Chapter 26: When Light Casts a Shadow

After hours of discussion and planning to repel the attack, Y returned to the dormitory carrying a bag.

In the dormitory

Ash: “Y, are we leaving the university already?!”

Both Y and Ash stared into each other’s eyes.

Y: “We’ve accomplished what we came for — there’s no reason to stay any longer. Let’s go to Dansleif.”

Ash: “Understood.”

Y: “Head there ahead of me.”

Before leaving, Y handed Klee the bag.

Y: “Before I forget — this is a gift for you.”

Klee took the bag carefully, her eyes full of questions, while Y only offered a faint smile before turning his back and walking away.

Anna: “Let’s go.”

Then Anna, Diona, Ash, and Lunaria left together.

Klee: “Why this sudden change?”

Angela: “Maybe something happened in their kingdom.”

Leona (to herself): “Dansleif must know the reason.”

————————

A short while passed as a strange stillness spread across the university, as if the entire place were trying to comprehend the sudden news of their departure.

In another corner of the building—where silence had no place—the teachers’ room buzzed with fragmented conversations and scattered papers covering the large table.

Rose, Dansleif’s former student and now a teacher, rested her chin on her hand.

“There are quite a lot of applicants this time,” she murmured.

Sylvia, the teacher specialized in Natural Magic, fidgeted nervously with her fingers.

“Honestly, this is my first time supervising an entrance exam. I’m a little nervous.”

Leaning back in his chair, Marcus, the Spirit Magic specialist, replied,

“There’s no need to be nervous. The choice is theirs, not ours — we’re only observers.”

Leonard, Angela’s brother and a teacher of Offensive Magic, tapped the table lightly.

“What are you talking about? Our duty is to protect and guide the participants.”

Sylvia gave a soft laugh. “Protect them? Some of them are strong enough to protect themselves.”

Across the table, Raven, known for his mastery of traps and seals, raised his head, his expression serious.

“What about that man?”

Marcus turned toward him. “Who do you mean?”

Rose looked up. “Y, of course.”

Sylvia nodded thoughtfully. “Y’s become quite famous around here. I heard he even has a fox spirit companion who plans to participate.”

Rose smiled faintly. “You mean Ash. She’s strong now — one of the top candidates to win.”

Raven turned to Adrian, who had remained silent all this time.

“Adrian, is something wrong? You’ve been unusually quiet lately.”

Adrian, the specialist in Defensive Magic, spoke softly. “I’m fine.”

“I’ve noticed you’ve been checking the barrier often. Is there a problem?” Raven pressed.

Adrian adjusted his glasses slightly. “I’m one of those in charge of maintaining it. With so many new people entering the university, I need to inspect it more frequently.”

Marcus chuckled. “You really love your work.”

The door swung open amid the chatter, drawing everyone’s attention.

“This is the teachers’ room,” Rose said sharply. “No students are allowed in here.”

A calm voice came from the doorway.

“I thought I was considered a teacher until the exam ends — or am I mistaken?”

Rose stood abruptly, startled. “Y! What are you doing here?”

Y entered with steady steps, his gaze never leaving her.

“I came to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?” she repeated uneasily. “What about the exam?”

“A problem arose in my kingdom,” Y replied. “So we’ll be leaving now. I came to thank you. It’s only been a month, but my team and I truly enjoyed our time here. Thank you.”

Raven stepped forward with a faint smile, extending his hand.

“I’m glad to hear that. On behalf of everyone at the university, thank you for your efforts this past month. We won’t forget them. It’s unfortunate you won’t be staying for the exam, but I wish you the best of luck.”

Y shook his hand calmly. “And I wish you the same.”

The teachers exchanged handshakes with him one by one.

Y didn’t add another word — he simply turned and walked out of the room with composed steps, leaving behind a heavy silence.

—————————

No sooner had Y left the room than the news of his departure began to spread through the university like wildfire.

Within minutes, the courtyard was filled with faces—students and teachers alike—gathered to see him off.

Dansleif stepped forward, his voice calm and steady:

“Are you certain about leaving?”

Y: “Yes.”

Dansleif: “Very well. Thank you for your efforts as a temporary instructor. I’ll see you again.”

Y: “Can you send us to Mond?”

Dansleif: “I can’t send you somewhere I’ve never been before.”

