—Ancient Relics, Modern Rivalries, and a Power Beyond Imagination
The moment Shawn stepped into the classroom, a ripple of whispers spread.
Before he could even process the shift, a familiar voice sliced through the noise — mocking, laced with condescension.
"Well, well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence."
Dan leaned back against his desk, a smug grin curling his lips. His eyes flicked down to the jade-green pendant peeking from Shawn's collar — an unmistakable 'V' carved into its surface.
"Nice trinket." Dan reached out and flicked the pendant with two fingers, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "What is this, a souvenir from Chinatown?"
Beside him, Jolie Ellison lifted a sleek black badge, the silver eye insignia gleaming: the All-Seeing Eye Medal. Her fingers toyed with the edge, eyes cool, as if daring Shawn to say something, anything.
Dan tapped his own Spectre Axe Medal, the jagged axe emblem symbolizing precision and ruthlessness in operations. Pride practically dripped from his voice. "Too bad you didn't make the cut, Shawn. Some of us earn real achievements. Others… collect costume jewelry."
Scattered laughter rippled through the room. A few glances darted Shawn's way — some curious, some dismissive, a few lingering just long enough to sting.
AGI-ST had just announced its first round of elite student awards. Dan and Jolie were among the top picks.
Shawn's fingers tightened around the jade pendant, feeling the cool stone bite gently into his palm. Unlike their flashy medals, his wasn't some mass-produced token of success. The Thunder Core Seal Pendant pulsed faintly — an ancient relic, humming with secrets even the brightest minds couldn't begin to grasp.
For a split second, heat flared in his chest — the temptation to silence them right here, right now.
Show them what real power looked like.
But that wasn't his way. Not today.
Let them enjoy their moment. Soon enough, they'd understand just how small their victories were.
He exhaled slowly, the tension loosening from his shoulders, the faintest curl of a smile playing at the edge of his lips. Without a word, Shawn tucked the pendant beneath his shirt and brushed past them, his steps measured, unhurried.
"Enjoy your medals," he murmured under his breath, eyes forward.
The jade pendant thrummed softly against his chest, syncing with his heartbeat — a quiet, private rhythm only he could feel.
They'll need all the luck they can get when real power comes knocking, he thought.
Jolie's smirk flickered, her fingers freezing for just a heartbeat on the badge. Dan's eyes narrowed, the grin slipping, sharp edges showing.
But Shawn was already lowering himself into his seat, the chair creaking softly under his weight. Around him, the conversations resumed, though a few glances still lingered on him, thoughtful, maybe wary.
That night, his computer screen bathed the room in cold light.
Shawn cast his net into the digital world.
On a Facebook group for antique collectors, he posted: Looking for jade seal pendants with intricate engravings. Anyone come across anything interesting?
Replies trickled in — links to auctions, pictures of generic carvings. Nothing useful.
He switched tabs.
Reddit's r/AncientMysteries. A private forum dedicated to esoteric artifacts.
On X, he tried a different angle:
"Some old jade pendants seem to hold forgotten meanings. Anyone know of historical pieces with hidden engravings?"
A reply caught his eye.
@MysticRelics: Ever looked into Daoist artifacts? Some seals weren't just for decoration.
His pulse quickened, fingers flying over the keys as he responded immediately, steering the conversation deeper.
But the user remained cryptic, replies growing slower, vaguer.
Some knowledge had to be earned.
For now, it was time to take the search offline.
The scent of incense curled thick in the air as Shawn stepped into an old Daoist temple.
No one seemed to notice the building squatting between two skyscrapers, as if the crowd's eyes simply slid past its vermilion gates.An elderly Taoist priest behind the altar looked up, sharp eyes gleaming beneath bushy brows.
"Jade seals?" he murmured, fingers stroking his beard. "They hold power, you know."
Shawn nodded carefully, his voice steady despite the flicker of nervous anticipation in his chest. "That's why I'm looking."
The Taoist priest gave a soft, knowing chuckle. "Looking is easy. Understanding… that's the hard part."
Shawn leaned in slightly, his brows furrowing. "Then how do I understand?"
The Taoist priest's gaze slid toward the shrine's shadowed inner sanctum, where ancient symbols shimmered faintly on the walls.
"Some truths only reveal themselves when you're ready," the Taoist priest murmured. A faint smile curved his lips. "Until then… keep searching."
Back on the crowded streets, neon reflections danced in puddles at Shawn's feet.
The incense still clung to his clothes, the Taoist priest's words circling in his head.
"Some truths only reveal themselves when you're ready."But how would he know when he was ready?
His mind raced. Online, there were whispers. In the shrine, only riddles.
But the real answers lay somewhere in between.
And yet—
Something was wrong.
Lately, he'd noticed it.
A figure in a gray windbreaker, always just at the edge of his vision.
Standing still as shadows shifted across the pavement.
Appearing in shop windows. Leaving just as Shawn stepped out.
Never close. Never far.
He was being watched.
But by who?
The MOS?
Or something darker?
That night, the knock came.
The first was soft.
The second — firm. Deliberate.
Shawn froze. Nearly midnight. No one should be here.
His fingers brushed the jade pendant in his pocket as he moved toward the door, silent.
His heart thudded louder than the knock.
He cracked the door open — just enough.
There he was.
The man in the gray windbreaker. Standing still in the dim hallway.
Face shadowed.
Eyes sharp, unblinking, like twin daggers locking onto his.
Shawn's grip tightened on the doorframe.
"Who are you?"
No answer.
The man reached into his coat — slowly.
Shawn tensed.
But it wasn't a weapon.
It was an old, folded parchment.
He held it out without a word.
Shawn hesitated. Muscles taut.
But curiosity won.
He took it carefully. The parchment was brittle, frayed at the edges.
As he unfolded it, his breath caught.
A map.
And at its center — the faded symbol of V.
The man stepped back, gaze never leaving him.
"Saturday morning," he said.
"There are people you'll want to see."
And then — he vanished into the shadows.
Shawn stood frozen, the door still ajar, the map trembling in his hands.
This wasn't just about Elemental Cores anymore.
Someone else knew.
Someone who had been watching —
and now, they wanted him to follow.
But where?
And why?
More importantly —
who wanted him to find it?
One thing was certain:
He wasn't just chasing secrets.
The secrets were chasing him.