For a while, everything at Ravenshade Academy looked normal again.
I studied, laughed with friends, and even played soccer during breaks.
But behind those quiet days, my instincts whispered constantly — someone is still watching.
The feeling of eyes on me wasn't something ordinary people noticed.
But I had been Aron Tuner once — the man who could sense danger even through smiles.
So I kept pretending not to notice. I had learnt long ago that the best hunters sometimes played the prey.
Day after day, I caught small clues: a man pretending to fix the electric pole near the school every morning, a delivery van parked too long by the gate, and even a transfer student who asked too many questions.
None of it was a coincidence.
They weren't here just to watch the Valens.
They were here — for me.
That night, after everyone slept, I entered the Supreme Space once again.
The familiar hum of energy surrounded me as the castle lights brightened.
"System," I said, standing before the tactical table that floated in midair. "Show me all surveillance data collected in the past seventy-two hours."
Holograms blinked open around me — live camera feeds, traffic records, and motion sensors from drone units quietly guarding the academy perimeter.
Five red marks appeared on the map. Assignments tagged.
"Five targets… all working under different IDs, but their route data overlaps," I muttered. "So they're from one group."
[Affirmative. Traces of encrypted communication linked to an organisation registered under the shadow network: Black Falcon Unit.]
"Black Falcon…" The name triggered something. In my past life, they had been an assassination and spy guild—one of the few that dared work with governments and criminals alike. They never acted without high payment. Which meant someone powerful wanted information about the Valens — or perhaps, about me.
I smirked slightly. "They don't realise the fish they're baiting."
[Command input?]
"Activate shadow protocol," I ordered. "No direct contact. I want details of their sponsor. Trace their digital signatures through false paths. Keep my real location off-grid."
[Understood. Shadow protocol active.]
Lights flickered across the room as my Supreme Space network started moving silently through the internet layers.
To the outside world, I was just another kid doing homework.
In truth, my system was already crawling inside encrypted channels, building fake leads and false profiles.
A war in shadows—and I'd always been the better player.
Over the next few days, I played my role perfectly.
At school, I acted more like a mischievous kid than a CEO of ten digital ghosts.
I teased Ryan for falling asleep in class, played small pranks, and even joined a few noisy arguments during lunch.
To outsiders, I looked like a typical "troublemaker from a rich house".
A part of me hated that image, but it was the perfect disguise.
After all, no one suspects a laughing fool of being dangerous.
Still, I made sure my sisters didn't think I was really turning into a delinquent. Whenever we met at home, I smiled at them, studied with Clara, listened to Aria's work stories, and sparred secretly with Luna to test my strength.
But as soon as midnight arrived, I disappeared into the shadows again.
Each night, more data came back from the system—snippets of recordings, hidden transmissions, and voice clips. Piece by piece, the puzzle formed.
Finally, one evening, the system spoke.
[Target Sponsor Identified: Northwing Financial Group. Public front: investment company. Hidden branch: intelligence trade.]
My fists tightened unconsciously. Northwing.
I remembered them vividly. In my previous life, they tried to sabotage my tech company and funded small crime syndicates to weaken my influence. They failed then—but apparently, their grudge lived on.
This time, I would not only stop them.
I would destroy them completely.
The next morning, I played calmly as usual.
After classes, Ryan looked worried. "Bruce, why are you spacing out lately? You look… different."
I smiled faintly. "Maybe I'm just tired."
He frowned. "Well, don't get into any fights, okay? There are rumours again."
"Rumours?" I asked.
"Yeah. Some people are saying you're secretly scary. That you bullied one of the older boys from another class into leaving school."
I blinked in surprise, then realised what must've happened. The week before, one of Black Falcon's operatives—masquerading as a new student—had vanished overnight. My AI drones had intercepted his drop signal and erased his presence from the city.
I hadn't planned for students to notice. But apparently, that disappearance started gossip.
I chuckled to myself. "A bully, huh? That's new."
Ryan groaned. "I'm serious!"
"Relax, Ryan," I said lightly, patting his shoulder. "Let them think what they want. Rumours can be useful sometimes."
He didn't understand, but that was fine. It was better that way.
That night, I returned to the Supreme Space for the final step.
The map screen showed the five red marks converging near a hotel owned by a Northwing subdivision. Their equipment van was parked in the basement.
Master, security breaches in progress. Shall we proceed with silent containment?
"No direct violence," I said softly. "Handle them the clean way."
From above the castle, small drones flew out through the dimensional gate, crossing between reality and space-time in seconds. Within three minutes, all five targets were cut off from communication, their data drives replaced with decoys. The intelligence they gathered would lead Northwing on a wild goose chase halfway around the world.
To the world, it looked like nothing had happened.
To me, it was my first silent strike—a warning.
"Northwing," I muttered, staring at their glowing logo on the hologram. "You came to investigate my family. Now, I'll investigate your destruction."
Shadow counterattack successful. Counter-paths hidden. No traceable link detected.]
I leaned back against the railing of the balcony in the Supreme Castle, breathing in deeply as the stars shimmered above.
It had begun—the quiet war that no one around me knew existed.
Tomorrow, I will walk into school again as if nothing happened.
Just Bruce Valen, the quiet kid with messy hair and bright eyes.
Maybe some people would whisper that I was a troublemaker or a bully.
Let them.
Because hidden beneath the laughter, the homework, and the innocent face…
walked the Underworld King, reborn in silence.
The next morning, the school felt more peaceful than ever.
The watchers were gone. The fear had faded. But whispers about me still filled the halls—tales of how I scared older kids without even touching them, how my eyes looked "different" when I smiled.
I walked calmly through the corridor, hands in my pockets. Inside, I was amused.
In truth, the greatest power wasn't fear—it was mystery.
At lunch, Luna called me out, teasing again. "You're becoming famous, little brother! Everyone's scared of you now."
I laughed. "Let them be. It keeps the flies away."
She blinked. "You sound just like Father when he's serious."
"Do I?" I smiled innocently. "Maybe it runs in the family."
That night, in my room, I looked out over the dark skyline once more. The city glowed like an ocean of stars, unaware that one of its kings had returned—quiet, breathing, invisible.
"I'll reshape this world again," I whispered to the window. "But this time, from the shadows."
And as the silver mark gleamed faintly on my palm, I felt the world itself tremble in acknowledgement.