Y: “Then what about the Forest of Elves?”

Dansleif: “That I can do.”

He struck the ground with his staff, and a glowing magic circle appeared beneath Y and his companions.

As the light enveloped them, a brief silence fell—followed by the faint sensation of drifting through the unknown.

When their vision cleared, Y and his team found themselves in a strange place heavy with the scent of earth and damp air.

From the shadows came a familiar voice.

A calm tone echoed from behind them:

“So, is the act finally over?”

It was Auren, seated in his usual composed posture.

Y: “Yes. We’re finally outside the schemers’ plans.”

Ash: “Where are we?”

Auren: “In my secret residence.”

Anna: “When will you explain what’s going on?”

Auren: “Don’t rush. We’ll wait until everyone arrives first.”

————————

At the university—specifically in Dansleif’s library—an emergency meeting had been convened between Dansleif and the faculty.

Dansleif: “Listen carefully: I will go to the exam site and fortify it myself until the test begins. I want you to be extremely vigilant. It seems the cult of mages has begun to move.”

Rose: “Is that why Y left so abruptly?”

Dansleif: “There don’t seem to be many problems in the Kingdom of Mond, so he decided to return after accomplishing his objective.”

Rose: “Then it must be serious.”

Raven: “What do you want us to do?”

Dansleif: “Protect the students until I return, and tell no one about this — the matter is highly sensitive.”

Rose: “And what about teaching?”

Dansleif: “We will suspend classes until the exam is over. Each of you will guard a sector of the university; coordinate among yourselves. That is all.”

Raven: “We expect additional compensation.”

Dansleif: “I am aware of that.”

Raven: “Then we have no objections.”

All the teachers left except Rose.

When they had gone, Lauma entered.

Dansleif: “Let us go now.”

He struck the ground; they vanished and reappeared in the strange place as well.

Auren: “Since everyone is here I will explain what happened—please listen. I don’t like repeating myself.”

⸻

After Auren explained the situation to everyone:

Rose: “I understand—you’re pretending not to be at the university to bait the cult into attacking, correct?”

Auren: “As expected from you, Rose.”

Dansleif: “My presence together with Y’s will present a major obstacle to them, so we devised this plan.”

Y: “My visit to the teachers was to ensure the traitor would continue teaching after my departure; then Dansleif would meet the faculty and announce the university’s evacuation to prepare for the exam.”

Auren: “We’ll remain here until the exam begins, or until they strike.”

Y: “That is why we are here.”

Auren: “Now I will outline the attack plan.”

Rose: “An attack plan? Do you mean defense?”

Auren: “Who said we will defend? We will strike them — listen closely.”

—————————

Auren’s explanation came to an end.

Auren: “Just a reminder—this entire plan is based on the information we have right now. A lot may change.”

Dansleif: “Rose, Lauma, you both know what to do, correct?”

Rose: “Of course. You can count on us.”

Lauma opened a portal, and both she and Rose stepped through.

Ash: “So… all we have to do now is wait?”

Y placed a hand on his head. “Seems I’m a bit tired. I’ll go rest for a while.”

Anna: “Take your time.”

Ash was holding the pendant Y had given her, a gentle smile on her face.

Auren: “If that artifact is yours, you should know — it’s no ordinary pendant.”

Ash: “How do you know that?”

Auren: “Simple. I’m the one who made it. The pendant you’re wearing is special — it enhances physical strength and speed depending on the amount of magic you channel through it.”

Lunaria: “That’s perfect for Ash.”

Ash looked at Y from afar and smiled softly.

Auren: “It seems you have a leader who knows how to bring out the best in you — rare indeed. Odd at times, perhaps, but easy to talk to; a rare combination. You all seem to care for him deeply.”

Ash: “Only a fool would hate someone who never harms anyone, respects the young and the old alike, helps without asking for anything in return… how could we hate someone like that?”

Auren: “Then he’s a lucky man.”

Lunaria: “No, we’re the lucky ones. Back in my homeland, I trained every day just to earn a little respect, but all I ever got was mockery — until my confidence shattered. But Y is different. While everyone looked down on me, he said my magic was valuable. He changed the way I think, the way I fight. He even gave me a spell that perfectly suits me — and I wasn’t even part of his team. That’s when I decided that, once I return home, I’ll officially join him.”

