Chapter 55: [55] Hidden in Plain Sight
Xavier kept his breathing steady, his senses reaching outward as he’d practiced with Calypso. The energy drink Eliza had given him seemed to heighten his awareness, making the darkness feel almost tangible against his skin.
"Lesson one," Phantom’s voice echoed from somewhere above them. "Darkness is not the absence of light—it’s the presence of opportunity."
Xavier felt a subtle shift in the air currents to his left. He turned, eyes straining, and caught the barest glimpse of movement—a shadow within shadows.
"Mr. Valentine," Phantom’s voice came from directly behind him now. "Tell me what you sense."
Xavier didn’t flinch, though his heart hammered against his ribs. "You’re moving in a pattern. Clockwise. Using the support beams overhead to change position." He paused, concentrating harder. "And you’re... suppressing your Essentia signature somehow."
A soft chuckle. "Very good. And the rest of you?"
The lights snapped back on with blinding suddenness. Xavier blinked against the glare, his eyes watering. When his vision cleared, Phantom stood in the center of the training hall, his white mask gleaming under the fluorescents. The students had instinctively formed a loose circle around him, some in defensive stances, others looking confused.
"Did anyone else detect my movements?" Phantom asked, his head tilting slightly. "Or was Valentine the only one paying attention?"
Alexander raised his hand. "I felt something, sir. A... disturbance in the air, but I couldn’t pinpoint your location."
"Better than nothing," Phantom conceded. "Anyone else?"
Kyrie crossed his arms. "I knew where you were the whole time. Just didn’t feel like saying anything."