Chapter 3: Shadows in White
Xavier's deep violet eyes narrowed behind his rectangular glasses as Kaeron came to a panting stop in front of him.
"Ah, look who decided to grace us with his majestic presence," Xavier said, voice calm, yet oozing sarcasm. "Did you fight off a time dragon on your way here, or were you just practicing the ancient art of sleeping in?"
Kaeron tried to respond, but all that came out was a wheeze. He doubled over, hands on his knees.
"I swear, Sensei, the clock betrayed me."
"Yes, well, your punctuality is as consistent as your hair—messy and unpredictable."
Behind them, a few students snickered. Eliana, already seated in the back row of the training hall, waved at him with a smirk.
"At least you're predictable in being unpredictable," she mouthed.
Xavier clapped his hands. "All right. Enough comedy. Everyone, listen up."
The room fell silent.
"Today, we will review the structure of the Xero Core system. All of you have awakened your Cores, but some still don't understand what truly lies beneath."
Kaeron took a seat beside Eliana.
"The Xero Core is your essence," Xavier began, his voice taking on a commanding rhythm. "There are five primary Cores—each representing a fundamental force. From these, stem three branches, or what we call Sub-X. The first Sub-X path is the most potent and rarest. The third is the most accessible, but the weakest."
A glowing diagram appeared behind him, flickering with shifting symbols.
"Mastering even the third tier takes discipline. But those who reach into the first tier... they become legends."
Kaeron exchanged a glance with Eliana, who leaned over and whispered, "Don't even think about trying to out-legend me."
"You're right. I'll just be the guy who saves your legendary butt."
Xavier cleared his throat. "Kaeron. Eliana. Since you seem to be very engaged today, you two have a new task."
Kaeron sat up straight. "Uh oh."
"There's been suspicious activity in the outer lanes of Solkarion. Someone's been seen disrupting city flows—energy spikes, communication blackouts. It's subtle, but enough to be noticed."
Xavier's voice dropped. "You'll patrol today. Quietly. If this is what I think it is... we don't want to alert them. Understood?"
Both nodded.
The city looked different when on duty. Quieter. More alert.
Kaeron and Eliana strolled side by side, blending in with the daily bustle of the Solkarion lanes. Vendors sold glowing fruits, children ran past with toy drones, and the scent of spice bread wafted through the air.
"This city feels too peaceful," Kaeron muttered.
"That's exactly why it's unsettling when something doesn't fit," Eliana replied.
They walked block after block. Nothing. No energy pulses. No odd signs.
"Maybe it's just a false alarm," Kaeron said as they began turning back.
But then...
He froze.
Down a narrow alley shrouded in shade, a man in a pristine white suit walked briskly. He carried a long black suitcase.
"That's not a common fashion choice," Eliana murmured.
Kaeron nodded. "And definitely not the street for a fashion stroll."
They followed quietly, sticking to shadows.
The man entered a crumbling alleyway—long abandoned, wrapped in vines and dust. The light dimmed as they went deeper.
"Do you think it's a weapon? In that case?" Eliana whispered.
"Could be. Or something worse."
The man finally stopped.
He placed the suitcase down and opened it slowly.
Inside were three glowing stones, each pulsing with a different light—blue, green, and yellow. A strange hum radiated from them.
The man raised his hands and formed a complex sign—fingers moving with practiced precision.
In front of him, space itself shimmered and twisted, forming a swirling portal of dark light.
Kaeron and Eliana watched in stunned silence.
"He's opening a rift..." Eliana whispered.
"Through Sub-X manipulation? No way."
The man stepped through the portal without hesitation, vanishing into the void.
Kaeron and Eliana rushed forward.
"Wait!"
But it was too late. The portal collapsed with a whisper of wind, vanishing as if it had never been there.
Kaeron looked around in frustration, kicking at the dust.
"We lost him."
"Wait... what's that?"
Eliana pointed to the ground.
A black card lay there, half-buried in dust. Kaeron picked it up.
On the front was a fiery symbol—a roaring lion entwined with flames.
On the back, a single line of text was etched in silver:
"Devils always watch."