Diona: “Really? You’re joining us?”

Lunaria: “That’s if Y agrees. Don’t tell him yet — I want to meet Commander Milena first, then join you afterward.”

Anna: “I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear that.”

Auren (casually): “So… what exactly is Y’s goal?”

A brief silence filled the room.

Anna: “We don’t actually know. He’s never had a clear goal since arriving in this world — trouble just keeps finding him.”

Auren: “That explains the strange calm inside him. Anyway, you can rest in the room next door. We’ll stay here.”

Anna: “Thank you.”

The girls entered the next room, leaving Auren, Dansleif, and Y behind.

Dansleif: “You seem interested in them.”

Auren: “I am — especially Y. He’s the most balanced person I’ve ever met. Hard to believe someone like him has no goal.”

Dansleif: “A goal… he already achieved it.”

Auren: “What do you mean?”

Dansleif: “I was just thinking out loud.”

Auren: “Anyway, we have some time before the attack. Let’s go over the plan once more.”

Dansleif: “You’re surprisingly cooperative. I thought you’d have left the university by now.”

Auren: “I won’t deny that. The truth is, I just don’t want Y as an enemy. The short time I’ve spoken with him was enough to tell me how troublesome he’d be if he ever became one.”

Dansleif: “Sounds like you’re changing too.”

Auren: “I haven’t changed. That man saved my clan. Even Lady Freya herself went out of her way to send me a letter — it’s only right that I answer her request.”

————————

Inside the girls’ dormitory, in Klee and Angela’s room, the two stood before the bag Y had given to Klee.

Angela: “I’m curious… what’s inside?”

Klee placed her hand on the bag and began to open it. Inside lay a black cloak, adorned with small red beads that shimmered faintly under the light.

Klee: “A cloak?”

Angela: “Try it on.”

Klee slipped the cloak over her clothes and turned slightly.

Klee: “How does it look?”

Angela: “It’s beautiful.”

Klee: “I love it.”

—————————

A few days passed—an uneasy calm that felt like the quiet before a storm.

On the morning of the exam, the university pulsed with an unprecedented excitement, only for everything to collapse in an instant.

Students began whispering about the likely winners. Rose and Lauma stood in the courtyard, alert and watchful.

Suddenly the barrier that surrounded the university vanished. It faded without warning, and students rushed to form groups ready for any imminent danger; tension showed on every face.

Rose whispered, “The attack has begun.”

From nowhere a voice rang out across the university. A man in a long cloak that hid his features stood before the gate. He raised his left hand, and a malformed palm emerged from beneath the cloak as he called to the gathered mages, “Attack!”

No sooner had he finished than a bolt of blue lightning struck above him, and a familiar voice echoed from the center of the university: “You dare attack the university in my absence?”

The students turned toward the voice, their morale lifting. Dansleif took the foreground and called out, “We are under attack—every student, prepare to fight! We’ll show them who we are.”

The smoke cleared, and the sorcerer still stood unscathed. He sneered, “We expected you to still be here, Dansleif.”

Dansleif: “You prepared well — you even brought an artifact for your protection.”

Sorcerer: “More than that.”

Then the sorcerer cast a massive spell that enveloped the entire university. He murmured coldly, “I will transport you all to my arena — where none shall survive.”

Rose drew a breath: “What a colossal spell… they intend to teleport us all!”

Lauma, studying the magical pattern, answered, “If it were smaller I could have warped it easily, but the magical energy difference is immense… What can I do? This way they’ll move us all.”

A touch on Lauma’s head erased the fear from her face. She turned to see Y; he snapped his fingers and his personal domain bloomed beneath Lauma, Rose, and Dansleif.

Y raised a finger, and a rune swelled until it confronted the sorcerer’s spell. The two spells contracted together until they shrank, confined solely beneath Y himself.

Lauma took a few steps forward, unable to believe her eyes. “That’s magic— but in a more mature form,” she said in wonder.

Rose shouted, “Right. Y’s domain allows him to use anyone’s magic within its range.”

Y smiled. “Dansleif, I’m counting on you.” Then he took the spell upon himself.

Lauma, still in disbelief: “He used my magic to force the enemy’s spell to target him alone!”

The sorcerer bristled: “Who is this man?!”

