ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 196: LIGHT AND DARKNESS

As General Cao approached the secluded area where Sofia was expected to be training, an odd sensation washed over him. The air felt unusually light, almost as if it had been purified. Each breath he took seemed to cleanse his lungs, leaving a strange yet invigorating clarity in his mind and body.

He paused, his sharp senses picking up on something unfamiliar. Faint particles of pure white light floated gently in the air around him, like tiny fireflies glowing with a serene brilliance. They hovered and swirled, seemingly drawn to an unseen force deeper within the grove.

"This…" Cao muttered, his brows furrowing in curiosity and unease. "What kind of magic is this?"

The specks of light grew more concentrated as he moved forward, their glow illuminating the faint outlines of the trees and the ground. Even the grass underfoot appeared more vibrant, almost shimmering with vitality.

It wasn’t long before he reached the heart of the area. What he saw made him stop in his tracks.

In the middle of a clearing, Sofia sat cross-legged, surrounded by a halo of radiant light. Her eyes were closed, and her expression was calm, almost otherworldly. The white glowing specks appeared to be emanating from her, converging and spreading outward in an endless rhythm.

Her presence exuded an aura of purity and warmth, yet it was tinged with an overwhelming power that made even someone as seasoned as General Cao feel insignificant for a fleeting moment.

"This isn’t just any ordinary training," Cao thought, his gaze fixed on her. "This is…"

Before he could finish his thought, the glowing specks intensified, forming a swirling vortex of light around Sofia. The sheer energy radiating from her sent a ripple through the surroundings, causing the nearby trees to sway despite the stillness of the air.

"What kind of magic is this girl wielding?" he murmured, awestruck, as the particles of light began to pulse in a rhythm that seemed to echo a heartbeat—a pulse that resonated deep within him.

He remained rooted to the spot, captivated and uncertain whether to approach or leave her to whatever mysterious power she was awakening.

After a few minutes went by, General Cao’s gaze still lingered on Sofia as her meditation slowly came to a halt. The swirling particles of white light dimmed, settling around her like a faint, glowing mist. Her breathing was steady, and the aura of calm she exuded seemed to blend seamlessly with the serene environment.

Without turning her head, Sofia opened her eyes, her pupils reflecting the soft glow of the specks still floating around. "General Cao," she greeted in a quiet yet confident tone, her voice carrying an air of maturity beyond her years.

Cao, though impressed inwardly, maintained his composed demeanor. "Sofia," he replied, stepping closer. "I hope I didn’t disturb your focus."

"You didn’t," she said simply, her gaze fixed in the direction she was facing, as if still connected to something beyond the physical realm.

He took a moment to study her. Her posture was flawless, and the lingering aura of purity seemed even more pronounced up close. It was rare to see someone so young carrying such a serene and refined presence, let alone someone capable of manifesting such unique magic.

"How is your training progressing?" Cao asked, keeping his tone neutral but genuinely curious.

Sofia hesitated for a moment, her serene expression flickering with a hint of frustration. "I’ve reached a bottleneck," she admitted. "The energy feels within reach, but I can’t seem to fully grasp it. It’s as though something is holding me back."

Cao nodded thoughtfully, understanding the struggles of crossing into higher levels of power. "It’s natural to face barriers when you stand on the threshold of something greater. Often, it’s not about forcing your way through but finding clarity in what lies ahead. The path reveals itself to those who have patience and conviction."

Sofia turned her head slightly, finally meeting his gaze. Her expression softened, and a small smile appeared. "Thank you, General. I’ll keep that in mind."

"Good," Cao said with a faint smile of his own, his tone lightening. "You have the talent and the discipline. With time, you’ll overcome this challenge and ascend to the next level. Just don’t lose sight of what drives you."

Sofia nodded, her confidence seemingly renewed. As the last traces of glowing particles around her faded into the air, the serene atmosphere returned to the grove.

Cao glanced around the area one last time, still in awe of the purity of the energy Sofia had harnessed. "You have a unique gift," he added. "Cultivate it well. It may prove invaluable in the days ahead."

With those parting words, General Cao turned and began to leave, his strides steady but his mind lingering on the remarkable potential he had just witnessed.

But before General could leave that place, Sofia suddenly called out to him."General," she began hesitantly, "there’s something I need to tell you."

Cao raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Sofia hesitated, as though unsure how to put her thoughts into words. "For some time now, I’ve been sensing a... presence," she said slowly. "It feels like magic, but it’s unlike anything I’ve encountered before. It’s oppressive, suffocating... the polar opposite of my own magic."

