Chapter 7 — Shadows Beneath the Academy
Night slowly descended upon Imperial Soul Academy.
From high above, the academy looked like a glowing kingdom resting between mountains and clouds. Towering buildings shined beneath moonlight while flying transport beasts crossed the skies carrying instructors and elite students between districts.
But beneath the beauty…
Danger quietly moved in the shadows.
Inside a luxurious student dormitory, Dugu lay face-down across his bed dramatically.
"I still can't believe this place is real…"
The room itself was larger than Reskin's entire house back in Velmora village. Soft beds, polished stone floors, glowing crystal lamps, private training rooms, and even automated food service artifacts existed inside the dormitory.
Imperial Soul Academy clearly treated successful students differently from ordinary people.
Dugu slowly lifted his head toward Reskin.
"And I definitely can't believe YOU became Rank 1."
Reskin sat quietly near the window, staring at the enormous academy grounds outside.
"So many strong people…"
Even from this distance, he could sense powerful soul energy spreading throughout different parts of the academy city.
Some energies were calm.
Others terrifying.
Bali spoke quietly inside his mind.
"This academy contains monsters."
"You mean students?"
"No."
For the first time, Bali's tone sounded serious.
"There are beings here older than nations."
Cold chills spread through Reskin's body.
Before he could ask further—
Knock knock.
A female academy assistant entered the room respectfully.
"Reskin Bond."
Reskin turned.
"Head Instructor Seraphina has summoned you."
Dugu instantly sat upright.
"At NIGHT?!"
The assistant nodded calmly.
"Immediately."
Dugu looked at Reskin with extreme suspicion.
"…Why does this feel dangerous?"
"Because everything here feels dangerous."
"That's fair."
Reskin quietly stood before leaving the room.
As he walked through the academy hallways alone, moonlight reflected across the enormous stone corridors while distant sounds of training echoed through the night.
Even after official examinations ended, many students continued practicing desperately.
In this world—
Resting too much meant falling behind.
Finally, Reskin reached a large tower near the center of the academy.
Unlike other buildings, this tower felt ancient.
Massive soul barriers surrounded it while silver symbols glowed across the walls.
The pressure here alone felt overwhelming.
"She lives here?" Reskin asked mentally.
Bali answered calmly.
"She is stronger than I expected."
That response alone surprised Reskin.
For Bali to acknowledge someone's strength…
They had to be extraordinary.
Inside the tower, floating lights guided Reskin upward until he finally reached an open training chamber near the top floor.
Instructor Seraphina stood alone near the center.
Tonight she wore a black combat uniform instead of academy robes. Long silver hair flowed behind her while moonlight reflected softly in her golden eyes.
But what truly caught Reskin's attention—
Was the giant white spear resting beside her.
The weapon radiated terrifying soul pressure.
"You came quickly," she said calmly.
"You called."
Seraphina studied him silently for a few moments.
Then—
"Attack me."
Reskin blinked.
"…What?"
"You heard correctly."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Reskin frowned slightly.
"You're serious?"
Seraphina calmly picked up her spear.
"If you wish to survive inside this academy, I need to understand your true combat instincts."
Golden soul energy slowly spread around her body.
"Do not worry."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"You cannot hurt me."
Inside his mind, Bali laughed deeply.
"I already like her."
"That makes one of us."
Reskin slowly stepped backward while activating soul energy around his body.
Golden aura flickered softly.
"Try your best," Seraphina said calmly.
The moment those words finished—
BOOOOM!!
Reskin vanished instantly.
Gravity Erase activated.
The world slowed around him while his speed exploded forward.
He appeared directly beside Seraphina and launched a kick toward her side.
But—
CLANG!!
A silver barrier appeared instantly.
Shockwaves exploded across the chamber.
Reskin's eyes widened.
"She blocked that casually?!"
Seraphina didn't even move.
"Too predictable."
Suddenly—
She disappeared.
Reskin's instincts screamed.
WHOOSH!!
The spear barely missed his face before destroying half the floor behind him.
BOOOOOM!!
The entire chamber trembled violently.
"What the hell?!"
"That," Bali said calmly, "is a true high-level fighter."
Reskin quickly jumped backward while Seraphina calmly walked toward him.
"Again."
This time Reskin attacked seriously.
Gravity Erase expanded across the room.
The air distorted.
