CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 75: WEIGHT OF SHADOWS

Raviel leaned forward, arms crossed and staring straight into his eyes as if measuring the fear that lay hidden behind his calm expression.

"Richard," Raviel said, voice low and with a steady tone, "grabbing this magical boy will not be easy."

Richard swallowed hard. "He’s just one boy."

"No," Raviel answered. "If he had been a normal boy with simple powers, that would be different. But he is a magical boy. Born with rare veins. Born with unique features. His abilities don’t follow the limits of a common warrior or magician."

Richard frowned. "Unique powers... like what?"

Richard’s heart tightened. "All that in an eighteen-year-old?"

Before Raviel could reply, a sudden surge of dark energy rolled through the room, like a cold wind. Richard instinctively stepped backward as the air grew thick. Akumo slowly rose from his stone seat. His old, weathered frame should have been weak-but once his power stirred, he looked like an ancient nightmare given breath.

Black mist swirled around his hands.

Akumo made a low growl and extended his fingers; two grotesque silhouettes crawled from the darkness at his feet. In a moment, their forms hardened into shadow soldiers with burning, empty eyes. A second summoning, and two more figures came forward, this time wrapped in bandages and black armor.

Richard’s breath froze. "W–What... what is this?"

Akumo’s eyes, glowing deep crimson, turned to him. "Shadow army," he said calmly. "One of the ancient techniques. Used only by old magicians and those gifted with death energy."

The shadow soldiers were perfectly still, just waiting for orders. Richard felt as though they stared into his soul.

Raviel stepped beside Akumo. "You look shocked," he said, noticing Richard’s stiff posture.

"How can I not be?" Richard whispered. "These things—these soldiers—are impossible. I didn’t even know something like this existed. This is... this is a disaster."

Akumo let out a low laugh; the sound was dry, like old paper. "Calm yourself, boy." He waved his finger, and the shadow soldiers melted away, dissolving into mist. "They are summoned through strength, pure strength. Ancient magicians developed this magic to call the dead shadows from the stored energy within their bodies. Anyone can summon shadows if they have such strength in their bodies.

Raviel nodded. "In the past, Lord Akumo summoned hundreds at once.

Richard’s eyes widened. "Hundreds?"

Akumo exhaled heavily, sinking back into his chair; the creak of his old bones echoed softly. "But that was long ago. Age weakens the flesh, not the spirit. My body can no longer bear such weight."

A complete hush had fallen over the chamber. The only thing to be heard was Richard’s uneasy breathing.

Raviel tapped Richard’s shoulder. "You, too, can accomplish it, Richard. With sufficient training, dedication, and you mastering your inner veins.

Richard hesitated. "You mean I could summon shadows like that?

"Yes," Raviel said. "If you wish to grow stronger."

Richard mustered courage that felt to be slipping away and turned to Akumo. "Will you teach me those techniques?

Akumo stared back for a long moment, eyes heavy and ancient and unreadable. "Why do you wish to learn, boy?"

Richard clenched his fists. "I don’t want to fail. I don’t want to stand helpless in front of enemies I can’t understand. If that magical boy is as powerful as you both say--then I can’t face him as I am now. I need strength. Power. Techniques that can help me survive... and win."

Akumo’s lips curled faintly. "Win? Victory is not given to those who only wish for it. It is taken by those who sacrifice for it.

"I’m ready," Richard said.

Raviel smiled slightly. "He has heart, Lord Akumo."

Akumo didn’t return the smile. He leaned forward, the shadows gathering behind him once more like faithful hounds.

"You saw only a fraction of what shadow summoning can do," Akumo said. "These are not soldiers of flesh. They are fragments of power—extensions of the summoner’s will. They obey, but they drain the body and spirit. One mistake can consume you."

Richard would not budge. "I still want to learn."

Akumo studied him again, then slowly nodded. "Very well."

Raviel exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

Akumo continued, "But understand the dangers. The magical boy we are preparing to capture... he does not rely on a single technique. His summoning powers are multipathed. His visual prowess allows him to manipulate illusions, distort perception, command beasts, and break mental defenses. He is both warrior and mage. A rare combination.

Richard listened as each word made his chest heavier.

