The next lecture was supposed to be about advanced mana control.
But Instructor Rehlan had other plans.
He didn't walk in holding a chalk stick or magic wand. He entered with a long black scroll wrapped in mythril thread and sealed with a wax emblem none of the students recognized.
Even Kael blinked twice. Mostly because the lights dimmed and the ceiling runes flickered like they were nervous.
"This," Rehlan said without preamble, "is restricted history."
The scroll unraveled midair, floating and spinning. Glowing glyphs bled out of it like mist, slowly weaving into seven distinct symbols in the air. Each burned with different energy—red flame, deep ocean blue, whispering shadows, pure gold, stone-gray, void black, and emerald green.
"This world," Rehlan continued, "is balanced on a knife's edge. Seven major forces shape its fate. Yesterday, you met the names. Today, you meet the nightmares."
---
II. The Secret Society of Shadows
A ripple of cold silence moved through the hall as the symbol of a winged spiral eye shimmered above the class.
"Most have never heard of them," Rehlan said. "And that's the point."
He gestured toward the image, which shifted to show blurred silhouettes of cloaked figures standing above towers, battlefields, and thrones—always in the background, never at the center.
"The Secret Society of Shadows does not exist, officially. And yet, their signs appear in every turning point of history. Disasters averted. Wars that ended without bloodshed. Emperors that vanished overnight."
Kael scratched his head. "Sounds like overachieving janitors."
Rehlan ignored him.
"No country controls them. No demon fears them—because demons cannot even see them. They operate across the seven continents, using agents called Operatives, Shadow Envoys, and at the top, the legendary Seven Pillars."
He paused.
"Each Pillar is a master of one core domain—intelligence, assassination, defense, magic, and more. Their names are unknown. Their faces unseen. But they serve not for power."
The symbol pulsed once.
"They serve prophecy. They await the rise of a being they call the True Darklord—one who will bring balance through stillness, control chaos without lifting a sword. Until then, they simply watch… and protect."
Kael shifted in his seat. "That sounds like a lot of effort for someone who's probably not showing up."
"Perhaps," Rehlan said, glancing at him too long. "But belief shapes reality. And they believe enough to move the world."
Lyra glanced at Kael, eyes curious. Kael just yawned.
---
III. The Dragonblood Accord
The spiral eye faded. A roar echoed next—deep, ancient, thunderous.
The image became a vast mountain range. Peaks of molten stone. Caves of crystal and gold. Then—wings.
Massive dragons circled above. Not beasts. Kingdoms unto themselves.
"Humans like to think of dragons as animals or monsters," Rehlan said, his voice lower. "That's wrong. Dragons are a civilization. An empire."
A golden-scaled beast—the size of a city—descended in the vision. On its forehead burned a crown-shaped brand.
"At their head sits the Dragon King, Asiarneth the Celestial Flame, ruler of the Accord. A being ancient enough to remember the forging of the first mana leyline."
Kael blinked. "That name sounds expensive."
"His breath melts continents. His claws rend time. But he has no interest in conquest."
The vision showed dragons tending to eggs, singing over volcanoes, weaving magic through sky-rivers.
"They watch. They protect the balance of nature and magic. But if provoked, if threatened…"
The image shifted—an entire continent burned in gold fire.
"They become extinction."
Rehlan let that hang for a moment.
"Luckily, dragons abide by their own code. The Dragonblood Accord. A pact of neutrality… broken only if the world tilts too far."
Kael raised a hand lazily. "And how many tilts before they start breathing on people?"
Rehlan smiled faintly. "One. Just one."
---
IV. The United Kingdoms of humans
Now came something more familiar.
Seven flags rose above the map of the central continent—each bearing the crest of one of the human kingdoms: Caelveron, Draymont, Nyssal, Tyrhelt, Gorand, Vastra, and Elun.
Each territory bloomed into scenes—cities, castles, academies, armies training in snow, desert, jungle.
"These are our people," Rehlan said, voice proud for once. "Together, the Seven Kingdoms hold a population of one billion. Eight million strong in trained army. And above them, thirty-five SSS-ranked heroes."
The students leaned in now.
"Five legendary Swordmasters. Five Grand Mages. Five Sky Archers. Five Healers. Five Summoners. Five Berserkers. And five Wardens."
Each briefly appeared in glowing light—a parade of legendary warriors in epic poses.
"They keep the line held. They protect against demons, calamities, dragons, and yes… the inner corruption of mankind itself."
Kael made a small snoring noise. Lyra jabbed him with her elbow.
Rehlan's tone sharpened.
"Some call humanity divided. Petty. Power-hungry. But history proves: when pushed to the brink, we stand. And when we stand together, the world listens."
A long silence followed.
---
Breaktime Rumors
After the lecture, Kael went to the garden to finally nap.
Lyra trailed behind him, clearly worried. "You… you okay?"
"I learned about seven near-apocalyptic factions before lunch. I'm thrilled."
She frowned. "No… I mean. That part with the Secret Society. And the Darklord. And… the guy they're waiting for?"
Kael paused mid-step. "Yeah?"
"You don't think it's you, right?"
He snorted. "I think it's whoever volunteers for paperwork."
Lyra relaxed a bit. Then hesitated. "But… your token from the basement. The old man. The room unlocking. The scroll. The library trap resetting when you entered…"
"Coincidence," Kael said, patting her head like a puppy. "I'm just cursed with main character energy."
She pouted. "I don't even know what that means."
Kael yawned. "Exactly."
Far above, in the clouds, a dragon with golden eyes watched him from afar—unblinking, unmoving.
Far below, in a sealed archive, a Shadow Envoy penned another note:
[Subject : speaks prophecy through sarcasm. Alignment remains unknowable. We continue observation.]