Its been around 3 years.

Im not sure what changed with my son but ever since we went to the Kagenou's he hasnt exactly ever been the same.

Which in this case, is great! Im glad to finally be able to talk to my son like a normal mother would

But… why? What changed since then?

Everytime we would see him his eyes would light up red and he would become so much more lively but...

Whenever we aren't around his eyes become the dull grey we used to know and i dont think he is faking it but...

It feels wrong to see his eyes go grey...

Im pretty sure its only our son which can change his eyes...

We postponed his introduction to noble society because of his... condition.

And although we can introduce him now...

It doesnt feel right.

Me and Toby decided that were going to wait until WE as his parents, think his ready.

Speaking of Kazoto...

Where is that boy?

Ever since he started hanging out with Claire of the Kagenou's she had become a genius fighter and certainly alot more lively but we dont know how much our son progressed...

Hmm...

"DEARRR, DID KAZOTO GO TO THE KAGENOU TERRITORY TODAY?"

I scream out from one side of the house.

"YESSS."

"OK, THANK YOU!"

"DONT MENTION IT."

Ah...

Im glad my son is doing fine!


I AM NOT DOING FINE!

Claire is finally going to get kidnapped and im currently debating whether or not i should show my shadow form to her...

She is obviously in no danger since i placed Epsilon with her!

...I think.

...Scratch that, i forgot.

BUT! its fine!

I get to look all cool, just like cid as i somewhat become the eminence in shadow!

You know, im starting to get it.

The appeal i mean.

Its so fun..!

Ive never thought of stuff like this but holy shit!

Dropping the hardest one liner ever! only to back it up with some epic fighting to what you assumed was a random background character only to smash all expectations and become an incredibly dangerous threat or a great possible ally to the hero?

Dude, if i wasnt living Cid's life right now id be jealous!

I walk into an empty hallway.

I put magic into my voice to make it deeper and smoother.

"Beta, you can come out."

"Master Kazoto."

"I assume Alpha is looking for clues?"

"Perceptive as always my lord."

"No need. call everyone back, i found my sister's location."

"Already..?! Master Kazoto, your incredible!"

Beta starts to scribble something in her notepad.

I sense the Kagenou's coming down the hall.

"Beta, i dont mean to interrupt but the Kagenou's are coming down the hall so please go and deliver the message, and call me Shadow."

"Ah- yes! E-excuse me Lord Shadow!"

She kneels and disappears hurriedly.

"BALDY! GO FIND OUR DAUGHTER AND ONLY HOPE FOR THIS FAMILY!"

"WAHHHH! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"

...

Cool eminence moment?

RUINED.


Huh...?

Oh... where am i?

I look to my left and right only to notice chains.

More accurately, magic canceling chains.

Suddenly, a man who is dressed like a noble walks in through the door.

"Claire Kagenou, i have a few questions for you."

"...Ah, i recognize you, Viscount Olba... wasnt it?"

I shift my chains and spread my magic thinly throughout my body.

"That loser Viscount Olba who lost in the first bouts thanks to princess iris in the bunshin festival yes?"

...

!

I narrowly dodge the kick he sent at me.

"...So you can dodge that fast of a kick? i guess you aren't throwing yourself around with magic..."

"I learned that its about how you use magic not how much you have of it from someone close to me."

"Someone close...?"

"Yes, the Shimo's born depressed son."

"Him...? Everytime i seen him, he was super weak."

"It would seem so, but everytime id train with him he would just point out a bunch of incorrections i had and increase my magic control."

I close my eyes as i lean back against the wall.

"That why i cant express how much i like the fact that he comes over everyday to train..."

I open my eyes once again and get on guard.

"Anyways, you said you had questions for me? say them so we can get this over with and i can get home."

"...Claire Kagenou, have you been feeling unwell recently? Trouble keeping magic under control, Black decayed spots of skin along with incredible pain?"

...H-he knows..?

"Haah...? pretending to be a docter now?"

...He doesnt seem amused.

"...Well there was something like that 3 years ago but after Kazoto hugged me all the symptoms just kind of... disappeared and i felt fine."

He put his hand to his chin.

"Hmm... i see your compatible."

"Compatible?"

He turns his back to me.

"Rest assured, ill look into that boy Kazoto-"

I dont know what came over me but i just gathered all my magic in one place in my hands and forcefully broke the chains.

"...if you lay a single finger on Kazoto ill fucking kill you."

"You broke the chains?!"

"If anything happens to him, Ill fucking kill your entire family! your friends! anything that even barely matters to you!-"

Ugh- he punched me in the gut hard...

...

I fall to the ground while i barely hold on to being conscious using my finally unrestrained magic...

"Stupid girl... at least i can examine your blood for results-"

"LORD OLBA! BE WARNED, INVADERS IN THE HALL!"

The man and the guard go out while i lay there.

I start to hear fighting from outside...

Maybe this is my chance to escape...

But i cant even move anyone of my muscles, let alone escape...

...

Suddenly i hear the door busting open as the man from before is kicked through.

Then i see him!-

A boy clad in black.

Only his red eyes visible from his hood.

"The moon has shone a sorrowful light upon your existence, you refused to bask in the light of the moon and took refuge in the pits of the abyss... however, the moon offers you a second chance to fix your regretful mistake."

...

Woah...

Suddenly though the man lashes out.

"WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND?! YOU JUST A KID! THE ABYSS IS FAR EMPTIER AND DEEPER THEN YOU COULD EVER HOPE TO SEE!"

Suddenly the boy rested his palm on his face as he looked forward.

"I looked into the abyss once before, and it has since called me its master. this is your final chance to be with your daughter once more, consider your choice carefully. the shadows grant no chances for the foolish."

"...Y-you mean i can see millia a-again...?"

"That depends on what you wish to do."

The boy extends his hand to the man.

"Will you join us in hunting the shadows from the shadows?"

...

The man takes the boy's hand.

"Th-this... this is crazy... i dont know how i can believe a kid playing make believe over the cult but please..."

The man kneeled.

"PLEASE RETURN MY DAUGHTER TO ME!"

The boy's red eyes glow amidst the darkness.

"...Excellent choice. you will not have to fight the cult. just live your life normally and when we cure your daughter we will ask her what she wishes to do, depending on that you will be informed."

The boy with the imposing voice said as the man burst into tears as he held his stomach.

The man whispers as he cries on the ground.

"Please... please save her i beg of you..."

"..."

The boy then turns to me.

He enters the cage and looks straight at me in the eyes.

I get to see a glimpse of his face...

Kazot?-

I dont even get to register what happened as i lost control over my magic and i faint.


Phew!

I finally got Claire back, yipe!

hang on, let me just... yoink!

magic cuff's? mine!

A wild Claire? dont mind if i do!

I turn my head and look over my shoulder at the man.

"Seek out Alpha. she will inform you of what to do and how to do it, may our paths never cross once more, broken one."

Then i disappear from his sight and reappear in the hall infront of Alpha.

"Dont forget to send me the reports later, Alpha."

Alpha smiles at me as the other shades look a bit dejected.

"Yes master shadow."

"Zeta, can i trust you to return Claire Kagenou home safely?"

"Yes, my lord!"

"Come to my place after your done. i have a mission for you in particular."

"Yes Master Shadow."

"This is all, ill see you soon... my shades."

I disappear back to my house using the Improved serious dash™, with the magic canceling cuffs of course! cant forget those...


Oh well...

Thats all until the academy isnt it...?

Wait...

Oh.

The shades are leaving aren't they...?

...

I dont...

I...

Its fine.

Its for the better...

...