The morning sun filtered through the tall, narrow windows of the Academy, casting long, golden rays across the Great Hall as students gathered for breakfast. Alexander moved through the bustling crowd with a determined stride, his thoughts focused on the conversation he was about to have. After the previous day's unsettling encounter with Lucian Draven and his lackeys, Alexander knew he needed to take action. The hostility Lucian had shown was more than just petty rivalry—it was personal, and it was dangerous.
But he also knew he couldn't face Lucian alone. If he was going to protect himself and stay involved with Lira, he needed allies. With that thought in mind, Alexander made a decision. He would start by seeking out Elara, the tall, confident girl from House Ignis who had been sorted into the same House as Lucian. Elara came from a prestigious family with a long history of magical prowess, and Alexander had a feeling that she might know something about Lucian's background—something that could give him an edge.
As he entered the Great Hall, his eyes scanned the room until he found Elara seated at the Ignis table, her dark hair neatly tied back, her posture poised and elegant. She was engaged in conversation with a few of her Housemates, but when she noticed Alexander approaching, she offered him a curious smile.
"Alexander," she greeted him as he reached the table. "To what do I owe the pleasure this morning?"
"Good morning, Elara," Alexander replied, smiling back. "I was hoping I could have a word with you in private. It's about something important."
Elara raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued."Of course. Why don't we step outside? It's a bit quieter in the courtyard."
Alexander nodded in agreement, and the two of them left the bustling Great Hall, stepping out into the cool morning air of the courtyard. The courtyard was still relatively empty, with only a few students milling about, enjoying the early sunlight. Elara led Alexander to a secluded bench beneath a large oak tree, where they could talk without being overheard.
Alexander hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But he knew that if he was going to get any useful information, he needed to be honest. "It's about Lucian Draven," he said finally. "I've noticed that he seems to have it out for me, and it's not just your usual rivalry. He's been actively trying to undermine me, and I need to something about him."
Elara frowned slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Lucian? That irritating bloke," she admitted. "He's always been very competitive and ambitious, especially when it comes to magic and power. But this seems different. Do you have any idea why he might be targeting you?"
Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I think it has something to do with Lira. Lucian seems to have some kind of… fixation on her. When he saw us talking the other day, it was like something snapped. And now he's doing everything he can to make my life difficult."
Elara leaned back against the tree, her eyes narrowing slightly, a look of amused affection in her gaze."Unbelievable! I step away for a bit, and you've already caught the eye of Lira Valen, the future head of the Valen family. She's the woman everyone's after!"
"Stop joking around! We're just friends, nothing more. Seriously though, I've run out of options and could really use your help. Name your price," Alexander said, his hands clasped together in a gesture of desperation.
"This is on you. remember." She smiled. She paused, her gaze drifting to the stone path in front of them. " Lucian has always been possessive when it comes to Lira. Their families have close ties, and there's been talk for years that they might end up married someday, though Lira has never seemed interested in him that way."
"As for Lucian's background… The Draven family is powerful, no doubt about it, whether in the academy or in the empire. They've always been aligned with House Ignis, and their influence extends beyond the Academy. But they've also made a lot of enemies over the years. There are plenty of people who would love to see Lucian or his family taken down"
"Do you know if there's anyone at the Academy who might have a grudge against him or his family?" Alexander asked, hoping for a lead.
She paused, glancing around the courtyard to ensure no one was listening before continuing. "In fact, there are a few specific names you should keep in mind. First, there's the Everhart family. They've clashed with the Dravens over control of key magical resources for years. Then there's the Morvyns, who have a deep-rooted grudge stemming from a betrayal long ago."
"Next, there's the Blackwoods. They've always resented the Dravens' influence in the political arena. The Varen family is another name—there's been a long-standing rivalry between them and the Dravens that goes back generations. Finally, you should know about the Nightshade family. They've had several… unfortunate encounters with the Dravens that have left a lasting bitterness."
"In the Academy, I'd recommend getting to know the Nightshade family first. Their future head, Lucian Nightshade, was killed in a conflict with the Draven family. The tension between them is irreconcilable."
"His younger brother, Dorian, is stepping up now, but he's in a difficult position, because of Lucian Draven. At the next gathering, I'll introduce you to him."
"Thank you, Elara," he said sincerely. "I appreciate you telling me this. That would be helpful!"
Elara smiled, though her expression was tinged with concern. "There's another piece of information that could be very useful to you," she said, leaning in slightly. "As far as I know, Lucian Draven is the second son of the Draven family. Therefore, he sees Lira Valen as a key supporter in his bid to become the next head, but that also means he doesn't get much backing from his own family."
Alexander's eyes widened slightly at the revelation. "So, Lucian's position isn't as secure as it seems."
"Exactly," Elara nodded. "Now that we've covered all that, let's talk about my reward," she said, a sly grin spreading across her face.
"Have you heard of the Chronomancer's Chamber? It's a new area the Academy just opened up, specifically for first-year students, just like us."
"The what?"
Elara's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "The Chronomancer's Chamber, an ancient time challenge that allows students to travel back in time and experience historical events firsthand. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn lost magic or improve our skills by training with the greatest mages in history."
Alexander felt a surge of excitement. "That sounds incredible."
Elara's grin widened. "And that's what you pay," she said with a chuckle. "You're coming with me to challenge it."
"This morning, I was still anxious about how to participate," she admitted, a hint of relief in her voice. "Only a team of four can be allowed to enter, and then you showed up, just in time."
"My pleasure! And the other two?"
"Of cause in my mind! We could ask Tomas and Selene to join us. Tomas is brilliant with potions, and Selene has a way of seeing things others miss. I think they'd make great additions to the team."
"Sounds like a plan. I was thinking the same thing," Alexander agreed.
They found Tomas in the library, surrounded by a stack of books and vials of strange liquids. He looked up in surprise as Alexander and Elara approached, his shy demeanor making him seem even more out of place in the vast, echoing hall.
"Alexander, Elara," Tomas greeted them, his voice soft but warm. "What brings you here?"
"We were hoping you'd join us for a new challenge," Alexander said, getting straight to the point. "Have you heard about the Chronomancer's Chamber?"
Tomas's eyes widened in recognition. "The time chamber? Yes, I've heard about it. It's an incredible opportunity… but also quite dangerous, from what I've heard."
"That's why we're forming a group," Elara explained. "We want to explore the chamber together, to learn what we can and improve our skills. You'd be a valuable addition to the team, Tomas. Your knowledge of potions and alchemy could make all the difference."
Tomas hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the books spread out before him. "I… I'm not sure if I'm ready for something like that. But… if you think I could help, then I'm willing to try."
Elara smiled reassuringly. "We wouldn't ask if we didn't believe in you, Tomas."
With Tomas on board, the next step was to find Selene. They found her in one of the Academy's many gardens, sitting quietly on a stone bench, her eyes closed as she absorbed the serenity of the natural surroundings. Selene had always been something of an enigma—quiet, reserved, and deeply introspective.
"Selene," Alexander said softly as they approached, not wanting to startle her. "We were hoping you'd join us for an exploration of the Chronomancer's Chamber."
Selene opened her eyes and looked up at them, her expression calm but curious. "The time chamber," she murmured, as if tasting the words. "I've heard of it. A place where the past comes alive… where the echoes of lost magic can still be felt."
"That's right," Elara said, her tone encouraging. "We want to explore it, and your insight and unique perspective would be invaluable, Selene."
Selene remained quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting over the lush greenery of the garden. Finally, she looked back at them, her expression thoughtful but resolute."I'll join you."
"Whoo-hoo! Then it's settled." Elara smiled, her eyes gleaming with excitement.