than you might expect." His voice dropped to a near whisper. "And sometimes, it demands more than you're willing to give."

The library grew so silent that William could hear his own shallow breaths. Students shifted on their feet, a heavy silence blanketing the room, each of them processing what had just been said.

Finally, the old man straightened and drew a long breath, as if lifting the weight of what he'd said. He seemed almost hesitant as he continued, "Remember, there is no weak ability… only a weak user."

The silence was broken by the soft sound of footsteps as several soldiers entered, each carrying a large, rectangular box filled with small black orbs, each gleaming faintly. They moved silently, beginning to hand out the orbs, passing one to each student until all of them held a dark, cold orb in their palms.

The old man waited until every student held an orb before he spoke again. "The orb in your hand will help channel your soul essence. Once connected, it will find an ability book suitable for your soul essence, and the orb will display the book's number."

A few gasps whispered through the room as the students inspected their orbs more closely, realization dawning in their eyes.

"The number you receive will guide you to the upper floors—the ninth and tenth floors," he explained. "Once you find the book with the corresponding number, that will be your ability book." He paused, giving a small nod. "Now… begin."

One by one, the orbs in each student's hand glowed to life, a soft shimmer illuminating their faces. William glanced down as his orb warmed, a flicker of light settling at the center before it displayed the number 493 in bold, glowing digits. Around him, murmurs filled the air as students inspected their numbers.

Excitement returned, but it was laced with nervousness as they glanced at one another and then turned toward the escalators, now humming with energy, awaiting their ascent.

Taking a deep breath, William joined the procession, his hands slightly sweaty as he stepped onto the moving stairs with the others, his gaze focused upward. His heart hammered against his chest as the escalator carried them to the upper floors, the anticipation building with every step.

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The ninth and tenth floors of the library were like a different world entirely. Unlike the lower floors, which buzzed with reading tables and warm lights, the top two levels were silent, illuminated only by the gentle rays filtering through the glass ceiling. Rows of shelves stretched endlessly, each holding books encased in glass with numbers displayed on them.

William stepped off the escalator, weaving through the crowd as he scanned the shelves. 491… 492… His breath hitched as his eyes landed on it. 493.

He reached out, his fingers brushing over the cover of his ability book. Its surface was white and smooth, intricate golden designs etched into the cover, swirling like delicate vines across its surface. He felt a strange pull as he lifted the book, a shiver running through him. He checked the title, a smile spreading on his face.

Around him, students were reacting to their finds—some cheering in excitement, others staring with confused frowns, a few visibly disheartened.

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Back on the ground floor, students settled into a restless silence, each of them clutching their ability book as soldiers collected the orbs. William looked around, observing the range of emotions on his classmates' faces—some clinging to their books with joy, others with something akin to disappointment.

It was as though the books were keys to their futures, yet some didn't seem to like the door they'd unlocked.

The old man made his way to the front again, his cane tapping sharply with each step. "Congratulations to you all," he said, scanning the crowd, his gaze lingering on the faces of those who looked less than thrilled, then he said "Remember, as I've said earlier, there is no weak ability, only weak user."

One boy, clearly disappointed, couldn't contain his irritation and scoffed loudly. "Yeah, well, that's easy for you to say."

Gasps rippled through the room; students exchanged glances, some expecting the boy to be scolded. But the old man didn't flinch. Instead, he extended his hand, and a small, swirling portal—a spatial distortion—appeared in his palm.

"This is my ability," he said, his tone calm yet unwavering. "They call it a 'spatial portal'—useful only for transportation and support, deemed weak by many." He let the portal shrink to the size of a marble before flinging it at a nearby trash bin.

The portal hit the bin, and with a small pop, the bin vanished. The students gasped, some stepping back instinctively, their eyes wide with awe.

The old man gave a slight smile, his gaze piercing as he looked back at them. "An ability meant for support can be nurtured into an attack. It's not about the ability itself… it's about your imagination and determination."

Students who had previously looked dejected now held their books with a renewed sense of purpose. They had a chance, after all—more than they'd thought. Quiet nods and murmurs filled the room as hope reignited in their eyes.

The old man let the moment settle before dismissing them. "You may go. I look forward to seeing how you master your abilities."

The library doors swung open, and the students filed out, many with newfound confidence. As they departed, the old man's gaze drifted to William's back, his expression solemn as he muttered under his breath, "The road ahead is long. I hope you can make it, shadow boy."