The Storm Wolf: Gathering Clouds - 11. Chapter 5 Strength

Strength: courage, confidence, compassion, and, quite literally--strength.

In the dim, narrow hallway, I stepped lightly, setting my boot heel down first before each step, prioritizing silence above all.

There was no other sound around, so even my breathing, and the rustling of fur against my clothing, were audibly clear.

Still, I sensed no danger until that overwhelming pressure made the hairs on my neck stand up.

Before I could fully draw Gray Snow or turn, a heavy slash struck. I blocked by raising Gray Snow horizontally, and as the blades clashed, a spark flashed, revealing my attacker--a large, white-furred wolf with fiercely red eyes, a vicious grin baring his fangs. It was that Snow, I assume that mean he is genuinely thrilled to see me.

The weight of his strike was immense; I nearly buckled under it. But my body instinctively adjusted, and I managed to hold my ground.

My left paw gripped the scabbard, and my right clutched the hilt, pushing his sword aside with Gray Snow's guard. The screech of metal filled the air, and a cut formed across my left knuckles, but I seized the moment to break free, stepping forward and hammering the pommel into that Snow's head.

The sharp crack and solid impact told me I had landed the blow.

But before I could savor my victory, a powerful kick hit my stomach, sending me flying. From mid-air, I barely caught a glimpse of that Snow retracting his foot.

I lay on my back for a while, unable to move, until the nausea subsided. The next sensation was a cold sting at my collarbone, the tip of a sword pressing into my skin.

Lowering my gaze, I saw that Snow looking down at me, thumb pointed to the ground.

"Come on," I protested, breathing heavily. "Shouldn't it at least be a draw? If I hadn't held back, your head would've cracked by now."

That Snow pointed his thumb down again, as if to underscore his stance, and spat a bloody mix onto the ground.

"Fine, whatever makes you happy." I raised my chin, exposing my neck, and half-heartedly lifted my paws in surrender, clasped in front of my chest.

With a satisfied grunt, that Snow lifted his sword.

I got to my feet, sheathed Gray Snow, and healed the cut on my fingers while straightening my clothes. Just then, I noticed his labored breathing and saw his nose was broken, blood dripping from the tip.

"Oh, right. I can help you with that..."

Before I could finish, that Snow grabbed his nose and adjusted it with a sickening crunch. When he let go, he shot me with a smug glare.

"Pretty sure that's more disgusting than tough," I muttered, rubbing my arms, trying to erase the memory.

That Snow merely shrugged and strode forward.

"Been here before?" I asked, catching up and glancing at the altimeter on my wrist--seventy-five floors up, an area only skilled, powerful psychics could access. This was my first time exploring this level.

In response, that Snow nodded and gestured at Gray Snow, indicating I should stay alert.

"How could you make no sound when you walk?" I tightened my grip on Gray Snow's hilt, trying to tread lightly myself. Compared to his silence, my steps sounded like a clumsy bear crashing through thorn bushes.

That Snow made a muffled scoff, likely due to his still-sensitive nose, and glanced at my feet.

"I've tried everything--sonic mirrors, even creating a vacuum around my boots." Undeterred by his sarcasm, I pushed on, eager to learn the trick. "But at these heights, sustaining command-etched carvings drains too much focus, even within my constant consciousness circle."

Once again, I confirmed that, like me, that Snow was moving with his consciousness circle fully retracted, without exerting control over the area.

In response to my curiosity, that Snow rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested in explaining. But I fixed him with an unwavering stare, unfazed by the awkwardness it caused.

Finally, with a low growl of irritation, that Snow took off his terminal and signaled for me to do the same.

With a beep, I received a blueprint.

"Oh, it's the shoes!" I realized after reading the instructions. Evidently, there was a simpler solution. "Thanks!" I nudged him lightly with my elbow, earning an even grumpier growl.

Realizing I'd just poked his brick wall-like flank, I cleared my throat awkwardly and stepped back a bit.

My ears drooped as I caught his puzzled look, but saying more would only make things weirder, so I pretended to focus intently on potential threats around us.

After a while, I noticed something slumped on the ground up ahead. Squinting, I barely made out the shape of a large wolf.

Just as I was about to approach, a strong paw clamped down on my shoulder.

I gave that Snow a questioning look, but he merely drew his sword and motioned for me to do the same.

Though confused, I unsheathed Gray Snow, unsure what to expect.

Sensing a faint ripple in the air, I spun, knocking aside a blade aimed at me--a wide, curved scimitar.

The weapon didn't fall; it continued to arc forward. Following its trajectory, I saw that Snow had already charged, swinging his sword at the figure that had just risen from the ground.

I was about to chide him for attacking anything that moved, but the heavy clash of blades pushed that Snow back several steps, allowing me to get a good look at the figure--a large gray wolf with dirty white fur and strikingly blue eyes that almost glowed in the dim light. He caught the scimitar I had deflected, holding another identical blade in his other paw.

I recalled Master Field had mentioned that only one kind of psychic could retain their original eye color in the Tower, the mysterious beings known as Phantasms.

That Snow attacked again, and after a few more exchanges, both withdrew to a safe distance, warily eyeing each other.

"It's hard to call it fair when it's two against one, isn't it?" Surprisingly, Phantasm's voice was rather normal--if one could overlook the madness within it.

"What? I'm not participating!" I couldn't help but speak up, confused by his words. Due to limited space, I couldn't step in to assist that Snow.

