Shadow Being System

In a desolate forest, the sound of heavy panting broke the eerie silence. William stood amidst the dense trees, sweat dripping from his forehead and onto the forest floor. Weeks had passed since he began training his shadow ability, and while he had achieved remarkable control over the shadows—even moving them in multiple directions—there was a glaring issue. The shadows lacked tangibility. No matter how hard he tried, they remained incorporeal, useful only for illusions. He couldn't use them for attack or defense, a frustrating limitation.

Perhaps it was because his shadow essence is not enough to make it tangible or it just isn't in the nature of the shadows to become tangible.

Zarin had devised a solution. It involved combining all of William's abilities to create something powerful and practical. That was what they had been working on today. Taking a deep breath, William wiped the sweat from his brow and began. First, he summoned a shadow from the darkness around him, letting it swirl and coil like a serpent. Next, he called forth a crackling bolt of lightning, its energy pulsating in his hands. Finally, he used the wind ability he had copied from Zarin to stabilize the shadow-lightning combination, preventing it from dissipating.

The result was spectacular. The shadow spiraled, forming a sharp, deadly point, its dark core pulsating with electrical energy. William hurled it forward with all his might. The shadow-lightning projectile tore through the air, piercing one tree, then another, and two more beyond that before finally dissipating. The sound of splintering wood echoed through the forest.

"That was incredible," Zarin said, his voice tinged with approval. But then he frowned, noticing William swaying slightly. "You overdid it again, didn't you?"

William nodded, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Yeah… using all my abilities at once takes a toll. It's like my brain is running on overdrive." Enjoy exclusive content from empire

"You need to build more endurance," Zarin said firmly. "But for now, take a break."

William shook his head. "No. I need to go home. Mrs. Beth will wonder where I am." He grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. As he turned to leave, he glanced back at Zarin and smirked. "Happy New Year's Eve."

Zarin watched him go, a rare softness in his expression. Once William had disappeared into the trees, Zarin tilted his head toward the moon, its silvery light illuminating his face. "Where are you, Lee?" he murmured, a hint of melancholy in his voice.

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Far away, in an unknown location, a man sat cross-legged on a jagged stone in the heart of a volcano. Heat waves shimmered in the air, and molten lava bubbled and churned below. The man wore only black trousers, his sculpted muscles glistening faintly in the oppressive heat. His blonde hair gleamed like gold under the fiery glow. Despite the intense temperature, sweat barely touched his body. He opened his piercing blue eyes and sneezed suddenly, breaking his meditative stillness.

__________________________

In the grand palace of Spain, the halls were alight with celebration. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegant gathering, where nobles and dignitaries mingled with members of the royal family. Princess Eleanor stood near a towering window, watching as vibrant fireworks illuminated the night sky, their colors reflected in her shimmering gown.

Her father, The King, raised a toast, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "To a prosperous new year, and to the unity of our kingdom!" The crowd cheered, glasses clinking in unison.

Eleanor smiled faintly, her mind drifting to the world beyond the palace walls. Though she was surrounded by grandeur, her heart longed for something greater—something that the confines of royal life could not offer. She glanced at her elder sister, who was laughing with their cousins, and then out the window again, wondering what the new year might bring.

For now, she chose to immerse herself in the joy of the moment, as music and laughter filled the palace, echoing the spirit of celebration throughout the kingdom.

__________________________

Back at the orphanage, the sound of laughter and music filled the air. The New Year's Eve party was in full swing. William slipped inside, greeted by a group of younger kids who immediately flocked to him.

"William!" one of the boys called out. "Did you bring us anything?"

William chuckled and pulled out a few pieces of candy he had saved from his last trip to town. The kids cheered, their faces lighting up with joy.

"You're the best, William!" a little girl exclaimed, hugging his leg. William patted her head gently, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

"You're too soft with them," one of the older girls teased, her arms crossed. "But I guess that's why they all adore you."

Another girl giggled, nudging her friend. "He's gotten more handsome lately, hasn't he? Must be all that training."

William's face turned crimson, and he quickly excused himself, heading to the dinner table. "Let's eat before the food gets cold," he said, trying to change the subject. The girls laughed but didn't press further.

After dinner, everyone gathered outside to watch the fireworks. The night sky lit up with vibrant colors, each explosion eliciting oohs and ahhs from the children. William stood among them, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. For a moment, the weight of his abilities and the battles ahead faded away. He was just another boy enjoying the magic of the New Year.

Author's Note:

That's a wrap for this year! Thank you all for reading and supporting me. Keep those gifts and kind words coming; they mean the world to me. With this, the 2024 session can officially f*ck off.

A lot has happened this year, both good and bad. One of the good things is this book and you amazing readers. Your support has been incredible. On the flip side, I'll admit, I failed my admission exam into university. But we won't let the bad things define us, right? We learn from our mistakes and strive to do better next year.

Looking ahead, my biggest aspiration is to pass my exam. The next one is just a few months away, and I'll need to prepare diligently. Honestly, all that remains in my head right now is Webnovels and anime, so I'll have to flush it all out and hit the books hard. Because of this, the upload frequency of my books might decrease starting January. I hope you'll understand. I'll do my best to upload daily, but if I miss a day or two, know that I'm working hard to secure my future.

Thank you again for everything. Let's make 2025 our year!