Chapter 2 — The Monster Everyone Fears

Whispers followed Eden everywhere after the combat test.

Students stared openly now.

Not with mockery anymore—

But suspicion.

Fear.

Curiosity.

Eden walked quickly through the academy corridors with his hood pulled lower.

“…Great.”

A group of noble students blocked the hallway intentionally.

“That mana yesterday,” one of them muttered. “What exactly are you?”

Eden frowned. “A tired student trying to get to class.”

Another student grabbed his shoulder.

“You think this is funny?”

Before Eden could react—

Heat suddenly flooded the corridor.

The air itself grew heavy.

Everyone froze instantly.

Kael Draven stood at the end of the hallway.

One hand in his pocket.

Expression cold.

“Move,” he said quietly.

The noble students immediately stepped aside.

Not a single one dared argue.

Eden stared in disbelief as Kael walked closer.

“You’re causing problems again,” Kael said calmly.

“…Me?”

“You attract attention too easily.”

Eden almost laughed.

“You’re literally the most famous student in the academy.”

Kael’s crimson eyes lingered on him for a second too long.

“That’s different.”

The silence between them felt strangely intimate despite the crowded hallway.

Students nearby whispered furiously.

“Why is Kael protecting him?”

“They’ve been together constantly lately…”

“Don’t tell me Kael’s interested in him—”

Kael suddenly glanced toward the gossiping students.

Flames sparked lightly around his fingertips.

The whispers died immediately.

Eden blinked.

“…Did you just threaten them?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“That somehow makes it scarier.”

For the first time, Eden noticed the smallest hint of amusement in Kael’s expression.

And honestly?

That terrified him more than the flames.

---

That night, rain poured heavily over Astralis again.

Eden sat alone inside the academy library, surrounded by towering shelves and glowing magic books. He rubbed his tired eyes while studying ancient mana theories.

None of it explained what happened during training.

That power…

Those symbols…

He had never seen anything like it before.

A chair scraped quietly across from him.

Eden looked up.

Kael sat down casually.

“…How did you even find me?”

“You’re always here after midnight.”

“That’s creepy.”

“You noticed.”

Eden stared at him suspiciously.

Kael opened a book calmly. “Your mana yesterday wasn’t normal.”

Eden’s stomach tightened immediately.

“I don’t know what happened.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

Kael studied him silently.

Those eyes always felt dangerous.

Like they could peel apart every secret Eden tried hiding.

“You really don’t know,” Kael realized quietly.

Eden looked away.

“…Should I?”

The library fell silent except for rain tapping against enormous crystal windows.

Then Kael suddenly stood.

“Come with me.”

“What?”

“I’m testing something.”

“That sounds illegal.”

“It probably is.”

Eden groaned softly before following him anyway.

Because despite every warning inside his head…

He trusted Kael far too easily.

---

The restricted training chamber beneath Eclipse Academy was massive.

Ancient runes glowed across black stone walls while magic barriers hummed softly around the room.

Eden stopped immediately.

“Students definitely aren’t allowed here.”

Kael ignored him.

“Use your mana.”

“I told you, I can’t control whatever happened yesterday.”

“Try.”

Eden sighed heavily.

“Fine.”

Silver energy slowly gathered around his hands.

Weak at first.

Normal.

Then suddenly—

The room shook violently.

Ancient symbols exploded across the walls.

Dark energy pulsed beneath the floor.

Eden gasped as unbearable pain shot through his chest.

“What—?!”

Kael grabbed him instantly before he collapsed.

Warm hands.

Strong grip.

“Eden.”

Hearing Kael say his name that softly made his heart stutter painfully.

The silver mana around Eden spiraled wildly out of control.

Then—

A voice echoed faintly through the chamber.

Ancient.

Inhuman.

“…He has awakened…”

Eden froze.

“…Did you hear that?”

Kael’s expression darkened completely.

“Yes.”

For the first time since meeting him—

Kael looked genuinely worried.

Suddenly, alarms rang throughout the academy.

Red lights flashed across the chamber.

A professor’s voice echoed magically through the halls:

“All students return to your dormitories immediately. This is not a drill.”

The ground trembled beneath them.

Something massive moved deep below Eclipse Academy.

Something alive.

Eden’s breathing turned uneven.

“What is happening?”

Kael looked toward the darkness beneath the chamber silently.

Then he tightened his grip on Eden’s wrist.

“…We’re too late.”

... To Be Continue........

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