The day began like any other—lectures on mana control, sparring in the open field, and whispers behind half-closed doors about the coming "Ascension Trials." Brent and Rae kept their masks on, their false names in place, watching and listening from the shadows.
But something was off.
The instructors were too quiet. Students disappeared for hours then returned with vacant stares. The light crystals in the hallways flickered during the noon bell, something they never did before.
Brent's instincts were on edge.
And then… they were summoned.
A Special Lecture on Tactical Adaptation
— Invitation only.
— Location: The Mirrored Annex.
— Instructor: "Professor Kalven, Tactical Specialist."
Brent narrowed his eyes.
Kalven?
"Didn't we hear that name before?" Rae asked under her breath.
Brent's system pulsed faintly.
Warning: False Identity Detected – Signature Camouflage Identified
Real Identity: Kalen Voss
Threat Level: High
Emotional State: Volatile / Concealing Guilt / Vengeful Surge Detected
Objective: Unknown (Dangerous proximity – proceed with extreme caution)
They entered the mirrored annex in silence, stepping into a vast chamber where every wall, floor, and ceiling reflected their forms—perfectly at first glance.
But the reflections… didn't quite match.
Some blinked a heartbeat late. Others smirked when they didn't. Rae's didn't even move.
And at the far end of the hall stood a figure dressed in a long gray cloak, a silver mask covering half his face, and his arm—his arm—shimmering with that unnatural silversteel.
Brent's fists clenched involuntarily.
Kalen turned slowly.
"Welcome, initiates," he said, voice altered slightly by some magical filter. "Today's lesson is on betrayal. Let's see how well you react… when your teammates try to kill you."
He raised his arm and snapped his fingers.
Sudden Combat Triggered
Ambush Initiated
Four elite students with nullifying chains
Environment: Mirror-Laced Domain – Reflections may become hostile
Hidden Goal: Survive without revealing identity
Rae whipped her staff forward, flames bursting from her palms to intercept a set of chains aimed for Brent's throat.
He ducked and rolled under one of the enchanted chains, summoned a small field of radiant light around his hands, and knocked one attacker back into a wall—where the reflection grabbed them and dragged them inside the glass.
"What the—?!"
Rae's eyes widened. "The mirrors are alive!"
"They're feeding off doubt!" Brent shouted. "Don't hesitate!"
Another student lunged at Rae—only to get scorched with a wave of starthorn fire that melted through their enchanted armor.
Kalen tilted his head, amused.
"Impressive. You fight like someone I used to know…"
He stepped forward, slowly.
"You remind me of someone I killed."
Brent clenched his jaw, light building in his palm.
Not yet.
He couldn't blow his cover. Not here. Not until he had proof.
But Kalen was getting too close.
"Show me your face," Kalen whispered. "I want to see if your eyes hold the same fear when you're broken."
Brent stepped back. His system buzzed again.
Hidden System Path Choice Detected
Option 1: Maintain Cover – Redirect power output to defensive maneuvers
Option 2: Partial Reveal – Use unique light signature, risk exposure
Option 3: Shatter Mirror Field – Unleash pulse to blind, then escape
"I'm choosing option 3," Brent muttered under his breath.
Light surged in his palm—golden and tinted with dusk. The moment Kalen reached for his mask, Brent slammed his hand to the floor.
A pulse erupted through the chamber—shattering every mirror with a thunderous wave of purifying energy.
Rae grabbed his arm and leapt with him as the ceiling began to cave in and the students screamed in confusion.
Smoke. Glass. Screams.
And in the chaos, one final glimpse:
Kalen stood in the middle of it all, unmoving, mask cracked…
His eye locked onto Brent's.
And in that instant—
He knew.
Brent and Rae fled through a secret passage the Seer had shown him days before, emerging through the roots of an old library tree.
They didn't speak for a long moment.
Then Rae finally said, "He recognized you."
Brent nodded grimly. "Let him. The game has started."
System Update: You Have Been Identified
Kalen Voss has confirmed your survival.
Vaelrick will be informed.
Consequences are now in motion.
Reward: Light Specialization Branch Unlock – Sunbreak Technique: Mirrorbane Pulse
Back in the wrecked mirror chamber, Kalen stood alone.
Blood dripping from his arm. A grin slowly spreading.
"You're alive," he whispered. "Good."
He crushed the cracked mask in his hand.
"Now I can kill you properly."