Adam stepped into the classroom, his expression calm and unreadable. The room was large, with rows of desks neatly arranged, most of them already occupied by students chatting among themselves. A quick glance told him everything he needed to know—these were the seventh-year students, the elites of the Academy. Many of the students hailed from noble families, their postures confident, their uniforms impeccably tailored. He recognized all of them, thanks to his father's extensive briefings.
As Adam made his way toward an empty seat, a voice called out to him.
"Adam Scott?"
He turned and found himself facing a girl with bright eyes and a warm smile. Her presence was commanding, but in a welcoming way. She had the same silver hair and piercing gaze as the Crown Prince, yet there was a lightness to her demeanor that set her apart. Adam knew immediately who she was: Lyanna Silverthorne, the twin sister of Crown Prince Alexander. She was as famous as her brother, known for her strength, intelligence, and leadership abilities.
Lyanna approached him, her smile widening. "I'm Lyanna, the class president and also the president of the seventh-year students." Her tone was confident but friendly. "I'll be helping you fit in and showing you around the Academy. It's my job to make sure all new students have a smooth transition—especially when they're joining so late in the game."
Adam nodded, keeping his expression neutral. He had already memorized her strengths and weaknesses, her leadership style, and even the rumors about her ambition to rival her brother. Still, there was something disarming about her. She was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold and calculating environment he had grown up in.
"Thank you," Adam replied simply, not giving much away. His voice was polite, but he didn't let it betray any emotion.
"You're quite the mystery, you know," Lyanna said with a teasing tone. "Transferring in so late and jumping straight into the seventh year—it's rare, to say the least. I'm sure the other students will be curious about you."
Adam gave her a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'll try not to disappoint them."
Before Lyanna could say more, the sound of the classroom door creaking open silenced the room. Every student quickly took their seats, their chatter fading into an uneasy quiet. Adam noticed a few boys near the back exchanging annoyed glances.
An old man entered the room, his appearance commanding instant respect. He wore long, dark robes, and his face was lined with age and experience. His eyes, sharp as steel, scanned the classroom with a withering intensity that made even the most confident students sit up straighter.
Professor Alistair Graves, one of the toughest and most feared teachers in the Academy. Adam had heard about him. A master of ancient magic, Professor Graves was known for his strict discipline and no-nonsense attitude. He tolerated no foolishness and was quick to reprimand students for even the smallest mistakes.
As the professor made his way to the front of the room, Adam overheard a few boys whispering behind him.
"Great, we've been assigned old Graves for the year," one of them muttered under his breath, barely loud enough to hear. "This is going to be hell."
"Yeah, he's the toughest mage in the Academy," another boy added, his voice tinged with frustration. "He'll have us memorizing ancient runes and casting until our fingers bleed."
Adam's sharp ears caught every word, but he didn't react. Graves' reputation didn't intimidate him. If anything, Adam saw it as another challenge—a test of discipline and control. Something he had long mastered.
Graves reached his desk and turned to face the class, his gaze sweeping over the students as if he could see straight through them.
"Welcome, seventh years," Graves began, his voice deep and authoritative. "This will be your final year of study before your graduation and ascension into the ranks of this kingdom's elite. Some of you may think this will be an easy year—a time to coast by on the accomplishments of your previous years here."
He paused, his gaze hardening. "You are mistaken."
A tense silence fell over the room. The boys who had been complaining before shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"In this class, you will be tested. You will be challenged. And you will be held to the highest standard," Graves continued. "I expect discipline, hard work, and perfection. If any of you are not prepared to meet these expectations, I suggest you leave now."
No one moved. No one dared.
Adam sat perfectly still, his expression neutral as always, but his mind was already racing. He could tell just by the way Graves held himself that this man was not to be taken lightly. He was strict, yes, but also powerful—one of the most respected mages in the kingdom, with decades of experience behind him.
Graves' eyes briefly met Adam's as he scanned the room again, and for a moment, Adam wondered if the professor knew more about him than he was letting on. But the moment passed quickly, and Graves continued speaking.
"You will be working harder than ever before this year," the professor said, his tone final. "And by the end of it, I expect every single one of you to have reached your full potential."
With that, the lesson began. Graves didn't waste any time, launching straight into a complex lecture about ancient magical theory, leaving no room for idle chatter or distractions.
Adam listened carefully, his mind absorbing the information, but his thoughts remained split between the lesson and the environment around him. As always, his instincts were on high alert, calculating every movement, every possible outcome.
This was his first day, and already he could see that his time at the Academy was going to be anything but ordinary.