Raviel added, "His mind works faster than most; he sees before others move. And once his unique veins awaken at age eighteen... he will update his powers one by one, gaining abilities that no one can predict."

Akumo tapped fingers on the stone table. "This makes him difficult to capture. Far more difficult than you think."

Richard looked between them. "Then why are we doing this? Why chase someone nearly impossible?"

Raviel’s eyes sharpened. "Because if we don’t... he will become someone we can never control."

Akumo nodded slowly. "And someone who can destroy whole legions."

A chill ran down Richard’s back.

Akumo continued, his voice deepening, "Power is not his only strength. It is the way he adapts. The way he thinks. The way he merges techniques. A boy like that is born once in generations."

Raviel stepped forward again. "That is why we need you to grow stronger, Richard. That boy will challenge us with every step. With every breath. If we underestimate him... we will fall."

Richard took a sharp breath. "Then train me. Teach me. Push me until I’m ready."

Akumo’s old fingers pressed together. Again, the air tightened. "You speak boldly... but your spirit is still fragile. Summoning shadows requires discipline, patience, and relentless control over fear."

"I can do it," Richard said.

Akumo raised an eyebrow. "Can you bear the weight of your own darkness?"

Richard didn’t look away. "If it means protecting us... yes."

For the first time, Akumo let out a real laugh—low and rough as breaking stone. "Good. You have fire."

Raviel smiled proudly.

Akumo leaned back. "Training will soon commence. You will learn the steps: shadow binding, dark calling, spirit moulding. And one day, if you survive each stage, you may summon more than one shadow soldier."

Richard’s heart pounded in determination.

Akumo added quietly, "But do not forget-summoning is only a small piece of the puzzle. You must sharpen your mind. Strengthen your body. Harden your will. Because the magical boy you will face... is not ordinary. His powers, once fully awakened at eighteen, will surpass any common technique."

Raviel spoke in a soft voice, "That’s why capturing him won’t be easy. The moment his veins open, he’ll change. He will grow, and we must grow faster.

Richard nodded slowly. "I understand."

Akumo raised a finger, and a final wisp of shadow curled in the air before fading. "Then prepare yourself. The path ahead will break you before it builds you."

Richard took a deep breath and straightened himself more than he had previously.

"I’m ready."

Raviel and Akumo exchanged a brief glance of approval, warning, and expectation.

And in that silent chamber, Richard felt something shift inside of him. The fear was still there, but determination burned brighter.

Not because he wanted glory. Not because he was after power. But because he knew- if he wasn’t strong enough the world around him would collapse. And strength... true strength... always demanded a price.

Then Akumo’s gaze sharpened, and the air thickened again—heavier this time, as if the shadows themselves leaned in to listen.

"But before your training begins," Akumo said slowly, "there is a condition."

Richard felt a prickle run up his spine. "A condition?"

Akumo nodded once. "To find this magical boy—and to stand against him—you will not be enough on your own. Your body is young, but your strength is limited. My spirit, however..." His eyes glowed with an ancient fire. "My spirit still holds the power of my prime."

Raviel stiffened but remained silent.

Akumo continued, "I will place a part of my inner spirit inside you. My thoughts, my voice, my instincts. I will guide you. Speak through you. Fight from within your flesh." His tone darkened. "Only then can you stand a chance."

Richard’s breath caught. "You... want to control my body?"

"Not entirely," Akumo said. "But when necessary—when danger rises—I will take command. For a moment, I will move through you. Battle through you. And through your veins, I will reclaim the strength I once lost."

Richard stepped back. "So I’ll be sharing my mind... with you?"

Akumo’s smile was thin, ancient, and unreadable. "A partnership. But make no mistake, boy—my spirit is not gentle. If you accept this, your life will no longer be fully yours."

Raviel finally spoke. "Richard... this technique is forbidden for a reason."

Richard’s heart pounded, heat rushing to his face. "And if I refuse?"

"Then you will die against the magical boy," Akumo said simply. "Your body will break. Your spirit will shatter. And all of us will fall with you."

Silence crushed the room.

Richard looked down at his trembling hands. A spirit inside his body. A voice not his own. A power that could swallow him.

"I... I need time," he whispered.

Akumo nodded once.

"Then think quickly, boy. Your fate waits for no one."

But..