Shadow Being System

"Miss Mona?" William's voice broke the stillness as he spotted her near the entrance of the clinic. She turned to face him, her expression softening just slightly as she took in his tired yet determined stance.

"Yes, William?" she asked, her voice steady and composed, though there was a hint of concern beneath it.

"How are you feeling?"

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William shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm okay, I guess. I was just about to go for my admission process."

Miss Mona raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You should take things slow. You've been through a lot. Go rest."

William shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the handbook in his hand. "I would, but I can't even figure out this map. I don't know where the dormitory is."

Miss Mona's lips curled into a wry smile. "You don't know how to read maps?"

"Why would I learn how to read maps when I have GPS?" William shot back, a smirk forming on his face.

Miss Mona let out a small, exasperated sigh. "Sometimes, I wonder how your generation survives." She gestured for him to follow her. "Come on, I'll show you the way."

As they walked, William couldn't help but notice the eerie emptiness of the campus. The grand buildings stood silent, their towering facades casting long shadows across the paved walkways. There were no students milling about, no bustling chatter or laughter echoing through the air.

"Where is everyone?" he asked, glancing around uneasily.

"Most students are busy with their admission process," Miss Mona replied without breaking stride. Her voice was calm, but there was an underlying tension that made William's stomach twist.

An awkward silence fell between them, broken only by the sound of their footsteps against the cobblestone path. William's mind raced with questions, but he hesitated, unsure of what to say. The quiet stretched on, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.

Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer. "What happened after I passed out?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

Miss Mona's steps slowed, and she turned her gaze to the sky, her eyes clouded with memory. "Backup arrived. The General himself came to deal with the situation."

William's heart skipped a beat. "The General? He came all the way here?"

"Yes," Miss Mona confirmed, her voice dropping to a murmur. "He's the one who killed the Heretic."

William's mind reeled. He had heard stories about the General—an enigmatic figure known for his unparalleled strength and tactical genius. For him to have come personally… the situation must have been dire. He felt a pang of guilt for having been unconscious during the crucial moment.

"Thank you," Miss Mona's voice cut through his thoughts, startling him. Her expression had softened, the cold indifference he had come to associate with her replaced by something gentler.

William shook his head, a small, self-deprecating smile on his lips. "There's no need to thank me. I was just trying to save myself. Besides, who knows? I might even get some contribution points for this." He chuckled, the sound hollow even to his own ears.

Miss Mona scoffed, though the harshness in her tone was gone. "Don't get ahead of yourself, rookie."

They reached the dormitory building, a four-story structure that loomed above them. Its facade was sleek and modern, with large windows that reflected the surrounding greenery. The entrance was flanked by tall pillars, and a sign above the door read "Freshmen Dormitory" in bold, elegant script. The building looked imposing, almost intimidating, as if it were silently judging all who entered.

Miss Mona stopped at the entrance, turning to face William. "This is it. Go rest and take care of yourself."

"You're leaving?" William asked, a note of disappointment in his voice.

Miss Mona's eyes sparkled with a teasing light. "Oh, what's this? You want me to come in?"

William's face flushed crimson, and he averted his gaze. "N-no, that's not what I meant…"

Miss Mona chuckled softly. "Relax, I'm just messing with you." She paused, her expression turning thoughtful. "Oh, I almost forgot." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, plain box. "You dropped this."

William blinked in surprise, then quickly took the box from her hand. "Thanks," he muttered, his cheeks still burning.

Miss Mona gave him a small smile. "Take care, William." With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing down the empty path.

William watched her go, then shook his head with a sigh. "Crazy woman… Doesn't she have any shame?"

"Oh?" The system's voice chimed in, its tone laced with amusement. "Didn't you say you were going to charm all the campus belles? Are you getting shy now?"

"I'm not shy!" William snapped, his face reddening even more. "I'm just… not used to this."

"Sure you aren't," the system teased, a faint chuckle echoing in his mind.

Ignoring the system, William pushed open the door and stepped into the dormitory. The lobby was spacious and well-lit, with polished floors and modern decor. A few students were milling about, some chatting in groups while others lugged suitcases and boxes up the stairs.

He made his way to the third floor, his heart pounding as he reached Room 073. Taking a deep breath, he turned the handle and stepped inside.

The room was larger than he had expected, with three neatly made beds lined up against the walls. Each bed had a small nightstand and a wardrobe beside it. The walls were painted a calming shade of blue, and a large window let in a stream of warm sunlight, illuminating the room in a golden glow.

