The Arcane Academy of Lurien was once Kael's sanctuary — a place where young mages learned to bend the world to their will.
Now, it housed one of the betrayers: Professor Arwin, their old magic mentor and the one who had signed off on the mission that led Kael to death.
The betrayal ran deeper than friendship.
It was built into the very foundation Kael had trusted.
Arwin now held the title of Grand Sorcerer, loved by students, respected by the magical elite. His lectures were quoted like scripture.
Kael entered through the front gate.
"Skill: Institutional Override."
"Effect: Nullifies magical ID systems and recognition protocols."
He walked among the students as nothing more than a silent blur.
The auditorium was filled. Arwin stood at the center, lecturing passionately about "honor in magic."
Kael approached the stage, invisible to all.
Then he snapped his fingers.
"Skill: Dimensional Freeze."
The entire room halted mid-motion. Arwin froze mid-word, his mouth open.
Kael made himself visible — only to Arwin.
"Kael…" Arwin's voice trembled. "I didn't want you to die. I had to follow orders."
Kael stepped forward slowly.
"You taught me that magic bends to will."
"I—"
Kael raised a hand.
"Skill: Magic Lock — Total Negation."
"Skill: Memory Playback."
Arwin was forced to watch the memory of Kael's betrayal projected into the frozen air, surrounded by frozen students.
"No one even flinched," Kael muttered.
"You stood by and called it necessary."
Arwin wept.
Kael turned away, raising his hand one final time.
"Skill: Historical Rewrite — Erase Contributor."
Arwin's form shattered like glass — but the world moved on, no longer remembering he had ever existed.
The lecture hall resumed.
Another professor stood at the podium — one who had always been there, in their minds.
"Four down. Three remain."
"I will erase the entire system if I must."