The falling star(drake reincarnation)

Chapter five(flame and shadow)

The morning mist still lingered as Instructor Cole spotted Drake leaving the training hall.

“You,” he called out.

Drake turned.

Cole stepped forward, arms behind his back, expression unreadable. “I watched you last night. You have a tough road ahead.”

Drake stood straighter. “I’ll handle it.”

Cole gave a faint nod. “If you need anything… you know who to call.”

Then he walked away.

Drake blinked—surprised.

Sky’s voice echoed, amused.  

“You’ve earned a rare thing, Drake… respect.”

Drake smiled. At least now, in this vast academy full of monsters, he had someone in his corner.

As he approached the dorms, he paused—remembering something.

“The reward…”

⟨Ding!⟩  

[Unlocked: Hidden Martial Art – Shadow Step]  

[+2 Qi Control]

Drake turned around and made his way toward the open training fields. The wind was still, the space wide.

He began experimenting—infusing his fire attribute into the Shadow Step, letting the qi flow through his legs.

At first, it sputtered.

Then—whoosh—he vanished and reappeared several meters ahead, flames rippling in his trail.

Sky nodded in his mind.  

“You’re blending speed with pressure. If mastered, this can become deadly.”

---

Then—trouble arrived.

Six C-rank students, cocky and sneering, approached from the left side of the field.

“Look who’s pretending to be elite,” one jeered.

“Still wearing that gray DC watch, loser?”

They circled him.

Drake narrowed his eyes, about to move when—

⟨Ding!⟩  

[Optional Mission: Defeat the six attackers – Reward: Unlock First Blood Ability]

His heart thudded. He almost pressed accept—

But then—

Flames erupted.

A blur of red shot past him, and in seconds, all six bullies were on the ground, moaning in pain.

She stood tall, hair like fire, eyes burning. The same red-haired girl from the midnight trial.

Drake stepped back slightly, stunned by her aura.

Then—

⟨Ding!⟩  

[Scan Complete – Subject: Riva Flameborn]  

•⁠  ⁠Rank: Normal Warrior (Sealed)  

•⁠  ⁠Bloodline: Nerikai – The Dominating Eye  

  – Abilities:  

  ▸ Seal opponent’s qi flow  

  ▸ Control an opponent’s body temporarily  

  ▸ Project a mirror image of opponent, enhanced to 150% strength  

•⁠  ⁠Threat Level: High – Matches Master-Level Combatants when bloodline is activated

New Mission: Defeat Riva Flameborn – Reward: Full Shadow Skill Tree Unlock  

[Accept? – YES / NO]

Drake froze.

His hand hovered over YES… but he hesitated.

Even Sky went silent.

“That bloodline… it’s ancient. Dangerous. She could destroy you.”

Drake stared at her as she turned toward him slowly, sensing his energy.

Her eyes locked on his—and for a moment, the air felt heavy.

His fist clenched.

He didn’t press YES.

Not yet.

---

Riva took a slow step forward, her eyes locked on Drake like a predator studying its prey.

"I saw your fight with Master Cole," she said calmly. "You were reckless… but not bad."

She stopped just a few meters in front of him. The flames around her slowly faded into glowing embers.

“I want to see what you’ve got,” she said. “So show me.”

Drake tensed. “Now?”

Riva’s gaze sharpened.

Her right eye—deep crimson—glowed with a strange mark, and an invisible pressure settled on Drake’s shoulders.

“I won’t hurt you too much,” she smirked.

Sky hissed in Drake’s mind, “She’s activating the Nerikai. Be ready!”

⟨Ding!⟩  

[Duel Request Accepted – Opponent: Riva Flameborn]  

[Estimated Chance of Victory: 49%]  

[Restrictions: Bloodline Use – Disabled for Safety Conditions]

Drake’s heart pounded.

He couldn't use his vampire-demon bloodline. Not yet.

That left only one thing.

He inhaled… let the fire qi rush through his legs and arms… and activated the technique.

Shadow Step.

Whoosh—

He vanished.

In a blur, he reappeared behind Riva, aiming a burning kick to her ribs. She barely dodged, eyes wide in surprise.

Then—he vanished again.

Flames streaked across the field as he moved like lightning, mixing precision with raw speed.

He struck again—this time, a clean hit to her shoulder.

The students watching from a distance gasped.

But Riva… smiled.

“You’re fast,” she said. “Too bad—I’m faster.”

Her Nerikai Eye flared.

The world shimmered—

And out of thin air, an exact copy of Drake stepped into the arena. But taller. Stronger. Dark flames danced across its body.

Drake froze.

“What… the hell—?”

⟨Ding!⟩  

[Bloodline Projection Activated – Subject: Enhanced Drake (Strength x1.5)]

Sky muttered in disbelief, “She created a perfect version of you… and improved it.”

Now it was Drake vs. Drake.

Same skills. Same movements. But the copy hit harder, moved faster, and didn’t hold back.

The first clash nearly knocked Drake off his feet.

He was now facing himself.

And he was losing.

Drake slammed into the dirt, coughing, bruised, and drained.

Every time he struck his copy, it read him. Matched him. Overpowered him.

His qi reserves were dropping fast.

The system’s cold notification echoed:

⟨Warning⟩ – Qi Levels Critical  

⟨Warning⟩ – Shadow Step Degraded

The copy Drake stood tall, eyes glowing, fire laced with perfect control.

Drake gasped, “Sky… let me use a little. Just a bit of my bloodline…”

But Sky’s voice was sharp.

“No. If you use it now, it’ll alert everyone. Even the academy elders. You’re not ready for what comes after.”

Drake clenched his teeth. “Then… switch with me.”

Silence.

Then, Sky said, “Are you sure? Once I take over, it’s my rules.”

Drake smirked despite the pain. “Do it.”

⟨Authorization Detected⟩  

[Switching Consciousness: Drake → Sky]  

[Time Limit: 3 Minutes]

Whooom—

A wave of black-red aura exploded around Drake as his body shifted.

The air grew heavy. His eyes turned sharp, posture straightened, and a faint smirk appeared.

Sky was now in control.

The moment the enhanced copy charged—

Sky moved.

Fast. Clean. Ruthless.

He dodged, ducked, countered — and in one precise motion, redirected the clone's punch and blasted it with a reverse flame-kick laced with compressed qi.

It shattered the illusion’s footing.

Even Riva’s eye flickered in surprise.

Sky didn’t stop.

“Let me show you the real difference between us,” he said coldly — voice deeper, calm, deadly.

He vanished and reappeared behind the copy, then struck a nerve point using only two fingers.

The clone froze.

Sky twisted, gathered qi into his palm, and whispered:

“Shadow Burn.”

Boom!

The clone exploded into embers — completely erased.

Riva staggered, her eye bleeding slightly. “What…?”

The system buzzed:

⟨Ding!⟩  

[Bloodline Illusion Defeated – Shadow Skill Tree Fully Unlocked]  

[Skill Gained: Shadow Burn | Shadow Glide | Mirror Fade]

Sky dusted off Drake’s robe. “She’s dangerous,” he muttered. “But not invincible.”

As the control timer ticked down…

⟨10… 9… 8…⟩

Sky gave Riva a long, unreadable look. “You wanted to see what he’s got…”

“…That was just a glimpse.”

Switch complete.  

Drake collapsed to one knee, panting—but victorious.

Riva stared, silent.

Then—she smiled.

“…Interesting.”

---

End of Chapter 5