In response to my comment, Phantasm burst out in maniacal laughter, which only added to his unsettling aura. Meanwhile, that Snow shot me a fierce glare and barked out a reproachful growl.

I reflexively flattened my ears, though I had no idea what I'd done wrong.

"Rationalism bears witness, this is too funny. Let me help translate," Phantasm mocked, throwing a few feints that that Snow cautiously stepped back to avoid. "What he's probably trying to say is: 'Are you an idiot? Why are you even talking to that thing?'"

With that, Phantasm pressed forward, advancing on that Snow with a flourish of his twin blades. In the swirling shadows and light, a few droplets of blood splattered. When they parted again, that Snow had retreated, adopting a defensive stance, his breathing slightly labored and fresh cuts marking his arms. Phantasm laughed wildly, breathing heavily, as if he were choking.

"Funny thing is, the first time I ran into my Shadow in the Labyrinth, I went right for the throat too!" Phantasm chuckled and continued his relentless assault, blades swinging.

In the ensuing exchange, Phantasm laughed hysterically, never seeming to bother adjusting his breath. Even so, his oppressive presence kept that Snow on the defensive.

Though unhinged, Phantasm's movements were still precise and methodical. He maneuvered skillfully to keep that Snow from circling around him, blocking any chance of being cornered by us both.

Burdened by the pressure of the Tower and the equivalent restriction of battling within the opponent's domain, that Snow's technical advantages were completely neutralized.

More blood splattered against the pale stone wall. That Snow didn't react, but his deepening frown was not a good sign.

Looking at the blood-stained blades in Phantasm's paws, an idea sparked within me.

I knew I'd regret it, but I extended my domain boundary, fusing it with the Tower's to form a merged domain.

No one truly knew what the Tower was, but its presence was undeniably vast.

The flood of information was overwhelming, and I could barely process it all. Summoning all my willpower, I focused on Phantasm's bloodied twin blades.

You shouldn't throw your weapons!

"Shatter!" I yelled, giving form to the concept. With a crack, both blades broke simultaneously.

Phantasm froze in surprise, but that Snow didn't hesitate, swinging his sword in a wide arc that cleaved into Phantasm's shoulder.

"Puh... Hahaha!" Phantasm laughed in near-ecstasy, even as he lay pinned to the ground, with a longsword being drawn from his chest.

That Snow calmly wiped the blood from his sword, watching as Phantasm struggled to prop himself against the wall.

"Truly...hah... the most powerful psychic ever... impressive," Phantasm said, laughing and coughing up blood intermittently. He fumbled around his wound with his working paw; at first, I thought he was trying to stop the bleeding, but soon realized it was more of a curious examination.

I wasn't sure how to respond, so I opened my mouth, attempting to say something. But when that Snow raised his sword again, I finally realized what was about to happen.

"Uh... what are you doing?" I stammered, unable to stop the question from escaping my throat.

That Snow turned to glare at me, his brow furrowed, while Phantasm broke into laughter again, clearly amused by my reaction.

"Rationalism bear witness..." Phantasm managed between coughs as that Snow watched him coolly, sword held high. "Let me translate again: 'What do you think?'"

This time, I was utterly at a loss, left speechless.

"Do it," Phantasm said once he'd caught his breath, resting his snout and against the wall. "Being able to meet again--I'm satisfied." A sly glint flashed in his deep blue eyes. "Qirnangajuq."*

As he spoke his final words, that Snow moved. His sword cut a clean arc, and then there was the sound of a head falling to the ground.

It took me a moment to process the scene. It wasn't the headless body that threw me off, but the look Phantasm gave me just before the end.

What?

Whether it was gratitude, joy, or final release, there was an emotion in his eyes that made no sense. And the way he uttered that last word...

I shook my head, forcing myself out of my thoughts and adding "Research any trustworthy information about Phantasm" and "Consult experts on this matter" to my to-do list.

When I snapped back to attention, I caught sight of that Snow using a serrated dagger to slice open Phantasm's abdomen and reach inside, searching for something.

"Typically, trophies are heads or ears, you know..." I remarked, glancing at the wolf's severed head lying quietly by the wall, congratulating myself on the attempt at humor to lighten the mood.

That Snow ignored me, continuing to rummage within Phantasm's body cavity. Eventually, he pulled something out and wiped it on Phantasm's fur.

It was a transparent cylindrical container with metal-like bases on each end. Inside, something gleamed brilliantly, emitting powerful energy waves.

"What's that?" I turned away from the blinding glow that brightened the dim surroundings.

That Snow didn't answer, merely wrapping the container in strips of cloth he tore from Phantasm's body to dampen the light.

He got up on his own, seemingly knowing exactly where he was going, and headed back the way we'd come. I had no choice but to follow, noticing his fingers twitching occasionally, almost as if signaling commands.

Finally, we stopped in front of a seemingly unremarkable stone wall.

That Snow tapped the wall, feeling around as if searching for a particular structure.

I held back my impatience, watching from the side. At last, that Snow's face lit up with satisfaction.

I didn't see what he did, but the transparent container was swallowed into a part of the wall, which then began to glow--more precisely, faint gray lines that were barely visible before now glowed brightly.

"That's pretty cool, but I have to leave now." I'd spent much more time on this confrontation with Phantasm than I'd anticipated, and there was still a trek back. "I don't want to be late for Crystallography class."

