Whispers were powerful.
After the illusion trial, they traveled faster than spells—through student corridors, noble correspondence, even the staff lounges of Crown Academy.
"The Silver Star boy passed the Nyx Labyrinth in minutes."
"They say he didn't even use active magic."
"House Nyx is watching him now. Closely."
Lucien welcomed every whisper.
Each was a thread. And threads led to nets. And nets led to prey.
So when the invitation arrived—sealed in obsidian wax with the sigil of House Nyx's internal council—he was not surprised.
---
### The Raven Society
The parchment was simple, elegant, and deadly in implication.
> To Lucien Silver Star
>
> By decision of internal review and interest, you are cordially invited to an unofficial gathering of the Raven Society, an elite circle of academy students tasked with the safeguarding of knowledge, power, and legacy.
>
> Attendance is voluntary.
>
> But attendance is not optional.
>
> —Archivist Thorne Nyx
He smiled.
So they'd finally decided to show him one of their hidden hands.
---
### The Secret Wing
That night, clad in black robes trimmed with his family's silver, Lucien followed the magical trail left behind by the invitation. It led through several sealed doors and a narrow staircase behind the eastern observatory.
At the end: a room of duskstone walls lit only by floating lanterns.
Eight students stood in a semicircle, all older, all dressed in similar robes, masks covering their faces—each bearing a unique animal sigil: Owl, Wolf, Raven, Fox, Serpent, Hawk, Moth, and Stag.
Lucien stepped forward calmly.
"You're younger than expected," one of them said—the Fox.
"But not unworthy," another added—the Moth.
From behind them, a tall man emerged. He was not masked.
His eyes were old.
"Welcome," said Archivist Thorne. "This is where the future of Maurya is shaped."
---
### The Trial of Oaths
Lucien was told little. Only that if he wished to join, he had to share a truth. Not a lie, not a story, but a true insight—one the others had not considered before.
It was a test of vision.
He stepped forward and said:
"Power is not preserved through tradition. It is preserved through perception. Control how others see the truth, and it becomes the truth."
A silence followed.
Then the Fox chuckled.
The Moth murmured, "He understands."
The Raven, most silent of all, gave a single nod.
Lucien had passed.
But he had done more than pass—he had planted doubt in them. Even here, in this secret elite, he would not be a follower.
He would be a kingmaker.
---
### \[System Alert – Network Expansion]
New Faction Accessed: The Raven Society
Members Identified:
8 Students (Ages 12–17), All from Noble Houses or Influential Bloodlines
Influence Potential: High
Secret Ranking Detected: Internal Leader Unknown
Opportunity: Leadership Role Possible through Subversion or Ascension
---
### The Shadow in the Circle
As the meeting ended, Lucien felt a gaze burning into his back. When he turned, only one member lingered: the Raven.
They said nothing, but before leaving, they handed him a single card.
A white feather pressed into the parchment.
Beneath it: "I see more than they do. I know you're not what you seem."
Lucien stared at the card long after the figure disappeared.
So. A rival among them?
Perfect.
Let them come.
---
### The Game Changes
Returning to his dorm, Lucien reviewed everything:
His reach within House Aldric was expanding.
The Mirror of False Becoming whispered in his dreams now, showing futures of blood and silver.
And now, with the Raven Society in his grasp, he was poised to influence the most dangerous young minds in the kingdom.
But power came with risk.
The Raven had marked him.
Not with suspicion.
But with understanding.
A rival that saw beyond the mask.
And that made them valuable.
Very valuable.
---
### Final System Message:
> \[All-Seeing Eyes – Special Upgrade Path Detected]
> "When two manipulators face each other… only one can claim the veil."
>
> New Quest Available: Shadow Over Shadow
>
> Objective: Discover the identity of the Raven. Corrupt or eliminate them.
> Reward: All-Seeing Eyes – Evolution into God's Veil
> Status: Hidden Quest – Time-Limited (7 Phases Remaining)