Shadow Merge

Unlike before though, the drake's face wasn't so scary.

Rather it was just a oversized lizard, not even that high in the dragon hierarchy.

Roseline opened her eyes and sat there for a moment.

'That was kinda anticlimactic.'

Yes was now able to face the drake and yet she had a question in her mind she couldn't help but ask after looking at them.

'Would I have the same reaction as I did before if I face them again in real life? Their not alive anymore though. I guess I won't be able to get that answer.'

Though she hadn't completely overcome her fear of the whole canyon and the bats, this was one step forward in the right direction and she was able to use Shadow merge to some extent now.

Roseline stood up and focused on the ability again.

This time, the memories of the canyon were still there but the memories with the drake didn't seem as overwhelming as before.

'I amable to do it…'

This trauma was like a circle drew around her in sand.

She could always step over it but her mind and body thought it was terrifying.

Fear of death will only push her out for a moment before she goes back into the circle.

Only by completely facing that trauma will she be able to fully pass it without going back.

The shadow behind her shook before rising like a tide and engulfing Roseline.

— -10 mana —

The shadow that cover her soon turned into something similar like armor.

It had that feeling of nobility that made one feel a bit on edge when facing her and looked like something that would come out of a gothic fantasy nobility story.

Two slits were made so that Roseline red eyes could look out.

As of now, she looked like a shadowy figure with red eyes.

Roseline quite liked the look of this.

'The shadow had covered me… can I use this under the sun?'

— Yes. This is one of the reason why Vampires with the shadow affinity were feared. They get strong under the sun unlike other Vampires. —

Roseline realized just how lucky is was to get the Shadow affinity.

'Hey System, is there thing else I need to know?'

— Shadow merge has a long cooldown, lasting for 2 days and it will continue to take 10 mana from you for every 30 minutes. —

'Figured, it was way too good.'

Roseline walked around with the shadow on and threw a few punches to the air.

Looking at the door, there was a tablet next to it

She pressed on the tablet for a while before a training robot appeared in the room.

'I should try fighting with this.'

The robot focused on Roseline and started to head towards her.

'System, can I use Shadow blink and Shadow merge together?'

— Yes. —

Hearing that response, Roseline blinked behind the robot and punched through it's body.

Her arm had gone through the robot's body and was stuck again.

'Shoot, this keeps happening.'

After some struggle, Roseline somehow took off the robot from around her arm and looked at its back facing the air.

'That's at least a 10 strength stat increase for just wearing this.'

Shadow blink, Shadow pocket, and Shadow merge had almost a perfect synergy with each other.

And the fact that there wear more abilities out there for the Shadow affinity made Roseline excited for them.

The only way to get more abilities was to level up.

The easiest way to level up consistently were through dungeons.

Dungeons were going to be the key to her strength.

But for now, Roseline was tired.

Canceling Shadow merge, Roseline saw on the System interface the timer for the cooldown.

Roseline left the room and building, walking around SilverStream.

It was the afternoon now, giving the place a different type of glow compared to morning and night.

It always seemed like a different city at different times.

The sunset's light bounced off the silver and gave the city an orange, almost golden glow.

Rush hour in SilverStream was happening right now, the sidewalks packed with people.

Roseline was in the middle of one of those packed sidewalks and was trying to get to the bus stop.

"Excuse me!"

Many people more aside for the person that was running across.

Light blue head of hair peaked out of the crowd and was running in the opposite direction of Roseline.

Roseline was looking down on her ID when she and the person bumped into each other.

The light blue hair hit her head on Roseline's chest and rubbed her head.

"Ah I'm sorry!"

Golden-yellow eyes looked up to Roseline before bowing and running away again.

That girl had a plum and curvy body that made her slower then other people, but as most people here were awakened, she still ran faster than the average unawakened.

Roseline looked back at her and thought for a few seconds before turning her back.

'I should just focus on heading back.'

*****

….

….

….

Lucas was out with some people he had met in Core Weapons class when someone ran to him.

"Ah Lucas… huaa.. I'm here."

"Mh? Iris, I thought you were doing great family things."

"Come on, your part of a great family too."

"A hidden great family." Lucas corrected.

Iris's eyes looked over to the group that Lucas was hanging out with and asked.

"Are you busy with something?"

Lucas looked back at the group and said. "No, not really. Just spending my time outside."

"In that case, can we train together?"

"You ran all the way here for that?"

"Yes." Iris nodded vigorously.

Looking at the golden eyed cutie, Lucas couldn't say no.

He great family was in partnership with her's after all.

He didn't question why Iris didn't ask her brother.

"Sure, just let me tell them."

Iris continued to nod as Lucas went back to the group to tell them.

They chatted for a bit before dispersing.

Lucas came back and walked with Iris.

"Oh yeah, by the way, the boy you were recently sparring with. What's his name?"

"Why, are you interested in him? Didn't know that was your type."

"What?!? No!"

"His name is Aiden. Why do you want to know?"

"Nothing much…."

Iris was in deep thought.