Ak_69

Meet Kieran, a 12-year-old street urchin with a secret - dark powers and even darker dreams. Haunted by the memory of his sister Sara's tragic death at the hands of a noble, Kieran is determined to dismantle the nobility's oppressive power structure that allowed her killer to go unpunished. His goal: create a world where the powerful can no longer harm the vulnerable without consequences.

When he stumbles upon Wells' mysterious grimoire, Kieran forms an unexpected bond with an ancient entity, gaining formidable abilities at a dangerous cost - his own life force. As he grows stronger, he becomes determined to master this entity, seeking a way to rewrite the terms of their arrangement and keep the power without paying the ultimate price.

Juggling life as an assassin in the shadows, he eventually earns a spot at the prestigious Academy. Behind its hallowed walls, he hunts for forgotten knowledge that might free him from the parasitic bond while maintaining access to the dark powers he needs for his mission.

Using clever tricks to hide his true abilities from professors and peers alike, Kieran carefully navigates the very institution that trains the elite he despises. By day, he studies ancient texts and rare magic; by night, he strikes from the darkness, targeting corrupt nobles one by one.

But as his life force continues to drain and the darkness within him grows, a haunting question emerges: In his quest to change the world and master forbidden magic, will he survive long enough to see his vision realized, or will the very powers he sought to control ultimately consume him?

Villain With A Side Quest

Kieran stood, his breath coming in measured gasps as the last fragments of ice crumbled to the ground around him. His muscles ached, exhaustion clawing at his limbs, but he forced himself to stand tall. He couldn't show weakness—not yet.

The dueling chamber remained eerily silent, the stunned tension thick in the air. Then, murmurs began. Low at first, hushed voices passed between students and instructors alike, swelling into a rising storm of disbelief and awe.

"He beat her… he actually beat Diana."

"How is that possible? His core was frozen—he shouldn't have been able to recover in time."

"I thought she had him. I thought—"

Kieran let the voices wash over him, his golden eyes flickering across the gathered spectators. He wasn't concerned with their shock—he was focused on one person.

The top-ranked second-year stood at the edge of the dueling ring, arms crossed, expression unreadable. But Kieran could see it—the change.

The Lost Art