It was finally the weekend at Titanfang Academy. Just like any other academy, there were no lectures or official activities on this day. A much-needed break for some, and an opportunity for growth for others.
Students were given complete freedom—free to rest, free to goof off, or, for the more dedicated, free to train. They had open access to any training rooms they desired, a rare gift not many institutions allowed so openly.
Kairos had woken up earlier than most. The sun had barely risen when he had already made up his mind—today, he would train with his summon. There was something he needed to understand, something deep, something mysterious.
Lacking casual clothes aside from those issued by the academy, he wore his standard uniform. It didn't matter to him. He had bigger things to focus on today.
In contrast, his roommates, Darnell and Carlos, had opted for their own attire. Carlos wore an all-black tracksuit, sleek and fitting, while Darnell paired a blue jacket with brown trousers—simple but stylish.
The three of them waited for each other to get ready, chatting briefly and moving in sync like a routine forged through familiarity. Once dressed, they exited their dorm together and made their way to the cafeteria for breakfast.
It was during the meal that the atmosphere shifted.
Darnell was the first to break off. Placing his tray down and rising from the table, he muttered,
"I've got some things to handle… personal stuff."
He didn't wait for a response. With that, he turned and left, leaving Kairos and Carlos alone in the now bustling cafeteria.
Kairos watched him go with narrowed eyes, then turned to Carlos who sat opposite him, sipping from a glass soda.
"What's up with Darnell? He's kinda distant lately," Kairos asked, his voice tinged with subtle concern.
Carlos shrugged.
"I've got no idea. Maybe he has plans for the weekend... I sure don't."
Kairos nodded slowly.
"I already have plans. I'm going to train—focus on summon integration a bit."
Carlos's eyes narrowed subtly. He stared at Kairos longer than necessary. The tone was casual, but there was something off. Something faint... dark.
Kairos was good at lying. Very good. But even the best slip up, especially under someone with a unique perception.
Carlos was one of the rare types of summoners. His summon granted him the ability to sense the auras of others, like Sergeant Fex. This gift let him detect emotional shifts, hidden fears, or the faintest trace of intent. And right now, Kairos's aura screamed distortion.
"Let's go together," Carlos suggested. "Maybe we could even have a spar—"
"Uhh, no!" Kairos interrupted quickly, waving off the idea with an awkward laugh. "I don't want to fight you just yet. You'll destroy me."
It was a weak excuse. Carlos knew it. Kairos needed to be alone—this much was clear. What he hadn't told Carlos was that he planned to delve deeper into his summon, uncovering the secrets it held. To aid his study, he'd packed a few textbooks into a cross-body bag borrowed from Darnell: the academy's training manual, and two advanced books on Legendary Summons loaned to him by Sergeant Fex after their last session.
Sergeant Fex had given him specific instructions—study your summon in private. Keeping a summon's true abilities secret could be a matter of survival.
Even though part of him wanted Carlos there for guidance, he knew this was a path he had to walk alone.
Carlos stared at him, his fingers tapping against the soda glass.
"Okay then," he said, his tone suddenly shifting. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about… in private. But since you're busy, I guess we'll talk while we head out."
His voice was laced with something cold, something urgent. The cheer was gone.
He stood up, collected his tray, and walked away without waiting for Kairos.
Kairos's brows furrowed.
'What was that?'
[Shadow Wolf senses dark intent… Grrrr!]
The voice came into his mind sharply. It was his summon. It growled deeply, pacing around in his mental space like a beast ready to pounce.
'What is it, Shadow Wolf? Where's the intent coming from?' Kairos asked, his eyes darting across the cafeteria.
No response came. The wolf's growls only intensified, restless and hostile.
'You don't know who yet?' Kairos questioned, alarm rising. 'Then who... a student? Someone around me?'
He had hoped the shadow wolf would calm once they left the cafeteria, but even as he followed Carlos down the corridor, the growling only grew louder, more furious.
It was now obvious. The dark intent was not from the crowd.
It was from Carlos.
"Carlos—" Kairos muttered his name low, but loud enough for him to hear.
Carlos didn't reply. Instead, he increased his pace, leading Kairos down a quieter corridor—one void of students, void of any life at all. It was almost too perfect… too isolated.
Kairos hesitated with every step, the weight of uncertainty pressing on him.
Should he turn back? Should he confront Carlos here and now?
But curiosity… and perhaps pride, pushed him forward.
They arrived at a silent hall adorned with towering suits of knight armor. Each one held a massive halberd in hand, looking as though they would move if given the command. The only sound was the distant murmur of students far beyond the corridor walls.
Carlos finally stopped.
Kairos halted behind him, eyes darting from the armored figures to Carlos's back.
"Now that we're here," Carlos said, slowly turning. "Let's discuss, shall we?"
His voice was smooth. But the look in his eyes? Bloodlust. Pure and unmistakable.
Meanwhile…
At the corridor's bend, a shadow lurked. A figure watched from behind the wall, peeking over to observe the two boys in the silent hallway.
Clad entirely in black, the figure's features were concealed beneath a cloth mask. But her frame—slender and poised—revealed she was female.
'Why did they stop?' she wondered, tightening the wrap around her face. Her eyes narrowed. 'I can't hear what they're saying—'
Suddenly, a firm hand wrapped around her throat, cutting off her words and breath.
She gasped, twisting in panic.
Before her stood the very two she was watching—Carlos and Kairos.
She turned her gaze back to the hallway. It was… empty.
"Surprised?" Carlos smirked. "We used an illusion to test a theory. And guess what—we caught the little bug spying on us."
Earlier, Kairos had quietly warned Carlos about someone watching them. He didn't explain how he knew—he just insisted they play along.
Carlos, quick on his feet, had used his summon's ability to create an illusion at the last turn, fooling the spy perfectly.
"Take off her mask," Kairos said firmly, his voice low but commanding.
Without hesitation, Carlos reached forward, gripping the cloth and tugging.
It unraveled instantly, and her face was revealed to the both of them.