To my surprise, that Snow reached over and smacked the back of my head without even looking back.

"Hey!" I muttered in protest, fixing my ruffled fur. Before I could act on my irritation, a circular opening appeared in the wall.

I recognized it instantly, though it wasn't a sight I came across every day--it was a wormhole.

"Uh..." I fumbled for a witty remark. "A portal?"

"Hmph." That Snow gave what I assumed was his closest approximation of a chuckle before stepping into the wormhole.

Not knowing how long the portal would remain open, I quickly followed. Soon, we emerged into a hallway that looked vaguely familiar.

Even with my poor sense of direction, I could recognize a place I'd slept in dozens of times--we were near the large safe zone on the fiftieth floor.

"Pretty handy," I commented as the wormhole closed behind us, restoring the wall to its original state.

But I noticed something different: in the corner, a square panel flashed, divided into several smaller rectangles, about half of which were dim.

"So... this is..." I tilted my head, thinking of a straightforward description. "Battery level?"

That Snow nodded, touching the flashing panel, and the wormhole opened once more.

"Oh, I figured." I called to his retreating back, "You go on ahead. Don't worry about me."

After a couple of flicks of his tail, that Snow stepped through the wormhole and vanished.

I spent a few more moments studying the wall, trying to recall if I'd seen similar gray lines anywhere else--a potential indicator of another portal.

And from what I could tell about the material that activated the wormhole, I was pretty sure the transparent container held some form of exotic matter--a resource harvested from within Phantasm's body, much like adamantine is harvested from squid cores. It hadn't occurred to me how similar the processes were.

But what really stuck with me was Phantasm's final words: "I'm satisfied."

With a sigh, I ruffled my hair in frustration, forcing myself to stop overanalyzing the meaning in those eyes. Maybe that's why that Snow had insisted on ignoring Phantasm all along.

It hit me then, and I finally understood why he'd never spoken with me.

Having found the Ariadne's thread, I retraced my steps, thoughts entirely occupied with the struggle of whether or not to reveal my identity to that Snow, nearly forgetting the sense of déjà vu that had struck me moments before.

I crept quietly into the lecture hall, selecting a seat near the exit in the back row.

Though it was pointless to try and hide in a room full of psychics without a shield, breaking a habit cultivated over ten years wasn't easy.

And besides...

"Richter, could you come to the center?" Master Annihilation called out, looking up at me. Her body bore intermittent, banded red markings, which, as she moved, seemed to flash between the primarily black scales, like blood agate encased in onyx. The two lines cutting across her eyes highlighted the crimson irises around her spindle-shaped pupils.

As I rose and walked down the steps, I noticed Master Sunflare, arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall, surveying the hall, and Master Field examining a circular device slightly taller than himself.

These were three of the strongest psychics in the Academy. Just their collective presence suggested the possibility of some significant, perhaps perilous event requiring precaution. When I noticed the metallic glint of a silver lance behind Master Sunflare, Master Field's hammer, and the rapier at Master Annihilation's waist suddenly stood out, too.

Gripping Gray Snow's hilt for reassurance, I wondered why I hadn't sensed anything unusual when asked to bring my adamantine weapon to this lecture.

A quick glance confirmed that none of the other wolves, despite also possessing adamantine weapons, had brought theirs. Perhaps the Academy needed a complete adamantine weapon, or perhaps...it needed me.

I stepped gingerly into the center of the hall and bowed respectfully to each of the Masters. Master Field, seemingly occupied, didn't respond--at least, I optimistically assumed so.

Unlike typical classes, this safety lecture used a central, recessed area of the hall. If regular courses resembled a theater setup, this one was closer to an arena.

"All Delta-level and above psychics should already have some grasp of self-defense techniques and the applications of psychic abilities in such situations from last year's lecture," Master Annihilation addressed the crowd, nodding slightly at me as she spoke. She knew I hadn't attended the introductory safety lectures with the other cadets, so it seemed she planned to bring me up to speed. "Some of you may have heard bits and pieces from your senior mentors about what's to come, but trust me--no one can be fully prepared for this."

Master Field seemed to have finished his equipment check and came over with his hammer.

"Usually, I'd expect you to take your power seriously, but this isn't the time for that. If you have any issues, don't try to tough it out; let us know immediately." The dragon lowered his voice, casting a glance at Master Sunflare. "I still think this is too risky, but we need to confirm a few things..."

"Yes, Master." I bowed my head, replying in a deferential tone. After a year and a half, I was somewhat used to Master Field throwing me into dangerous situations without warning. His suddenly different demeanor, however, only made me more tense. Although the other two dragons seemed unaffected, the fact they'd each brought their adamantine weapons implied that the "true purpose behind training you to fight with psychic powers" was likely beyond simple self-defense.

"Whenever a psychic awakens, it establishes a link between our world and other parallel dimensions," Master Annihilation continued, and I refocused my attention on her. "This wasn't supposed to be possible, but as always, psychic abilities seem to defy limits. This link is established between the awakening psychic and a parallel universe version of themselves--or, more precisely, one who has chosen to maintain their planetary system's isolation and thus become a Phantom."

Though it sounded distant, everyone had heard of the forceful isolation surrounding the Sol. But the truth about the Phantom was unheard of.