Cao’s expression darkened slightly as he processed her words. "You’re certain?"

Sofia nodded. "Yes. It’s faint, but it lingers. Every time I reach a deeper state of meditation, I can feel it more clearly. It’s coming from somewhere not too far from here."

The general’s gaze followed the direction Sofia indicated, his sharp senses probing the area. Yet, despite his vast experience and power, he couldn’t feel anything unusual.

"I can’t sense it," he admitted, his voice calm but thoughtful.

"That’s what makes it more troubling," Sofia replied. "It’s elusive, but persistent. I didn’t want to bring it up until I was certain it wasn’t just a distraction."

Cao nodded, his respect for Sofia growing. Her ability to detect something he couldn’t meant her connection to her magic was extraordinary.

"I’ll check it out," he said firmly. "Stay here and continue your training. If there’s anything unusual, I’ll handle it."

Sofia inclined her head. "Thank you, General. Please be careful."

Without another word, General Cao leaped into the air, his figure disappearing into the night sky. Sofia watched him go, her heart heavy with unease. She closed her eyes, silently praying that whatever he found wouldn’t disrupt the fragile balance of their world.

After a few minutes of flying across the lush greenery, General Cao paused mid-flight, his sharp eyes scanning the barren open space below him. The stark contrast between the lush greenery he had just passed through and the desolation of this area immediately struck him as unnatural. The air here felt heavy, laden with an oppressive force that made his breathing shallow.

"She wasn’t wrong," he muttered to himself, recalling Sofia’s words. The sensation of a magic polar opposite to hers was unmistakable.

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As he descended cautiously, the weight on his body increased, as though the very air was rejecting his presence. It wasn’t just the oppressive aura—something more sinister seemed to linger in the atmosphere, making every movement feel labored.

With each step closer to the clearing, the world seemed to dim. The faint sound of the wind became muted, replaced by an eerie silence. It felt like he was entering a void devoid of life and hope.

Then he saw her.

A lone figure stood in the middle of the clearing, her presence amplifying the unsettling atmosphere. The girl had an otherworldly appearance, her pale skin stark against her jet-black hair. Her uniform, belonging unmistakably to the Dawning of Magic Academy, was tailored with a gothic flair, adorned with dark, intricate patterns that added to her ominous presence.

She didn’t look up, her head tilted slightly down as though she were lost in thought—or perhaps in control of whatever darkness had consumed the space around her. In her hands, she held an ornate black staff, its tip pulsating faintly with a malevolent light.

As General Cao stepped closer, his instincts screamed at him to retreat. The purity of Sofia’s magic still lingered faintly in his senses, but it was overwhelmed by the suffocating corruption that seemed to radiate from this girl.

"Who are you?" he called out, his voice firm but not aggressive. He kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to react if needed.

The girl didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she slowly raised her head, revealing hauntingly dark eyes that seemed to swirl with faint traces of crimson. Her lips curled into a slight, enigmatic smile, one that sent a shiver down Cao’s spine.

"You don’t belong here," she said softly, her voice carrying an unsettling resonance. "This is my sanctuary."

"Sanctuary?" Cao repeated, his sharp gaze narrowing. "This place reeks of decay and despair. What kind of magic are you cultivating?"

The girl chuckled faintly, the sound hollow and cold. "The kind that balances the world. Where there is light, there must be shadow. Do you not see the beauty in it?"

General Cao frowned. The aura she exuded was unlike anything he’d encountered before, a perversion of natural magic that defied his understanding. "You’re toying with forces that could corrupt your very soul," he said sternly. "This path leads to nothing but ruin."

The girl’s smile faded, her expression darkening. "You speak of ruin as though it is not already here," she said cryptically. "Leave, General Cao. You do not want to see what lies at the heart of my magic."

The mention of his name startled him. How did she know who he was? He was about to press further when the oppressive force in the air intensified, pushing him back involuntarily.

Taking this as a warning, General Cao chose not to provoke her further for now. "This isn’t over," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "I’ll be watching you."

The girl didn’t respond. She simply turned away, the dark energy around her pulsating as if alive.

As General Cao retreated from the clearing, the oppressive weight lifted slightly, but the unease lingered in his heart. He made a mental note to inform Vice Chancellor Reeves and keep a closer eye on the students of the Dawning of Magic Academy. Something sinister was brewing, and he wasn’t about to let it go unchecked.