Chapter 12 – Fragments of Silence

The glass walls reflected the blue light of the outside ads. Raindrops had begun to tap against the transparent surface, and the shadows of the world stretched around Kael like long, tired arms.

"You're really trying to be normal," said a voice in his mind, almost amused.

Kael stopped walking. He wasn't supposed to hear her now. Not here.

"Shut up, Seraphine."

"An academy. With naive youth, jaded teachers, and rules. You want to pretend you're one of them?"

"I want peace," he whispered through clenched teeth. "I want a moment without blood. Without shadows. Without you."

Her laugh was faint, like the rustle of dry leaves.

"Without me, you're not whole, Kael. Have you forgotten how fast you used to shake when you were just a scared little boy? Or do you want to relive what happened with your mother?"

Kael shut his eyes abruptly. Not out of fear, but because the memory stabbed deeper than any physical wound. Every time Seraphine said that name, a part of him died again.

"You have no right…"

"I have every right. I was there. I gave you the strength to survive. I turned you into what you are."

"A monster?"

"A truth."

Silence. A flash of lightning tore across the sky, and the shadows around Kael rippled slightly, as if they felt the stir of the entity within him.

"If I ever let you out again… it'll be only to destroy those who deserve it."

"You're lying, Kael. But you lie beautifully. As always."

"I won't release you, Seraphine."

"Then hope your shadows are enough. Because if they're not… you already know what comes next."

Kael sighed and started walking again, the bracelet on his wrist pulsing gently. His shadow moved behind him with heavy, guilt-laden steps.

But he didn't stop.

He couldn't.

The door slid open with a soft hiss, a dry click signaling that access was granted. The room was larger than expected. Walls of smooth metallic material, opaque windows that reflected rather than let in light. The furniture was minimalist: built-in cabinets, a shared desk in the center, and five beds.

Five.

Kael dropped his backpack without a word. He looked at the other beds — all already claimed with personal items. A tossed shirt, a bracelet left charging, even a photo pinned to the edge of a headboard.

"So I'm not alone..."

The thought irritated him more than it should've.

On the inside of the door, a small holographic display showed his level:

Level: 3. Red.

A short message blinked beneath:

"Private rooms available for Level 10+"

Kael muttered something under his breath. He frowned.

He needed time. Space. Control.

"This isn't my place…"

He walked over to the only empty bed — the corner one, near the blind window. He sat down, feeling the mattress's stiffness and the silence that didn't belong to him. Somewhere in the corner of the room, his shadows squirmed slowly, like caged creatures that hated the proximity of others.

"I can already smell them… childhood, excitement, naivety." Seraphine chuckled softly in his mind. "You'll mentally devour them in a few days."

Kael didn't answer. Instead, he removed his bracelet and placed it on the edge of the bed. Its faint pulse reminded him he was trapped in a system that measured him, labeled him, compared him.

"I need to level up… without you, Seraphine."

"Go ahead, be my guest. But you know well your shadows won't fully obey without me..."

He laid back, hands behind his head, eyes lost on the dull ceiling. Faint noises came from the hallway—footsteps and young voices, a chaos of teenagers excited about their powers.

Kael closed his eyes.

He was there for one reason only: to become powerful enough that he would never have to run again.

A metallic clink, then the door slid open with a rush of cool air. Kael didn't lift his gaze immediately. He was sitting at the edge of the bed, arms folded, elbows on knees.

The first boy burst in talking loudly:

"Bro, told you they wouldn't throw us in solo rooms right off the bat!" he laughed. "Gotta prove something first!"

He had messy red hair and an energy that filled the room like uncontrolled fire. Behind him, two more boys entered almost simultaneously — one with a distant expression, the other tapping compulsively on a tablet.

The last one entered later, silent, but his eyes scanned everything like a wolf's. He spotted Kael instantly.

"Looks like we already have a roommate."

The redhead turned:

"Aha! Hey, boss!" he said cheerfully. "I'm Lior, Level 6 system. You?"

Kael only raised his eyes for a split second. His silence made the air feel heavy.

"Not much of a talker, huh? Or are you one of those edgy types hiding your rank?" He grinned, but it was playful, not mean.

"Level 3," Kael replied briefly. "Just enrolled today."

"Fresh blood! Welcome to the circus, then."

The one with the tablet looked up without stopping his typing:

"Lior, shut up. Can't you see he wants peace? Not everyone's made of fire like you."

"Chill, Kairon, I was just greeting the guy."

The quiet one, leaning against the doorframe, crossed his arms:

"What's your name?" His voice was low but clear.

Kael hesitated.

A shiver ran down his spine. Then, almost imperceptibly, his gaze shifted to the shadow in the room's corner — trembling like a dog on a leash.

"Kael," he finally replied.

Everyone paused for a second.

"I'm Kairon — the bored one, as flame-boy calls me. Level 8, technomagic specialization."

"I… I'm Yven," murmured the fourth boy, the withdrawn one. He had a faint scar on his neck and avoided eye contact. "Level 5… still in training. Illusionist."

The silent one stepped away from the wall, approached, and held out a hand. No smile.

"Riven. Level 9. Weapons. Don't know if it's an honor to be roommates… but we'll see."

Kael shook his hand with no enthusiasm, but a shadow from the corner stretched involuntarily toward Riven for a brief second. He felt it, blinked slowly, but said nothing.

"Well then, it's official — we've got ourselves a gang!" Lior said, jumping onto his bed with his feet in the air. "Just don't snore, Kael, or I'll toss your bracelet out the window."

"I don't snore," Kael replied, staring into space.

But his dreams…

They just might do it for him.