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

Alexander didn't waste a second. His hands traced a swift pattern through the air, fingers glowing with brilliant white energy. Light coalesced around his fingertips, forming razor-thin threads that cut through the air toward Kieran with deadly precision.

Kieran sidestepped, his movements measured and economical. Every step felt heavier than it should, his body still recovering from Diana's magic-sealing attack days prior. He could feel the strain in his core—like a muscle overused and not given proper time to heal.

'Not good,' Kieran thought. 'He's faster than before.'

Alexander's expression remained impassive as he redirected his light threads with a flick of his wrist, forcing Kieran to duck and roll. The threads sliced through the stone floor where Kieran had stood just moments ago, leaving thin, smoking grooves in their wake.

The Darkness Within