Dark sat at his desk, his fingers tracing the edges of the ancient tome he had been studying for weeks. The room was quiet, the soft glow of candlelight casting long shadows across the walls. He could feel the weight of the knowledge contained within the pages, knowledge that could alter the very fabric of reality. But tonight, something felt different.
His encounter with Gareth earlier had been a distraction, a reminder of the petty rivalries that still lingered within the academy. Gareth was fixated on the idea of dominance within the confines of the academy, but Dark's vision was far beyond these walls. Yet, even knowing that, the tension between them gnawed at Dark's thoughts.
Focus, Dark reminded himself, turning the page of the tome before him.
The text detailed a spell that could manipulate the flow of time in localized areas, a magic that few mages had ever mastered. The diagrams showed intricate runes and mana pathways that required perfect control. Dark's mind was already racing, thinking about how he could modify the spell, make it more efficient.
If I can control time, then space is the next step. His thoughts flickered back to the Architect's words, and a sense of urgency crept in. The Architect had spoken of rewriting the laws of magic, and Dark knew he had to prove he was ready for that kind of power.
As he focused on the book, a soft knock interrupted the silence of his room.
Dark's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced toward the door. He hadn't been expecting anyone. He considered ignoring the knock, but something about it felt... off.
Serena? No, she wouldn't knock at this hour. Dark closed the book, sliding it into a drawer before standing.
He crossed the room, opening the door just a crack. On the other side stood Tarin Thorne, one of the academy's more reclusive students. Tarin was known for his obsession with forbidden magic, much like Dark himself, but he was reckless, far too eager to delve into powers he didn't understand.
Dark raised an eyebrow. "Tarin?"
Tarin's eyes darted nervously around the hallway before he leaned in closer. "I need to talk to you," he whispered. "It's important."
Dark hesitated for a moment before opening the door wider, allowing Tarin to slip inside. The door clicked shut behind them, and Dark crossed his arms, studying Tarin carefully.
"What is it?" Dark asked, his voice calm, though he already sensed the answer. Tarin's behavior had been growing increasingly erratic over the past few weeks, and Dark suspected it had something to do with the same forbidden knowledge he was seeking.
Tarin fidgeted, his hands twisting together nervously. "I... I know you've been studying the Restricted Section," he blurted out, his voice shaky. "You've been getting into things that the academy doesn't want us to know about. And I—"
Dark's expression remained neutral, though his mind was already running through the possibilities. Tarin knew more than he should, and that made him dangerous.
"I've been careful," Dark said, his voice steady. "Why are you coming to me now?"
Tarin swallowed hard, glancing around the room as if expecting someone to be listening. "I need your help. I've found something, something big."
Dark's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Tarin took a deep breath, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I found a way to access the academy's inner vaults. There's magic stored there, ancient magic, the kind that even the instructors don't fully understand."
Dark's heart skipped a beat. The inner vaults were a well-guarded secret within the academy, rumored to contain artifacts and spells that predated the founding of the kingdom. Few students even knew of their existence, let alone how to access them.
"How do you know about the vaults?" Dark asked, his tone more measured now, careful not to reveal his own interest too quickly.
Tarin's eyes darted to the door again, and he leaned in closer. "I've been researching for months. There's an old map hidden in the archives, one that shows the pathways beneath the academy. I followed it and found a hidden entrance. But I can't get through the wards alone. That's why I need you."
Dark studied Tarin carefully, his mind racing. If what Tarin said was true, then this was an opportunity he couldn't ignore. The knowledge stored in those vaults could be the key to everything, the key to surpassing even the Architect's expectations.
But there was something off about Tarin's desperation. Dark wasn't sure if it was fear, greed, or something more dangerous driving him.
"You realize the risks," Dark said slowly. "If you've been caught, the consequences will be severe."
Tarin's face paled, and he nodded quickly. "I know. But... I've come too far to back out now. I just need someone who can help me break the wards."
Dark's gaze flicked toward the drawer where the tome was hidden. Breaking through the wards of the inner vaults would require powerful magic, magic that he had been studying in secret for weeks. But helping Tarin meant trusting him, at least to some degree, and that was something Dark wasn't sure he was willing to do.
I don't trust him, Dark thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. But if what he says is true, this is an opportunity I can't pass up.
"Fine," Dark said after a moment. "I'll help you. But we do this my way."
Tarin nodded eagerly, relief flooding his face. "Of course. Your way. Whatever you need."
Dark's mind was already working through the plan. They would need to be cautious, avoid detection, and most importantly, be prepared for whatever magical defenses were protecting the vaults.
"When do we go?" Tarin asked, his voice shaking slightly with anticipation.
"Tomorrow night," Dark replied. "We'll meet in the archives at midnight."
Tarin nodded again, his eyes wide with excitement. "I'll be ready."
Dark watched as Tarin hurried out of the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. As soon as he was gone, Dark let out a slow breath, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
Tarin's too reckless, Dark thought, his mind already turning over the potential risks. But if he's telling the truth...
Dark crossed the room and opened the drawer, pulling the tome back onto the desk. He flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the diagrams of ancient wards and barrier-breaking spells.
"This is what I've been waiting for," Dark muttered under his breath, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and caution.
But even as he prepared for the mission ahead, something about Tarin's desperation lingered in his mind. Was Tarin truly seeking knowledge, or was there something else driving him?
I'll find out soon enough.