The grand carriages rattled along the cobblestone roads as streams of students made their way to Celestia, the Royal Magic Academy. The journey was filled with excitement and anxiety as young talents from all over the kingdom—and beyond—gathered to prove their worth. Among them were heirs of noble houses, scions of royal families, and prodigies destined to shape the future. It was a gathering of the most elite, the cream of the crop, and the stage for a new generation to rise.
Lazros sat silently in his family's carriage, gazing out at the towering spires of the academy that grew larger with every mile. His thoughts were a whirlwind. Despite the years of being overlooked and dismissed, this was his chance to forge a new path. Yet, he had resolved not to draw attention to himself. The power of the ancient book inside him was a secret he would keep at all costs, and any unnecessary fame could expose him to danger or suspicion.
As the gates of Celestia came into view, Lazros felt a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. He was stepping into the most prestigious magical institution in the known world, where every corner whispered of history, glory, and potential.
The Entrance Exams
The entrance exams were grueling, designed to weed out the unworthy and push the most talented to their limits. Lazros faced trials in elemental magic, spellcasting precision, and combat scenarios, as well as an advanced written test on magical theory.
Despite knowing he had the ability to excel—thanks to the rigorous training from the soul inside the ancient book—Lazros purposefully held back. He answered just enough questions correctly, showed enough proficiency in his spells, and kept his combat performance passable. His goal was clear: avoid standing out, pass the exams, and blend in with the crowd.
When the results were announced, the entire academy buzzed with excitement over the new top student: Princess Lunaria Mysthaven, the 16-year-old daughter of the royal family. With her stunning blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, she embodied the grace and power of the Mysthaven lineage. Her speeches were eloquent, and her magical aptitude had already surpassed many of her peers.
The Royal Family's Presence
The Mysthaven family was a name whispered with awe and respect throughout the kingdom. King Lyndon Mysthaven, now 55, was a wise and powerful ruler, and his children were the pride of Zephyria. Crown Prince Valenor, at 30, was a seasoned warrior-mage known for his leadership. Second Prince Eryndor, at 26, had earned his reputation as a brilliant strategist, and Third Prince Ravendir, at 19, was a charismatic figure whose charm captivated everyone he met. But the spotlight this year shone brightly on Princess Lunaria, the youngest of the royal family, who was attending Celestia for the first time.
As Lunaria stood to deliver her speech, a hush fell over the gathered students. Her presence was magnetic, her beauty captivating. Her words carried an elegance that only added to her allure, and the crowd listened intently, many mesmerized by her every movement.
The Unexpected Connection
Amid the crowd, Lunaria's gaze swept across the sea of faces until it landed on a young man standing quietly at the back: Lazros Silvershade . Her breath caught in her throat as she saw him. His striking features—silver hair that gleamed like moonlight and piercing red eyes that seemed to burn with untold secrets—set him apart from everyone else. His handsomeness was almost ethereal, a gift inherited from his mother's unmatched beauty.For the first time, Lunaria found herself distracted, her thoughts scattering as her heart raced. Something about Lazros drew her in, a pull she couldn't explain. As her speech concluded, her gaze lingered on him, and her curiosity only deepened. She didn't know who he was yet, but she knew she had to find out.
Lazros, unaware of the attention he had drawn from the princess, remained calm. He had succeeded in passing the exams, and that was all that mattered to him. He had no intention of drawing more attention to himself, even as whispers about the handsome Silvershade boy began to ripple through the crowd.
The Academy Life Begins
With the formalities over, the students began settling into their new lives at Celestia. Lazros found himself relieved to have passed unnoticed—at least, so he thought. What he didn't know was that his journey at Celestia was about to become far more complicated than he had anticipated.
As the new students were grouped into classes, Lazros found himself seated in a classroom filled with some of the most renowned talents of the kingdom. Among them, Princess Lunaria Mysthaven stood out, her radiant presence commanding attention from everyone around her. The chatter in the room grew quiet as she gracefully entered and took her seat.
Lazros, sitting near the back of the class, hoped to remain unnoticed. He had no interest in engaging with others or attracting undue attention. However, his distinctive silver hair and piercing red eyes—the unmistakable trademarks of the Silvershade lineage—had already drawn curious glances from his peers.
As the class settled, Lunaria turned her gaze toward him. Her curiosity from their first encounter resurfaced, and she decided to approach him. With a confident stride, she walked over to his desk, her blue eyes sparkling with a mix of intrigue and amusement.
"Ah," she said, her voice light but tinged with mischief. "You must be Lazros—the so-called useless son of Duke Silvershade ."
The room fell silent, the princess's words catching the attention of the other students. Some turned to watch the exchange, eager to see how Lazros would respond.
Lazros met her gaze, his expression unreadable. He felt the weight of her words but didn't flinch. He had heard them many times before—from his siblings, from the nobles, from the servants who whispered behind his back. He simply leaned back in his chair and replied calmly, "And you must be Princess Lunaria—the kingdom's most beloved prodigy."
