Edward carried Akira to the school's training grounds and dropped him unceremoniously onto the floor. Akira stumbled, immediately trying to back away, but before he could take more than a few steps, dark chains shot out from Edward's shadow, wrapping around his arms and legs, pinning him in place.
Akira struggled, looking up at Edward with a mix of frustration and wariness.
"What do you want from me? I'm pretty sure Yukiko and Mikage are way stronger than me."
Edward smirked, walking toward him. "It's because you're a shadow sorcerer-just like me." He crouched slightly, tilting his head as he studied Akira. "I want to see how smart and deceptive you are. That's the only way shadow sorcerers survive in this world."
Akira clenched his fists. "But I don't even know how to use my power properly."
"Is that so?" Edward chuckled. "Well, it's simple, really. We don't rely on physical weapons like other magic users. Carrying them would slow us down." He stretched out his hand, and shadows swirled, forming a dagger wrapped in dark mist. "So, we make our own."
Akira's eyes widened. "Whoa..."
Edward spun the dagger between his fingers effortlessly before continuing. "But the trick is how you visualize it. If you don't understand the density of a blade or the inner workings of a gun, you won't be able to cut a cake or shoot down a mere fly."
Akira nodded slowly. "I think I get it."
Edward grinned. "Good. Now, fight me."
Akira hesitated but then stood up, raising his fists in a boxing stance.
Edward's grin widened. "That's adorable."
In an instant, he vanished.
Akira barely had time to process before a sharp sensation brushed against his side. His instincts screamed at him, and he leaped back just in time to avoid a fatal strike. Edward stood behind him, a dagger glinting in his hand.
"Hah! You at least know how to enhance your body with mana. No normal human could've reacted that fast," Edward remarked, looking down at the shallow graze on Akira's side.
Akira pressed a hand against the wound. "Are you actually trying to kill me?"
Edward shrugged. "Who knows?"
Akira exhaled sharply. "One last question before we continue."
Edward rolled his eyes. "Make it quick. You're killing the vibe."
"How do you keep vanishing and reappearing like that? Is it a shadow sorcery technique?"
Edward nodded. "Correct. It's called Shadow Step. I manipulate my shadow and link it to any other shadow in the area-doesn't matter how small. Once they're connected, I can teleport behind, in front, above, or below the target."
Akira's gaze dropped to the ground, watching how Edward's shadow flickered slightly. "I see..."
Edward smirked. "Not that it's something you'll get any time soon."
But as Edward spoke, Akira concentrated on his own shadow. He willed it to move-and to his surprise, it responded. Slowly, tendrils of darkness stretched across the floor, slithering toward Edward's shadow.
Akira muttered under his breath, "Looks like I'll have to live up to the name."
The moment his shadow connected with Edward's, he took a step-
And vanished.
Edward's eyes widened in shock. "What the-"
Akira reappeared right in front of him, already moving. He crouched low and swept his leg toward Edward's ankles. Edward barely had time to lift one foot, avoiding the first strike-
But Akira's other leg was already coming, spinning into a kick.
A shadow blade materialized around Akira's shoe, aimed straight for Edward's stomach.
"Oh, shi-"
At the last second, Edward reacted. His hand shot to the ground, and he teleported away before the blade could pierce him.
Akira landed smoothly, blinking in surprise. "He reacted that fast?"
Edward reappeared five feet away, looking slightly more serious now. "You're catching on way too quickly."
But before he could move again, Akira smirked and snapped his fingers.
A shackle of shadows locked onto Edward's wrist, connecting him to Akira with a long, dark chain.
Edward's expression flickered with intrigue. "Do you really think this will hold me?" He prepared to teleport again-only to realize he couldn't. His ability was locked.
His smirk disappeared. "Clever bastard."
Akira dashed forward, knowing this was his best chance.
"Tch," Edward muttered. "He purposely locked down my dominant hand to limit my movement. He wants to force a close-range fight."
A dagger appeared in Akira's left hand as he swung it at Edward.
Edward's eyes narrowed. "Wait-he's using his left?!"
At the last second, Edward broke the shadow shackle with his free hand and twisted his body, shattering Akira's dagger with his right. But Akira didn't hesitate-his right hand flashed, summoning another blade mid-motion, slashing toward Edward's neck.
Edward barely had time to dodge, the blade grazing his cheek. His mind raced. "He's ambidextrous?!"
Before he could react further, Akira transitioned into a spinning attack, aiming another shadow-enhanced kick. Edward ducked, sliding backward. "This kid's instincts are insane...but-"
With a sharp motion, Edward caught Akira's wrist mid-attack, using his own momentum to twist Akira's arm behind him. In one fluid motion, he swept Akira's legs out from under him and pinned him to the ground, one knee on his chest, the other pressing down on his arm.
Akira struggled, but Edward applied more pressure. "You put up a good fight," he admitted.
A shadow dagger materialized in Akira's free hand, and he slashed upward-only for Edward to summon a pistol and press it to Akira's forehead.
"May I repeat," Edward said with a smirk. "I have won."Akira's dagger vanished, and he dropped his hands. "I concede," he said.
