Chapter 56: Secrets in the Shadows
The pendant felt unnaturally cold in Eren's palm, its intricate design hinting at an origin steeped in mystery. The patterns etched into the metal shimmered faintly under the moonlight, and as he examined it closer, he felt a faint pulse, almost like a heartbeat.
"What have I gotten myself into?" he muttered, tucking the pendant into his pocket.
The woman's cryptic words echoed in his mind. She spoke of the truth and risks he'd need to take, but no part of him trusted her. Yet, the sense of foreboding that lingered in her tone suggested she wasn't lying.
Eren returned to his dorm room, careful not to alert anyone. The encounter weighed on him, and sleep seemed impossible. He sat by his window, staring out at the quiet academy grounds, his thoughts spiraling.
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The Pendant's Origin
Curiosity gnawed at him as he retrieved the pendant. He activated his system, Tebu, hoping it could shed some light on the object.
"Analyze the pendant," he commanded silently.
The familiar blue screen of the system materialized before him.
Item Name: Shadow Pendant
Grade: Unknown
Effect: Unlocks a hidden location upon activation. Warning: Requires significant energy.
Description: An ancient artifact tied to an organization shrouded in secrecy. Its true purpose remains unclear.
Eren frowned. A hidden location? What kind of organization uses something like this?
The warning about energy wasn't reassuring. Would using the pendant drain him to the point of weakness, or was the cost something far greater?
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The Academy's Unease
The following morning, the academy buzzed with rumors. Whispers of the forest disturbance had spread, and students speculated wildly about what had happened. Some spoke of rogue invaders, while others whispered about creatures escaping from secret experiments.
Eren kept his head down, blending into the crowd. He couldn't afford to draw attention, especially with the pendant now in his possession.
During combat training, Instructor Kael's sharp gaze seemed to linger on him longer than usual. It made Eren's skin crawl. Does he suspect something?
Kael called for a demonstration, pairing Eren with another student, Dane, who was known for his brute strength.
"Eren," Kael said, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd, "show me what you've learned."
Dane cracked his knuckles, a smug grin on his face. "Don't hold back, Eren. I'd hate to win too easily."
Eren stepped into the sparring ring, his expression neutral. He couldn't afford to let his true abilities slip, but he also couldn't afford to lose.
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The Sparring Match
Dane lunged forward with surprising speed, his fists aiming for Eren's midsection. Eren sidestepped, his movements fluid and precise.
The crowd cheered as the two exchanged blows, their clash an even match at first glance. But Eren's sharp eyes noticed the gaps in Dane's form. His strikes were powerful but lacked refinement.
He's relying too much on brute force, Eren thought.
Dane swung a heavy fist toward Eren's face. Eren ducked, twisting his body to deliver a swift kick to Dane's side. The larger boy staggered, a look of surprise flashing across his face.
"Not bad," Dane grunted, wiping sweat from his brow.
The match continued, with Eren focusing on evasion and precision. He couldn't let himself go all out—not here, not now. The Tebu system hummed faintly in the back of his mind, almost urging him to draw on its power, but he resisted.
Finally, Eren saw his opening. As Dane charged again, Eren sidestepped and swept his leg out, knocking Dane off balance. With a calculated strike to his opponent's chest, Eren sent him sprawling to the ground.
The crowd erupted into cheers, and Instructor Kael nodded approvingly.
"Well done," Kael said, his tone neutral. "You've improved."
Eren gave a slight bow, his face betraying nothing. Inside, though, he felt a flicker of satisfaction.
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The Mystery Deepens
That evening, Eren sat with Lyra and Jorah in the dining hall. The atmosphere was lighter than before, but Eren's mind was elsewhere.
"You've been quiet," Lyra observed, leaning forward. "Something on your mind?"
Eren hesitated, debating whether to share anything about the pendant. Finally, he shook his head. "Just tired. The sparring match drained me."
Jorah smirked. "You made Dane look like a rookie. That was impressive."
Eren forced a chuckle, but his heart wasn't in it. The pendant in his pocket felt heavier with every passing moment.
After dinner, he excused himself early and returned to his room.
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The Shadowy Connection
Late that night, as the academy grounds fell silent, Eren pulled out the pendant once more. He turned it over in his hands, its intricate patterns seeming almost alive in the flickering candlelight.
He couldn't ignore it any longer. If this artifact truly held answers, he needed to uncover them.
"System," he whispered, "can you detect any connections this pendant has to other objects or locations?"
Tebu's interface flickered to life, scanning the pendant.
Analysis complete. Connection detected: Location - The Shadow's Veil.
A map appeared on the screen, highlighting a remote area far from the academy.
Warning: Activating the pendant will trigger a beacon. Unknown consequences may follow.
Eren's stomach churned. A beacon? Is that how she'll find me again? Or is it something worse?
The woman's words came back to him: "When the time comes, use this."
He clenched his fist around the pendant. The time hadn't come yet—not until he was ready.