"The only fact we know for certain is that all Phantoms who cross into our world have chosen to keep their planetary system isolated in their universe--and succeeded." Master Annihilation gave a sidelong glance at Master Sunflare, who exhaled a clear jet of flame with an irritated snort. "Lacking more clues, the Academy avoids excessive speculation on the Phantoms' purpose. However, the prevailing theory is that the Phantoms act not only as gatekeepers for the blockade but also seek to influence our world to keep this dimension's Sol similarly isolated." The black dragon shrugged, her scales whispering against her clothing. "But that remains pure conjecture since our worlds cannot interact directly. We have no idea if events in our world have any effect in their original universe."

"There have been recorded instances of encountering the same Phantom more than once, leading many to believe that Phantoms crossing into our world are merely projections of some concept, rather than physical entities," Master Field murmured, in a voice only we could hear, as he glanced at the equally perplexed cadets. "Though, with only two instances, it could still simply be very similar versions."

"Is it because they didn't remember the previous encounter, so there's no way to tell it's the same Phantom?" The depths of quantum physics were beginning to pull me back into the nightmare realm of thought, so I didn't intend to dig too deeply--so far, it just seemed like some warden from a distant place, cruelly choosing our own image.

"Because I smashed his skull myself," Master Field replied, exasperated, catching me off guard. "So you understand how bothersome this can be. Rationalism damm's skeptics claim brain trauma could lead to memory issues, making it unreliable proof. As for the Existentialists...well, they're even more tedious."

"Why did you...er, smash his skull?" I shifted uncomfortably. I should've focused on Master Annihilation's words, but what Master Field said left me bewildered. "Or rather, how do you know it was a Phantom?"

"I can recognize myself, even from a parallel universe," he replied with growing impatience, as though explaining something basic to me yet again. "Though there are some instances of communicable, even non-hostile ones, they typically attack without hesitation." The tall dragon squinted at me, narrowing his emerald irises to thin slits. "Haven't you already encountered a Phantom in the Tower of Time?"

"Yes." I scratched my ear, surprised he remembered my report to the Academy. He is my mentor, after all. "So..." Concepts began to crystallize in my mind. "That was...me?" His voice echoed in my mind, pronouncing that term. "Some...parallel version of me?"

"If you're unsure, how could anyone else know?" Master Field blinked, crossing his arms as if to emphasize, "I can recognize myself." "Though the Tower's situation is more complex, current evidence suggests that a Phantom links with its counterpart here, and they must appear in the same space."

Attempting to process this new insight and make sense of my past encounter, I almost missed the rest of Master Annihilation's lecture.

"...Avoid interacting with the Phantoms as much as possible, no matter how enticing it might seem," Master Annihilation slowly paced back and forth, her gaze moving over the cadets. "I understand; it's yourself from a parallel timeline, after all. But always remember, no matter what it says, its actions are motivated by its own interests--not yours." The dragon emphasized her point with a heavy, deliberate tone, clearly fearing someone might confuse the Phantoms with themselves. "If it had genuinely good intentions, it would refrain from interfering with us in any way, since predicting the behavior of second order chaos is fundamentally impossible. Any entity that chooses to interfere either harbors malicious intent or is downright foolish." Some people chuckled, though I didn't catch the humor. "In any case, the simplest strategy when encountering a Phantom is to refuse any dialogue entirely, minimizing the impact of its attempts to influence you."

Why did this sound oddly familiar?

"Almost forgot," Master Field said, pulling my attention back to him. "We'll need your blood to activate the device." The dragon nodded toward the circular apparatus, showing me a blood-collection needle in his large hand.

"Oh, sure." That didn't sound suspicious at all, right?

As I internally grumbled, Master Field pricked my fingertip with the needle, then returned to the device.

"...Challenging a Phantom requires broadcasting a specific waveform signal; that's one of the things we've been instructed on," Master Annihilation explained, etching the waveform in midair with dark lines threaded with faint red streaks. "This will create a unique domain at the designated site, compelling the Phantom to respond to you directly and rendering it unable to affect other living beings, directly or indirectly. In other words, everyone but the challenger is generally safe." The dragon glanced at me, making it immediately clear what role I was about to play.

Um, shouldn't we have at least discussed this in advance?

"But be cautious, as the challenge only binds the Phantom itself. Sometimes other entities appear alongside it, the most common being squid-like minions. These minions won't attack the challenger within the designated area, but others don't have this protection." Annihilation gestured upward, illustrating several common minion types. "Also, if any psychic other than the challenger extends their consciousness, causing the domain boundary to touch the designated area, they'll be considered a participant, expanding the domain's coverage." The black-scaled dragon paused, making sure everyone understood. "So, no matter what happens, absolutely, absolutely do not extend your consciousness."

The warning in her tone was unmistakable, and I noticed a few cadets shiver slightly.

"Either the challenger is defeated, or the Phantom is destroyed--both outcomes will terminate the event. Either way, the Phantom will leave our world." Master Annihilation glanced at Master Field, who nodded back, probably signaling the device was ready. "Destroying the portal that allows the Phantom into our world will forcibly end the challenge as well, but that's usually not feasible, so don't focus too much on it." She raised her hand, indicating the circular device. "Everyone will eventually face their own Phantom; it's a responsibility for every psychic."

One cadet, who looked like he belonged to the goat family, raised his right hand. Master Annihilation nodded, granting him permission to speak.

