Chapter : Purple eyes

Twilight Initiator(S), Zed, Son of Shadows, Shadow

Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 4, Day 4

City of Valenwood, north of the Imperial Territory, Sea of Souls

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Twilight Initiator (S)

Son of Shadows

Shadow

Manipulation of small shadows.

Shadow Pre-fusion.

Dragon Orb: Mana Orb, Dragon Orb, Mana Quantity (+)

Soul Fragment: Fragment of a Mutant-ranked creature's soul. Contains a small amount of mana. (Pending)

First Shadow: Dez

Second Shadow: Ars

Shadows: (2/5)

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This is what it said, many new things added to the glowing words in my sea of souls. The most striking is the letter "S" right next to the name of my first rank. It's very simple but stands out a lot, being of a different color, a beautiful purple... a color that isn't black in this place is a bit strange, but considering it appeared in my soul, there shouldn't be any problem. For safety, I knew this letter wasn't there before "absorbing" the dragon orb. At that moment, hmm, thinking for a few moments, the most accurate reason might be that it was too much mana for me in my current state...

- Do you have any idea what that means?

Without thinking about anything else, I asked Dez, as he calls himself. He directs his gaze to the letters shining above, frowning.

- I don't know, but... according to the book I secretly read, the Lord of Shadows was characterized by having purple eyes. Also, according to that strange book, when he summoned some kind of shadow, it had colors between black and purple...

Right, I had forgotten about that book... as I had some things to think about, I didn't pay much attention to it at the time... according to Dez's words, purple eyes. As far as I know, my eyes are deep black...

- What color are my eyes now?

- They are purple.

Purple, why? Could it be because I'm in my own soul, but once outside, they are black? Characteristic purple eyes... it might be reckless to think so, but somehow it might be a kind of protection.

- Aren't there people with purple eyes?

- No, not as far as I've seen...

Indeed, I haven't seen people with purple eyes either. The most I've seen is other colors, but never purple. This might confirm the protection I have over myself. But that wasn't my question...

- Do you know what that letter 'S' means?

- I don't know, but it looks similar to the '+' on guild cards in the cities. Normally, when you're an adventurer, they ask your rank. For example, a master might be much stronger than normal masters, so they add a '+' next to the name. As far as I understand, the highest rank is to have five '+' in your rank, like this: Master (+++++)

- But yours is different. In fact, I think 'S' is better than '+'. It's more elegant.

Another voice joined the conversation. Looking over, he was the same as the young assassin from back then.

He looks into my eyes, I can feel as if he is also part of my own shadow, similar to the connection I have with Dez.

- My name is Ars, if you don't mind.

- Mine is Zed.

Two shadows, I still don't quite understand how it works. These two are the only people in my soul, which is surrounded by aberrations that my mind still can't process.

- Does it bother you?

- No, I'm fine, it's peaceful.

- I see.

- Now that I think about it, yours might be (SSSSS).

- I think it will be (SSSS+).

- That's much better. I actually like it more.

The three of us could converse without any problems. It's a bitter feeling, as if talking to the dead, but not literally. After all, they are in my soul. Even with Ars, I could have a pleasant conversation considering he's new...

- What will you do next?

- I'm thinking of somehow asking Cristina to help me with swordsmanship.

- Didn't you want to be an assassin?

- Turns out Cristina hates assassins...

- It's complicated, but this guy here can teach you.

Looking at Ars, he shrugged.

- I can. But I want you to do me a favor, please...

Here you might wonder why I should listen to this guy. You could say he was my enemy during the expedition inside the Riverland mountains. Right now, he's like my slave. I can feel I have complete control over Ars's shadow. I could refuse and he couldn't do anything, but it's not advantageous either. It's like having a dog tied by the neck. He can't betray me; he's "trapped in my soul" for now. From Dez's memories, it's said that the God of Shadows could summon shadows... which makes me think I might be able to summon them too, then...

- I'm listening.

- It's nothing difficult, I just want you to go to what used to be my home...

After hearing Ars's story, I nodded. We are all slaves to something, even I right now might be a slave to the God of Shadows. I might be a slave to my past, I might be a slave to myself...

- Agreed.

In the end, I decided.

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Cristina Karzak, Heiress of the Noble House of Valenwood

Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 4, Day 5

City of Valenwood, north of the Imperial Territory

- That guy is still lying in bed after a little warm-up...

Frustrated, I pursed my lips, walking through the corridors of my house. I quickly reached his room.

I spoke with my father; he could feel it, I could feel it too. In fact, we were the only ones here who could feel it. The shadows, since that boy arrived, seemed to whisper words, eyes that everyone could see. In fact, I saw it myself when we trained; it was as if his own shadow was connected to the darkness of the house.

He is special, I had never seen anything like it, a dark aura, not dangerous, just mysterious. If he were corrupt, my father and I would know. He isn't, he's a human like me.

Opening the door without knocking, I stopped thinking about it for the moment.

My blue eyes beheld quite a sight. His skin looked like glass, so pale. Behind that, he had a good physique. The moment our eyes met, I could see them, purple eyes. I blinked, and they were deep black again....

- Was it my imagination?

I thought to myself...