The sun woke the first years from sleep. Thirty students came into the academy, out of which four were royals, fifteen were nobles and eleven were commoners. Now each of their respective journeys has begun.
Axel settled down in the House of Veil. It was not the largest of the four houses, yet it held the greatest number of students. The first-years were split into shared rooms-three per chamber.
Seven of the eleven commoners were male. Axel met his roommates that evening: Finn, an earth elemental-tall, quiet, and composed-and Scott, short, bright-eyed, and brimming with energy, an ice elemental.
"Nice to meet you guys," Scott said with a grin. "Looking forward to being your friends."
Finn gave a faint smile and shook his hand. "So am I," he replied calmly.
Axel followed with a firm handshake and a nod.
They picked their beds and unpacked their belongings. Only one free day remained before classes would begin.
Classes would be divided into four disciplines: Defense, Potions, History, and Elemental Biology-each broken into specialized courses. The timetable would be posted by morning.
Once their room was set, the three of them headed downstairs to the common room, where the buzz of laughter and chatter filled the air. The remaining first-years and a few older students mingled there.
"Hi, my name's Lira," said a girl of medium height, smiling warmly.
"Nice to meet you," Scott replied quickly. The others echoed his greeting.
They met several more students-Tessa, Simon, and the remaining first-years of the House of Veil. The group bonded fast, eventually strolling out into the garden as the sunset washed the academy walls in gold.
That evening, the house captain, Cole, gathered everyone in the common room. He welcomed the newcomers, explained the house traditions, and reminded them that Veil's legacy was not in status but in strength of will.
The next day arrived quickly. Students rushed about, forming early friendships and exploring the campus.
The House of Silva was a sharp contrast- larger, quieter, with only nineteen royals currently enrolled. Each royal had a chamber to themselves, elegant and spacious. Their captain, Kane, addressed the first-years with a speech about honour, duty, and the reputation they carried.
Irys fit in easily; he already knew most of the royal students from the palace gatherings.
Classes began the following morning. The grand hall hummed with anticipation as all thirty students took their seats-punctual, eager, and restless.
Professor Sylas Thorn, the Defense instructor, entered the room. His calm gaze carried authority. Once a captain in the Noble Knights, he had the air of a man who had seen many battles-and survived them all.
"Awakening your inner core," he began, his voice echoing through the hall. "That is the first step to wielding magic."
The lesson focused on meditation and focus-understanding one's elemental flow before learning to shape it. When the class ended, Professor Thorn gave his first assignment:
"Each of you will find a spellbook suited to your affinity in the academy's library. Study it well."
Then, his eyes found Axel.
"Although," he said quietly, "I doubt you'll find one for darkness."
The class went still.
"I'll search the ancient archives myself," Professor Thorn continued. "Or speak to the Headmaster."
He turned and left, his cloak whispering across the floor-leaving Axel with a mix of wonder and unease.
As the class ended, murmurs filled the hall. Some students threw curious glances at Axel, others whispered under their breath. "Darkness?" one voice said softly. Another chuckled nervously.
Axel felt the weight of the word settle on him. He tried not to show it, but a chill crept up his spine.
Scott caught up to him as they walked out.
"Hey, don't mind them," he said quickly. "You heard what Thorn said-maybe it's rare, that's all."
Axel forced a smile. "Yeah... maybe."
Finn walked beside them silently, his arms folded. "Darkness or not," he finally said, "magic is still magic. What matters is how you use it."
They walked together through the bright marble corridor of the academy, sunlight pouring through the tall windows. Yet Axel could not shake the feeling that something unseen was walking beside him-like a shadow that moved even when he stood still.
That afternoon, the trio visited the academy library.
It was enormous-spiraling shelves of leather-bound books, glowing runes carved into the stone arches, and faint whispers of magic in the air.
"Whoa," Scott breathed. "I could get lost here."
"You probably will," Finn replied dryly.
They split up, each searching for spellbooks related to their element. Axel wandered deep, very deep. He wandered between the aisles of a section labeled Arcane Branches: Rare and Forbidden. Dust coated most of the shelves, and many titles were unreadable.
Then, a faint hum-like a pulse-caught his attention.
He turned. A single black-covered book sat on a pedestal in the corner, its edges glowing faintly violet. The title was worn, almost erased, but he could make out two words:
"Shadow Weave."
He reached out slowly. The air around it felt colder. Just before his fingers touched the cove
"Don't."
Axel flinched. An elderly woman stood behind him, wearing silver-rimmed glasses and long gray robes. Her eyes, sharp and knowing, glowed faintly blue.
"I-uh-sorry. I didn't know anyone was here."
"I'm always here," she replied. "I am Librarian Maelis Rune. And that, in fact this section" she nodded toward the book, "is not for first-years. Nor second."
Axel looked at the book again. "Is it... about darkness?"
Her expression tightened. "It's about what darkness does to the one who calls it."
She stepped forward, placing a hand gently on the pedestal. The glow faded instantly.
"Professor Thorn should have warned you. Some paths are harder to unwalk than others."
"Some truths, mere enemies."
Before Axel could respond, she turned away, her robe sweeping across the floor.
"If the shadows have chosen you, boy, pray they do not claim you."
And she was gone.
Later that evening, Axel sat by the dorm window, the faint hum of the book still echoing in his mind. Scott was already asleep, snoring softly, while Finn quietly read by candlelight.
Axel stared out into the moonlit courtyard. The night sky shimmered, but the corners of the room seemed darker than usual-almost alive.
He whispered to himself,
"What are you?"
The shadows stirred slightly, as if they had heard him.
Far across the academy, where moonlight shone against the crystal towers of the House of Silva, Irys stood alone on a terrace overlooking the courtyard.
Below him, the lamps of the lower houses flickered - one of them belonging to Veil.
The prince leaned against the railing, the night breeze tugging lightly at his cloak. He had finished another round of evening drills. He wasn't going to wait to be taught. He had to better than the others. He had awakened his core while he was at the Palace, so he was already able to wield magic. The scent of smoke still clinging to him. His control over fire was near flawless - just as his father demanded - but something felt off tonight.
An unease he couldn't explain.
He gazed toward the shadowed halls where the commoners slept, his thoughts drifting.
"Darkness," he whispered. He had heard the professors murmuring about it - the strange boy who wielded it. The same boy who bore his father's surname.
He clenched his fist, and a flicker of flame burst between his fingers, bright and restless.
"Darkness can't exist without light," he said quietly, watching the flame dance. "And light... must always conquer."
The firelight glowed against his eyes, reflecting the determination within them - or perhaps the first spark of rivalry.
Above the academy, thunder rumbled faintly in the distance, though the skies were clear.