The Veil Unraveled

The weight of Headmaster Eryndor's warning still lingered in my mind as I returned to my quarters. Seraphina had taken her leave, disappearing to whatever secret machinations she had in motion. Yet, something about the headmaster's final words gnawed at me.

The paths you walk are treacherous.

He—or rather *she*—knew more than was revealed. And if the headmaster was watching us closely, then I needed to know exactly what kind of enemy I might be dealing with. The relics I'd acquired had tipped the scales in our favor during the Rank Test, but this game required more than powerful artifacts. Information was often a far deadlier weapon.

Late into the night, I found myself pouring over records, ancient texts, and whispers of the Academy's founding. The headmaster was a figure veiled in mystery, known to very few even among the upper echelons of society. But it wasn't until I stumbled upon a forgotten journal entry, written by a former professor who had mysteriously vanished decades ago, that the pieces began to fall into place.

"*Eryndor is not who she claims to be. Her mask will fall when the shadows are exposed to the light.*"

My pulse quickened. *Her?* I had long suspected something strange about the headmaster's near-ageless appearance, the cold, calculating gaze that seemed too sharp to belong to a mere observer. But if Eryndor was not the man she presented herself as, then there was something far deeper at play.

I knew I needed more concrete proof before making my move, so I sought out the one person in the Academy who could help uncover the truth: **Lysandra Valen**, a lower-ranked but exceptionally gifted student with a peculiar talent for digging up hidden information. She was no noble, nor was she aligned with any of the factions vying for power. What she had was access—access to the secret corridors and forgotten archives of the Academy.

It didn't take long to find her, seated in one of the dimly lit alcoves of the library, surrounded by towering stacks of books and scrolls.

"You're looking for something," she said before I could even sit down, her eyes never leaving the page of the ancient tome in front of her.

"And you're the person who can help me find it," I replied smoothly, sliding into the seat across from her. "The headmaster. There's something off about him—her. I need confirmation."

Lysandra finally looked up, her sharp, gray eyes locking onto mine. "You're playing a dangerous game, Lord Cedric. But I suppose you wouldn't be here if you weren't prepared to risk it."

"I'll take that as a yes," I said, my voice steady.

For a moment, she studied me, then nodded. "Give me a few days. There are places where information like that is hidden, places even the headmaster doesn't know about. But I'll find what you need."

True to her word, Lysandra returned only two nights later with everything I needed. As we met under the cover of darkness in a secluded corner of the Academy's courtyard, she handed me a thin stack of parchment.

"I found it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The headmaster isn't just pretending to be someone she's not. She's been living under this false identity for decades. Her real name is **Elyria Valen**, and she's connected to a fallen noble house that was exiled years ago."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, she's been hiding in plain sight."

Lysandra nodded. "But that's not the most interesting part. She's kept herself hidden through powerful magic—magic that binds her to this Academy. If that magic were to be disrupted, her true identity would be exposed."

The implications were clear. Elyria Valen—Eryndor—wasn't just a headmaster overseeing the Academy. She had woven herself into the very fabric of this institution, her secret protected by the ancient wards that guarded the Academy's most powerful relics.

I smiled slowly, the plan already forming in my mind. "You've been invaluable, Lysandra."

She shrugged, her eyes flicking to the shadows around us. "Be careful, Cedric. You're not the only one watching her. There are others who won't be as forgiving if they find out what you're planning."

"Duly noted," I replied, handing her a small pouch of gold as payment for her services. "But I think I'll manage."

With the knowledge Lysandra had uncovered, I had all the leverage I needed. It wasn't just about knowing the headmaster's true identity—it was about understanding the depth of her deception and how to use it against her.

The next morning, I made my way to the headmaster's office once more, this time with a purpose far more dangerous than before. When the door opened, I found Eryndor seated behind the same massive desk, the air as heavy with incense as it had been during our last meeting.

"Lord Cedric," the headmaster greeted me, her voice cool and composed. "What brings you here today?"

I stepped forward, my eyes never leaving hers. "I've come to speak with you about something that may interest you, Headmaster—or should I say… Lady Elyria Valen?"

The shift in her demeanor was subtle, but I saw it—the faint tightening of her jaw, the narrowing of her eyes. She didn't speak for a moment, letting the silence stretch between us.

"You've been busy, haven't you?" she finally said, her voice like steel wrapped in silk.

"I had to be," I replied smoothly. "After all, the truth has a way of surfacing, doesn't it? No matter how deeply it's buried."

Her gaze was cold, calculating. "What do you want?"

"Simple," I said, stepping closer. "I know who you really are. And unless you want that secret exposed to the entire Academy—and the world beyond—you'll do exactly what I ask."

Elyria's eyes flashed with something dangerous, but she remained composed. "And what is it you're asking for, Cedric?"

"For now? Your cooperation," I said, my voice low and even. "You may be powerful, but your position here is precarious. I don't want to destroy you, but if you stand in my way… I will."

Elyria's lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. "You're clever, Cedric. I'll give you that. But don't think for a moment that you control me. You've gained a little leverage, but power is a shifting thing. And you've only just begun to understand how deep these waters go."

I smiled back, unbothered by her warning. "I suppose we'll find out soon enough, won't we?"

With that, I turned and left her office, the weight of our conversation heavy in the air. I had what I needed for now—a powerful ally, or at least, a headmaster who would think twice before crossing me.