The black carriage rolled silently through the misty streets of Ebonveil, its lacquered surface gleaming faintly under the pale morning light. The emblem of the Ardeyne family—an intricate sigil of silver roses and crimson serpents—was etched into the door. To passersby, it was a symbol of wealth and power, the kind that belonged to the highest echelons of society.
Inside sat Valerius Noctheris, silent, composed, wrapped in a mantle of black trimmed with crimson. His crimson-violet eyes gazed out the window, but within them burned a confusion he carefully concealed.
Why am I even doing this? Ren screamed inside his mind. An academy? School? Again? I literally just crawled out of a coffin!
But his face betrayed nothing. To anyone watching, he was the epitome of cool detachment: a noble whose veins carried centuries of dominion.
Across from him, Krystal Ardeyne adjusted her gloves, her every gesture elegant and precise. "Remember, my lord," she said softly, "I have arranged everything. To them, you are Val Noctheris, heir of a forgotten noble line restored through my patronage. No one will question it."
Val's lips moved, his tone calm, resonant. "Val is… sufficient."
Inside, Ren groaned. Short names are safer. Less chance I'll slip and embarrass myself.
The carriage stopped at tall wrought-iron gates, beyond which rose the spires of Arclight Academy. Students streamed past the gates—some laughing, some haughty, some weighed down with books and gear. Banners of blue and gold fluttered above, bearing the Academy crest: a sword crossed with a quill, encircled by seven stars.
As the driver opened the carriage door, silence spread. Conversations faltered. Dozens of eyes turned toward the mysterious newcomer stepping down.
Val's figure emerged, tall and poised, his cloak billowing gently with the morning breeze. His crimson eyes swept over the crowd—unintentionally predatory, aristocratic.
Gasps. Murmurs.
"Who is he?"
"Look at those eyes… is he from the northern nobility?"
"No… I've never seen anyone like him."
"He's terrifyingly beautiful."
Ren panicked inside. They're staring. Why are they staring? Don't look at me like that! I'm just trying to breathe!
But his outward expression remained unreadable, a mask of perfect calm. Which, of course, only fueled the rumors.
Krystal stepped out gracefully, her presence enough to hush any questions. Whispers ran wild—The Ardeyne family brought him? He must be someone untouchable.
Val walked forward, each step measured, unintentionally exuding dominance. Students parted instinctively, giving him a path.
By the time he reached the main courtyard, one thing was clear: Arclight Academy had just received a new legend.
---
Professor Lucien Draem awaited at the courtyard steps, a tall man in a long coat, his silver hair tied back neatly. His eyes, sharp as blades, assessed the newcomer with unsettling focus. To the students, he was merely a stern instructor. In truth, Lucien was a veteran Hunter, a man who had once fought on battlefields against creatures most students thought were myths.
And now, as he gazed at Val, his breath stilled.
This aura… suppressed, yet endless. Could it be…? No. Impossible. That one fell centuries ago.
Val stopped before him, regal. Lucien inclined his head slightly. "Welcome, Val Noctheris. You are late in joining us this term, but arrangements have been made. You will begin immediately."
Val's lips curved in the faintest nod. "Understood."
Inside, Ren panicked. That's it? That's all I have to say? Oh god, now he thinks I'm some aloof genius who doesn't waste words.
Lucien's gaze lingered, then shifted to the murmuring students. "Go. Introduce yourself."
Val turned, his presence washing over the gathered crowd. Silence fell again. His crimson eyes scanned them. His voice, deep and even, carried effortlessly.
"Val."
Nothing more. Just a name.
Students exchanged wide-eyed looks.
"That's it?"
"He didn't even say his full title…"
"That's so… cool."
Ren screamed internally. No! I wasn't trying to be cool, I just didn't know what else to say!
A boy with slicked-back hair, clearly from noble birth, stepped forward with forced bravado. "Well, Val," he sneered, "let's see if your silence matches your skill. Don't think you can—"
Val turned his gaze upon him. Crimson eyes, aristocratic and cold, locked onto the boy.
The boy froze. His voice cracked. "I—I mean… welcome to Arclight." He stumbled back into the crowd, pale.
