I stepped onto the solid stone ground, the sharp crunch of gravel beneath my boots breaking the silence. The carriage behind me slowly began its journey back down the winding road, its polished frame gleaming in the afternoon light. I didn't bother looking back at it for long—there was no point. Ahead of me was Blackstone Academy, a place that would be my home for the foreseeable future.
"Your majesty, we've been awaiting your arrival." A voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned to see a tall figure standing before me, his red eyes glowing faintly beneath a flawless, almost aristocratic face.
"My name is Aasmon, and I am the chief of the council of Blackstone Academy," he said with a polite smile.
He was *handsome*, the kind of sharp-featured good looks that made me suspect he was more than just a mere student. Maybe he was a noble, though his lack of horns suggested otherwise.
"Good day, Aasmon. Thank you for the warm welcome," I replied, keeping my tone respectful. I knew I wasn't supposed to flaunt my title here. Not in a place like Blackstone, where status was left at the gates.
Aasmon bowed slightly, a gesture that seemed more customary than personal. "It is a pleasure, your majesty. If you would allow me, I will give you a tour of the academy before we proceed to the formalities."
I nodded and followed him as he led me through the expansive grounds. Blackstone Academy was a fortress of stone and magic, its towering buildings casting long shadows over the cobbled paths. The academy wasn't divided into separate schools like in my old world. Here, education was a single, continuous path from start to finish. You entered as a child and left as a master of your craft, whenever you were deemed ready.
It was the norm in this world, and I have to admit, it made things simpler and convenient.
Aasmon led me through the courtyards first. Students of all kinds filled the open spaces—demons, orcs, elves, goblins(disgusting)and other creatures native to the kingdom. I recognized most of them easily. I had drilled the specifics of each race and their magical abilities and affinities into my head for years. It was part of being royalty, after all—knowing who ruled and who served.
The air hummed with magic. Some students were practicing their elemental control, flames sparking in their hands or gusts of wind swirling at their feet. I watched as one demon, probably a senior student, casually summoned a torrent of water from thin air, guiding it through the air without so much as a wave of his hand. Here, gestures weren't necessary. Magic was second nature to everyone, myself included.
"The training fields are where most students spend their time mastering their elements," Aasmon explained as we walked past groups practicing in the open air. "Fire, earth and wind are the most common, some students even possess multiple affinities."
I nodded, though I was already familiar with this. I could wield all the elements, but I kept that to myself for now. No need to draw attention on the first day.
As we moved through the academy, Aasmon pointed out the various buildings—the lecture halls, libraries, and laboratories. Everything was immaculate, polished, and meticulously designed. It wasn't far off from what I had imagined.
"This academy has been the center of magical education for centuries," Aasmon continued, his voice steady as he guided me through the halls. "Many great figures have come from Blackstone."
I didn't respond. My mind was elsewhere, drifting to the one place I was dreading more than any other.
The student council room.
The tour ended there, just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. Aasmon led me to a large door at the end of a long, silent corridor. The wood was dark, nearly black, with intricate carvings of demonic symbols and sigils etched into its surface.
"This is the student council room," Aasmon said, stepping aside as he gestured toward the door. "You will need to sign the final papers to complete your enrollment. After that, you will officially be a student of Blackstone Academy."
I stared at the door, my fingers twitching slightly as I considered my next move. It wasn't the paperwork that bothered me. It was the knowledge that behind this door, waiting for me, was my sister.
Aurora.
The Vice Chief of the council, and more importantly, a complete brocon. Her obsession with me had always been… unsettling, to say the least. She doted on me far too much, despite our difference in age. Now that I was here, within her territory, I wasn't sure how she'd react.
The academy's rules were simple: everyone was to be treated equally, regardless of status. Here, I would just be Aiden. No one would call me "your majesty" or treat me like a prince. But Aurora was a different story.
I took a breath and pushed open the door. Inside, the council room was as grand as the rest of the academy—dark wood furniture, shelves lined with ancient scrolls, and an enormous window that overlooked the sprawling grounds.
And standing near that window, her back to me, was Aurora.
Her silver-white hair shimmered in the fading light, her thin red horns ever complementing her features and even though she hadn't turned to face me, I could feel her presence filling the room. It was overwhelming, as usual.
Aasmon cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, this is Vice Chief Aurora. She will oversee the final steps of your enrollment."
Aurora turned slowly, a soft smile playing on her lips. Her golden eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze. There was something about her gaze that always made me uneasy. Maybe it was because I knew what was going on behind those eyes. Maybe it was because of how closely she had watched over me my entire life.
"Well, well," she said, her voice smooth, almost teasing. "Little brother, you've finally arrived."
I forced a smile, though it felt awkward. "Yeah, looks like I didn't have a choice."
Her smile widened slightly, and she stepped closer. "Oh, I've been waiting for this day. Don't worry, I'll make sure your time here is… enjoyable."
Her words sent a chill down my spine. Aurora's version of 'enjoyable' didn't always align with mine.
Aasmon handed me the papers to sign, and I quickly scribbled my name at the bottom, eager to get it over with. Once I was done, I handed them back and turned to Aurora. She hadn't moved, but her eyes were still locked onto me, studying me like I was a rare specimen.
"Welcome to Blackstone," she said, her voice softer now, "Aiden."