"What about those who aren't skilled in combat?" He looked anxiously at some of the nearby carnivores, and a few herbivores in the group shifted uncomfortably, whispering to each other. "Or the Delta-level members?"

Though it was an unspoken truth, everyone knew that, essentially, the strength of your psychic ability determined your social standing--more or less.

"The Academy will train you until you can confront your own Phantom." Annihilation's voice was firm, and the goat cadet looked even more dispirited. "You won't face a Phantom stronger than your psychic level--that's another rule, so don't worry." The black dragon turned to me and gestured for me to proceed. "That's why we're having Richter go first. And if necessary, we will intervene." She nodded toward the entrance, and I noticed Master Tartarus, the black wolf with a sword at his waist, stepping into the hall. "We're ready to begin."

Clearly, my opinion wasn't of any importance, and since the Academy always treated cadets according to survival of the fittest, I just stretched a bit, preparing myself to take down this parallel-timeline version of myself.

Ripples surged in the air, carrying an odd sensation, like an instinctual awareness that something... different was present.

I rubbed my arms, trying to smooth down the goosebumps that had risen.

I'd thought it would resemble the archway leading to the Tower, forming a mirror-like membrane in the center of the ring. But what appeared was more like a window, a hollow space revealing a view of the other side.

When he stepped out of the portal, I finally understood what people meant by "no one can truly be prepared for this." Even though I'd somewhat braced myself mentally, there was still something surreal--no, rather, extradimensional--about knowing exactly what I was facing.

It was a pure-white wolf with a casual indifference in his gait, striding lazily while examining his surroundings. His fur was tangled and split, clearly neglected for ages. The dark coat draped over his back was stained with splotches and worn to the point where the only reason it hadn't fallen apart entirely seemed to be the dirt binding the fibers together. His once-black attire wasn't in much better shape--at least the original color was still discernible.

The style was far too unkempt, but those clear, sky-blue eyes gave him away immediately--myself. I even noticed the faint tuft of gray at the tip of his lazily swaying tail.

"Safety lecture?" Phantom spoke, sounding somewhat bored as he glanced over at the three dragons. "Fine, I can think of a few worse."

As he turned his head, I caught a strong metallic scent of dried blood clinging to the wolf. It hit me why his clothing looked the way it did--the stains were from blood that had long since dried.

That dangerous signal set off an alarm in my mind, urging me to expand my consciousness. Following Master Annihilation's teachings, I emitted a challenging wave.

"This is the second-year midterm, right?" Phantom sighed, casting a sideways glance at me. "It brings back memories. Everything was just so... straightforward." His gaze swept over the cadets in the stands, and he pushed aside his coat to reveal two swords strapped at his waist.

I struggled to heed Master Annihilation's advice to ignore whatever Phantom was trying to convey, but it was tough. I decided to draw Gray Snow, hoping it might help me focus on something else.

"You're not thinking of fighting me, are you?" Phantom turned his head again, giving me a disdainful look and scoffing. "Teacher's pet. How boring."

Ugh... Could I really be that annoying?

I struck the starting Frost stance, hoping he would at least respond so we could get this over with quickly. I could already sense the eager curiosity radiating from the spectators--it was hard to bear the attention of those simply watching for entertainment.

"Let's make this a bit interesting," he said, drawing one of his swords, though his posture remained lazy, far from a battle-ready stance. The sword's pommel and guard confirmed it was Gray Snow--or at least a similar version of it. Quantum physics in full effect. "Think outside the box."

He pointed the ring-like device with his sword tip, producing a loud clang that sent a wave of energy radiating through the hall.

The dragon's roar made me turn around instinctively, only to see Master Annihilation spreading her massive wings, the six red spots on the inside of her wings forming an eye pattern that glowed with a blood-like radiance. She held her rapier's hilt, crouched as if ready to launch an attack, yet the towering dragon appeared trapped, frozen as if encased in amber.

I checked on the others. Whether in the stands or within the central area, Master Field and Sunflare were both frozen in time, unmoving. Even Master Tartarus had paused midair, his paw halfway to drawing his longsword.

The strange sight fascinated me, making me want to analyze it. But I had to stay practical. Shaking my head twice, I redirected my focus to Phantom, wary of any ill intent.

A disheveled version of myself was standing in front of Master Field, staring at the imposing dragon with a complex expression. I had no desire to guess how my relationship with Master Field went in that parallel timeline. Given Phantom's clear lack of happiness, I hoped he'd stay focused on me instead of the others who seemed immobile.

"What did you do?" I relaxed my stance and took a few steps closer. "I thought you couldn't affect anyone but me."

Phantom's gaze lingered on Master Field, but the best way to draw my attention was with a curious audience--he wouldn't pass up the chance to show off if he knew someone wanted to know. I was certain he'd take the bait.

"Paying attention to the rules is important, but if it restricts you to a rigid framework, then it defeats the purpose." Phantom spoke slowly, glancing at the ring device before giving me a sly smile.

I tried to recall Master Annihilation's explanation as my mind raced.

"You broke the device!" Understanding the situation, I couldn't help but blurt it out.

"Strictly speaking, no. I merely activated the safety mechanism," he replied casually, waving his hand dismissively. "The 'Gate' has an emergency shutdown function to prevent the Phantoms who respond to a summons was unexpected powerful."

"With the challenge interrupted, the rule against affecting others no longer applies..." I murmured, and Phantom nodded in satisfaction. "But won't that cause you to be expelled?"