The students erupted into whispers.
"He shut him up with just a look!"
"A single glance and even Bertram crumbled…"
"He must be terrifyingly strong."
Ren buried his face in his hands—metaphorically. Great. First day and they already think I'm some tyrant overlord.
---
Val's first class was held in a grand chamber, sunlight streaming through stained glass that painted the floors with color. He took a seat at the back, his cloak flowing around him. Immediately, the nearest desks cleared—students too intimidated to sit beside him.
Professor Elira Veyne, a poised woman with golden eyes, began the lesson. But Val's attention was stolen by three presences across the room.
The first: a girl with long silver-blonde hair, dressed in flawless white and silver. Her posture screamed aristocracy. Her gaze was sharp, judgmental, and when their eyes met, a flicker of something dangerous passed through her irises of molten silver.
Celestine D'Argent.
An Eternarch aristocrat.
She studied him openly, chin raised. Impossible, she thought. That aura… it can't be. Unless…
The second: a dark-haired knightly girl clad in a modified academy uniform with reinforced plates. Her sapphire eyes glowed faintly with rune-light.
Adelheid von Nachtreich.
Scion of a Hunter lineage.
She leaned forward, voice cutting. "You. Val, was it? If you're as skilled as your eyes suggest, you won't mind answering: what rune governs blood-binding contracts?"
Ren's mind blanked. Rune what?!
But Val's lips moved without hesitation, the knowledge flowing from the body itself. "Nexis."
Gasps rippled through the class. Adelheid's brows rose. "Correct." She narrowed her eyes. So he isn't just some pretty aristocrat.
The third: a girl with long emerald hair and golden eyes that glittered mischievously. Her ears tapered slightly—Fae heritage.
Aurelia Sylvaine.
She tilted her head, smiling. "Mysterious. Handsome. And clever. Dangerous combination." She giggled softly. "Careful, Val, or you'll make enemies before you make friends."
Ren sweated inside. I'm already drowning in enemies and I just got here.
But Val only inclined his head slightly, cool and unbothered.
The entire class drew one conclusion: Val Noctheris was not a boy to be underestimated.
---
By afternoon, the students gathered in the Academy's arena, a vast coliseum of stone and glowing runes. Here, duels and training sessions were routine.
Professor Lucien addressed them. "Pair up. A light spar, nothing lethal. Show me your form."
Whispers rippled.
Bertram, the noble boy humiliated earlier, stepped forward again, cheeks red with anger. "I'll face him. The newcomer."
The crowd murmured eagerly.
Val sighed internally. Ren panicked. Why me? Why always me?!
Bertram drew his blade, shimmering with enchantment. He grinned mockingly. "Try not to embarrass yourself, newcomer."
Val remained still. His eyes half-lidded.
The duel began.
Bertram charged, his blade slicing through the air—only to falter mid-strike. The moment Val's crimson eyes locked on him, his knees buckled. His body trembled, sweat pouring.
A second later, he collapsed, unconscious, blade clattering uselessly.
The arena fell silent.
"…He didn't even move."
"Bertram just… fainted?"
"No—he was crushed by the newcomer's aura. That's the power of an ancient lineage!"
Ren screamed inside. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!
But outwardly, Val stood tall, cloak drifting, every inch the image of an aristocrat who needed no effort to dominate.
Lucien's eyes narrowed. That aura… it's not a child's. It's… ancient.
Celestine crossed her arms, silver eyes gleaming. So it begins.
---
As the day ended, students whispered Val's name like a legend already written.
That night, beneath the Academy's towering spires, Krystal appeared beside him in his quarters, her presence calm but firm.
"You must restrain your aura, my lord," she warned softly. "If you continue like this, they will know. And once they know… you will never walk unseen again."
Val looked out the window. The blood-red moon was faint on the horizon, lingering even at dusk.
Ren's voice whispered in his head: I don't belong here. I don't even know who I am anymore.
But deep inside, another voice answered. Cold. Certain. Eternal.
You are Valerius Noctheris. The world will remember.
And in the shadows beyond the Academy walls, cultists cloaked in abyssal darkness whispered to one another.
"The Primarch has returned."