Dansleif replied coldly: “No need to learn his name—you won’t live long enough, anyway.”

Dansleif struck his staff. Screens rose at the university’s entrances, and his voice announced: “Enemies… have kidnapped Y.”

⸻

Somewhere inside the university:

Diona (stunned): “What? Y was kidnapped?”

Ash: “Y can’t be taken that easily… there must be some hidden reason.”

Anna (anxious): “We need to hurry to Dansleif.”

—————————

While chaos reigned throughout the university, far away — deep underground in a cave that swallowed light — Y stood alone, preparing for another confrontation.

Dansleif faced the sorcerer directly, and the scene shifted toward a dark place that resembled an ancient cavern; a man waited there, anticipating the arrival of someone in particular.

From a crystal suspended in the air, Soldan — the evil sorcerer and Dansleif’s old foe — appeared, watching the cave. He smiled with scorn.

“I wonder how you’ll react when you find yourself in this cave, beneath the circle that seals your magic… and when every insect dies without resistance.”

Suddenly a shadow moved from behind the dust. Soldan shouted sharply, “At last you’ve appeared, Dansleif… let me see your face before you sink into despair!”

Then Soldan’s eyes widened, his voice thick with hatred: “It’s you again!”

Y looked up, a smile rising on his face. Soldan exploded with rage at the sight and ordered, “Kill them all!”

Creatures sprang forth at once — many of them, the largest a three-headed wolf. Y drew his weapon, smiling with quiet confidence.

—————————

Back at the university, the exchange between Dansleif and the sorcerer resumed.

Dansleif (inquiring): “Did you send them to your stronghold?”

Sorcerer (mocking): “We’re not foolish enough to send you to our base.”

Dansleif: “That makes sense.”

Sorcerer: “You don’t seem to take us seriously — we transported them to a place we prepared specifically to kill you.”

Dansleif: “Let me guess: a place that seals a person’s magic?”

Sorcerer: “Exactly.”

Dansleif smiled calmly, an expression full of meaning. “You don’t understand what you’ve done. Let me paint the picture for you: Y is not invincible — by the way, he chose to enter that place himself, you did not move him there.”

At that moment, Y’s rescue team appeared.

Ash: “What happened to Y?”

Dansleif: “He walked into the enemy’s trap on purpose. Your mission is to rescue him as quickly as possible.”

Dansleif: “I have located him.”

Lunaria: “That was fast.”

Dansleif: “It was simple — I analyzed the technique they used and found its trace.”

Anna: “Where is he now?”

Dansleif: “He’s in the Great Cavern.”

Rose: “The Great Cavern… that’s going to be tricky.”

Anna: “Is it dangerous?”

Dansleif: “To some degree, yes. It has a single entrance but branches into a labyrinth-like network — almost like a living maze. Ancient ruins lie at its center. I know where it is, but it’s perilous.”

A decisive voice cut through: “I’ll go with them.”

It was Raven — the trap expert — adding, “Exploring dangerous places is my specialty.”

Dansleif: “Very well. I will transport you now.”

A magic circle formed, and the new rescue party was assembled: Anna, Diona, Ash, Lunaria, and Raven. The circle flared — and they vanished.

————————

In the northern wing—inside the barrier chamber—Adrian, the instructor and specialist in defensive magic, stood before a mysterious man cloaked in black, his features hidden beneath the hood.

The air in the room was heavy, filled with the faint hum of glowing magic circles pulsing along the walls.

The door creaked open slowly. Auren stepped in with cautious, measured steps, his gray eyes scanning the space before he spoke in a sharp, low voice:

Auren: “You must be the reason the barrier vanished.”

He advanced past Adrian without hesitation, his tone as cold as command steel.

Auren: “I’ll handle him.”

But Adrian moved just a single step behind him—then drew his sword with deadly calm. In one swift motion, the blade pierced through Auren’s back.

The moment froze. Then Auren’s voice came, steady despite the wound, calm in a way that felt almost unnatural:

Auren: “How did you manage to deceive Dansleif?”

Adrian lifted his head with a dark, knowing smile.

Adrian: “To deceive someone like Dansleif… you first have to deceive yourself.

I tampered with my own mind until I truly believed I was a real instructor… until today.”

Auren stared into his eyes, realization dawning in an instant.