There was a study desk against the far wall, complete with a comfortable chair and a half-filled bookshelf. The room felt welcoming, yet there was an underlying sense of anticipation, as if it were waiting for its occupants to breathe life into it.

William's eyes roamed the space, landing on his suitcase and uniform neatly arranged on the bed closest to the window. He let out a small sigh of relief. "Looks like I'm the first one here."

He had expected his roommates to have moved in already, but the room was eerily empty. "Maybe they're still busy with the admission process," he muttered, shrugging to himself.

Choosing the bed he felt most comfortable with, he plopped down, the mattress firm yet yielding beneath him. His body ached, the adrenaline rush from the battle now replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion. He lay back, staring at the ceiling, his mind drifting.

Although his body was healing, his mind was far from okay. The memory of the fight with the beast, the raw fear and desperation, still lingered like a dark cloud. He felt drained, both physically and mentally. All he wanted to do was close his eyes and sleep for days, but…

"That's not what I'm planning on doing," he murmured, a grin slowly spreading across his face.

"Now," he said softly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, "let's check the system's rewards."

—

High above the clouds, where the air was thin and the sky a deep, endless blue, stood a majestic mountain. Its jagged peak pierced the heavens, shrouded in mist and clouds that swirled like a living shroud around it. The mountain was ancient, its slopes covered in dense forests and sheer rock faces that seemed to stretch forever.

Atop this colossal edifice, nestled like a crown, was a temple. Its architecture was distinctly Japanese, with sweeping roofs and intricate wooden carvings that spoke of a time long past. The temple stood in stark contrast to its rugged surroundings, its pristine beauty a testament to the skill and dedication of those who had built it.

The courtyard was vast, its stone tiles worn smooth by centuries of use. Delicate cherry blossom trees lined the edges, their pale pink petals fluttering in the gentle breeze. The air was filled with the faint scent of incense, a calming aroma that permeated every corner of the sacred space.

Inside the temple, the atmosphere was serene, almost otherworldly. The main hall was spacious, its polished wooden floors gleaming in the soft, filtered light that streamed through the narrow windows. The walls were adorned with ancient scrolls and paintings, each telling stories of battles and legends long forgotten.

In the center of the hall, a low wooden table sat between two figures. They were playing Go, the traditional board game of strategy and skill. The figure on the left, clad in a flowing black kimono, moved a piece with deliberate precision. His eyes were sharp, focused, as he contemplated his next move.

The other figure, wearing the simple robes of a monk, watched with a calm, contemplative expression. His head was bald, and his long, white beard brushed against his chest as he leaned forward, his hand hovering over the board.

"It has begun, hasn't it?" the monk asked, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate through the hall.

The man in the kimono nodded, placing his piece with a soft click. "Yes. The wheels are in motion."

The monk stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Did your student go?"

"He did," the man replied, his gaze never leaving the board. "Though there is little left for him to learn at the academy."

The monk's eyes

narrowed, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "I heard a student managed to kill a beast without an ability," he said slowly, each word deliberate.

The man in the kimono paused, his hand hovering above the board. "So I've heard." His tone was casual, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—pride, perhaps, or concern.

The monk nodded, his gaze distant as if peering into a far-off place. "No one has been able to do that before… except him."

Silence fell between them, heavy and fraught with unspoken tension. The monk's fingers tightened around his beard, his eyes gleaming with a sharp, almost predatory light. "The boy is in great danger. The heretics will try to eliminate him. I wouldn't be surprised if they sent an Anbu."

The man in the kimono's face darkened. "An Anbu?" He leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "You think they would go that far?"

The monk's lips curled into a grim smile. "For one who can challenge their power? Absolutely."

He raised his hand, snapping his fingers sharply. The sound echoed through the hall, and a moment later, a figure appeared out of the shadows, kneeling before the two men. His face was obscured, his features indistinguishable, but his presence radiated an aura of lethal grace.

"Find out everything about the boy," the monk commanded, his voice carrying an undeniable weight of authority. "Go to the academy where he is and protect him from the shadows."

The figure bowed his head low, his voice a soft murmur. "Wakarimasu." With a swift, fluid movement, he disappeared, the only trace of his presence the faint rustle of his green hair as he vanished into thin air.

The man in the kimono watched the spot where the man had been, his expression unreadable. "It seems things are about to

get interesting."

The monk's eyes glinted with a dangerous light. "Indeed. The game has just begun." he said placing his piece.

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