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Draegoth's **Academy of Dread** was as ancient as the city itself, a sprawling institution carved into the towering obsidian cliffs that bordered the northern edge of the city. Its dark spires pierced the heavens, shrouded in a perpetual storm that crackled with red and violet lightning. The academy was not merely a school—it was a crucible of power where only the strong thrived, and the weak were either cast aside or destroyed.
Founded thousands of years ago by Azarath K'vorr , a demon of unparalleled might, the academy had served as the proving ground for Draegoth's elite. Its purpose was simple: to train the next generation of leaders, warriors, and tacticians for the demonic race. Azarath himself was said to be the progenitor of the **Infernal Sovereign Bloodline**, a lineage so potent that his very presence could incinerate lesser beings.
Legends whispered that Azarath had achieved a class known as **Sovereign of the Abyss**, a rank tied intrinsically to his bloodline. The class granted him mastery over infernal flames and dominion over lesser demons, but its true power lay in its ability to shape reality within his domain. Though centuries had passed since Azarath's death, his bloodline continued through his descendants, the most prominent of whom was the current headmaster, **Ralthoron K'vorr**.
Ralthoron was the living embodiment of his ancestor's legacy. A towering demon with crimson skin, eyes like molten lava, and horns that curved like a crown, he was a figure of both reverence and fear. His class, **Infernal Archon**, was considered one of the strongest among demonic classes, granting him mastery over fire, shadow, and war.
At Level 40, Ralthoron was a force of nature, his mere gaze enough to cow even the most rebellious students. Under his leadership, the academy had flourished, becoming the pinnacle of demonic education and a proving ground for the city's greatest powerhouses. Ralthoron's ultimate goal was simple: to ensure the demonic race's dominance over all others. He had little patience for weakness, and his students were expected to emulate his ruthlessness.
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Noah stood before the towering gates of the Academy of Dread, his crimson eyes scanning the foreboding structure. He wore a dark, tailored cloak that concealed his identity, his features calm and unreadable. Despite the academy's infamy, Noah felt no fear. The institution might have been a crucible for demons, but to him, it was merely another stepping stone.
His entry into the academy had been meticulously planned. Leveraging the influence he had garnered from Duskwort Remedies and his growing reputation as a master alchemist, Noah had secured an audience with the academy's admissions council. Unlike human academies, Draegoth's institutions cared little for formalities; wealth, influence, and power spoke louder than credentials.
Noah's entrance was smooth, devoid of scrutiny or ceremony. He had no intention of drawing attention to himself—his strength and cunning would do that in time.
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While Noah attended to his entrance into the academy, Kalis continued to oversee their growing empire. Duskwort Remedies had become a cornerstone of Draegoth's alchemical trade, and with success came new challenges. Rivals, both ambitious and desperate, began eyeing the shop with envy.
Anticipating trouble, Kalis took steps to ensure the business's security. Using profits from the potion sales, he ventured into the underground slave market, a place of ruthless deals and unspoken horrors. There, he acquired two formidable slaves:
1. **Vorrik, the Ironclaw Berserker** – A massive beastkin of the lupine variety, Vorrik was a veteran of countless battles. With his Level 30 **Ironclaw Berserker** class, his strength was unmatched, and his bloodline granted him an innate resistance to physical and elemental damage. His claws, sharp and unyielding, could cleave through the toughest of armor.
2. **Kaela, the Twilight Huntress** – A lithe and deadly feline beastkin, Kaela had honed her agility and senses to an extraordinary degree. With her Level 30 **Twilight Huntress** class, she was a master of stealth, ambush, and assassination. Her bloodline gave her the ability to meld with shadows, her movements imperceptible, making her the perfect counter to intruders.
Under Kalis's direction, Vorrik and Kaela were bound by blood contracts, ensuring their loyalty. Together, they formed the first line of defense for the business, their mere presence intimidating would-be saboteurs.
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Within the academy, Noah quietly observed the students and their interactions. Combat training and theoretical lessons alike were brutal, designed to weed out the unworthy. Noah attended a few lectures, more out of curiosity than necessity, and quickly identified several notable figures among the students:
1. **Rykas Vaerath** – A scion of the Vaerath Clan and a Level 18 **Hellfire Duelist**, Rykas was known for his mastery of infernal flames and unrelenting aggression in combat. Noah noted his arrogance but also recognized the deadly precision behind his recklessness.
2. **Taris K'vorr** – A descendant of Ralthoron himself, Taris was a Level 20 **Shadowflame Scion**. His dual mastery of fire and shadow made him a formidable opponent, and his bloodline gave him significant influence among the students.
3. **Lirien Zorath** – A Level 17 **Abyssal Sorceress**, Lirien was known for her mastery of curses and dark magic. Noah observed her cold demeanor and calculated ruthlessness, traits he found both admirable and dangerous.
Though Noah had no immediate plans to challenge these individuals, he stored every detail in his mind. Knowledge, after all, was power.
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While spectating a training session, Noah overheard whispers of the academy's hidden trials. These clandestine challenges, sanctioned by Ralthoron himself, were said to offer immense rewards but carried equally grave risks. Those who survived often rose to prominence within the academy, gaining the favor of its most powerful figures.
Noah's interest was piqued. Though he had no need for formal education, the possibility of gaining the tutelage of a powerful figure like Ralthoron could not be ignored. The headmaster's strength and knowledge were unparalleled, and Noah knew that alliances forged here could serve him in his larger ambitions.
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That night, Noah returned to his estate, his mind abuzz with possibilities. Sitting in his private study, he mulled over his next steps. Draegoth was a city of opportunity, but it was also a place where missteps could lead to destruction.
"The academy is a tool," Noah murmured, swirling a glass of crimson wine. "Nothing more, nothing less. If it can provide me with allies and knowledge, I'll use it. If not, I'll discard it."
Kalis entered the room, bowing respectfully. "My lord, the new guardians have been integrated into the business, and the shop's profits continue to rise. What are your orders?"
"For now, maintain the shop and keep our operations running smoothly," Noah replied. "I'll focus on solidifying my position within the academy. When the time comes, we'll expand further—but only when I say so."
Kalis nodded. "Understood."
As the night deepened, Noah stared out the window of his estate, his crimson eyes gleaming in the darkness. Draegoth was a city that respected power, and Noah intended to ensure that his name would become synonymous with it.