"To see the truth, one must first understand the lies."
---
A Storm Within the Academy
Velmira Academy had always been a place of knowledge, power, and ambition. But beneath its grand halls and scholarly pursuits, a silent war brewed—a battle fought in whispers, glances, and veiled threats.
Aedric walked through the marble corridors, his steps measured, his expression unreadable. He had learned much in the Hollow Court.
The Black Veil. The Arcane Council. The game he had unknowingly entered.
The rules were simple—survive, manipulate, and win.
But his enemies held the board.
And if he wasn't careful, he would become just another piece sacrificed in their grand design.
"Then I will change the game."
The thought settled deep within him, an ember waiting to ignite.
---
The First Move
Aedric entered the academy's main hall, a vast chamber lined with towering bookshelves and enchanted lanterns that bathed the space in golden light.
His arrival did not go unnoticed.
Eyes followed him—students, instructors, nobles. Some curious, others wary.
But one gaze held something different.
Suspicion.
Professor Aldren Kael, a senior instructor in tactical warfare, stood near the lecture podium, his sharp eyes locked onto Aedric.
A man known for his ruthlessness on the battlefield and his unshakable loyalty to the Arcane Council.
Aedric met his gaze without hesitation.
For a brief moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.
Then Kael smirked.
"You walk like a man who knows too much."
The words were casual, but the intent was clear—a warning.
Aedric tilted his head, a slow smirk forming.
"And you speak like a man who underestimates his students."
A murmur rippled through the gathered students. Some exchanged amused glances; others tensed at the brewing tension.
Kael chuckled, stepping forward.
"Careful, Valtherion. Knowledge is a double-edged sword. Wield it recklessly, and you may find yourself bleeding before you can strike."
Aedric's smirk did not fade.
"Then perhaps you should worry less about my blade and more about your own footing, professor."
For a fraction of a second, Kael's expression darkened.
Then he laughed.
"Interesting. Let's see how sharp your wit truly is, Aedric. The council is watching."
And with that, he turned, walking away.
Aedric exhaled slowly.
The game had begun.
And the council's eyes were now on him.
---
The Gathering of Seven
As soon as the lecture ended, Aedric moved swiftly through the academy's lower levels. There were people he needed to meet—people who would help him in the battles to come.
One alone could not fight the shadows.
He needed allies.
And so, he gathered them.
The Seven.
Seraphine Vael – The broker of secrets, an enigma even to those who thought they knew her. She had connections in every corner of the academy.
Reynar Dorne – A warrior born of exile, a blade unmatched in duels. He despised politics but understood the necessity of war.
Elara Voss – A prodigy in magic, her spells bending the laws of nature itself. Beneath her grace lay an unrelenting thirst for power.
Dain Crowne – A strategist, a tactician, and the mind behind a hundred unwritten victories. His knowledge of warfare was second only to his ambition.
Ilyra Solis – A healer with a past cloaked in tragedy. But Aedric knew better—she was no ordinary healer.
Veydris Kael – A rogue, a thief, a master of deception. He had survived the streets, the slums, and worse. Now, he played a deadlier game.
And himself.
Each of them had their reasons. Their ambitions. Their demons.
But together, they would shape the future of Velmira.
Or burn it to the ground.
---
A Test of Allegiance
The seven met in the abandoned halls beneath the academy, where no ears listened, and no spies lurked.
Aedric stood before them, arms crossed.
"We are not here to serve the council. Nor to bow to the Black Veil."
He met their gazes, his voice steady.
"We are here to carve our own path. But that path will not be easy. It will be dangerous, ruthless, and full of enemies."
A pause.
"So before we begin, I ask you this—will you stand with me?"
Silence stretched.
Then Seraphine smirked.
"You had me at dangerous, darling."
Reynar exhaled, arms folded.
"Tch. Fine. But if you get us killed, I'm haunting you in the afterlife."
Elara laughed.
"Oh, this will be fun."
One by one, they spoke. And in that moment, the seven were bound.
Not by loyalty.
But by purpose.
And purpose was stronger than any chain.
---
The Dance of Shadows
The first test came sooner than expected.
That night, Aedric stood on the academy's rooftop, watching the city below.
A shadow moved behind him.
"Your move, Valtherion."
A dagger flashed toward his back.
Aedric turned—fast, precise. His blade met steel in a shower of sparks.
A second assassin lunged from the side, twin daggers aimed at his throat.
Aedric twisted, his sword slicing through the night. One assassin fell—blood staining the stone.
The second hesitated. A mistake.
Aedric's hand closed around the man's throat, slamming him against the railing.
"Who sent you?"
The assassin choked, his hands clawing at Aedric's grip.
"Y-you already know."
Aedric's grip tightened.
"Say it."
A ragged breath. Then—
"The Black Veil."
Aedric's eyes darkened.
He had expected it. But hearing it confirmed one thing.
The war had already begun.
And he would not fight it alone.