Auren: “Mental manipulation… with time-locked memory triggers. Clever plan.

Did you hear that?”

Before Adrian could answer, Auren’s body began to shimmer with rippling white light. His form dissolved—melting into a luminous liquid that dripped onto the floor.

A burst of radiance split the chamber, and Leonard — Angela’s brother — appeared out of thin air, his hand raised toward Adrian and the sorcerer.

Leonard: “Yes… everything is clear now.”

A beam of blinding light erupted from his palm, exploding through the room in a roaring flash. A cloud of dense dust engulfed the chamber.

Adrian shouted amid the chaos: “It’s a trap!”

The real Auren emerged from within the glow, stepping back with a faint smirk.

Auren: “I’ll leave him to you.”

Leonard: “Count on me.”

As the dust slowly cleared, Adrian and the sorcerer stood behind a luminous, transparent barrier that had shielded them from the blast.

Leonard smiled lightly.

Leonard: “You do realize this is a losing battle, don’t you?”

Adrian replied with icy sarcasm:

Adrian: “Didn’t expect such words from someone weak enough to lose to a new instructor.”

Leonard answered firmly:

Leonard: “Losing to a fighter like him was an honor.

And by the way… I wasn’t weak — Y was strong.”

Then Auren stepped into the center of the chamber. His voice, amplified through a sonic spell, echoed across the entire university:

Auren:

“Each class — form your own defense teams immediately, and expel anyone not belonging to your section.

As for the participants in the exam — all is well, just remain in your positions.

Final warning: Do not follow orders from anyone but me, no matter who they are.

From this moment on — I’m leading this phase.

I hereby declare — the counterattack has begun.”

——————————

Elsewhere in the university, Klee and Angela listened as Auren’s voice echoed through the halls.

Angela: “What should we do now?”

Klee (clenching her fist, determined): “It’s clear — we head to the barrier chamber.”

⸻

In the cave, Y stood in the center, surrounded by a heavy silence and the torn corpses of beasts littering the ground. He raised his head and spoke in a calm tone, as if mocking boredom.

Y: “I heard someone bought monsters from the black market… I’m sorry to say you wasted your money.”

A tremor sounded within the floating crystal before him, and Soldan’s face appeared, his eyes filled with malice.

Soldan: “Remember my words well… you, in particular, I will make suffer in ways no one can imagine. I will make everyone who knows you regret it.”

Y gave a faint smile and replied coldly:

Y: “No need for threats. Just tell me where you are… we’ll take our time getting there.”

A strange sound rang out, then a huge stone door opened, unleashing a gust of cold wind. A massive man appeared, carrying a broad black sword across his back, dressed in garments that hinted at noble lineage. His black hair was streaked with white that fell over his face, and his eyes were as keen as those of a seasoned warrior.

He halted at the entrance and spoke in a deep voice:

???: “I wanted to see the Archmage for myself, but it seems the plan changed. Tell me — who are you, mortal?”

Soldan (angrily): “Perfect timing, Baradok… kill him now!”

Baradok: “I am not your subordinate. Our agreement was to fight Dansleif—no one else.”

Soldan: “Enough nonsense! Do it at once!”

Baradok (irritated): “What an annoying man…”

(He reached for the crystal and shattered it slowly.)

Baradok: “That’s better… we can speak calmly now.”

Y: “I was going to break it myself.”

At that moment several men appeared behind Baradok, led by Reinhardt. He bowed slightly.

Reinhardt: “Commander, there are intruders in the cave.”

Baradok: “Well done, Reinhardt.”

Y (calmly): “So it’s you again.”

Reinhardt: “I didn’t expect to meet you here again.”

Y: “Looks like you finally achieved your objective.”

Baradok watched Y with scrutinizing eyes, then turned to his men:

Baradok: “Do you know him?”

Zack (stepping forward confidently): “We fought him four months ago. Let me handle him.”

Reinhardt: “Remember — this man wounded Dansleif himself.”

Zack: “No need to worry.”

But before Zack could set foot inside the magic circle, Y appeared in front of him in a flash. In the same instant, Baradok materialized beside him and stopped him with a hand.

Baradok: “You underestimated him.”

Zack: “I didn’t expect his strength to grow so fast.”

