Magister Insanity

Kael was a simple individual. His days revolved around combat training and spending time with a few friends. Naturally, he never neglected his sword training.

After all, it wasn't every day that a Master from an Imperial Clan would take an interest in someone like him.

To be precise, that person wasn't interested in him, but his Ability.

"Doppelgänger."

A Legacy that allowed him to create a perfect clone of himself. Not only did the copy possess all his strengths and the ability to think independently, but it also mirrored the fighting prowess of its Creator.

For example, if the Creator was a Blasphemer of the Enlightened rank, the clone would wield comparable combat skills, though it would never surpass the Creator. From his own experience, it seemed the clone possessed only half of the user's strength.

Still, that wasn't much of a disadvantage. Most people would jump at the chance to have an ability that could even slightly increase their fighting prowess. Though the rank of the Ability itself was merely "Waking," Kael considered himself fortunate to have received it from the mysterious Murmur.

But that didn't mean the Legacy Ability was without its shortcomings, particularly his "curse."

Whenever he thought about it, Kael felt an inexplicable irritation, as if someone had somehow cheated him. So, he chose to push it to the back of his mind.

Regardless, Xyler had entered his room to hang out, as usual. However, something about the atmosphere felt incomplete. It was as though something was missing.

And, in a sense, it was. The "something" was a "someone."

The layout of the male dormitory rooms were modest but functional. He was sitting on a single bed with neatly folded blankets positioned against one wall, a sturdy desk occupied another, and a full-length mirror reflected the soft glow of the overhead lanterns.

Sitting on a chair, Xyler leaned lazily against the desk and ran a hand through his tousled hair. He wore the proper attire to attend the Imperium academy, though he had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and untied the top button, giving him a more relaxed, almost roguish appearance.

Handsome, with eyes that radiated a playful humor, they nonetheless carried a hidden calculating coldness lurking deep beneath them.

They called it "murder math."

Simply put, it was a mindset created through years of training and experience: no matter the situation or the mood, a trained fighter always maintained a detached, rational part of their mind, quietly calculating the most efficient way to kill the person in front of them, just in case that knowledge ever became necessary.

The locals, however, simply referred to such people as "natural born killers."

As expected from an Imperial. He has an amazing presence.

Tilting his head, Xyler remarked casually,

"Hey, you're spacing out again. Thinking about some girl or something?"

Startled, Kael blinked rapidly, his cheeks flushing red as he shouted,

"I'm not thinking about girls, you idiot!"

A flicker of amusement crossed Xyler's eyes, and he leaned back with a teasing smirk.

"Oh? Really? I didn't think you were that type of player. Are you trying to score a point or two, looking at me like that? Just so you know, I'm into girls, so I'll have to respectfully decline."

Kael's face burned even hotter, and he instinctively shoved a pillow toward Xyler.

"Shut up! How absurd! You dare insult me honor like this! I challenge you to respectful battle!"

Dodging the flying pillow, Xyler laughed triumphantly.

"Haha! Relax, I'm just messing with you. You're way too stiff sometimes. Gotta loosen up a little, okay?"

Kael hissed bitterly.

"Loosen up you say? So what, am I supposed to call you big brother as well?"

Xyler scowled.

"Gross! Why would you even say something like that?! You won't even make a cute junior. At least, call me Senior just this once."

"F*ck you."

"Now aren't you the excited one, huh?"

"What the hell? Why do you have make everything so weird? Now I'm starting to think that you're the one who is really into men!"

For a few moments, the room was filled with the usual back-and-forth teasing. However, the inevitable couldn't be avoided. Before long, the tension crept back into the air, heavier this time.

Kael lowered his head.

Sensing the shift in his demeanor, Xyler shot him a knowing look.

"You're still thinking about him, aren't you?"

"How could I not?" Kael muttered. "It's been days since Zephyr went missing, and he isn't answering his communicator. Of course I'd be worried."

