The final bell rang, which meant the final class of the day came to an end. The students spilled out of their classroom, laughter and chatter filled the air. I walked among them, my thoughts on the plans I had for the night. The jagged remnant of my broken silver sword sheathed around my waist.


    "Hey, Ryn!"


    The voice sliced through my reverie, pulling my attention to my older brother, Alaric. He stood there with hate in his eyes frowning at me. Finally.


    "I Alaric Ashford the son of Irwin Ashford challenge you little brother" his voice masked with poison as he shouted.


    Ah, my ever-charming older brother Alaric, always eager to hate me. I suppressed a sigh. "Y-you? Want to duel me? R-right Now?" I stammered.


    "Yeah! Unless you''re scared," he shot back arrogance coming over him.


    "Scared?" Far from the opposite.


    The students surrounded us as we stood outside the dormitory. They started whispering.


    "Isn''t that Alaric the strongest knight in the graduating class?" one of the students said in shock.


    "Who is he fighting?" "I don''t know" another student said.


    As I unsheathed my broken sword—the jagged blade gleamed like a predator''s teeth—I gave a small smirk.


    "Ready?" Alaric asked his stance wide and arrogant.


    "No" I replied, adopting a more relaxed immature stance as if I was scared.


    The art of battle is not merely about strength but also planning.


    With a simple nod, our duel started. Alaric lunged forward; his sword aimed with deadly precision. As if he was trying to kill me. I sidestepped his attack, feeling the rush of air, his blade left behind. For a moment time seemed to slow down allowing me to see every weak point of his.


    He''s so predictable.


    Each swing he gives me tells a story; each strike shows weakness.


    "Stop running Ryn!" Alaric shouted, frustration mixed with anger as he perused me harder, his strikes growing heavier.


    "You''re scaring me big brother" I replied, playing the role of the weakling. The audience was lost in words their excitement palpable. I could sense their eyes on us—every gasp, every cheer that fed into the atmosphere.


    With every failed attack Alaric only grew angrier, and I relished in the sight. He charged again, his sword swinging to my ribs I stood still as time seemed to slow down. I struck at his legs, ribs, and neck but I pulled back at each strike. Then as I walked back into place time picked up again as I blocked his earlier attack which sent me flying.


    He thinks he''s winning. Good, I thought the corners of my mouth holding back my smile. Everything is coming together. What a foolish victory for him.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Alaric with added confidence lunged again, envy fueled his movement. But instead of striking me with his sword he decided to kick me. "I GOT YOU NOW RYN!" he shouted with excitement in his eyes.


    Here it is, the grand finale of my show.


    The crowd roared as I took the hit throwing me against the dorm''s wall. "Y-you fought well" I muttered. "I-I surrender..."


    "Ha, See you''re nothing! Useless!" Alaric bellowed, puffing out his chest.


    "Never try to outshine me again. Try harder next time!" He shouted as he sheathed back his sword. Alaric turned around escaping through the crowd.


    Try harder? I laughed, smirking. Oh, brother next time. You won''t be facing Ryn.


    As the crowd begun to shimmer down, I got up "limping" away.


    I entered the dorm building the whispers of the crowd faded.


    I limped my way down the hallway of the boys'' dormitory, each step an act of mock pain. The hallway became dead silent, most students were already asleep for the night, but I made sure nobody was watching. I played my part perfect Ryn, the poor little brother, limping back after being "defeated" by his older brother. How amusing.


    I gotta sell it, right? It wouldn''t do me any justice if someone watched me waltz in here like nothing happened. The weak... don''t brush off a "wound" like that.


    I stopped outside my room, still maintaining my fa?ade of the weak injured little brother. The moment I opened the door, I allowed my body to relax my so–called "limp" vanished. The perfect illusion was now finished.


    Inside, stood Alex already half dressed in his nightwear. He glanced at me, his sharp eyes looking at me up and down.


    "Got in another duel with your brother again, I presume?" he asked casually, his tone more curious then worried. He pulled on his shirt, shaking his head with a slight smirk.


    Alex. Always so perceptive. He already knows Ryn to well.


    I shrugged, giving him my impression of a man stuck with fate. "You know how he is. He never quits when he sees me." I tossed my broken sword on my bed as it bounced a bit on the bed.


    "He always out for blood, isn''t he?" Alex said shaking his head as he slipped into his bedsheets. "I''m surprised you''re still standing after going up against him with that broken thing." "You need a new one."


    Oh, Alex. Only if you knew my power.


    I offered him a grin, unbuckling my cape and jacket tossing them on a nearby chair. "It''s about surviving" I said adding a tone of defeat.


    Alex, unaware of my facade simply nodded. "I''m going to get some rest."


    As Alex''s breathing slowed, I made my way carefully to the bathroom grabbing some nightwear from a drawer.


    I glanced at the bathroom door locking it behind me, my plan already forming. The baths are a great cover, aren''t they? Perfect alibi. No one questions a student washing off defeat from a "lost duel". But just in case I''ll leave a clone here.


    Tonight, isn''t just an ordinary night. Oh, no tonight will be a slaughter.


    I moved through the window, the cool air washed over me, stimulating my senses. I stood on top of the dormitory basking in the light of the moon.


    I stretched out my hand, letting the mana surge through me responding to my whim. My body tingled with the true power I held. I took a deep breath, allowing the mana settle on my skin like a layer of armor.


    Magicules. They make everything. The very fabric of reality depends upon them. I simply bend them to my will


    I activated my mana, wrapping a cloak around me, cloaking me in a dark red and black outfit that shimmered under the moonlight. This outfit wasn''t just cloth or armor—it was manifestation of my will. My own creation, a masterpiece of desire.


    To others, magic is merely a tool. But to me? It''s everything.


    What separates them from me? They live in this world as it is. While I reshape it as I please.


    I glanced at the city which surrounded the academy, my gaze sweeping across it. Tonight, the city of Idelia will be introduced to the Reaper.


    I extended my hand, and from my mana, a dark skull emerges, its red eyes glowed faintly. As I placed it over my face, the skull fused with my mana, moving seamlessly with my every facial expression, my eyes glowed red through the sockets. A perfect reflection of my role as the Reaper.


    Tonight, they will revel in death. Blood debts will be paid.


    I jumped off the roof, my body light as I went from each rooftop. Not a sound. Not a trace. I am nothing more than a phantom.


    With a final glance at the moon, I leapt into the darkness of the night.