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Chapter 9: The Hunt for Forbidden Power
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The academy grounds were alive with the hum of students moving between classes, their footsteps echoing across the cobblestones. But today, Nathan's mind was elsewhere. His lessons had gone well, his control over his gravity and shadow magic improving with each passing day. Still, there was a constant pull in his chest—the feeling that something was missing, something he needed to understand.
As he walked toward the academy's central courtyard, a shadow passed over him. He glanced up, noticing Quinn Voss, the golden-haired noble who had quickly made a name for himself at the academy, walking with an air of purpose. His usual group of admirers was nowhere to be seen, and instead, he was alone, his posture stiff, as if on a mission.
Nathan hesitated. There was something about Quinn's demeanor today—something different. It wasn't the usual arrogance or boastfulness. Today, he seemed focused. Determined. Nathan couldn't shake the feeling that Quinn was hiding something.
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As the bell rang for lunch, students filtered into the dining hall, but Nathan remained seated at a quiet corner table, pushing his food around absentmindedly. His thoughts kept circling back to Quinn. The tall, self-assured student had never shown any real interest in Nathan before, except in passing. But now, Quinn's pursuit of forbidden magic—especially after learning about the mysterious dungeons—was starting to catch Nathan's attention.
He had heard whispers in the halls, rumors that Quinn had been studying forbidden magic and seeking the dungeon hidden somewhere on the academy grounds. No one knew much about it—only that it was a place where the most dangerous magic was sealed away. Magic that had been deemed too dangerous even for the most seasoned mages. Blood magic, time magic, and most notably, lightning magic, the kind that Nathan had yet to master, were believed to be linked to the dungeons.
Nathan couldn't ignore it. Something about Quinn's obsession with finding the dungeon felt like it was leading somewhere important—not just for him, but for the entire academy.
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Later that afternoon, Nathan was walking along the edge of the academy's training fields when he noticed Quinn again. This time, Quinn was near the dense woods that bordered the academy grounds, just outside the range of the training fields. Nathan's curiosity was piqued. He had heard that the dungeons were often located in remote, forgotten places—the kinds of spots that were hidden from the casual observer.
Nathan slowed his pace, trying not to be noticed, as he quietly approached. Quinn was standing near a cluster of old stone ruins, his hands clenched at his sides, his expression intense. He muttered to himself, as if speaking to an invisible force, searching for something.
Suddenly, Nathan felt the familiar tug of magic—a pull of energy, like the invisible strands of gravity surrounding them. Quinn was using his affinity for space magic, Nathan realized. He had seen Quinn manipulate the fabric of space before—bending and stretching it to his will.
The air around Quinn shimmered, and a low hum filled the air as a faint portal began to form in front of him. A doorway of twisting shadows opened in midair. Nathan's heart skipped a beat. He had heard the rumors, of course. Some believed that the dungeons could only be unlocked by a mage who had mastered a particular affinity—or by someone strong enough to manipulate space and time.
Quinn's expression hardened with concentration, his eyes narrowed as he extended a hand toward the swirling portal. Nathan hesitated, unsure of what to do. Was Quinn trying to enter the dungeon? Was he about to awaken forbidden power that was too dangerous to handle?
Before Nathan could decide, Quinn's voice broke through the tension.
"Come out, then," Quinn muttered under his breath, almost to himself. "I know you're hiding. Show yourself."
Nathan froze. He knows something. Quinn wasn't just trying to open a portal—he was trying to communicate with whatever lay inside the dungeon. The realization sent a chill down Nathan's spine. What if Quinn wasn't just after power? What if he was seeking something—someone—within that forbidden space?
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Nathan couldn't stand by any longer. He stepped forward, his footfalls soft against the dirt, but loud enough for Quinn to hear.
Quinn immediately turned, his hand still hovering over the portal, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Nathan?"
Nathan felt his pulse quicken. He knew Quinn had already figured out that Nathan had been watching, but there was no turning back now. Quinn was dangerous, and whatever this portal led to, it was something Nathan couldn't ignore.
"What are you doing?" Nathan asked, his voice steady despite the nervous energy building inside him.
Quinn smirked, though there was no joy in it. "I'm opening a door to power. To something greater than anything you could ever imagine, Beaumont." His eyes narrowed with something akin to disdain. "You're not going to stop me, are you?"
Nathan's heart raced. He wasn't sure if he should fight Quinn or try to stop the portal, but something inside him urged him to take action. "You don't know what you're messing with, Quinn. You're not ready for what's in there. The dungeons—those are sealed for a reason."
Quinn's smirk deepened, and he stepped back, the swirling shadows of the portal pulsating with increasing intensity. "You think you can lecture me on power? I've seen things, Nathan. I know what's inside. I'm not afraid."
Nathan clenched his fists, his mind whirling. Quinn's arrogance and determination were both terrifying and intoxicating. But Nathan couldn't let him go through with this. He had to stop him before the consequences became irreversible.
The ground beneath their feet trembled, and the air grew colder. Nathan could feel the gravity around them becoming unstable, a sign that Quinn was pushing his magic too far, too quickly. The portal hummed louder, and for a moment, Nathan thought he saw a figure moving within the shifting shadows.
"Quinn!" Nathan shouted, reaching out to grab his arm, but Quinn jerked away, his face twisted with a mixture of desperation and anger.
"Stay out of this, Nathan. This is my chance. I'm going in." With a final, determined gesture, Quinn stepped through the portal, disappearing into the swirling darkness.
Nathan stood there, his breath shallow, his pulse thudding in his ears. He had to act fast. There was no telling what kind of magic or creatures Quinn had just released. The danger was real, and Nathan had no choice but to follow.
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Chapter 9: The Hunt for Forbidden Power