The academy did not accept talent.
It accepted weapons.
Every student chosen possessed power that rivaled senior military commanders. Anything less would die on their first deployment.
Among those elites lived three roommates.
Seraphine Ardent.
Kael Draven.
And Riven Vaelthorne.
Seraphine was light incarnate. Her swordsmanship was sacred and precise, each strike clean as judgment. She was the pride of the Ardent family, niece of General Cassian Ardent, and already stronger than most officers in active service.
Kael Draven was the spearhead. Fierce, relentless, and fearless. He didn't analyze. He attacked. In every battle, he stood at the front without hesitation.
And then there was Riven.
Officially, he was support.
He carried a plain shield.
He rarely spoke.
He never stood in the spotlight.
And yet…
Battles ended strangely when he was present.