Y lowered his weapon and walked slowly back to the center of the circle.

Y: “Consider that a warning.”

Baradok: “How many intruders?”

Reinhardt: “Five people. Three of them fought alongside him in the previous battle.”

Baradok: “So they’re strong.”

Zack: “You could say that.”

A girl: “We outnumber them — our chances are better.”

Baradok (in a cold, measured tone): “Think carefully. This place was built to imprison someone like Dansleif… yet this man entered it of his own will. No wonder Soldan is furious — his single entry has already shifted the balance.”

Then Baradok turned to Y:

Baradok: “What is a man like you doing here?”

Y: “I’ll ask you the same question. We don’t differ much — we each walk our path toward our goals, as you walk yours toward Soldan.”

Stella: “He’s trapped here… why don’t we attack his team first?”

Y: “Good plan — but it will force me to come out.”

Stella (mocking): “As if you could.”

Baradok: “This man is cunning… he wants a fight without magic. But even if he leaves, defeating him will cost us dearly.”

Baradok (decisive): “I’ll stay here. The rest of you — stop the intruders.”

Y gave a short smile.

Y: “Not a bad plan, but… be careful. They are more remarkable than I am.”

————————-

Elsewhere in the cave,

the rescue team advanced cautiously through the dark corridors.

Raven (in a low voice): “Our mission is simple — rescue Y and get out immediately. Expect plenty of traps along the way.”

He took out a magic lantern and handed it to Diona.

Raven: “This will guide you to him. You’ll know when he’s near.”

Diona fastened the lantern to her belt, and soft blue threads of light began to glow from it.

Raven: “Now then… let’s get serious.”

⸻

A brief silence followed — broken only by the steady drip of water from the cave ceiling.

Then Baradok spoke:

Baradok: “Tell me, entering this place even knowing it’s a trap — is that blind faith or sheer stupidity?”

Y (calmly): “Unshaken faith.”

Baradok: “Faith… we were once like you. And look what became of us.

The world may seem beautiful on the surface, but beneath its shadows, the saddest stories are written.”

Y sat down, resting his sword beside him.

Y: “I’m listening.”

Baradok sat across from him, closed his eyes for a moment, and began to speak in a quiet voice:

Baradok: “Let me tell you a story… about the first man who planted faith in humankind — and the monster who tore it away.”

⸻

Hundreds of years ago, when humans held no worth, one man stood before a hundred dragons.

He fought them alone, for an entire day, until the last of them fell at his feet.

That man was the first hunter — the one who lit the flame of faith, guiding humanity and teaching them how to stand against the dark.

Generations passed, and his will became a legacy. Hunting turned into a craft, then a noble duty.

When that legacy reached us, far in the mountains, the hunter tribes would gather every year for a new campaign against dragons.

Victory after victory… until that day.

Y (thoughtfully): “That day?”

Baradok: “The day we decided to cross the mist — the barrier separating the realm of men from the realm of dragons.

We were a hundred hunters, blinded by pride. But once we crossed the mist, our blood ran cold.

There, at the border, a black dragon awaited us — its aura of battle radiating like life itself.”

Baradok lifted his gaze, as though reliving the memory through his own eyes.

Baradok: “The dragon said to us:

‘I heard tales of humans who hunt dragons… so I waited for you here. But all I see are faint shadows.’

Then he pointed to a vast scar across his chest and said:

‘This scar was left by a man before you. He taught you, guided you, gave you faith. And this… is how you honor his legacy? You are his disgrace.’”

His voice trembled slightly.

Baradok: “We all charged at once — a hundred hunters against one dragon. The outcome was inevitable: complete annihilation.

In my moment of despair, I turned to forbidden magic.

Even so, the dragon slew ninety of us. I returned with the few who survived — our bodies broken, our hearts drenched in shame.

When we returned, they accused us of fleeing the battle and cast us out as cowards.”

Y (quietly): “What happened then?”

Baradok: “My body died… but they couldn’t accept my loss. They sought a way to bring me back.

And that’s when it all began — they turned to Soldan.”

Silence filled the cave. Then Baradok spoke again, his tone weary but sincere:

Baradok: “Sometimes… we don’t choose the darkness — we turn to it when no light remains.”

Y: “Everything that exceeds its limit… becomes its own shadow, my friend.”