Chapter 40

After the epic duel against Cedric, Eveline felt the euphoria of victory vibrating in the air. The arena continued to echo with the deafening applause of the crowd, but for her, the world had turned into a space of inner silence. The confrontation had revealed not only her capabilities but something deeper and more disturbing. The power she had felt at the end of the battle—the fusion of light and shadows—still pulsed within her, like a mystery waiting to be unveiled.

Back in the competitors' rest room, Eveline sat in a quiet corner, breathing deeply to recover her strength. Her eyes were fixed on the sword in her lap, still shimmering with a faint residue from the fight. There was something strange about the balance she had achieved during the battle, something that felt... incomplete.

Before she could reflect further, a familiar presence made itself known.

"You were amazing out there, Eveline," Aria said, entering the room with a smile. "Everyone is talking about how you faced Cedric on equal footing."

Eveline smiled, but her gaze remained distant. "Thanks, Aria. But I feel like something is wrong. Something I still don't understand."

Aria raised an eyebrow, leaning in to listen more closely. "What do you mean?"

"During the duel, when I used my power of shadows and light at the same time, I felt something... different. It wasn't just the magic I knew. It was something older, deeper, as if it didn't belong to this world."

Aria seemed to ponder her words for a moment before sitting beside her. "You've always been special, Eveline. Since the moment you arrived at the academy, something about you was different. Perhaps this power you feel is just a manifestation of that. Maybe it's something that hasn't been completely awakened yet."

Eveline shook her head, still unsettled. "It could be. But I feel that the more I use it, the closer I get to... something dangerous."

Aria placed a comforting hand on Eveline's shoulder. "You'll figure it out. And when you do, you'll know how to handle it. You've always known."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Varian, who entered the room with a serious and reserved demeanor. His eyes assessed Eveline with a mix of approval and caution.

"You fought well, Eveline. But your power is starting to attract attention from beyond the academy," he said bluntly.

Eveline frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"I felt it during the fight," Varian continued, crossing his arms. "When you blended light and shadows, it wasn't just a manifestation of your magic. It was something deeper. There are rumors that forces outside the realm are watching this festival. Some say ancient orders and organizations are interested in those who can master both elements."

A chill ran down Eveline's spine. "And why would they be interested in me?"

"Because those who can balance light and shadows are not common. They are rare. And some believe they are the key to a power that has been lost for a long time." Varian looked at her with a seriousness she rarely saw in his eyes. "I suggest you stay alert. Something is changing around you, and we don't yet know if it's good or bad."

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In the days that followed Eveline's victory in the duel, the academy returned to its normal rhythm, but the feeling that something larger was at play kept Eveline on edge. While she continued her swordsmanship and magic training, she began to notice small signs that she was being watched.

Some students looked at her with reverence, while others, like Cedric, kept a respectful distance. However, there were glances that unsettled her—people who seemed more interested in her power than in her as a person. Eveline began to notice strange figures lurking around the academy, men and women in dark cloaks, who disappeared as quickly as they appeared.

One night, as the cold wind blew and the moon shone brightly in the sky, Eveline decided to investigate. After all the students had retreated to their dormitories, she donned her cloak and crept through the dark corridors of the academy. Something felt wrong, and her instincts led her to the gardens outside.

Upon her arrival, Eveline saw what she had feared: a hooded figure lurking in the shadows of a twisted tree. She quietly drew her sword and advanced.

"Who are you?" Eveline asked, her voice firm and controlled, despite the chill in her chest.

The hooded figure turned slowly, revealing a face aged and marked by time. Its eyes were like dark wells, filled with secrets and shadowy knowledge.

"You are finally ready," the figure whispered, ignoring Eveline's question. "The balance between light and shadows has been achieved. And now, the true masters are ready to guide you."

Eveline narrowed her eyes, keeping her sword raised. "Guide me? To where?"

"To the destiny that has always been reserved for those like you. There is an ancient power in this world, lost for centuries, that can only be awakened by those who can master the balance between light and darkness."

Eveline's heart raced. "What power is that?"

The figure stepped forward, and Eveline felt the temperature around her drop even further. "The power to shape the fate of realms. To rule over all elements. To control the eternal cycle of life and death."

Eveline took a step back, feeling the weight of those words. "And what do you want from me?"

"I want nothing from you," the figure replied, its voice echoing through the garden. "It is the forces that have always lurked in the shadows. Those who await the rebirth of balance. You will be called soon, Eveline, and you will have to choose which side you will stand on."

Before Eveline could react, the figure vanished in a cloud of shadows, leaving her alone in the cold, silent garden.

She lowered her sword, feeling the weight of destiny on her shoulders. Something greater than herself, greater than the academy or her duels, was coming. And Eveline knew there was no escaping it.

The balance she had achieved in the duel against Cedric was just the beginning of something much deeper and more dangerous.