My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

The scent of blood and dirt was a stark contrast to the memory flashing through Leona’s mind as she fell unconscious…

In her head, the dorm kitchen remained pristine as always, kept immaculate by the academy’s maids. The scent of freshly prepared food filled the air, and by the stove stood a young boy in an academy uniform, his expression gloomy.

It was a recent memory—her and Damon sneaking around the war halls after hours, seeking a midnight snack. Well, the snack was for her, though she had made Damon cook an entire course meal. Some days, he was unusually hungry and ended up eating just as much as she did.

“Bestie, what are you making?” she had asked, leaning over the counter with a grin.

Damon turned his head, his face shadowed with irritation.

“I get paid to cook for you, Leona. Call me ‘bestie’ again, and I’ll make your food salty.”

She pouted, puffing her cheeks.

“You’re so gloomy and negative. No wonder I’m your only friend.”

Damon sneered.

“I don’t have friends. We aren’t friends either.”

Leona bit her lip before her playful smile returned.

“I’ll give you ten thousand zeni to say I’m your bestie.”

Damon’s frown faded, and a sly smirk played on his lips.

“You’re the best, Bestie.”

Leona shook her head, the memory of softer days pulling her deeper into unconsciousness. In her mind, she whispered a small apology…

‘I’m sorry… I couldn’t kill it, Damon…’

Evangeline’s eyes gazed at the battlefield where Leona had unleashed her devastating lightning attack. The war troll stood in the center, its skin now charred and blackened in patches, its breath labored.

Matlock gritted his teeth. “It survived Leona’s attack…”

Xander lowered his barrier and rushed to Leona’s side, kneeling as he checked her condition. His eyes widened in shock.

“S-She… she reached her first class advancement…”

The revelation stunned the others. It was a great achievement—under normal circumstances, they would have celebrated. But right now, it was meaningless. Leona was unconscious, completely drained, unable to fight.

Xander’s gaze shifted back to the war troll, which was now glaring at them with a dark, murderous expression. The sheer pressure of its presence made it feel even more terrifying than before.

“We can’t beat that thing as we are… we’ll just die…”

Sylvia stepped forward, tossing her bow aside. Her hands reached for her waist, drawing the twin short blades strapped there. Her grip tightened, her knuckles turning white.

“Fine by me… advance or die.”

That’s what Damon would have said if he were here. She wondered if he was still alive.

Leona had shown them the way. She had brought this war troll to its knees with her attack.

“Let’s see how many more attacks it can heal from.”

Evangeline’s eyes widened as she looked at Sylvia. Her friend was usually reserved, but she had changed after meeting Damon. In fact, all of them had. That arrogant, stubborn, blunt person had forced them to see themselves for what they truly were.

“Then what am I… w-who am I…?”

She gripped her sword tightly. Something inside her told her that this battle would give her the answers she needed.

Sylvia already knew what she wanted—it was plain to see. She would go for it, no hesitation. Leona was pure of heart, always doing as she pleased. Xander was steadfast and unshakable, a wall against any storm.

Evangeline’s gaze shifted to Matlock. She didn’t know much about the fairy, even though they were classmates. But even he had changed. The fear that once lingered in his eyes was gone, replaced by pure will. He moved through the sky like a snowflake, dancing between life and death.

But what about her?

‘What about me…?’

The battlefield thundered as Sylvia roared, her twin blades flashing in the dim light. She lunged at the war troll, her body a silver streak in the night. The impact sent her flying, her body slamming into the dirt. Injured but unbroken, she dragged herself to her feet.

Xander stood firm, using his body as a shield, taking blow after crushing blow. Matlock soared above, weaving through the air, drawing the troll’s attention away from the unconscious Leona.

The battle raged on.

Evangeline saw an opening and lunged, aiming for the troll’s head. But she wasn’t fast enough. A stray attack slammed into her, sending her hurtling through the air. Blood splattered as she crashed onto the battlefield, gasping for breath.

What about her? What did she want? She had believed in justice her whole life. But Damon…

Damon Grey…

She pushed herself up, raising her sword, roaring as she charged forward.

The war troll caught Xander mid-motion and smashed him into the ground. His body should have been shattered beyond repair, but he stood up, bloodied and battered, his spear still in hand.

Evangeline struck at its arm, slicing through flesh. The troll howled. It raised its massive fist to crush her, but Matlock’s ice surged up, freezing its joints in place.

In that moment, Evangeline understood. Damon… he was someone who did as he pleased, a man driven by a broken will that saw only darkness. He had called her justice weak, a product of blind elitism.

Evangeline unleashed a wave of light magic, illuminating the battlefield. The troll’s blood painted the earth.

“What were the exact words he used…?”

She shook her head. Here she was, fighting for her life, yet all she could think about was one of her countless arguments with Damon.

“Who have you ever helped? You speak of justice, but only the weak cling to that idea. The strong create justice and force it onto the weak.”

It was just another one of his cynical beliefs.

“You are like justice, Evangeline. Blinded by your radiance. Justice is blind and powerful—that’s why it only punishes the weak while the strong escape it. You are like justice… blinded by your radiance.”

Her breath caught. Her body froze.

The war troll swung.

Xander’s eyes widened. “Evangeline, watch out—!”

He lunged, tackling her out of the way, shielding her behind a boulder.

Evangeline’s expression was distant.

“You’ve lived in the lap of luxury. Who have you ever helped?”

She muttered under her breath. Not his exact words… but the meaning was there. The doubt. The truth she had ignored.

“If I am wrong, then what is justice…?”

She shook her head.

“I was wrong… I have been wrong… I want justice, but what is justice?”

The battlefield blurred. The world shifted.

Then—

A voice. Ancient. Warm. Inviting, yet distant.

[You are blinded by your radiance… lost in the dark despite your blinding light…. Seek the light of true justice…amid your false radiance.]

[You have awakened the Unique Class: Dawn Seeker.]

[Class: Dawn Seeker]

“Your light is blinding, leaving you in the dark. Despite your radiance, it blinds you to the truth.”

[Skill – Purge]

“Absorbs the impurities your light has denied and cleanses this world with your rotting flesh.”

Evangeline felt it—her body shifting, evolving. Her strength surged. Her mana sharpened, growing dense and overwhelming. Clarity washed over her like dawn breaking through the night.

A blinding glow erupted from her.

Slowly, she stood.

Light surged through her veins, illuminating her entire being.

She turned toward the war troll, eyes burning with newfound understanding.

Then, with a burst of radiance, she charged.