Ascension: Rebirth in a World of Powers-Chapter 29 - : Aftermath and Uncertainty

Eren stood amidst the wreckage of the courtyard, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths as the last embers of his fire flickered out. The acrid scent of scorched stone and burnt grass filled the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. Around him, the aftermath of the battle was clear—students groaning as they picked themselves up, shattered stone scattered across the ground, and scorch marks seared into the academy's once-pristine pathways. The fight had ended, but the consequences had only begun.

Kaelena knelt beside Elara, pressing a cloth against the girl's bruised arm, her face tight with concern. Kain stood nearby, keeping a wary eye on their surroundings, his muscles still tense, as if expecting another ambush at any moment.

Eren barely registered them. His eyes were locked on the faint glow emanating from the Shard in his palm. It pulsed with a slow, steady rhythm, its energy thrumming beneath his fingertips. He had wielded power beyond his limits tonight, but it hadn't been entirely his own. The Shard had responded to him, but why? What was its purpose? Why had it chosen him?

His grip tightened around the artifact. He had expected answers after this fight, but he was no closer to understanding its true nature. If anything, he had even more questions.

"We need to leave," Kaelena said, snapping him out of his daze. "It won't be long before the enforcers arrive. If they find us here, we'll have more to worry about than Darius."

Eren exhaled sharply, pushing his thoughts aside. She was right. This wasn't the time to stand around contemplating the unknown. The fight might be over, but their problems were far from solved.

Together, they slipped into the shadows, moving quickly through the academy's hidden pathways. The distant sound of approaching footsteps sent a spike of adrenaline through Eren's veins. They couldn't afford to get caught.

The abandoned gymnasium had become their refuge over the past few weeks, and tonight, it was the only safe place they had left.

The air inside was thick with tension. Elara winced as she adjusted her injured arm, shooting a glare at Kain as he paced the length of the room. "That was reckless," she muttered. "Darius won't let this go."

"No," Kaelena agreed, her voice grim. "If anything, we just made things worse."

Kain scoffed. "Let him come. We showed him we're not weak."

Eren shook his head. "This isn't about strength. It's about control. Darius won't stop until he gets what he wants."

"And that's the Shard," Kaelena finished, her eyes flicking to the faintly glowing artifact in Eren's grip.

A heavy silence settled over them. They all knew it was true.

"So, what do we do now?" Elara asked. "We can't just keep running."

Eren stared at the Shard. It held incredible power, but it was also a dangerous burden. Every time he used it, he felt its energy drawing him in deeper, pulling at something within him. And he still had no idea why it had chosen him.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

"We prepare," he said finally. "Darius isn't our only problem anymore. After what happened tonight, the academy will be watching us too."

Kaelena nodded. "The headmaster is going to demand an explanation. If we don't control the narrative, we'll take the blame for everything."

Kain frowned. "So, what do we tell them?"

Eren met his gaze. "The truth—but not all of it."

If the academy learned the full extent of the Shard's power, they might decide that no one should have it. And if they confiscated it, there was no telling what they would do with it—or who might try to steal it next.

Elara sighed, rubbing her temple. "Then we need to be smart about this. The wrong move could get us expelled... or worse."

A sudden knock on the door made them all freeze.

Eren's pulse quickened. His fingers curled instinctively around the Shard as a familiar voice called from the other side.

"Eren. We need to talk."

It was Headmaster Aldric.

Eren exchanged glances with the others. This was it. Whatever happened next, there was no turning back.