In response, he merely maintained that enigmatic smile without explaining.

I noticed a red haze spreading in his eyes, sparking a few theories of my own.

Focusing, I tried to analyze the wormhole opening--the massive etching command glowing with a dazzling blue-white light, mimicking antimatter repulsion to maintain spatial expansion. Its power, and the logic so intricate yet elegant, almost made me stagger.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Phantom chuckled at my reaction.

"But... why?" I blinked, trying to clear the afterimage from my vision, and made an effort to commit the sight to memory. "Why did it turn out like this?" I glanced at his tattered coat hem.

"You really should not work on that habit," he muttered, tapping his sword hilt with his fingernail, producing a crisp metallic sound. "Don't try to communicate with Phantoms--you'll never understand our purpose."

I was momentarily speechless, uncertain how to respond.

"But..." I tried to voice my confusion, too curious to let this opportunity slip by. "What is your purpose?" At my question, Phantom flicked one ear down. "You mentioned 'responding to a summons' earlier."

"I told you, don't try to communicate with Phantoms." He gave a rueful chuckle, scratching his head. "But if you're just curious about my purpose..." He sheathed Gray Snow and looked at the ring device, murmuring, "The cycle is complete."

Following his gaze, I looked at the series of commands surrounding the wormhole. The blue-white symbols trembled slightly, then began to dim and fade.

"What does that mean?" I couldn't hold back the flood of questions welling up inside.

"You'll find out." Phantom gave me an encouraging smile. "In the end, you'll find out..."

As the command pattern faded, the wormhole began to close. Phantom himself seemed to disintegrate atom by atom, pulled into the opening. A bizarre ripple passed through the hall, bending light and time, stretching him into a long streak of color--as though only the hues of his outline remained, collapsing into a single point.

When he completely vanished, the frozen time around me resumed. Master Annihilation appeared in a flash, lunging at where Phantom had stood, though her blade struck only air. Master Tartarus, too, descended lightly into the central area.

"Did you banish him?" Master Annihilation asked, exchanging a look with Master Field that seemed to be some form of dragon communication, after which Master Field went to examine the ring device.

"No," I replied honestly. "He left on his own."

"Good thing it was just one of the odd ones--fighting him at that level would've been a pain." Master Annihilation sheathed her sword, casting a glare at Master Sunflare, who had been leaning against the wall the whole time. "Thanks for all your help."

The red-brown dragon just shrugged, spines bristling a bit as he moved, clearly unbothered.

"After disabling the device, did he maintain the wormhole with his own power..." Master Tartarus muttered, making several intricate command gestures as he moved over to Master Field.

"You can get back to your seat," Master Annihilation said, touching my arm. " Piqsirpoq, over here!" she called to the stands.

As my brother passed by, he lightly punched my arm, then trotted over to Master Annihilation.

I straightened my sleeve and the fur nearby, picking a seat far away from anyone else.

For the rest of the session, I tried to absorb the lecture, but the blue etching command sequence and Phantom's parting words kept flashing through my mind.

""In our class, we also started with Snow. I heard that's usually the case," Kotetsu senpai said, picking up a small piece of rice roll wrapped in seaweed. "Wouldn't freeze up is enough; Academy don't ask to risk ourself--the key is the determination to counterbalance." The Altai wapiti tilted his head up, as if recalling something. "First kill occurred at the end of the term. Master Field showed how to dig out the exotic matter bare-handed. A bunch of cadets threw up on the spot, making the lecture hall smell even worse."

"So, what's your scene, senpai?" I scraped the last of the cheese sauce with my remaining fries, not wanting to waste any. "What kind of Phantasm did you encounter?"

"Pretty ordinary, really," Kotetsu senpai replied, finishing his rice roll. "No memorable qualities, didn't even care to talk." He chuckled, placing his chopsticks back on the tray. "Other people's Phantasms were either completely insane or went on endless monologues. Mine was the dullest."

"I wouldn't mind encountering a quiet one," I said, wiping the grease from my paws with a napkin before starting to clean my utensils--a habit you only pick up when you have to wash dishes yourself. "Talking to an alternate self is intriguing, sure, but I'm starting to think that bit of intrigue isn't worth the needless trouble it brings."

"Maybe only someone at your level has to worry about that--holding off four top-ten psychics at once," Kotetsu senpai teased, and I rolled my eyes in response.

"I'm not the one who did this." I leaned back in my chair, resigned to a weariness I couldn't shake. I suddenly understood why the master was so insistent on emphasizing the difference between ourselves and the Phantasms.

"Anyway, I've got two tough exams to prepare for, so I'll head back first." The Altai wapiti stood up, and after a quick farewell, he took his tray to the disposal area and left the cafeteria.

I didn't feel like diving straight back into chores and training, so I just remained slouched in my seat.

"I thought I told you, 'Contact me when the situation allows,'" Hemp senpai said as he sat down across from me, not looking particularly thrilled. "I even emphasized 'as soon as possible.'"

I was pretty sure he'd masked his presence somehow, as I hadn't sensed the border collie approaching at all.

"Midterms are a bit... intense," I tried to explain, though I couldn't help lowering my gaze. "Besides, you also said, 'Stick to your usual schedule.'"

"Yeah, and I can't figure out why I said that." Hemp senpai growled under his breath, placing both paws on the table. "'The Fool' is currently split between two opposing views: one side wants to leave you alone, and the other is pushing to actively assist you."

