CHAPTER 10: DORM 13

Dorm 13 stood at the far edge of Arcadia Academy, past the noble dorms, past the training fields, where forest began. No student lived there for ten years. Roof collapsed, walls covered in black mold, windows broken. Students called it Ghost Dorm - said last batch died from cursed mana leak.

Vice-Master Elara gave keys to Jin with a smile. "Fix it if you can, Monarch. If you survive night, Shadow Class is official."

One hundred ex-slaves looked at ruined building, scared. They slept in mines on stone - but ghost was worse than guards?

Jin walked in first, no fear. Shadows love dark places.

Inside - dust one inch thick, spider webs, twenty broken beds, kitchen rats, smell of rot. But also space - three floors, big hall, basement.

"Home," Jin said. "Perfect for shadows."

He called, "All shadows - clean."

Seven shadows came out together for first time.

Igris - B+ Rank Knight - took sword, cut vines and webs with precision like soldier.

Fang - B Rank Wolf - carried broken stones outside, strength of ten men.

Elder - C Rank old miner shadow - knew building, fixing walls with earth magic small.

Two miner shadows - C Rank - fixing roof, hammering.

Knight - B+ Rank Shadow Wolf fused with Igris armor - guarding door, growling at any curious noble student peeking.

Griffin - A Rank, newly tamed - on roof, wings spread, cleaning chimney with wind.

One hour - dorm clean. Not beautiful, but liveable. Fire lit in hall, beds fixed, water from well behind.

One hundred ex-slaves entered, touching beds, crying. For first time, bed with blanket, not stone floor. Door that locks inside, not outside with guard.

Little girl Mira, 10, daughter of dead slave, ran to Jin, hugging leg. "Big brother Jin, we really live here? No master?"

"No master," Jin said. "Only family."

Night came. Jin went to roof alone, counting power, planning.

He opened status in mind:

[Monarch: Jin - Age 16 - Rank: A- (90% mana) - True Rank: Monarch (sealed 90%)]

[Shadows: 7/10 slots]

- Igris B+ (Knight)

- Fang B (Wolf Scout)

- Elder C (Builder)

- Miner1 C, Miner2 C

- Knight B+ (Fused Wolf + Igris armor)

- Griffin A (Flying)

[Branded Human: Varok B-Rank Captain (Loyal)]

[Followers: 100 ex-slaves (No mana but loyal), Leon A-Rank noble (New)]

[Skills: Arise, Fusion (2 shadows = +1 rank), Brand, Shadow Save]

System showed new quest - glowing gold:

[MAIN QUEST: SHADOW LEGION - Teach 10 humans to see and command shadows - Reward: Skill "Legion Commander" - Can lend shadows to humans - Progress 0/10]

Jin understood - alone Monarch is strong, but Monarch with Legion is unstoppable. In first life, he was alone. Second life, he wanted army of people, not just shadows.

He called Mira first. Pure hearts can see shadows.

"Mira, close eyes, think of Knight doggy."

Mira closed eyes, breathing, then opened - eyes glowed faint violet.

"I see! Black big doggy with sword! He smiles!"

She saw.

Jin placed palm on her forehead, transferred tiny fragment of Monarch brand - not full control like Varok, but Legion Brand - allows human to see, talk, and command one shadow.

Light violet crown mark on Mira forehead, small.

[Brand: Mira - Shadow Apprentice - Shadow: Knight - 1/100 Legion - Progress 1/10]

Knight walked to Mira, huge wolf kneeling, head down to little girl. Mira hugged, giggling, fear gone.

Jin tested 20 kids that night - five could see shadows. Old people could not - minds closed by slavery fear. But kids could.

Five Legion apprentices made.

Down in city, Vice-Master Elara watched Dorm 13 from tower with crystal ball. Dorm that was dark ten years now glowed faint black-violet, not ghost, but Monarch aura protecting.

She whispered, "Master Academy Founder, you said Monarch returns when Demon King moves. Monarch returned. We will hold."

Far north, 1000 miles, Demon Castle black ice, Demon King Azazel, SS-Rank, 500 years old, felt Monarch aura reborn through his mana network. He broke throne arm.

"Monarch? Again? No. Last Monarch sealed me 500 years. New Monarch must die before S-Rank."

He called three assassins - Shadow Killers, A-Rank, can hide in shadows, kill mages in sleep.

"Go Arcadia, kill boy with crown mark, bring his heart."

Three shadows disappeared.

Next morning, Dorm 13 would face first real enemy since mine escape - A-Rank assassin, not B-Rank captain.

But tonight, 100 ex-slaves slept peacefully first time in life - no collar beep, no whip sound, only fire crackle and Knight snoring like dog.

Jin sat roof edge, two moons above second world, whispering to first life memory, "First life I lost everyone, became alone King. Second life I start with 100 family. This time I will not be alone Monarch - I will be Monarch with Legion."

Seven shadows knelt around him on roof, guarding.