Chapter 15: Whispered Shadows

The days following their meeting with the rogue informant were fraught with paranoia. Eren couldn't shake the feeling that unseen eyes were always watching. Even in the crowded halls of the academy, he felt an unexplainable tension, as though the walls themselves were hiding secrets. Kaelena had been unusually quiet since the meeting, her sharp wit dulled by unspoken worries. Eren finally confronted her one evening as they walked through the moonlit academy courtyard.

"What's bothering you?" he asked, breaking the silence.

She hesitated, her gaze fixed on the shimmering lake at the edge of the courtyard. "That informant… he knew too much. People like him don't give information for free without a deeper reason."

"You think it's a trap?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "But we can't afford to ignore the possibility. If the ruins under the academy are as dangerous as he says, we need to be prepared."

Eren nodded, his thoughts flickering back to the System. He hadn't fully explored its capabilities, and it was clear now that he needed to start. That night, he delved into its menus, discovering hidden functions and upgrades. Among them was a skill marked Pathfinder, a utility for navigating dangerous terrains. It cost more points than he wanted to spend, but he activated it nonetheless.

[System Alert: Pathfinder Activated. Environmental Mapping Enabled.]

A glowing overlay appeared in his vision, mapping the academy's layout in intricate detail. Eren smiled. For the first time, he felt like they might have an edge.