"Uh..." was all I could manage in response before Hemp senpai raised his right index finger to cut me off.

"But thanks to that perfectly Rationalism damm’s decision of yours just now, the most popular choices are now 'leave you alone' or 'eliminate.'" The border collie tapped the table with his nail, clearly irritated.

"I didn't even do anything!" In the middle of all these inexplicable situations, being accused without cause left me clueless about how to defend myself.

"The beloved of Rationalism, 'the cycle is complete.'" Hemp senpai touched his right paw to his brow and then to his heart. "That's probably the most dangerous thing a Phantasm could possibly say."

"I thought we were supposed to 'minimize the impact of their attempts to influence us.'" I tried to keep my tone from sounding too bitter, though I clearly wasn't thrilled about always having to bear responsibility for things beyond my control.

"Do you realize how complicated this has become?" Hemp senpai spread his paws, slumping back in his chair.

"Uh..." I supposed I didn't need to point out the irony here. "No, I don't."

The border collie didn't respond immediately; he just stared at me in silence, making me worry I might have reacted too strongly.

"I'm now forbidden from disclosing further information to you, to avoid putting other members in danger. The Fool's chance to provide assistance has passed." His gaze drifted momentarily but soon refocused on me. "Had you contacted me sooner, I could have at least explained the situation. But you just had to..." He waved his paw in the air, speeding up his words. "I know you're a young wolf driven by instincts, but don't forget--you're also a force that's shattered the balance."

I barely opened my mouth to respond when he pointed at me with a sharp gesture, effectively silencing me.

"No complaints." The border collie pressed his fingers to his temples. "Every time Kotetsu returns to the dorm, I can tell exactly what happened from his scent--everything." Hemp senpai emphasized, and I felt my ears start to burn. "So, you're not allowed to complain to me."

He straightened, resting his elbows on the table and clasping his fingers.

"Either way, what's done is done, and saying more is pointless." Hemp senpai looked directly at me, his brown eyes carrying a mix of complex emotions. "You can't just..." He gestured toward me nonchalantly. "...keep doing this. There are forces out there far bigger than you, than all of us, and as I've said before, not taking a stand isn't a luxury you can afford."

"I don't want to stay in the dark either, but everyone loves speaking in riddles--what am I supposed to do?" The frustration and helplessness spilled from my throat. Even I knew I sounded petty and juvenile, but it just wasn't... fair. "Besides, what if I have zero desire to get tangled up with these 'forces far bigger than me'?"

"As I said before, someone will force you if you don't." Hemp senpai rose, walking around to pat my shoulder. "I'm sorry, but the strong should be self-aware. If you don't want to be a player, you'll end up as a pawn."

As the border collie left the cafeteria, he once again masked his presence.

I didn't notice any glances or quiet judgments from others, yet I was sharply reminded of that feeling of knowing I was different.

Loneliness--the unique chill that comes from being surrounded by solitude. The cafeteria suddenly felt vastly larger, a hollow and distant space where even sound and light seemed warped by some Doppler-like effect.

It felt all too much like home.

The air buzzed with the sound of countless small objects speeding through it. I focused intently, intercepting everything the Master flung across his domain, maintaining their trajectories, and sending them back.

The Master occasionally altered the structure of these objects, and missing the moment when their waveform shifted could lead to catastrophic inertia failure, sending the controlled items flying. I'd already broken several instruments because of this and gotten scolded--well, beaten--a few times. It left me feeling instinctively tense every time I practiced this exercise.

Still, today had gone smoothly so far. In fact, Master Field had just introduced several dozen differently crystalline gems into the mix, bringing the total number of Dominance core to forty thousand.

I thought that was a sign of clear progress.

So even though I had to push myself almost to the point of exhaustion to maintain the stable trajectories of forty thousand objects--constantly shifting in size and shape--I was still happy to collapse onto the ground when the session ended, even allowing myself to stick out my tongue and pant.

But then I noticed the expression on the Master's face wasn't as positive as I had hoped. A vague unease settled over me, like a cloud blocking out the sun.

"Too slow," the hulking dragon remarked simply before returning to his desk to pour a cup of coffee.

"Yes, Master." I lowered my gaze and flattened my ears, forcing myself not to show disappointment--at least not too obviously. I wasn't sure why, but was I hoping for some kind of acknowledgment?

"By your fourth year, I expect you to be able to control at least one hundred million cores." The Master took a sip from his mug. I might have found some consolation in the fact that he wasn't complaining about how I brewed his coffee, but... a hundred million cores? Seriously?

"Master, with all due respect," I began, my emotions clearly running low today, possibly due to a buildup of various factors--Phantom's words, Hemp's remarks, who knows. "Your own limit is only a hundred thousand."

"Yes, my limit is a mere hundred thousand. But I'm not the master of Empire's Heart, so my Dominance core count doesn't matter." The dragon's calm reaction surprised me, but his explanation left me even more confused.

"The Empire's Heart?" I tilted my head reflexively, sifting through memories of canine empire studies. "Isn't the master of Empire's Heart the patriarch of the German House?"

"That's like saying the owner of the Mountain of Light is the England monarch," the Master replied with a disdainful lilt, rolling his nictitating membrane-covered eyes for emphasis.

"What?" I lowered myself slightly to indicate I needed more explanation, though I wasn't sure the dragon would interpret the body language correctly.

