Novels by Shalom

•••••I step into the center of the sparring ring, my heart pounding in my chest. The wood of the staff feels solid in my hands, but my grip tightens. I glance up at Professor Nog, who's waiting for me with his katana at the ready. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, but I block it out. This is just another challenge."Let's do this," I mutter under my breath.Professor Nog nods. "Begin!"I move first, swinging my staff at his midsection. It feels fluid, but the moment my staff connects with his katana, I realize how much stronger he is. The clash echoes, and he easily pushes my staff aside, his katana moving so fast I barely have time to react.I try to keep my footing steady and step back, circling him. My eyes stay locked on his movements. He doesn't rush, doesn't waste energy. It's like he's reading me before I make the move. I strike again, this time aiming for his head. He ducks, and I spin, trying to catch him off guard with a strike to his side. But his katana is already there,

•••••Lora stands confidently in the center of the sparring space we all circle, her eyes fixed intently on Professor Nog. She grips her wooden staff firmly, its familiar weight a comforting presence in her hands."Begin!" Professor Nog calls out, his katana at the ready.Lora charges forward, her staff flashing in the light as she strikes at Professor Nog's chest. The professor sidesteps easily, his katana slicing through the air to meet Lora's staff. The two weapons clash, the sound of wood on wood echoing through the air.Lora spins around, her staff weaving a complex pattern as she strikes at Professor Nog from multiple angles. The professor parries each blow with ease, his katana moving in perfect harmony with Lora's staff.Lora strikes left, the professor evades.Right, the professor blocks with his katana.Lora spins with her staff in hand, increasing it's momentum as she aims at the professor's neck. With a backward lean, steadying his katana against the floor, the professor d

A white-silver hair tall guy with a different set of eye color – Ash and Blue.He wears his grey jumpsuit, paired his black polished boots."Oh, it's fine North" He says then picks up a katana. "Good to see you again""What?" I voice, but he is already walking towards the sparing ring.Michael fall into step along side me."You know him?" He asks."Ah.. I don't really know" I reply. "I think we've met, though. But I'm not sure"Michael nods. "Okay, let's go"I nod. "Yeah"Now everyone surrounds the professor with their weapon in hand."Alright. You can all seat." The professor says. "We will go clockwise until everyone has gotten the chance to spar with me"I look to my right, noticing Henry will be the first, Phillip second, Lora third, Michael, I, Claire, Rdyer, Luna, Kaid, all the way to Larson, and finally the guy I bumped."Okay, Henry, you're first," Professor Nog says. "You can go all out with me, there is enough space for movement, so don't hold back. And of course I'll hold b

•••••"Hey, guys" Claire greets as Michael meet her at the school entrance gate."Hey, Claire" Michael replies."Hey" I greet, then we begin walking to class."Happy New Month!" Michael smiles."Oh, same" Claire smiles slightly.I smile. "Can you believe it? It's been a month since our journey started."Michael grins."Yeah, it has," He says. "And it's been an eventful journey"Claire glances at the both of us and smiles."You guys are weird"Michael and I exchange looks."What do you mean?" I ask."You are making it sound like it's some kind of big milestone you both just achieved" She replies. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it has been an eventful month for you guys, but the journey is only just beginning"Michael grins. "Yeah"I nod.As we step into class, we see our classmates all standing at the right side of the hall, surrounding a chair."What's going on" Michael mutters.Claire sighs then bites down her chocolate bar."It's Larson!" She utters then goes to take her seat. Immedi

Immediately, she blends with the shadow, rendering her unnoticeable.••••••I smile.They are improving. That's good. They should. The world out there can be unforgiving."Better! React faster" I shout.North swiftly dodges two speeding balls, his fluid movements a testament to growth.But one ball grazes his shoulder and he winces a little.Yet recovers swiftly.Michael spins left, dodging a ball mere inches from his ear.He catches one with his left hand.Deflects another with the caught ball.A third hits his chest, he stumbles, but quickly regains footing.Claire's reactions are faster.She dodges two.A third almost reach her thigh, but she quickly spin to the right and recovers her footing.My gaze sweeps, assessing. Their growth shines as cannons fire and balls hail.North's head tilt to the left, dodging an incoming ball. He shows progress with his powers as he anticipate the next ball.Michael's hands rise, deflecting two balls. Another ball hurtles toward him. He shifts his

Meanwhile in an experimental Lab in school.Dim fluorescent lights cast eerie shadows.Dr. Kim scrutinized the Grade 4 Demon's glass enclosure at the right side of the lab.Its translucent dark form shimmer, ethereal skin blending.It eyes burn unnaturally.Wiry limbs faded.An unsettling chill surrounding it.Suddenly, the demon's eyes flash.Its form condensed, shrinking.Dr. Kim blinks.The enclosure seemed empty."What the?" She voice.She cautiously enters the enclosure, checking every corner.Confirming the demon's absence.Satisfied, she turn, exiting the enclosure to sound the alarm.But her instincts screams warning.Something was off. She turns around, checking the cell, he eyes roam her surrounding.She removes her wipe as she feels the change in the surrounding air.But yet, no trace of the Demon.She walks gently towards the alarm, her back to it.Fingers outstretched.But before she reached it, the tiny demon that was laced to her back, expanded.Enveloping her, she resi