🌌 Chapter 55
The beast loomed above Aeren—a Level 7 Shadow Ravager, born from corrupted energy and bound to the rune.
Its six crimson eyes flared as it growled, baring its fangs.
"Unauthorized presence. Initiating elimination protocol."
Aeren stood frozen. Every part of him screamed run.
But he couldn't.Because the rune below him activated—dragging his consciousness inward.
🧠 Inside the Mind Realm
Time stopped. Colors faded. Aeren found himself standing inside a sphere of mirrored light, surrounded by fragments of his memories—floating like shards of broken glass.
Voices echoed.
"He's useless.""No potential.""He's just a kind fool—never a fighter.""Why even keep him enrolled?"
But then…
"You're stronger than you know. Even if the world doesn't see it… I do."
Anshi's voice. The only memory that glowed warm gold.
The mirrors shattered, revealing a figure ahead—
The Cloaked Man.
He stood atop a mountain cliff, surrounded by a thousand kneeling monsters—each ranked between Level 8 to Level 10.
Even Varnyx the Crimson Fang was among them, bowing low.
"Why are you showing me this?" Aeren shouted."Who are you?"
The cloaked man turned. For a moment, Aeren saw his own face behind the hood—older, colder, godlike.
"You are me. I am you. I am what you can become… if you accept it."
Aeren gasped. His hands trembled as silver veins of energy pulsed up his arms.
"Control… space… time… thoughts… dreams…"
The words echoed.The truth of his bloodline was awakening.
⚔️ Duel of the Mind
Suddenly, the Shadow Ravager entered this mental plane too—dragged in by the unstable rune.
"HOST LINKED TO ANCIENT BLOODLINE. INITIATING MENTAL TERMINATION."
The beast lunged.
But now… Aeren didn't dodge.He moved like water, predicting the beast's angle of attack.
His eyes glowed silver-blue.
He saw its intention, its fear, its weakness.
Mind-reading... thought weaving... dream-bending...
He launched a pulse—not a physical one, but a mental shockwave—blasting through the creature's psyche.
The beast shrieked, clawing at invisible chains.
Aeren stepped forward, a calm rage in his expression.
"You're not real. You're just fear given form. Let's fix that."
He closed his eyes, rewrote the rules of this dream.
The Shadow Ravager imploded, shattering into glowing dust.
🌄 Back in Reality
Aeren's eyes opened.
The rune faded. The monster's physical body collapsed—empty, lifeless.
His hands sparked faintly… then the energy disappeared.
"What… just happened to me…"
Behind the trees, hidden seekers watched from the shadows. One whispered,
"Did he just defeat a Level 7 Ravager? Alone? At Wood-tier?"
Even the Diamond-tier Seeker, Solis, paled.
"Impossible. Unless…"
A black sigil flickered briefly behind Aeren's back—the same one from the dungeon battle.
The mystery deepened.
⚠️ Back at the Academy
All students were called back early due to the unexpected energy surge.
Anshi saw Aeren walk in—dazed but unharmed.
"You're safe…" she whispered, running to him.
He nodded, eyes distant. "Yeah. But something's changing… fast."
She held his hand.
"We'll face it together. Whatever this is."
From the upper tower, the Headmaster stared through the enchanted mirror.
"The seal is breaking… The boy doesn't even know he's a vessel."
And far away, in the underground temple of the Darkthorn Organization, a hooded figure opened a cursed scroll.
"The Heir of the Timeless Sigil has awakened… Begin the next phase."
📘 End of Chapter 55