After Professor Graves' intense lecture on ancient magical theory, the class dragged on with no room for breaks. He moved swiftly from one topic to the next, leaving no time for the students to catch their breath. As the final minutes ticked by, Graves assigned a massive reading from a centuries-old tome on elemental magic, causing a few groans to escape from the more fatigued students.
Adam remained unfazed. His mind worked like a well-oiled machine, absorbing the information effortlessly. Even as the lesson neared its end, he was already planning his next moves—where to explore, which routes offered the best concealment, and how to observe the other students without drawing too much attention to himself.
The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the class, and the students began to pack up their belongings. Lyanna, still smiling, approached Adam once again.
"That was... something," she said with a small laugh. "Graves always starts the year off hard, but you'll get used to it."
Adam gave her a slight nod, maintaining his calm demeanor. "I'll manage," he replied.
Lyanna studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes taking in his composed stance. "I'm sure you will," she said, as if testing him. "Still, if you need anything—help with finding your way around, or if you're struggling with the material—don't hesitate to ask. I know coming in late can be overwhelming."
"Thanks," Adam said, though he knew he wouldn't be needing any help. He'd already committed every inch of the Academy to memory without setting foot here before today. But playing along was important—he couldn't draw suspicion.
As the students filed out of the classroom, Lyanna headed off with a small group of her friends, and Adam slipped into the stream of students making their way down the halls. He moved with ease through the crowd, unnoticed by most. His goal now was to locate his dormitory, Room 799, and settle in before the day's next challenge.
He exited the academic building and crossed the wide, open courtyard that connected the dormitories to the main hall. The North Wing loomed in the distance, a tall, imposing structure reserved for the seventh and eighth-year students. The thought of living among some of the most powerful and influential students didn't bother him—if anything, it provided more opportunities to gather information, to learn the intricacies of this world.
As he approached the dormitory entrance, he noticed a few groups of older students lounging by the steps, chatting and laughing as they discussed their summer breaks. They barely paid Adam any attention, but he could feel their eyes linger on him for a second longer than normal. They were sizing him up, just as he was doing to them.
Entering the building, Adam made his way up several flights of stairs until he reached the seventh floor. Room 799 was located at the very end of the long corridor, isolated from the other dorm rooms. Sliding the magic key into the lock, he felt the familiar hum of enchanted energy as the door clicked open.
The room was spacious but modest, with a large window overlooking the Academy grounds. A single bed sat in the corner, a desk near the window, and a small wardrobe for his clothes. The room had the essentials, and that was all Adam needed.
He closed the door behind him and let out a small breath, taking a moment to assess his new space. The room was secure, and more importantly, private. He could think here, plan here.
As Adam began unpacking his few belongings, a knock sounded at the door. Instinctively, his body tensed, his mind running through several possibilities—who would be knocking at this time?
He opened the door cautiously and was met with the sight of his father, Duke Damian Scott, standing in the hallway, his expression as stern and unreadable as ever. It was rare for his father to visit him in person, especially at the Academy, where Damian's presence was likely to attract attention.
"Father," Adam greeted him, stepping aside to let him in.
Damian entered the room without a word, his eyes briefly scanning the space before turning his full attention to his son. There was an intensity in his gaze that Adam recognized all too well. This wasn't a casual visit.
"You did well today," Damian said, his tone low but approving. "But this Academy isn't just about your academic performance. You understand that, don't you?"
Adam nodded. "Yes."
Damian moved closer, his voice lowering even further. "The Academy is filled with the future leaders of the kingdom. You'll be under constant scrutiny—not just from the professors, but from the other students as well. Many of them come from families with power, influence... and secrets. You need to be careful, but more importantly, you need to be ahead of them at every step."
Adam met his father's gaze, unflinching. "I know. I've memorized every detail about the students, the professors, even the staff. I'm prepared."
A faint smile crossed Damian's face, one of approval. "Good. There's more at stake here than you realize, Adam. Your time at this Academy is a test—not just of your abilities, but of your loyalty to this family and what we represent."
Adam didn't need the reminder. He had always known that his father's expectations went beyond mere survival. There was a larger plan in motion, one that Adam would be expected to play a role in, whether he liked it or not.
"I won't fail," Adam said firmly.
Damian's expression softened ever so slightly. "I know you won't." He placed a hand on Adam's shoulder, a rare gesture of affection from a man who showed little emotion. "You've come a long way, but remember—trust no one. Not even those who seem friendly. Especially not them."
With those final words, Damian turned and left the room, leaving Adam alone once again. The door clicked shut behind him, and the room fell silent.
Adam stood there for a moment, absorbing the weight of his father's words. Trust no one. It was a lesson he had learned long ago, and one he would carry with him every day he spent at the Academy.