The Mirror Lake of Truth

The Mid-Term Trial was held at the Mirror Lake of Truth.

It was a forbidden zone at the base of the floating islands, a pool of water so still it reflected not just the face, but the soul. The trial was simple: enter the lake, face your reflection, and defeat your Heart Demon.

Most students saw monsters. Or their disappointed parents.

Linnea stood on the shore, watching Kai wade into the water. She was terrified. In the original timeline, this was where Kai’s corruption accelerated. He had seen his own weakness and broken.

"Be careful," she whispered.

Kai walked until the water reached his waist. The mist swirled around him.

He looked down.

The water rippled. The reflection did not show Young Kai.

It showed a man in black armor. A man with a scar running down his left eye. A man radiating an aura of blood and fire.

Future Kai.

Young Kai didn't know who it was. He only saw a man who looked like him, but older. Stronger. Darker.

"Is it you?" Young Kai asked the reflection. "Are you him? The one she loves?"

The reflection smiled. It was a cruel, weary smile.

* She pities you,* the reflection spoke. The voice echoed in Kai’s mind. *She looks at you and sees a child. She is only here because she failed to save me.*

Kai’s heart hammered. It was true. He had felt it in every touch, every lesson. She was molding him. She was trying to turn him into this man.

"I am not a replacement," Kai snarled. He drew his spirit sword.

* You are a rough draft,* the Shadow sneered. *She loves the scar. She loves the power. She loves the monster, not the boy.*

"Shut up!"

Kai struck the water.

The Shadow rose from the lake. It wasn't just an illusion; the lake gave it form. The Shadow blocked Kai’s strike effortlessly.

* You want her?* the Shadow taunted, pushing Kai back with a wave of crushing force. *You can't have her. You aren't strong enough to protect her. I burned the world for her. What have you done?*

Kai screamed in rage. He attacked with the *Thunder-Flash*, but the Shadow knew every move. It countered, humiliated, and battered him.

Kai fell into the water, choking. The jealousy that had been simmering for weeks boiled over. It mixed with the magical energy of the lake, turning his Qi toxic.

He didn't want to be better than the rival. He wanted to destroy him. He wanted to destroy *anything* that stood between him and Linnea.

His eyes, usually black, began to glow a sickly crimson.