Mastermind

Stripped of his title as Crown Prince, he had been sent to the border to fight. There, he earned accolades and glory, slaying monsters and making a name for himself as a hero.

To the Imperial Concubine, this was no punishment at all. It was a platform, a stage for Cassian to rebuild his influence and power. As long as he was alive, he remained a threat—a looming shadow over her carefully laid plans.

Yet, she could do nothing for now. The Emperor, despite his firm stance on maintaining the family's reputation, was keen on protecting Cassian.

His powers were too valuable to the Empire, his potential was too great to squander. For the time being, the Imperial Concubine could only wait, watching from the sidelines as Cassian carved a new path for himself.

Lucas was dead. The news spread in whispers, each retelling more hushed and cautious than the last. It was as though his death cast a dark shadow over the academy, one too dangerous to openly acknowledge.