My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 8 The Legend

Throughout the nine continents of Aetherus, spanning from the demon-occupied central lands to the eight territories ruled by the goddess races, the name Seras Blade was known by almost everyone. To the demons, she was a terrifying foe; to the goddess races, she was a legendary protector.

Hailing from the war-torn continent of Soltheon, Seras Blade was a child prodigy born to a mid-tier noble house. Her journey began early: she was mastering the sword by age three and had already bested an awakened first-class warrior by age five. At the tender age of six, she awakened her own unique class, a rare power that set her apart from the common masses.

That was only the start of her rise. She achieved her second class advancement by age ten. By eleven, her reputation as a genius was solidified after she slaughtered countless monsters.

When she entered the academy at fourteen, she immediately rose to the rank of top student, her brilliance captivating the world. She reached her fourth class advancement at fifteen, and by the time she graduated, her strength surpassed that of most faculty members.

People whispered that she was a warrior of limitless power, personally blessed by the Goddess of Doom.

However, her saga continued well past her schooling. Following her unprecedented graduation, she enlisted in the conflict against the demon continent, Centros. At that time, the demons were winning a war that had lasted for centuries. The goddess races were being pushed back—until Seras turned the tide. Her heroic acts on the front lines became the stuff of legends as she reached her fifth class advancement. It was her overwhelming power that eventually forced the demon continent to sign a peace treaty.

Even Damon, who had lived a life far removed from such glory, was well aware of Seras Blade. She was a living myth—and somehow, his path to the academy had been paved by her golden ticket.

"My goddess… Seras Blade," Damon murmured, his eyes wide with shock as his previous irritation vanished.

Kael’s icy expression remained unchanged.

"Correct. Seras Blade was the original possessor of that golden ticket. Quite how it ended up in your possession… that is a mystery to me."

Kael let out a sigh, looking at Damon with a gaze full of thinly veiled disgust.

"Apparently, she bestowed it upon a young couple with the surname Grey."

He curled his lip in a sneer.

"And somehow, that pair produced a disappointment like you. It is sickening to think that the prestigious name of Seras Blade is linked to someone of your low status. Your very presence is a stain on her legacy."

Damon bowed his head, his hands shaking uncontrollably. The weight of Kael’s contempt felt like a physical force, drowning him in a wave of suffocating shame.

Reaching into his pocket, Kael pulled out a silver brooch stamped with the academy’s emblem. It was engraved with the bold letters of the "probation" rune. Kael slid a document across the desk toward Damon, his eyes dripping with disdain.

"I am offering you a way out," he declared.

"Complete this form and withdraw from the academy of your own volition."

As the paper moved toward him, Damon’s heart plummeted and the color drained from his face. He bit down on his lip so hard that he could taste the metallic tang of blood.

Kael watched the display, completely moved by the boy's suffering.

"Sign the document and depart with some dignity. It is far better than being expelled and kicked out like trash. If you possess even a shred of admiration for Seras Blade, you will do this for the sake of her reputation. Your incompetence reflects poorly on her name as well."

Damon gripped the paper, his fingers hovering near the pen on the desk. He paused as a memory struck him—his sister, Luna, her pale hair spread across the pillow as she fought for every breath, her body racked with agonizing pain.

"Luna…" he breathed, his feelings transforming into a turbulent storm of fury and desperation.

How could he even think about quitting? Fame and honor weren't why he had come to this academy. He was here to earn the funds required to save his sister's life.

If Kael Blackthorn wanted him gone, he would leave—but only if Kael paid for Luna's medical treatments. Since that wasn't going to happen, Damon owed the man nothing.

'Seras Blade, is it?' he thought with bitter resentment.

'Yeah, fine… she can go to hell for all I care.'

Clutching the pen, he stared at the paper with a cold, defiant glare.

Kael’s patience was reaching its limit.

"Well, hurry up. I don't have all day to waste on you."

"No," Damon said softly. His voice was flat and hollow, his eyes looking like those of a dead man.

Kael’s face twisted into a scowl.

"What did you just say to me?"

"I said no. I am not signing anything."

Kael’s gaze turned freezing.

"Do it. Right now."

Damon didn't waver.

"I said no."

Though his stomach was tied in knots, he maintained a composed front, even as a fire of rage burned beneath his skin.

Kael exhaled sharply, his composure finally breaking.

"So be it."

He flicked the brooch toward Damon, who caught it out of instinct. The silver piece bore the academy crest and the unmistakable rune for "probation."

"Since you refuse to leave with grace, the academy will remove you by force." Kael’s voice dripped with sadistic pleasure.

"Congratulations, Damon Grey. You are now officially a student on probation. When you inevitably fail the mid-semester exams, I will be the one to personally throw you out."

Damon’s hand trembled, his nails digging into the metal of the brooch as Kael continued his tirade.

"I have seen your worth—you are a failure and nothing more. You will never achieve anything."

Damon’s shadow began to flicker wildly as his anger peaked, his voice turning sharp and icy.

"You’re quite the educator, Professor."

Kael began to frown, but Damon didn't stop. His voice remained firm, powered by years of suppressed hardship.

"You call me a failure. Fine, you're right. I've failed more times than I can count, and I've given up on things before. But I'm still standing right here. Call me a failure all you want, but you don't get to say I won't amount to anything. You don't have the right to decide my limits." His eyes flashed with pure defiance.

"You have no clue what I’ve endured just to get through those doors. If I’m going down, I’m going down fighting with everything I’ve got."

Damon’s voice grew louder, his rage overflowing.

"Yes, I am a failure, but that failure is the very forge that made me!"

He stood up, locking eyes with Kael.

"I’m not getting kicked out. I will pass that mid-semester evaluation. And when I do, I’m going to look you in the face and say—"

He leaned in close, his voice a fierce, low snarl, "Screw you."

Kael’s expression remained frozen and heartless.

"With your miserable credit count, simply passing won't save you. You would need to rank in the top ten to remain, and we both know that's impossible. Your words are nothing but the barking of a stray dog."

With a careless wave of his hand, Kael threw an envelope toward him.

"Now, get out of my sight."

Damon snatched the envelope, his dark eyes shimmering with a cold fury. He squeezed the brooch in his fist and turned, leaving the office without uttering another word.