Blackspire Academy

Before they arrived, Eli handed Ezra a fresh set of clothes, his expression unreadable as he nodded toward the back of the SUV.

"Change out of that hospital gown. I'll wait outside."

Ezra didn't argue. The thought of walking into this mysterious academy in nothing but a thin hospital gown made his skin crawl. He quickly pulled on the new clothes—a shirt and trousers that felt stiff against his skin but at least made him feel less exposed.

Once he was done, he stepped out of the vehicle, the crisp air hitting him like a wave.

He looked up—and his breath caught.

The academy was enormous, a sprawling complex that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. The ancient, towering walls were constructed from dark, weathered stone, their sheer size giving the impression of something far more imposing than a mere school.

The main building loomed ahead, its sharp spires cutting into the sky. The brickwork was old but sturdy, etched with the weight of history. High above, a massive flag flapped in the wind, its insignia stark against the gray sky.

Ezra's eyes roamed over the scene, feeling both awed and overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it.

Eli, standing beside him, glanced up at the towering structure with a bored expression.

"Just as boring as I remember it to be," he muttered, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets as if the entire sight was nothing more than an old, tired routine.

Eli muttered something under his breath, words too soft for Ezra to catch, before he hoisted a duffle bag from the back of the SUV and strode forward toward the front gates of the academy.

Ezra followed, his eyes still darting across the towering walls and endless courtyards, trying to take it all in.

As they approached, the massive wooden doors creaked open with a slow, deliberate groan, revealing a woman standing in the grand entryway.

She was in her late sixties, dressed in a pristine, sharply tailored uniform that spoke of both authority and tradition. Her posture was rigid, her hands clasped neatly behind her back. A stern expression settled on her face, the kind that could silence a room with just a glance.

Her steel-gray hair was pulled into a tight bun, not a strand out of place.

Eli's stride didn't falter. As he neared, he offered a casual nod, his voice carrying just enough warmth to hint at familiarity.

"Headmaster. It's been a while."

The woman's gaze flicked to Eli, then briefly to Ezra, her eyes narrowing slightly before returning to him.

"Eli," she replied, her voice cool and clipped. "Longer than it should've been."

Eli offered a faint smirk, but didn't respond immediately, letting the tension settle in the air.

Her sharp gaze shifted to Ezra, scanning him from head to toe with a look that could cut through steel.

"The new student, I presume," she said, her tone smooth but laced with a subtle edge. "Quite unusual to have a new addition at this stage of the year." Her gaze drifted over Ezra with deliberate slowness, as if appraising a flawed artifact.

"Blackspire has always prided itself on upholding… certain standards," she continued, her words carefully measured. "Most of our students come from families with long-standing histories and notable achievements."

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"It's rare we encounter someone with such… an unconventional background."

Ezra felt the weight of her words settle heavily in his chest, each syllable pressing down like a judgment. He wasn't sure if it was a statement, an accusation—or both.

Eli remained unfazed, casually adjusting the strap of his duffle bag, his smirk lingering.

"Consider him a… special case," Eli said smoothly, his voice light but laced with an unmistakable undercurrent of authority, making it clear this wasn't up for debate.

The headmaster's lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line, but after a tense pause, she gave a curt nod, stepping aside to let them through the towering entrance.

As they passed, she added sharply,

"Well, I hope he doesn't disappoint me."

Eli turned to him, his usual smirk softening into something almost… sincere. He clasped Ezra's shoulders firmly, grounding him in place before leaning down to meet his eye level.

"Well, this is it," he said, his voice low but steady. "Survive, stay out of trouble. Focus on your studies." He paused for a moment, as if running through a mental checklist. "Hmm, what else?"

Eli straightened slightly, his hands still resting on Ezra's shoulders.

"I know a couple of good kids in the academy. I've already notified them beforehand—they'll help you get settled."

Ezra blinked, trying to process the flood of information, but Eli wasn't finished.

"Ah, also…" Eli added, his gaze sharpening just a bit, "I have a kid around your age. I believe you'll be in the same class. They'll help you around, I suppose." He shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "That's it, I suppose."

Ezra's mind snagged on those words, confusion flickering across his face.

'A kid around my age? How does that work?' Ezra thought, glancing up at Eli, trying to reconcile the man's youthful appearance with the idea of him having a child his age. 'He doesn't look old enough to have a kid in the academy…'

Before Ezra could voice the question, Eli's grip on his shoulders tightened slightly.

"One more thing," Eli said, his tone dropping to something more serious. "Be careful who you trust. The walls have ears in this place."

He straightened fully now, releasing Ezra with a final pat on the shoulder.

"That'll be it. I'll see you around occasionally. Have fun."

With that, he handed Ezra a duffle bag, the weight of it heavier than Ezra expected.

"Everything you'll need for the academy is in there," Eli added, his voice already growing distant as he turned to leave.

Ezra stared at the bag in his hands, feeling the weight of more than just supplies. This was it. His new life was beginning.