Dawn broke over the Obsidian Arcanum Academy, but the world felt different. The courtyard that had been filled with laughter and magic now seemed smaller, dimmer, almost suffocating. Somehow, the shadows of last night had followed me back.
I didn't sleep. I couldn't. My body ached, my chest still burned faintly where the energy had surged, and the runes on my arms glimmered faintly under my skin. Every heartbeat reminded me that I was no longer the powerless student everyone had ignored. I was something else… something dangerous.
Seraphine had left before the sun even touched the towers, disappearing like smoke, leaving behind only a whisper:
"You must be careful, Lucian. The awakening is only the first step. Many eyes are on you now."
I swallowed hard. My classmates didn't know yet, but that didn't mean I was safe.
---
The first class of the day was Arcane History—a subject most students hated, but it was a trap for observation. I had barely taken two steps into the hall when whispers started:
"Did you see Vale last night?"
"I heard he exploded some shadows or something…"
"Someone's definitely hiding him from the professors…"
I ignored them, but my stomach twisted. I had no illusions that the world would treat me normally. Not anymore.
Then, as I took my seat, I felt a presence. Someone I knew—someone I should have expected.
Kael Draven.
He leaned casually against the desk across the hall, silver hair glinting, eyes sharp as blades. A faint smirk curved his lips, but his eyes… his eyes were studying me. Observing. Calculating.
I hated it. I hated him. And yet… there was something about the way he looked at me that made the hairs on my neck rise.
"You look… different," he said, voice smooth, almost teasing. "Did you get a new spell tattoo or something?"
I clenched my fists under the desk. He had no idea. Not yet.
Before I could respond, the doors burst open. A professor—Master Tervin, known for his ruthless teaching style—stormed in, robes billowing. His eyes scanned the room until they locked on me.
"Lucian Vale," he barked. "Report to my office immediately after class. And don't think your… recent activities excuse you from attendance."
I felt the room shift. Whispers grew louder. Some students tried to look confident. Others, like the upperclassmen, shared subtle glances, as if saying: He's dangerous now.
I swallowed, nodding. Kael smirked again, but didn't approach.
---
Class dragged on like a nightmare. Every spell demonstration, every whispered magic incantation felt like a reminder of how far I'd fallen behind. But beneath it all, a new awareness pulsed through me. I wasn't powerless anymore. I could feel the energy slumbering beneath my skin, whispering, promising. It was hungry. Waiting.
By the time class ended, my mind was racing. I had to find Seraphine again. I had to understand what had just happened… why my power had been sealed in the first place, and why the prophecy had marked me for something far beyond a simple student's life.
---
I found a secluded stairwell and leaned against the stone wall, trying to steady my breathing. The sun streamed in through cracks in the towers, illuminating dust motes dancing like tiny spirits.
Then I heard a soft, melodic laugh.
I turned.
There she was. Seraphine. Standing silently in the corner, her silver eyes glowing faintly even in daylight.
"You're everywhere," I said, exasperated, though relief surged through me.
"I told you I would find you," she said softly. "You can't ignore what's been awakened, Lucian. Others are coming. The shadow from last night… that wasn't the only one."
My stomach tightened. "Who are they?"
She looked down at the floor, hesitation in her gaze. "Agents of the prophecy. Some are bound to destroy you. Some… may try to guide you. And some… are already among your classmates."
I froze. Her words landed like stones in my chest. Already among my classmates? That meant someone I saw every day… someone I trusted… might already be plotting against me.
Before I could ask more, she touched my shoulder. The warmth was familiar, comforting… almost dangerous. "You need training. Tonight, we begin. But first…" Her gaze locked with mine, unwavering, unreadable. "There is someone you must meet."
She led me through twisting corridors, hidden staircases, and finally, to a chamber beneath the Academy I had never known existed. The air smelled of metal and herbs, faint traces of old blood lingering in the shadows.
Inside, a figure waited. Tall, armored, eyes the color of molten gold. His aura was intense, almost suffocating. And yet, his gaze softened as it landed on me.
"Lucian Vale," the figure said, voice deep, commanding. "I've been waiting."
I stepped back instinctively. "Who… who are you?"
He smiled faintly. "A friend… if you survive the trials. Call me Eryndor. I am here to train you in controlling what has awakened."
I glanced at Seraphine. Her eyes flicked to his, a shadow of doubt crossing her face. "Trust him," she whispered. "For now."
The golden-eyed man approached, and with a swift gesture, summoned a small orb of pulsating light. It hovered in the air, rotating, shifting.
"This," he said, "is a fragment of your sealed power. Until now, you have only scratched the surface. Tonight, you will learn to wield it, or it will consume you."
I swallowed. The words felt like fire. Consume me… or master me.
The first lesson of my new life had begun.
And in the shadows, something stirred.
A whisper, just beyond hearing:
"The game has begun, Lucian Vale… and you are already losing."