Chapter 12: Summoning Shadows

The group returned to the academy, the events of the dungeon raid still fresh in everyone’s minds. Yuna and the others kept a professional distance, though their eyes lingered on Jinyoung from time to time. He could tell that the battle had left an impression—but for now, no one pressed him further.

As the night deepened, Jinyoung found himself alone in his dorm room. The quiet of the academy grounds settled around him, but his mind was far from calm. He could feel the weight of the system’s new skills pressing against his subconscious, begging to be tested.

With a flick of his hand, he activated Dawn of the Summoner. The room’s temperature dropped, and the shadows around him seemed to stretch unnaturally as a dark vortex appeared before him.

Out of the void stepped a shadow beast, its form ethereal and shifting, a creature summoned from the depths of his mana pool. It wasn’t large, standing barely taller than Jinyoung’s shoulder, but its presence was unnerving. Its yellow eyes glowed faintly, and it let out a low growl, acknowledging Jinyoung as its master.

He knelt before it, studying the beast’s form. “This… is real,” he whispered to himself.

The power of Dawn of the Summoner was more than just a skill. He could feel the bond between him and the creature, a connection that pulsed through his mana. He would need to train this ability—learn its limits, understand the creatures he could summon, and how long they could last in battle.

The system hadn’t made him invincible—it had given him the tools to grow stronger. But there was no denying that each ability came with its own set of challenges.

“Tomorrow,” Jinyoung said, dismissing the shadow beast into the void once more. “Tomorrow, I start training.”

Chapter 13: Mana Training and Control

The next day, Jinyoung made his way to the academy’s training grounds, which were divided into open fields and enclosed arenas. Students trained in groups, practicing their mana techniques, sparring with each other, and honing their skills. The constant hum of energy filled the air, and the thuds of weapons clashing reverberated through the area.

As Jinyoung prepared to focus on his new abilities, the sight of Seo Yuna caught his attention. She stood in the middle of a sparring circle, her figure poised and graceful. Her ice magic formed delicate barriers around her, like jagged crystals protruding from the earth. She had attracted an audience—students gathered to watch her finesse in controlling mana.

Jinyoung observed quietly from the sidelines. He hadn’t interacted much with her since the dungeon raid, but he knew she was watching him. In his previous life, Yuna had been a formidable figure, renowned not only for her control over ice magic, but also for her strong sense of justice. But as powerful as she had become, her ambitions were always overshadowed by her father’s towering reputation and her sister Minah’s rising fame.

Her cold demeanor and apparent indifference to those around her had been a defensive wall in his previous life. He knew she had felt the burden of living in the shadow of her family, and that pressure had driven her to strive for perfection.

But now, seeing her here—less hardened by time—Jinyoung felt a pang of empathy. He wanted to help her avoid the mistakes of the future, to protect her from the betrayals that had broken her in the past.

However, today was not the day to intervene. He had his own task.

In a secluded corner of the training ground, Jinyoung began experimenting with his Space Manipulation. He focused on creating the dimensional pocket, visualizing it as a blank, ethereal room that only he could access. A small spark of energy flickered before him, expanding into a glowing portal.

He reached inside, testing its limits. The dimension felt infinite, but there was a faint resistance to how much he could control. He would need to test it further in battle—experiment with storing weapons, summoning creatures, and keeping them hidden from others.

But something nagged at him. There was a dark undertone to his powers, an undercurrent that felt like it could spiral out of control if he wasn’t careful.

Chapter 14: The Dean’s Office

That evening, Jinyoung was summoned to the dean’s office. The walls of the room were lined with ancient tomes and relics of forgotten eras, magical artifacts from different dungeons hung in glass cases. The dean, a wizened man with sharp, calculating eyes, sat behind his massive oak desk. His gaze fixed on Jinyoung as he entered.

"Jinyoung," the dean said, his voice smooth but with an edge of curiosity, "your performance in the dungeon has drawn some attention."

Jinyoung inclined his head slightly, staying cautious. “I just did what I could, sir.”

The dean’s fingers drummed lightly on the desk. “You’ve shown remarkable talent in both combat and magic. And yet, you remain… an enigma. Tell me, what are your plans here at the academy?”

Jinyoung met the dean’s gaze steadily, careful not to reveal too much. “I want to become stronger, like everyone else. To survive, to protect… and to fight.”

The dean’s lips curled slightly, a knowing smile. “Ambition is admirable, but power without control leads to ruin. I see potential in you—great potential. But be mindful of how you use it. There are forces beyond the academy that would seek to exploit someone like you.”

Jinyoung nodded, but internally he couldn’t help but think about the future—the betrayals, the corruption that would infiltrate the guilds and destroy everything from within. He knew that more than just monsters lurked in the dungeons. People were the real threat.

“Tomorrow, we will send groups to a different dungeon,” the dean said, his tone growing more serious. “It will be a solo mission—each student must rely on their abilities alone. We’ll assess your progress further then.”

A solo dungeon raid. This would be Jinyoung’s next test, and he had a feeling that the stakes were going to rise much higher than anyone anticipated.