Ascension: Rebirth in a World of Powers-Chapter 27 - : Shifting Tides

The atmosphere at the academy had changed. The invisible power structure that once kept students in check had fractured. With Darius defeated, there was no longer a single dominant force dictating the pecking order. But that didn't mean the danger was gone. If anything, it had only become more unpredictable.

Eren sat by the window in his dorm, staring out at the academy grounds as the morning sun painted the horizon in soft hues of gold and violet. He could still hear the murmurs of students in the hallways, some speaking of him as a hero, others as a threat. Neither title sat well with him.

A sharp knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Kaelena standing there, arms crossed. "You're brooding."

"I'm thinking," Eren corrected, but she wasn't wrong.

Kaelena stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "Darius hasn't been seen since the fight," she said. "Rumor is, he's holed up somewhere licking his wounds."

Eren exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "That doesn't mean he's out of the picture. If anything, he's probably planning something."

Kaelena nodded. "That's what I'm worried about. We humiliated him, Eren. People like him don't just let that go."

Eren already knew that. Darius was the type to hold a grudge, and he had too many resources to stay down for long. He had ruled the academy through fear, and without him, a power vacuum had formed. If someone else stepped up to take his place, things could get even worse.

Before Eren could voice that thought, a second knock came. This time, it was Kain, looking serious. "We've got company," he said. "Elara's waiting downstairs with a few others. Says it's urgent."

Down in the courtyard, a small group of students had gathered. Elara stood at the center, her usual composed demeanor tinged with unease. Around her were several students Eren recognized from training, as well as some unfamiliar faces.

"What's going on?" Eren asked as he and Kaelena approached.

Elara turned to him, eyes sharp. "We have a problem. Darius may be out of commission, but his lieutenants aren't."

Eren frowned. "You mean the ones who fought with him?"

"Yes," she said. "They've gone underground, but they're recruiting. Some of the students who feared Darius before are looking for new leadership. Others just want to restore order, even if it means putting someone worse in charge."

Mira, who had been leaning against a pillar nearby, scoffed. "Typical. Cut off the head, and three more try to take its place."

Eren folded his arms. "Do we know who's leading them?"

Elara hesitated before responding. "Two names keep coming up—Reyes and Selene. They were Darius's strongest followers, and from what I hear, they're preparing to make a move."

Reyes was one of the more ruthless members of Darius's circle, a duelist with an ability that let him manipulate kinetic energy. Selene, on the other hand, specialized in illusions—deception was her greatest weapon. If they were planning something, it wouldn't be a simple brute-force attack.

"They're consolidating power," Kaelena muttered. "That means they'll want to send a message soon."

Eren's stomach tightened. "Then we need to be ready."

The rest of the day was spent making preparations. Eren's group had grown, but they weren't the only ones gathering strength. If Reyes and Selene were organizing an offensive, they needed to stay ahead of them.

By the evening, the courtyard had become an impromptu training ground. Students sparred with one another, testing their abilities and refining their combat techniques. Kaelena led drills on defensive maneuvers, while Kain worked with the physically stronger recruits to reinforce their endurance.

Eren found himself with Elara, practicing countermeasures against illusions. "Selene won't fight fair," Elara said as she weaved a mirage in front of them. "She thrives on disorientation. If you can't trust your senses, you'll be dead before you realize it."

The illusion before him flickered, shifting between Kaelena, Mira, and an unfamiliar face. It was subtle, but unsettling. Eren took a steady breath and focused, reaching for the power within him. He willed his flames to burst outward in a controlled ring. The heat distorted the air, warping the illusion just enough for him to see through it.

Elara nodded approvingly. "Good. Heat can break illusions, but you'll need more than that. She can create entire false battlefields if given enough time."

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"Then we don't give her time," Eren said.

Training continued late into the night. Every second counted.

As the academy settled into uneasy silence, Eren stood by the dormitory balcony, gazing at the moonlit courtyard below. His mind raced with possibilities. Even with all their training, he knew this battle wouldn't be straightforward.

Kaelena joined him, leaning against the railing. "You should get some rest."

"So should you," he pointed out.

She smirked. "Fair."

For a moment, they stood in silence, listening to the wind rustle through the trees. Then Kaelena spoke again. "Do you ever wonder why the Shard came to you?"

Eren tensed. He had wondered—countless times. The system had given him power, but it had never explained why. And now, with every new challenge, he felt the weight of that mystery pressing down on him.

"I do," he admitted. "But I don't think I'll get an answer anytime soon."

Kaelena studied him, then nodded. "Maybe. But whatever the reason, we're in this now. And we'll face it together."

Eren looked at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. Together."

He didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—this fight wasn't over. Not by a long shot.