"What's the purpose of building the ten imperial flagships?" The Master responded with another question. Overcoming the surreal sense that I was suddenly back in a lecture hall on Hadrian's Wall, I wracked my brain for ancient memories.

"The Empire's Gate maintains massive wormholes for extended periods, enabling fleets to reach battlefronts rapidly, critical for logistics and maneuverability. The Empire's Claw and Fang are firepower-specialized flagships, one excelling in saturation fire, the other in long-range precision strikes. For ground suppression or battlefield sweeps, they serve as primary forces. The Empire's Eye possesses advanced detection and stealth systems, relying on full-spectrum electromagnetic analysis to make its fleet a perfect scout. Empire's Heart is the only flagship designed as a mothership, with unique adaptive armor that creates shields capable of handling various conditions, protecting the rest of the fleet--" I didn't even remember memorizing this.

"Wrong!" the Master shouted, slamming the table beside him. "Completely wrong!"

"Master?" I lowered my ears, staring at the floor, worried my earlier disrespect might have sparked his outburst.

"Anything can be weaponized, but that's not their purpose!" The Master gestured at the enormous hammer resting against the wall. "If you only see this layer, you'll never gain the qualifications to wield the Empire's Heart," he declared, crossing his arms and glaring down at me with piercing eyes. "Never. You'll never become the Heart's master!"

"The Heart's master?" I hated how I kept parroting his words, but my overloaded brain left me no other choice.

"Yes, the Heart's master." The hulking dragon sighed, his posture softening slightly. "The Empire's Heart can only be wielded by a psychically gifted individual of extraordinary talent. It's driven by miracles of craftsmanship and forged from countless hopes and ideals. Ultimately, the Heart will unite us all."

"Unite... us all?" What did that even mean?

"To carry the thoughts of everyone, connecting every soul in the Sol in true understanding," the Master said with another sigh, shaking his head gently.

"Me?" I could barely make myself understood by others as it was. Expanding that to the entire Sol seemed absurd.

"It must be you," the dragon muttered, sounding almost unsure. "To wield the Heart, one must master Dominance to a near-divine level. In the foreseeable future, no one else will surpass you."

"But why..." My brain was about to shut down, though a part of me--the part Gray had honed--kept fighting.

"Your lineage." The deep brown dragon turned his head, narrowing his spindly pupils. "Didn't the Senate explain that you're the combination of two prototype strain's bloodlines?"

This time, I couldn't form any words, let alone move to offer a meaningful reaction.

"Sunflare mentioned political complications, but I didn't expect this. Dawn can explain it better than I can--go ask her." The Master tapped his claws rhythmically against his scales. "But back to the original point: you're too slow."

"Yes, Master..." I lowered my snout, dejectedly staring at my shoes. But when I noticed the dragon approaching, I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

"You always force the world to bend to your will with sheer power, but you lack the finesse for delicate control. That's why you can't grasp the essence of Dominance," he lectured, though today's atmosphere felt slightly different. He concealed it well, but I'd spent enough time with the notoriously strange dragon to decipher it: urgency. "Hold out your arms."

"Master?" My ears perked up in confusion at the sudden command.

"You must master the art of Dominance entirely. This is the fastest way," the dragon insisted in an uncompromising tone. "Only by removing unnecessary interference can you truly touch the core of Dominance."

"I..." I didn't know what he intended but instinctively sensed danger, my fur prickling involuntarily.

"Don't you want to control your power?" His emerald-green eyes bore into mine as he spoke. "If you lack even that much determination, what do you think you can achieve?" His sharp teeth gleamed as he spoke, mocking my immaturity. "What can you build on such a weak foundation, propped up by nothing but fantasies?"

Clenching my teeth, I forced myself to ignore the burning heat in my ears and the shame coursing through me. My mouth was dry, but I swallowed hard, forcing down my pride along with the saliva.

I stretched my arms forward, palms up, trying not to let them tremble too much.

"Keep your consciousness circle reined in. If I misjudge the force, the cuts won't be clean," the Master muttered, rolling up my sleeves as he felt along my forearms.

"Yes, Master," I mumbled, immediately closing my mouth. I didn't want to bite my tongue--or scream in humiliation. That was the last line I wouldn't cross.

The ripples in the space around me gave some warning, though not much help.

Two sharp cracks signaled that the bones in my arms had been cleanly broken. The horrifying pain shot through my forearms, and my legs gave out instantly, dropping me to my knees. The only solace was that I hadn't screamed, though tears blurred my vision.

"Find Latent Heat to treat you, or Dawn will do." Through the haze, I heard the dragon's voice. "And don't use a medical pod, or I'll have to break them again."

I refused to let him see me cry, so I sniffed sharply and bowed before taking my leave.

Once the sliding door closed behind me, I slumped against the metal structure and slowly slid to the floor. For a long while, pain was all I could feel. My mind was a void, too overwhelmed to think of anything, not even lowering my nerve sensitivity.

When I finally reconnected with reality, I found myself staring at the emptiness of the corridor.

I blinked and tried to stand, intending to find Dawn, but to my surprise, tears continued to fall uncontrollably, splattering against the cold basalt floor.

I didn't want anyone to see me like this, but I lacked the strength to move. So I curled into a ball, pressing my muzzle against my knees.

And then, as if it would make any difference, I began to sob.