Everything slowed.
Reskin launched multiple high-speed strikes from different angles while manipulating gravity around Seraphina's movements.
But every single attack—
Was blocked.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Her spear moved with unbelievable precision.
No wasted movement.
No panic.
Just absolute control.
"She's reading my attacks…"
"No," Bali corrected calmly.
"She is reading your intentions."
Seraphina suddenly spoke mid-battle.
"You rely too heavily on raw ability."
Reskin barely avoided another spear strike.
"Easy for you to say!"
"Power without discipline becomes weakness."
BOOOOM!!
Her spear struck the ground.
Gravity itself shattered outward.
Reskin was thrown across the room violently.
CRASH!!
He slammed into a wall hard enough to crack stone.
Pain exploded through his back.
"How… is she this strong…?"
Seraphina slowly lowered her spear.
"You possess extraordinary ability."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"But your combat experience is nearly nonexistent."
Reskin gritted his teeth while standing again.
She was right.
Without Gravity Erase…
He lacked proper technique.
Most of his victories happened because opponents couldn't understand his power.
But against someone like Seraphina—
That advantage disappeared quickly.
"Again," she ordered calmly.
The training continued for hours.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Every time Reskin attacked, Seraphina destroyed his openings effortlessly.
Every mistake was punished instantly.
Eventually, Reskin collapsed onto one knee breathing heavily.
His body ached everywhere.
Sweat covered his face.
Meanwhile, Seraphina looked completely untouched.
Not even breathing harder.
Monster.
Actual monster.
Unexpectedly, Seraphina walked closer before offering him water.
"You improve quickly."
Reskin accepted the bottle tiredly.
"Feels more like I'm getting beaten quickly."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"That too."
For a brief moment, the atmosphere became strangely peaceful.
Moonlight moved softly across the training chamber while cool night wind entered through open windows.
Then Seraphina suddenly asked—
"What is your dream?"
Reskin froze slightly.
"My dream?"
"Yes."
She sat calmly near the edge of the chamber while resting her spear beside her.
"Every fighter enters this academy wanting something."
Wealth.
Power.
Revenge.
Recognition.
Seraphina's golden eyes quietly watched him.
"What do you seek?"
Reskin stayed silent for several moments.
Then slowly answered—
"I want a place where I belong."
The room became quiet.
"For most of my life, people looked at me like I was unnecessary."
His voice remained calm, but deep emotions hid beneath it.
"I was weak. Poor. Alone."
Bali silently listened inside his mind.
"But now…"
Golden soul energy flickered faintly around Reskin's hand.
"…I finally have power."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"And I don't want anyone controlling my life again."
Seraphina observed him quietly.
Then softly said—
"That path is dangerous."
Reskin looked toward her.
"Why?"
"Because power changes people."
For the first time—
Sadness briefly appeared in her eyes.
"I've seen countless fighters lose themselves while chasing strength."
The atmosphere suddenly felt heavier.
Almost personal.
Before Reskin could ask further—
BOOOOOM!!
A violent explosion suddenly echoed somewhere outside the academy.
Both of them instantly stood up.
Another explosion followed.
Warning alarms suddenly spread throughout the academy city.
WEEEEEEEEE!!
Seraphina's expression changed immediately.
"That direction…"
Her golden eyes sharpened dangerously.
"The underground prison sector."
Reskin frowned.
"Prison?"
Imperial Soul Academy wasn't just a school.
It also imprisoned dangerous beasts, criminals, and forbidden entities beneath its underground districts.
And right now—
Something had attacked it.
A communication crystal near the wall activated suddenly.
"Instructor Seraphina!" a panicked voice shouted. "Unknown intruders breached Sector Seven! Multiple guards are down!"
The crystal flickered violently.
Then static.
Silence.
Seraphina immediately grabbed her spear.
"Stay here."
But before she could leave—
Bali's voice suddenly echoed inside Reskin's mind.
"…No."
Reskin froze.
"What?"
The ancient GOD-HORSIKEN sounded colder than ever before.
"That energy…"
For the first time since meeting him—
Bali's voice contained genuine killing intent.
"…I recognize it."
Cold chills spread through Reskin instantly.
Outside the tower—
Dark smoke rose into the night sky while distant screams echoed across Imperial Soul Academy.
And somewhere beneath the academy…
Something ancient had awakened.