The aftermath of Operation 'Moonlight Bandit Massacre' was inconclusive. The thugs were defeated, yes, but the combination of his pompous declarations and subsequent faceplant hardly screamed'shadowy overlord'. Ravi sulked for an entire day, mulling over the logistics of building a reputation rooted in both fear and unintentional comedy.The solution arrived in a crumpled flyer tucked beneath his chamber's door: The Royal Academy of Sword and Sorcery's Open Enrollment. This was it—a whole institution filled with potential pawns, er, followers! With a mischievous grin, Ravi began to plot."Dearest Mother, I have made a momentous decision!" He announced this at breakfast, theatrically shoving aside his untouched oatmeal. "To further my magical studies, I must enroll in the academy!"His mother blinked, surprised. His elder brother, Aryan, let out a snort of disbelief."Ravi, be serious," Aryan chided. "The Academy is no place for your childish games."Childish games? Ravi inwardly fumed. They had no idea what he was truly capable of or the true depths of his power and ambition."No, brother!" His voice rose to a carefully rehearsed pitch of righteous indignation. "This is my destiny! Eternal Moon shall spread its influence, and where better to start than the heart of the kingdom?"Aryan just rolled his eyes, but his mother's face softened with concern. "Ravi, the academy is rigorous. Are you certain?""Absolutely certain!" He declared it, striking a pose of absolute determination.And just like that, it was settled. Ravi, the slightly unhinged 15-year-old "prodigy," was academy-bound.…The Royal Academy of Sword and Sorcery was exactly as he had imagined: imposing architecture, sprawling courtyards, and an overwhelming scent of old parchment and youthful ambition. Students in elaborate uniforms clustered in groups, their assessments of Ravi ranging from dismissive to openly curious.Perfect. All according to plan."Hmm..." Ravi stroked his chin thoughtfully while observing a group of students practicing fire spells. They fumbled with incantations, the resulting flames barely flickering.Suppressing his own smirk, he approached with an air of exaggerated helpfulness about him. "Perhaps focus less on the words and more on the essence of the element itself."The students blinked in surprise but humored the strange young noble. Ravi closed his eyes, more for dramatic effect than anything else. With a flick of his wrist, a pillar of roaring fire erupted. The courtyard erupted in gasps.The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind. Whispered rumors, exaggerated gestures that were somehow deemed 'profound', and more than a few offers from various school factions wanting to recruit the 'eccentric Sharma genius'. He accepted them all with a vague smile, promising to think carefully about their proposals.By nightfall, Ravi lay in his opulent dormitory room, a mad grin splitting his face. This was even better than he'd anticipated.Yet, the image of the Eternal Moon required more than academy dominance. Inspiration struck as he glanced at the discarded Academy-issued nightwear.An hour later, a hunched figure cloaked in the most dramatically oversized pajamas imaginable crept through the academy. His target was the restricted section of the library."Perfect..." Ravi whispered as he cracked open a particularly dusty tome titled 'Forbidden Rituals and Dubiously True Legends'.…"Ravi Sharma! To the headmaster's office, immediately!"Three weeks into his academy career, the summons came. Ravi strolled down the gilded halls, a picture of casual disinterest. What petty rule had he so gloriously violated this time?"Ah, Mr. Sharma." The Headmaster, a wizened old mage with a disconcertingly long beard, peered at him over his spectacles. "We seem to have a situation."Situation? Ravi feigned ignorance. "However do you mean, Headmaster?""This." The headmaster thrust a scroll toward him. It was official, elaborate, and topped with the kingdom's seal.Ravi scanned it, his eyes widening in mock surprise. It was a decree—no, an invitation—to attend an upcoming royal ball, specifically addressed to the esteemed 'Absolute'. Further down, in a more hurried script, was the phrase 'Cult of Diablos? Never heard of it!' scrawled in the margin.The jig was up. Somehow, his late-night'research' and penchant for muttering nonsensical prophecies in deserted hallways had caught the attention of the actual authorities. Eternal Moon, his completely fictional shadow organization, might not be so fictional after all.Ravi's heart hammered with a thrill he hadn't felt in years. This was beyond anything he could have masterminded. The world itself was handing him the ultimate stage.With his most convincingly bewildered expression, he looked up at the headmaster. "I fear there must have been some misunderstanding."