Raj woke before dawn.
The dorm room remained dim, lit only by faint silver moonlight spilling through the window.
His entire body ached.
The bruises from last night's battle still throbbed beneath his uniform, and a dark mark remained around his neck where the shadow creature had nearly crushed his throat.
But the pain in his body was nothing compared to the storm inside his mind.
Last night had changed everything.
Glory Academy was no longer just a prestigious school in his eyes.
It was dangerous.
Beautiful on the surface—
Rotten underneath.
Something evil was hiding within its walls.
And somehow…
He had already become involved.
Raj sat upright on his bed and rubbed his face.
Across from him, Aman remained asleep in the most ridiculous position possible—half upside down, blanket wrapped around only one leg, snoring loud enough to shake the room.
Raj stared for a moment.
Then muttered—
"The world could collapse and this guy would still sleep through it."
Panna appeared beside him.
"Some talents are simply divine."
Raj chuckled faintly.
Then—
A blue screen flashed before his eyes.
---
Daily Mission Available
Objective: Complete Morning Training
Reward: 50 EXP
---
Raj sighed.
"Now I have homework too?"
Panna crossed her arms.
"You want power? Earn it."
---
Morning at the Academy
By the time Raj stepped outside—
The academy had already come alive.
Students flooded the courtyards.
Some headed toward classrooms.
Others sparred in training fields.
Teachers shouted commands.
Servants carried supplies.
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
As if nothing had happened last night.
But Raj noticed what others would miss.
His Energy Vision had improved.
He could now perceive far more than before.
Near the Eastern Tower—
Extra guards had been posted.
Several teachers patrolled nearby.
The entire area had been sealed off.
And though everyone pretended otherwise—
The academy was tense.
Raj narrowed his eyes.
"They're hiding it."
Panna nodded.
"Obviously."
---
Principal's Office
Raj soon arrived at the highest tower of the academy.
He entered Shivani's office.
She was already waiting.
Standing beside the large window overlooking the academy grounds.
Sunlight illuminated her black robes.
Her presence alone filled the room with pressure.
Without turning, she said—
"You are punctual."
Raj replied—
"You asked me to come."
She gestured to the chair.
"Sit."
Raj obeyed.
For several moments—
Silence filled the room.
Then Shivani turned.
Her eyes locked onto his.
"The creature from last night was not a natural being."
Raj frowned.
"Then what was it?"
"A corrupted summoned entity."
She stepped forward.
"Someone intentionally brought it into the academy."
Raj's expression darkened.
"So there really is a traitor."
"Yes."
"And likely more than one."
Raj crossed his arms.
"Then why not investigate openly?"
"Because if the enemy realizes we know…"
"They will hide deeper."
Raj understood immediately.
Shivani continued—
"That is why I need your help."
Raj blinked.
"…Mine?"
"You can perceive abnormal energy signatures."
"You noticed corruption before trained teachers did."
Her gaze sharpened.
"You are uniquely useful."
Raj sighed.
"So basically…"
"You want me to spy for you."
A faint smile touched Shivani's lips.
"A crude summary, but accurate."
Raj leaned back.
"And what do I get in return?"
Shivani answered without hesitation—
"Protection."
"Resources."
"And my personal guidance—if you prove capable."
Panna gasped dramatically.
"Take it! Take it immediately!"
Raj coughed.
"…Fine."
Shivani nodded.
"Good."
Then her voice lowered.
"But understand this, Raj…"
"If you are discovered…"
"The academy may not be able to protect you in time."
Raj smiled faintly.
"Wouldn't be the first time I almost died this week."
For the first time—
Shivani almost looked amused.
---
Training Grounds
Later that morning—
Raj joined the new student training session.
Aman immediately ran toward him.
"WHERE WERE YOU?!"
"Principal's office."
Aman froze.
"...What did you do?!"
Raj shrugged.
"Existed incorrectly, apparently."
Aman stared.
"You got summoned by the principal on your second day."
"You are definitely cursed."
Raj nodded.
"Probably."
---
Training began.
Running laps.
Balance drills.
Energy circulation practice.
Body strengthening.
Most students struggled badly.
Especially Aman.
Halfway through the second lap—
He collapsed dramatically onto the grass.
