The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 90: The Ink That Started It All

The white stone towers of Eboncrest Arcanist's Academy rose before Zen like the silhouette of memory itself. He stood at the front gate, cloak fluttering in the breeze, the echo of distant laughter and footsteps lost in the quiet. The academy, usually alive with the chatter of students and the hum of arcane practice, now slept in a brief holiday silence.

Zen inhaled deeply. The air smelled the same—of wind-swept leaves, old parchment, and a faint hint of magic residue. But it also felt different now. Or maybe... he was the one who had changed.

[System Nex: Welcome back to your favorite prison of education, user.]

Zen smirked. "Missed the sarcasm."

[System Nex: My sarcasm is perfectly calibrated. Unlike your emotional stability after reading that letter from Lyra.]

Zen's smirk twitched. Touché.

He stepped into the courtyard. The Lunar Dormitory loomed to his right, and the Celestia Bloom Hall stood quiet to his left. His steps echoed lightly against the stone tiles as he made his way back to his room—simple, familiar, and unchanged.

He sat on the edge of the bed, glancing down at the folded letter again. Lyra's handwriting danced with energy, humor, and an ache for someone who wouldn't say what he truly felt.

>"You absolute idiot. You're not writing to me? What, did you die or just forget I exist? If you did die and no one told me—I'll find a way to kill you again.Anyway, I heard some nobles are training in secret. Obviously, I couldn't let them get ahead, so I've picked up a few new tricks. You better be impressed. And—ugh—I miss you, okay? There, I said it. I miss you so much it's annoying."

—Lyra

His grip tightened slightly around the paper.

"I missed you too..." he whispered.

[System Nex: System advises emotional control. Emotional overload will not increase skill stats unless you want to unlock 'Tear Barrage: Level 1'.]

Zen rolled his eyes. "You're getting more annoying."

[System Nex: I adapt.]

Just then, the system window flickered open in front of his eyes—sleek, silver letters glowing in the air.

---

[System Update – Shadow Trial Preparation Unlocked]

Location: Training Chamber – Sublevel 3

Trial Type: Solo Simulation Battle

Difficulty: Scaling

Reward: Passive Skill, Hidden Class Insight, ???

Warning: Injury Risk Real. Proceed only if ready.

---

Zen stood. "Let's do it."

[System Nex: Finally. I was starting to think you were going soft.]

He made his way through the silent halls, down spiral staircases, through forgotten stone corridors only accessible to a few—and him.

The Training Chamber – Sublevel 3 was dark, quiet. It pulsed with arcane energy as if the walls themselves were waiting. A rune-lit circle activated as he stepped forward.

[System Nex: Entering Shadow Trial... syncing environment... loading opponent data... You may scream if needed, user.]

Zen cracked his knuckles. "Just make sure I don't die."

[System Nex: Can't promise. But I'll record it for your legacy.]

The chamber transformed instantly. Shadows coiled in, forming a dark forest—trees like spires, air thick and pulsing. From the blackness stepped a monstrous figure—a humanoid made of pure void energy, wielding twin blades carved from abyssal light.

[System Nex: Trial Initiated – Shadow Form Level 1.]

Zen narrowed his eyes and charged.

---

Combo – Skystep + Ice Bloom

He dashed upward, flipping midair with a burst of light beneath his feet. Ice petals exploded outward, freezing the terrain and distorting the shadow's footing. He landed behind the creature and swung—Sword Slash singing with clean force.

The enemy reeled but countered. A pulse of darkness slammed into Zen's side, throwing him across the clearing.

He wiped his lip. "Alright. Let's try something new."

[System Nex: User Suggestion: Froze Time.]

Zen focused. "Chronofreeze."

Time warped—within a 20-meter radius, everything stilled. Even the heartbeat of the air froze. Zen moved like a whisper behind the enemy.

Sword Art – Silent End

A low hum, then a crack of energy sliced through the creature. Time resumed. A scream echoed—and the shadow beast disintegrated into vapor.

---

[Trial Victory – First Stage Complete.]

Reward Gained: Passive Skill – Shade Memory (Minor stat adaptation against darkness)

Effect:

User body and spirit subconsciously remember the effects and movements of shadow or darkness-based attacks. Over time, his resistance increases and his movements adjust accordingly.

This skill activates automatically during battle.

Next Phase Begins in 10 minutes.

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---

Zen dropped to one knee, panting.

[System Nex: You're improving. Might even survive Lyra's next hug attack.]

He chuckled breathlessly.

This was only the beginning. He had come back stronger. But the academy battles were approaching—and so was something far more dangerous.

Zen stood again, eyes blazing softly.

"I'm not walking to the end... I'm running."