As the days passed, Shiv's time with the viscount and his family drew to an end. The night before his departure to the Royal Academy, the viscount invited him to his study for a private conversation. The room was warm, with walls lined with bookshelves, and a soft fire crackling in the hearth. The viscount, a thoughtful man and a powerful mage in his own right, gestured for Shiv to sit.
"Shiv," the viscount began, his voice steady, "I want to thank you again for saving my daughter's life. You've earned my trust, and now I must ask something important of you."
Shiv nodded, sensing the gravity in the viscount's words.
"You're heading to the Royal Academy with Ilina," the viscount continued, leaning forward slightly. "That place… it's full of opportunity, but also full of politics. Nobles, especially the higher-ranked ones, are always looking for ways to expand their influence. And many of them see my daughter as a prize."
Shiv frowned. "You mean… they want to marry her?"
The viscount sighed. "Yes. Ilina is strong, talented, and from a respected family. Many young nobles would love to tie their fortunes to ours. Some of them don't care about her feelings or even what's right. That's where you come in."
Shiv's expression hardened. He had grown fond of Ilina over the past month, and the thought of anyone trying to manipulate her for power didn't sit well with him.
"I'll protect her," Shiv said quietly.
The viscount gave a grateful nod. "That's what I hoped to hear. But there's more. I've watched you, Shiv, and I can see that you're different. You possess strength far beyond what your rank suggests, and while I won't pry into your secrets, you must know this: the other nobles won't take kindly to a commoner like you wielding such power. They will envy you, and they will try to undermine you."
Shiv's eyes narrowed as the viscount continued. "Stay low, at least for now. I've given you my letter of recommendation, and that will ensure the academy accepts you. The principal will understand, and she will help you find your place. But don't let them see how truly powerful you are until the time is right."
Shiv nodded, understanding the wisdom in the viscount's advice. The viscount stood, placing a firm hand on Shiv's shoulder. "Take care of Ilina at the academy. I'm trusting you with my daughter's safety."
"I will," Shiv promised.
Two days later, Shiv and Ilina found themselves on the road to the capital, traveling in the viscount's carriage. The journey took a week, and during that time, Shiv and Ilina grew even closer. They talked about their upcoming experiences at the academy, their hopes, and their worries. Ilina, though strong and confident, admitted that she was nervous about the pressures awaiting her.
"You're going to be amazing," Shiv reassured her. "You've got more talent than most of those nobles could dream of."
Ilina smiled, but her thoughts lingered on what her father had warned them about. "Just… promise me you won't let them push you around, Shiv. You're stronger than you realize."
The Royal Academy was a sprawling, majestic campus nestled at the heart of the capital. Its towering spires and grand halls spoke of its long history, and students from all corners of the kingdom gathered there to learn and hone their skills.
Upon arrival, Shiv and Ilina were escorted to the principal's office. The principal, a woman in her late forties with streaks of silver in her dark hair, greeted them with a warm, knowing smile. Her presence was commanding, and the air around her hummed with power. Shiv could sense that she was no ordinary mage—she was a six-circle mage, and more than that, her connection to Veylin was apparent the moment she looked at him.
"I am Elara, the principal of this academy and Veylin's last student," she said, her eyes twinkling with wisdom. As she glanced at Shiv, her gaze fell on the ring Veylin had given him, and her expression changed, softening with recognition. "That ring… it belonged to Veylin. How did you come to possess it?"
Shiv hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. "I… met him. He entrusted me with some of his teachings, but I didn't know you were his student."
Elara's smile widened. "That explains it. Veylin always had a way of finding those with potential. You carry his ring, which means you carry a part of his legacy." She paused, as if sensing there was more to Shiv than what he was revealing, but she didn't press further. "I'm glad to welcome you to the academy, Shiv. And you, Ilina, have already proven your talents. You will both do well here."
After formalities were handled, Elara personally ensured that Shiv's enrollment was processed smoothly, thanks in part to the viscount's recommendation. "Remember," she said softly as they left, "this academy is a place of learning, but also of politics. Be careful."
The dorms were lively, full of students bustling about, preparing for the start of the new academic year. Shiv and Ilina were placed in rooms not far from each other, and soon they met their dormmates—two other students, a boy and girl, twins who were children of a minor baron. The twins, Cara and Rian, were already friends with Ilina, and they welcomed Shiv warmly into their circle.
"Ilina told us all about you," Rian said with a grin. "You're quite the hero, saving her from wolves and all. Don't worry, we're not like the other nobles. Our family doesn't care much for the political games."
Over the next few days, Shiv and his new friends explored the academy, marveling at the grand library, the training grounds, and the vibrant cafeteria. They shared meals and laughed over stories of home, slowly adjusting to their new life.
However, it wasn't long before Shiv encountered the darker side of academy life. One afternoon in the cafeteria, a group of noble students—third-circle mages, by the look of them—were bullying a group of second-circle mages. The bullying was subtle, but cruel, with insults about their lack of power and status.
Shiv felt his anger rise, but before he could act, Ilina stood up, her face flushed with fury. "That's enough!" she snapped, her voice echoing through the cafeteria.
The bullies turned, startled by Ilina's outburst. Recognizing her as the daughter of a powerful viscount, they backed down immediately, muttering under their breath but not daring to challenge her. Shiv watched them retreat, his hands still clenched into fists.
Ilina sat back down, still fuming. "I hate people like that."
Shiv placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "You handled it well," he said quietly. "We don't need to draw more attention."
As they settled back into their meal, the tension slowly dissipated. The academy was going to be a challenging place, but Shiv knew that with his growing circle of friends and his quiet resolve, he could face whatever was thrown his way. The path forward was uncertain, but for the first time since his journey began, Shiv felt like he was exactly where he needed to be.