"I have died."
Raj walked past him.
"You said that ten minutes ago."
"That was practice death."
"This is advanced death."
Raj laughed.
Then—
His eyes landed on someone.
A quiet boy.
Thin build.
Sharp features.
Black hair.
Emotionless face.
He stood alone during breaks.
Rarely spoke.
When the instructor called attendance—
Raj heard the name.
Vikram.
The instant Raj looked with Energy Vision—
His expression shifted.
Everyone's energy was visible.
Bright.
Stable.
Natural.
But Vikram's…
Was wrong.
Suppressed.
Layered.
As if he were deliberately hiding his real strength.
Panna floated beside Raj.
"Ohhh."
"That one is suspicious."
Raj nodded slowly.
"Very."
---
First Suspicion
Training ended near noon.
Students headed toward lunch.
But Raj watched Vikram quietly leave in the opposite direction—
Toward the abandoned library wing.
Raj immediately turned.
"Aman."
"Yes?"
"Distract anyone asking where I went."
Aman blinked.
"What?"
Raj was already walking away.
"Tell them I went to the bathroom."
Aman shouted—
"How long of a bathroom trip?!"
Raj didn't answer.
---
The Old Library
The library wing was ancient.
Dust coated every shelf.
Broken chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
Most students avoided the place entirely.
Raj moved silently through the shadows between shelves.
Ahead—
He heard voices.
He peered around the corner.
Vikram stood beside a cloaked figure.
Face hidden.
Voice low.
Raj held his breath.
Vikram said—
"The Eastern Tower operation failed."
Raj's pupils shrank.
The cloaked figure asked—
"How?"
"Unexpected interference."
"Who interfered?"
"Unknown."
Then—
Vikram's voice turned colder.
"The new boy may be involved."
Raj froze.
The cloaked man answered—
"Watch him carefully."
"If he becomes a threat…"
"Eliminate him."
Raj internally screamed.
"Well that's fantastic."
Then—
CRACK.
A floorboard snapped beneath his foot.
Both men turned instantly.
"WHO'S THERE?!"
Raj spun and ran.
---
Chase Through the Academy
"RUN!" Panna screamed.
Raj sprinted through the library halls.
Behind him—
Footsteps exploded into pursuit.
BOOM!
A black energy blast shattered the wall beside him.
Stone fragments flew everywhere.
Raj jumped through a broken window—
Rolled across the courtyard—
Then kept running.
Vikram chased him at terrifying speed.
Far faster than any normal first-year student should move.
Raj shouted—
"THIS GUY IS CHEATING!"
Panna yelled—
"RUN FASTER!"
A spear of black energy formed in Vikram's hand.
He hurled it.
Raj ducked—
The spear pierced straight through a stone fountain behind him.
Students nearby screamed.
The moment other people appeared—
Vikram stopped chasing.
His expression returned to normal instantly.
Then he turned—
And walked away calmly.
Raj bent over, gasping.
"That bastard is smart…"
The system flashed.
---
Hidden Quest Updated
Suspected Traitor Identified
Reward Increased
---
Reporting to Shivani
Raj immediately went to Shivani.
After hearing everything—
She remained silent for a long moment.
Then said—
"Good work."
Raj frowned.
"So we arrest him now?"
"No."
"Why not?!"
"Because he is not alone."
Her eyes sharpened.
"If we move now…"
"The rest will disappear."
Raj slowly nodded.
"So what's the plan?"
"Keep watching him."
"We follow him to the root."
---
Three Days Later
For the next three days—
Raj secretly monitored Vikram.
By day—
He acted perfectly normal.
Trained.
Studied.
Laughed with classmates.
Never once slipped.
But at night—
He disappeared.
On the third night—
Raj followed him beyond the academy walls.
Into the dark forest surrounding the mountain.
Hidden behind ancient rocks—
Vikram revealed a concealed underground entrance.
He entered.
Raj waited.
Then followed.
---
Underground Chamber
The tunnel stretched deep underground.
Cold air filled the passage.
Black symbols covered the walls.
At the end—
A massive chamber opened.
Raj's blood ran cold.
At the center lay a giant ritual circle.
Five cloaked figures stood around it.