His voice cracked faintly at the end, and after a pause, he glanced at the older boy with hesitant eyes.

"Do you… do you think something really happened to him?"

Xyler didn't answer immediately. His expression hardened, and silence pressed down between them. It was clear he was turning something over in his mind, weighing thoughts he wasn't ready to share.

At last, he let out a breath, scratching the back of his head as his voice carried an edge of irritation.

"Oh, please. How could something have happened to him? We're talking about an Imperial here, not some alleyway stray. Most likely, he just went back to his clan for whatever business they needed him for."

Kael frowned.

"If that's the case, then why isn't he answering his communicator? Even if he was busy, he would've replied at least once, right?"

Xyler gave a careless shrug.

"How the hell should I know? Maybe he's off with some woman and completely forgot about us. Given his recent visits to that place, I wouldn't be surprised."

Knowing exactly what Xyler was implying, Kael shot him a look of disgust.

"Ugh. Why is sex the only thing you ever think about?"

Xyler smirked mischievously.

"Because, unlike some people, I've actually managed to score."

"You…!"

"Oh, what's this? Jealous, are we? I can spot a jealous man from a mile away."

"Damn you!"

Before Kael could hurl another pillow, Xyler abruptly stood and strolled toward the door.

"Would you look at that? It's getting late. Time for me to take my leave."

Kael huffed, glaring at Xyler's retreating back.

"Running away, huh? Come back here and face me!"

Glancing over his shoulder, Xyler gave him a long, exasperated look.

"And why would I do that at this ungodly hour? You're far too energetic, don't you think?"

"How wouldn't I be? You're the one who got me all fired up in the first place!"

"Please, don't say things that could cause misunderstandings."

"Goddamn it! You're the one misunderstanding the situation! And stop looking at me like that!"

Xyler kept giving him that strange look, which only made Kael grow more flustered. Finally, he sighed.

"Just try to get some sleep. Worrying about Zephyr won't change anything. Don't give him more attention than needed."

Kael nodded reluctantly.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it… big brother."

Xyler visibly cringed, his face twisting in disgust.

"Don't you ever call me that again."

This time, Kael's lips curled into a triumphant grin.

"What's wrong? Can't handle it? You're the one who told me to call you that at least once!"

"I said Senior, not big brother! You degenerate! What are you all of a sudden? A little sister?!"

"Hehe! Now who's the one getting heated, huh?!"

"Just go to sleep already."

Feeling as though he'd aged forty years in a single conversation, Xyler pushed open the door. He was about to step out when he suddenly paused. Glancing back, he murmured,

"Also, make sure to lock your window."

Kael tilted his head.

"Huh? Why would I do that? Won't my room just get hot?"

And he wasn't wrong.

The fortress was enveloped by the "grey fog," which served as a defensive mechanism that warded off monsters. Even Eldritch Creatures of the Fallen rank or higher couldn't easily cross it. There was absolutely nothing to fear.

Even so, Xyler hesitated.

His mouth opened, then closed again as though he were wrestling with something better left unsaid. In the end, he simply sighed.

"Forget it."

With that, the Imperial stepped out, closing the door behind him.

As the door clicked shut behind Xyler, Kael felt the atmosphere in the room shift, as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees. Of course, that was just his imagination, loneliness creeping in the moment the other left.

That weirdo. Why tell me to close my window? Was he afraid someone might sneak in?

Who would be stupid enough to try something like that inside the academy?

He shook his head. Xyler was simply being paranoid.

With a weary scratch at his hair, Kael rose, snuffed out the lanterns, and collapsed onto his bed.

Within moments, his consciousness began to drift. His vision blurred, his eyelids grew heavy, and soon they closed completely.

Sleep claimed him.

But in his drowsiness, he had forgotten to lock the window.

That single mistake marked the beginning of his descent into hell.

As he slept on, oblivious, a shadow slipped silently through the open window.