Chapter 30: Whispers of Chaos
The atmosphere at the academy was heavy, like a storm waiting to break. The once-lively corridors were now filled with murmurs of unease, as students whispered about strange occurrences. From the frost-covered courtyard to the unexplained disappearance of two upperclassmen, the signs of something unnatural were becoming impossible to ignore.
The MC, however, had no time to indulge in rumors. He sat in the dim light of his dorm room, his mind consumed by the warnings from his system and the cryptic words of the silver-haired man from the night before.
"System, what are the chances of a dimensional rift opening again?" he asked, his voice low but tense.
Current probability: 73% within the next 48 hours.
The response sent a chill down his spine. The rifts weren't just anomalies—they were becoming a pattern.
"And the surveillance you mentioned?"
Ongoing. Multiple entities are monitoring your movements. Identities unknown.
The MC clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He was surrounded by shadows, both literal and metaphorical, and the walls seemed to be closing in.
---
A Dangerous Mission
A knock at his door broke his train of thought. He froze, his heart racing. For a moment, he considered ignoring it, but the knock came again, more insistent this time.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door to find a familiar face: Lira, the red-haired Elite Division member.
"We need to talk," she said, pushing past him into the room before he could protest.
"Do you always barge into people's rooms uninvited?" he asked, closing the door behind her.
She ignored his remark, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Finally, she turned to face him.
"Another rift is going to open," she said bluntly.
He stiffened, his mask of indifference slipping for a moment. "What makes you so sure?"
"I have my sources," she replied, crossing her arms. "And they're never wrong. I'm assembling a team to deal with it, and you're coming with us."
He stared at her, torn between suspicion and curiosity. Why is she involving me? Does she know more than she's letting on?
"I'm not interested," he said finally.
Her eyes narrowed. "This isn't a request. You were at the last rift, and you survived. That makes you valuable, whether you like it or not."
Before he could respond, she added, "Meet us at the northern courtyard at midnight. If you don't show, I'll make sure everyone knows about your little secrets."
With that, she left, leaving him alone with his thoughts—and a growing sense of dread.
---
Preparation and Doubts
As the hours passed, the MC prepared for the mission, his mind racing with questions. What exactly was Lira planning? And why did she seem so intent on involving him?
He equipped himself carefully, slipping his dagger into its sheath and checking the small pouch of potions he had managed to procure from a friendly alchemist. Shadow Fang watched him silently, its golden eyes filled with an almost human-like concern.
"You don't have to come," he said softly, scratching the creature behind its ears.
Shadow Fang let out a low growl, its way of saying I'm with you no matter what.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. At least I'm not completely alone in this.
---
Into the Shadows
Midnight came quickly, and the northern courtyard was eerily silent as he approached. The air was cold, and a thick mist clung to the ground, muffling his footsteps.
Lira was already there, along with three other members of the Elite Division. Each of them radiated power and confidence, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight.
"You're late," Lira said, her tone sharp.
"I'm here, aren't I?" he replied, pulling his mask tighter over his face.
She gave him a brief once-over before nodding. "Let's move."
The group set off into the forest surrounding the academy, their movements swift and silent. The MC stayed at the back, keeping his distance from the others. He didn't trust them—not yet.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, the temperature dropped further, and an unnatural stillness settled over the area. Even the usual sounds of nocturnal creatures were absent, replaced by an oppressive silence.
"We're close," Lira said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The group came to a halt in a small clearing, where the ground was scorched and the air crackled with energy. A faint, glowing fissure was visible in the center—a dimensional rift in its early stages.
"Spread out," Lira ordered. "Be ready for anything."
The MC watched as the others took their positions, their weapons at the ready. He could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation of a battle that could erupt at any moment.
---
The Rift Awakens
The rift suddenly pulsed, its glow intensifying. A low, guttural growl echoed from within, and the air around them grew heavy with an ominous presence.
"Here they come," Lira said, drawing her sword.
The rift expanded, and a horde of Riftspawn began to pour out—twisted, monstrous creatures with razor-sharp claws and glowing red eyes.
The battle was immediate and chaotic. The Elite Division members moved with practiced precision, their attacks coordinated and deadly. Lira's sword sliced through the Riftspawn with ease, her movements a blur of speed and power.
The MC, meanwhile, focused on staying alive. He summoned Shadow Fang, the creature leaping into the fray with a feral snarl. Together, they fought back against the onslaught, their movements in perfect sync.
But the Riftspawn kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. And then, as if the situation wasn't dire enough, a larger creature emerged from the rift—a hulking beast covered in dark, chitinous armor.
"Focus on the big one!" Lira shouted.
The MC hesitated. Do I reveal more of my power?
In the end, he had no choice. As the others distracted the smaller Riftspawn, he activated the Eye of Origin, his vision sharpening as he analyzed the beast's weaknesses.
"Aim for the joints," he called out, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Lira glanced at him but didn't question his command. Together, they launched a coordinated attack, exploiting the creature's vulnerabilities. It roared in pain, its movements becoming sluggish as they chipped away at its defenses.
Finally, with a deafening roar, the beast collapsed, its body dissolving into black mist. The rift began to shrink, its glow fading until it disappeared entirely.
---
Aftermath
The group stood in silence, their breaths heavy and their weapons slick with blood.
"Not bad," Lira said, her gaze fixed on the MC. "You might actually be useful after all."
He didn't respond, his thoughts already turning to the next challenge. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over.
As they made their way back to the academy, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The shadows were closing in, and the true test was yet to come.