Dark energy flowed into a massive sealed stone gate behind them.
Corruption leaked from its cracks.
Vikram spoke—
"The seal weakens faster now."
One cloaked figure nodded.
"We need only a little more sacrifice."
Another laughed softly.
"The academy students will suffice."
"Young souls contain excellent energy."
Raj's fists clenched.
"They're sacrificing students…"
Panna panicked.
"GO TELL SHIVANI—NOW!"
Raj turned—
Only for a voice behind him to say—
"Good work."
Raj spun.
Shivani stood there.
Behind her—
Elite academy teachers.
Raj blinked.
"You followed me?"
"Yes."
"…Fair."
Shivani drew her sword.
"Capture them."
---
Battle Beneath the Academy
Chaos erupted.
Teachers clashed with cultists.
Energy blasts shattered stone pillars.
The entire cavern trembled.
Vikram saw Raj.
His face twisted with hatred.
"YOU!"
Raj smirked.
"Miss me?"
Vikram attacked.
They collided instantly.
Punch.
Block.
Kick.
Counter.
Vikram moved fast—
But Raj's Energy Vision had evolved.
He predicted every strike.
Vikram drew a dagger—
Its blade coated in black energy.
Raj jumped back—
Too slow.
The dagger sliced his cheek.
Blood dripped.
Panna shouted—
"LEFT!"
Raj ducked.
Vikram's kick missed.
Raj grabbed his leg—
Twisted—
And slammed him into the ground.
Then punched him repeatedly.
Vikram tried to rise—
Raj struck his throat.
Vikram collapsed unconscious.
Then—
CRACK.
The sealed gate behind the cultists split apart.
Everyone froze.
Corruption exploded outward.
A massive skeletal hand burst through.
Then another.
Then—
A giant shadow-armored demon stepped into the chamber.
Over three meters tall.
Horns curved from its skull.
Red eyes burned like fire.
It smiled.
"Fresh souls…"
One teacher attacked recklessly—
The demon swatted him into a wall instantly.
BOOM!
Unconscious.
Raj's face paled.
"Oh, that is definitely a boss."
---
Final Battle
Shivani stepped forward.
"Everyone stay back!"
She attacked first.
Her sword became silver lightning.
Strike after strike split the air.
But the demon blocked everything.
Raj activated Energy Vision.
Its entire body glowed black—
Except for one point.
Its chest.
A bright corrupted core.
Raj shouted—
"ITS CORE IS IN THE CHEST!"
Shivani nodded instantly.
"Distract it!"
Raj groaned.
"WHY ALWAYS ME?!"
But he ran.
He blasted the demon's leg.
It roared and turned.
"Insect!"
It charged him.
Raj sprinted across the chamber.
The demon followed.
Exactly as planned.
Shivani leapt into the air—
Gathered all her power—
And drove her blade into its chest.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The core cracked—
But didn't shatter.
The demon went berserk.
Energy exploded wildly.
The chamber began collapsing.
Shivani shouted—
"EVERYONE OUT!"
People fled.
Teachers carried the wounded.
Raj ran toward the exit—
Then turned.
The demon was still alive.
Still coming.
His eyes landed on an explosive talisman lying nearby.
He grabbed it.
And hurled it.
"Catch."
BOOOOOOM!!!
The tunnel collapsed completely.
The demon was buried beneath tons of stone.
---
Aftermath
Outside—
Everyone collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.
Shivani looked at Raj.
"You prevented disaster tonight."
Raj panted.
"I deserve a promotion."
Several teachers laughed.
Shivani almost smiled.
"Survive longer first."
Then—
The system appeared.
---
Major Quest Complete
+1500 EXP
New Skill Unlocked: Energy Compression
Title Earned: Shadow Breaker
---
Raj grinned.
"Worth it."
But Shivani's face soon darkened again.
She looked toward the collapsed tunnel.
"This is not over."
Raj frowned.
"What do you mean?"
She answered quietly—
"If a sealed demon existed beneath this academy…"
"Then the one who placed it there…"
"Is far more dangerous than anything we fought tonight."
Raj's expression hardened.
For the first time—
He truly understood.
This academy arc…
Was only the beginning.
The real enemy had yet to appear.
---
End of Chapter 6