The aftermath of Elias's duel with Darian Velcroft left the Academy buzzing with rumors. House Null wasn't just a recognizable name anymore—it was a force to be reckoned with.
But Elias knew that power always came with a price.
Lira sighed as they walked through the Academy halls. "You know, you really need to stop making enemies so fast."
Elias smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"
Lira rolled her eyes. "Fun? You just embarrassed one of the strongest noble duelists in the Academy in front of everyone. Do you realize what that means?"
Elias shrugged. "Yeah. It means I'm doing something right."
The Gathering Storm
They reached House Null's temporary headquarters—a repurposed old study hall that still smelled like dust and forgotten books. Inside, Reinhardt, Cecilia, Marco, and Ivy were already gathered around a stack of documents and maps.
Reinhardt grinned. "The nobles really don't like us now." He tapped a parchment on the table. "We've already received two challenge requests—one from House Blackthorne, the other from House Malfrey."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. They want to put us in our place?"
Cecilia smirked, twirling a dagger between her fingers. "Pretty much."
Marco pushed his glasses up. "And that's not our biggest problem." He pointed to another letter—this one stamped with an official Academy seal.
Elias picked it up and scanned it. His smirk faded.
Lira leaned over his shoulder. "Oh. That's not good."
The letter was from the Academy Council—the governing body that oversaw noble disputes, magical research, and large-scale duels.
The Academy's Ultimatum
"To Elias Graham, Leader of House Null,
Your recent victory against House Velcroft has caused significant unrest among the noble houses. The balance of power within the Academy is not something to be disrupted lightly.
As such, the Academy Council requires House Null to prove its legitimacy through official sanctioned trials. You will undergo a series of tests designed to determine whether your methods are sustainable and acceptable within the Academy's framework.
Failure to comply—or failure to pass—will result in House Null being dissolved.
You have one week to prepare. Details will be provided soon."
—The Academy Council
Silence filled the room.
Then Reinhardt laughed. "Oh, they're scared."
Cecilia grinned. "They don't know what to do with us, so they're trying to crush us with rules."
Marco sighed. "And if we fail, they'll have the legal grounds to erase us."
Ivy frowned. "We need to know what these trials actually are."
Elias placed the letter down, exhaling. "One week, huh?"
Lira shook her head. "Elias. I swear, every time you win, you immediately get into more trouble."
Elias smirked. "That's called progress."
The First Signs of Something Bigger
Before the conversation could continue, a knock echoed at the door.
The group exchanged glances.
Cecilia's hand went to her dagger. "Expecting visitors?"
Elias frowned. "No."
He opened the door—
And found Professor Aldric, one of the Academy's senior instructors, standing there. The normally calm and composed scholar looked… uneasy.
Aldric stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "I came here because I need you to listen very carefully."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "Not even a 'hello'?"
Aldric ignored the joke. "This trial? It's not just about politics anymore."
Lira narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Aldric's expression darkened. "Something is happening within the Academy. Something that even the Council doesn't fully understand."
Elias crossed his arms. "And you think it's connected to us?"
Aldric hesitated. "Not directly. But your rise—the way House Null is disrupting the system—is revealing cracks in the Academy's foundation."
Ivy frowned. "What kind of cracks?"
Aldric exhaled. "There have been… disturbances. Magical anomalies. Unstable rifts appearing in parts of the Academy that should be magically sealed."
The room fell silent.
Lira muttered, "That's… not normal."
Elias's mind raced.
This wasn't just about the nobles. Something bigger was happening behind the scenes.
Aldric glanced around the room, then lowered his voice. "I don't know what the Academy is hiding. But I have a feeling that you're going to be at the center of it."
Elias smirked. "You're really making me look forward to this trial."
Aldric sighed. "Be careful, Elias. This is bigger than House Null."
Then, without another word, he left.
Cecilia leaned against the wall. "Well. That's not ominous at all."
Marco exhaled. "Disturbances… rifts? That doesn't sound like normal magical instability."
Ivy crossed her arms. "Which means it's something worse."
Reinhardt cracked his knuckles. "Guess we're finding out soon, huh?"
Lira sighed. "Elias, please tell me you have an actual plan this time."
Elias grinned. "We pass the trial. We get stronger. And we figure out what the hell is really going on here."
One thing was certain—
House Null's biggest challenge was just beginning.