Edward nodded. "Good." His pistol dissipated, and he stepped back.
Akira sighed. "Man, I was hoping I could finally win a fight in this school."
Edward turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're new to sorcery? You fought like you've done this before."
"Not at all," Akira admitted. "I learned MMA when I was younger, and I watched a lot of weapon training videos, so I had a basic idea of how to fight. As for summoning the dagger, you said I just had to imagine it, so I did. Same with Shadow Step-I just followed your instructions. But your version was way faster. If the roles were switched and you were the one trying to kick me, I wouldn't have escaped in time."
Edward smirked. "At least you know your weaknesses." He sighed. "Looks like Mikage's team is full of competent fighters... Oh well, see you around, Akira."
"Wait," Akira called out.
Edward stopped and turned. "What is it?"
"I just wanted to ask... what's the origin of magic?" Akira asked. "You can't tell me it's always been there when most of the human population doesn't even know magic exists."
Edward raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you ask Mikage?"
Akira chuckled nervously. "I always forget."
Edward sighed, then smirked. "I've always wanted to tell someone this story."
He conjured a throne and sat down, crossing his legs. "It all began at the Big Bang-the creation of everything. Before life existed anywhere, there was a plant. That plant grew into a massive tree-not one that bore fruit, but one that released an immense amount of mana. This mana spread across galaxies, realms, and universes, breathing life into them. When creatures began inhabiting these worlds, they could manipulate their environment, shaping their own magic.
"But not every world received the tree's blessing. Some were left untouched, and in their emptiness, dark mana took root. The beings of these tainted worlds sought to spread their corruption, waging war against those who protected the tree. The dark forces were winning, and they came close to corrupting the tree itself... until a being of light descended. He annihilated the dark forces, nearly wiping them out. The survivors fled.
"Many saw this being as a god, but he rejected that title, claiming he was merely a servant of his master. He was called the Grand Sorcerer. He trained a group of warriors to guard the tree, naming them Sorcerer Supremes. Then, he vanished into the tree. The Sorcerer Supremes built a civilization around it, and for eons, they maintained peace.
"But as the tree's magic spread, it reached tainted worlds-including Earth. At first, magic was rare here, and those who wielded it were hunted as demons. That changed with the birth of one man-the Child of Miracles. His name was Merlin. Unlike anyone before him, he was a specimen so extraordinary that even the Sorcerer Supremes hesitated to interfere with his existence. He could wield every element, mastering magic beyond anything they had seen.
"Word of Merlin spread across worlds, drawing magic users from other realms to learn from him. Some never left, which is why creatures like werewolves, fairies, elves, and leprechauns exist on Earth today. Merlin even taught humans magic, changing history forever."
Edward leaned back, his gaze darkening. "But then... something happened.
"An elf appeared on Earth, one with an overwhelming amount of dark mana-so much that it rivaled Merlin himself. People feared him. Dark mana users hadn't been seen in a million years, and his arrival sent shockwaves through the magical world.
"This elf didn't come in peace. He sought to corrupt Earth and restart the war. The Sorcerer Supremes tried to stop him... and he slaughtered them all.
"He and Merlin fought for two years straight, neither gaining the upper hand. Until one day, the elf asked, 'Why do you fight so hard to protect this world?' Merlin gave his answer... but something changed. Instead of continuing their battle, the elf chose to follow him-to see the world through his eyes. Over time, they became more than rivals. They became brothers.
"Together, they traveled across different worlds, learning magic and reshaping history. The elf became infamous, known by many names-but the most feared was the Harbinger of Death. His real name... was Malakar."
Edward let that sink in before standing up from his throne.Most light mana users hate dark mana users. They despise the fact that Merlin and Malakar were close, and they go out of their way to make life difficult for us. That's why dark mana users are so rare-especially in this school. But I don't get targeted because I'm the second strongest sorcerer here. And you?" He smirked. "You're safe because you're Mikage's friend."
Akira blinked. "Wait... then who's the third strongest?"
Edward scoffed. "Kane. I'm sure you've come across him."
Akira frowned. "And after we graduate?"
Edward's expression turned serious. "We'll be enrolled as Divine Visionaries."
Akira tilted his head. "What's that?"
"They're a task force created by the Sorcerer Supremes," Edward explained. "Their job is to keep magic users and potential threats in check. Anyone who steps out of line... well, let's just say they don't get a second chance."
Akira frowned. "But that doesn't answer my question-why isn't magic known on Earth?"
Edward blinked, then smirked. "Oh, right. I got caught up in the story. The real reason magic isn't widespread is because, after the deaths of Malakar and Merlin... a monster appeared. A single creature wiped out 80% of all magic users on Earth."
Akira's eyes widened. "What kind of monster could do that?"
Edward's expression darkened. "His name was Dracula."
Akira felt a chill. "Wait... you mean the vampire?"
"Yes," Edward said. "And no one knows how he died... or if he's even truly gone." "Dracula is the only being in history that ever came close to matching Malakar's terrifying presence," Edward said, his tone unusually serious.