His tone was polite, yet there was a subtle sharpness to his words that caught Lunaria off guard. She blinked, surprised by his response. She had expected embarrassment or perhaps even anger, but instead, she found herself intrigued by his composure.
"Hmm," Lunaria said, tilting her head slightly, studying him. "You're an interesting one, Lazros. I wonder if there's more to you than the rumors suggest."
With that, she returned to her seat, leaving Lazros to ponder her words. The room gradually returned to its usual buzz of conversation, but the moment lingered in the minds of those who had witnessed it.
Lazros sighed inwardly, knowing that avoiding attention would be far more difficult now. Princess Lunaria's curiosity had been piqued, and something told him this was only the beginning of their interactions.
Tensions Rise
Days passed in the academy, and Lazros did his best to stay under the radar. His goal was simple: survive, learn, and avoid drawing attention to himself. However, as the days went by, it seemed nearly impossible to go unnoticed.
Among the students, one young man stood out—Cedric Wyncrest, the son of a Viscount family with close ties to the kingdom's elite. Cedric was a 1st-circle mage, nearly at the 2nd circle, and although his talent was respectable, it was his family's name that often garnered the most attention.
Cedric had always been a little too obsessed with status, and he harbored a deep, unwavering crush on Princess Lunaria. When he saw her talking with Lazros, his blood boiled. The idea of a "useless" son of Duke Silvershade —someone with no real power or standing—speaking to the princess was unbearable.
To Cedric, it was an affront to his pride. After all, Lunaria was not only a royal princess but also the top student in the academy, beloved by everyone. Her attention was not meant for someone like Lazros, who had no achievements to speak of—no legacy, no prowess.
Determined to show Lazros his place, Cedric approached him after class one afternoon.
"Hey, Silvershade ," Cedric called out with a sneer, stepping forward with an air of superiority. "You think you're something because of who your father is, don't you? But we both know you're just the useless son of Duke Lysander. I'm sure you'll never amount to anything."
Lazros didn't respond at first, knowing full well that Cedric was baiting him. But before he could retreat, Cedric pushed further.
"How about a magic duel, then? A chance for you to show me how 'powerful' you really are. I'll make sure you'll learn your place."
Lazros looked at him coolly, his indifference palpable. He didn't want to waste his time on such a petty challenge, but he knew that refusing would only escalate things. He shrugged, his tone casual, as if he couldn't care less about the duel.
"Fine. A duel it is. But don't expect me to put on much of a show," he replied nonchalantly, inwardly suppressing the growing annoyance at being dragged into this unnecessary confrontation.
The duel was set for the academy's training grounds the next afternoon. Students gathered around, eager to see the spectacle. Everyone knew Cedric's reputation as an up-and-coming mage, and they eagerly awaited the inevitable defeat of the "useless" son of the Duke.
As the duel began, Cedric launched his first attack—a simple fireball spell, designed to test Lazros's defenses. Lazros barely flinched, raising a shield of basic magic to absorb the blow. He allowed Cedric to continue with his barrage of spells, pretending to struggle with each attack, even making it seem as if he was just barely managing to keep up.
The students watched in amazement, murmuring among themselves as Lazros appeared to be fighting with all his might. But they were also puzzled. Why wasn't he retaliating? He could have ended this easily—he had power, that was obvious—but instead, he seemed to be playing along with Cedric's game.
Then, just as Cedric began to look overconfident, launching an even more advanced spell, Lazros finally made his move. He raised his hand slowly, and with a simple flick of his wrist, the air around Cedric distorted. A magical pulse of force shot forward, easily deflecting Cedric's spell before it even had a chance to reach Lazros.
In the blink of an eye, Lazros had closed the distance between them, and Cedric barely had time to react before Lazros's hand shot forward, lightly tapping him on the chest with a force that sent him stumbling backward.
The duel was over. Cedric fell to the ground, stunned but not seriously harmed. The crowd of students fell into an eerie silence, staring at Lazros in disbelief.
He stood there, perfectly calm, as if the duel had been nothing more than an inconvenience. His expression remained unchanged as he glanced down at Cedric, who was struggling to regain his footing.
The students began to murmur, questioning what they had just witnessed. How had Lazros won so easily? He had barely broken a sweat, and yet Cedric—who everyone had assumed was the superior mage—had lost so quickly.
As Lazros turned and walked away, the whispers began to spread.
"How did he do that? Was he hiding his strength all along?"
"That wasn't how it was supposed to go... Cedric was supposed to win."
Lazros ignored the chatter. It wasn't his concern. He had no intention of making waves or gaining attention, but sometimes, people simply couldn't help themselves.
And so, with the duel over, Lazros once again faded into the background, his victory leaving more questions than answers in the minds of his peers.