The Trickster’s Return

The days in the Shadow Clan felt slow and tiring to Floki.

For two weeks, he did chores that tested his patience more than his skill.

He scrubbed floors, fixed broken weapons, and carried heavy supplies.

These tasks were required for all new recruits.

"How far I've fallen," Floki muttered, dragging a bucket of water toward the barracks.

The other recruits were just as unhappy, their faces showing their exhaustion.

Floki kept his head down and stayed quiet, watching everything around him.

He quickly learned that breaking rules led to harsh punishment.

The 10th Inner Disciple, a man named Jaren, enjoyed making the recruits suffer.

Jaren was tall, broad-shouldered, and always barking orders with a mean grin.

"You, bucket boy," Jaren called one morning, his voice loud and sharp.

Floki turned slowly, keeping his face blank. "Yes?"

"Move faster," Jaren said, stepping closer. "The Shadow Clan has no place for lazy recruits."

Floki gripped the bucket tighter but stayed calm. "Understood, Senior."

Jaren snorted, annoyed by Floki's calm reply. "You won't last here. I can already tell."

Floki said nothing, hiding a grin behind the bucket as he walked away.

Training sessions were the only break from chores, though they were short and boring.

Jaren led the training, showing techniques with a smug look on his face.

"Focus your energy here," Jaren barked, extending his shadow blade.

"Shadows respond to your will," Jaren added, his tone full of pride.

Floki copied the movements, while the other recruits struggled to summon even a flicker of shadow.

Floki managed easily but kept his skill hidden.

The system pulsed in his vision, giving advice no one else had.

[Shadow Blade Technique: Efficiency at 65%. Adjust energy flow to Outer Meridian.]

Floki followed the system's tip, and his blade stabilized instantly.

"Good enough," Jaren said, barely looking at Floki's work.

Floki bit back a smirk, letting the system guide him in secret.

At night, Floki trained alone while the others slept.

He slipped into the woods near the barracks, using the system to learn faster.

[Spectral Veil Technique: Minor Illusion Unlocked. Create visual distractions to confuse opponents.]

Floki tested the technique, making a buzzing fly appear out of nowhere.

"A small start," he muttered, watching the illusion fly around. "But even small things can distract."

He trained until he was exhausted, pushing himself harder every time.

The system tracked his progress, showing steady improvement in his shadow control.

By the end of two weeks, Floki felt his power growing stronger and sharper.

Jaren's bullying got worse over time.

"Is that the best you can do?" Jaren sneered one afternoon, watching Floki spar with another recruit.

Floki stayed calm, landing a clean strike against his opponent.

"Do better," Jaren snapped, stepping into the ring. "I'll show you how it's done."

He shoved the other recruit aside, his shadow blade glowing as he faced Floki.

"Think you can take me on, weakling?" Jaren taunted, grinning wide.

Floki lowered his staff slightly, keeping his voice calm. "Not today."

Jaren laughed loudly, stepping back. "Thought so. Know your place, bucket boy."

Floki gripped his staff tightly but stayed quiet, already planning his next move.

A week earlier, Floki had watched another outer disciple challenge Jaren.

The boy, small and nervous, held his blade tightly as he spoke. "I challenge you, Senior Jaren!"

Jaren grinned cruelly, his eyes sweeping over the recruits. "Another fool. Let's get this over with."

The two faced off, the air filled with tension.

Floki watched closely, noting Jaren's calculated movements and smug grin.

The fight began, and it was clear Jaren was playing with his opponent.

His strikes were precise but slow, forcing the boy to retreat step by step.

Floki counted silently as Jaren knocked the boy's weapon away on the sixth move.

By the eighth move, the boy was on the ground, clutching his ribs in pain.

Jaren stood over him, triumphant. "Pathetic," Jaren spat. "You're not worth my time."

The boy scrambled up, pale and shaking. "Please... my rations—"

Jaren cut him off with a laugh. "No food for two days. Maybe you'll learn your place."

Floki's jaw tightened as he watched the boy stumble away, defeated.

The recruits whispered, their fear of Jaren growing stronger.

From that moment, Floki made his decision.

He would wait, learn, and when the time was right, he would show Jaren true power.

On the last day of the second week, Floki stood in the courtyard as the morning bell rang.

The recruits gathered, looking tired, while Floki's eyes gleamed with determination.

Jaren entered the courtyard, as confident as ever.

"Before training begins," Floki said, his voice cutting through the noise, "I have a challenge."

The courtyard went silent, all eyes turning to Floki.

Jaren's grin widened. "You? Challenge me? Don't make me laugh."

Floki stepped forward, resting his staff on his shoulder. "You've underestimated me, Jaren. Let's see if you're as strong as you think."

The recruits whispered, some shocked and others curious.

Jaren laughed loudly. "Fine. I'll humor you. Don't cry when you lose."

They faced each other, the tension thick in the air.

Jaren drew his shadow blade, its edge glowing darkly.

Floki twirled his staff slowly. "I'll give you five free moves. Use them wisely."

Jaren hesitated, then roared and charged at Floki.

His blade came down in a heavy slash, aiming for Floki's head.

Floki stepped aside, deflecting the blade easily. "That's one," he said, grinning.

Jaren growled and swung again, aiming for Floki's chest.

Floki spun smoothly, his staff sweeping low to trip Jaren slightly. "That's two," he added, his grin widening.

Jaren lunged, thrusting his blade straight at Floki's stomach.

Floki pivoted, letting the blade pass, then tapped Jaren's shoulder lightly with his staff. "Three."

The recruits watched in silence, their eyes wide.

Jaren's strikes became wild and desperate, his frustration clear.

Floki parried each one with ease. "Four. Five," he counted, his tone calm.

With Jaren's moves done, Floki made his own.

He stepped in close, striking Jaren's wrist with a sharp crack, disarming him. "Six."

Before Jaren could react, Floki swung his staff upward, hitting Jaren's chin hard.

With a final blow, Floki struck Jaren's chest hard with the end of his staff, sending him crashing to the ground. "Seven. Looks like you're out of moves."

The courtyard erupted in whispers, the recruits stunned.

Jaren struggled to stand, his face red with shame.

Floki planted his staff firmly, his grin as wide as ever. "You should practice your form more, Senior."

Some recruits clapped, their respect for Floki growing.

From the shadows, someone watched silently, their face unreadable.

Floki turned away, his confidence strong. "This is only the beginning," he muttered, smiling to himself.