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

The weeks following the tournament passed in a blur of recovery and isolation for Kieran. The infirmary had been his home for the first week, with Madam Reeves monitoring his condition with hawk-like vigilance. The second and third weeks had been spent in his quarters, allowed only the most basic physical movement, his magical core a fragile thing slowly knitting itself back together.

By the fourth week, Kieran had been permitted to attend classes again, though with strict instructions to observe only, not to participate in any practical exercises. It had been frustrating, watching others practice techniques he could only study in theory, but he'd used the time to observe, to learn the patterns and flaws in others' casting.

And now, finally, after six long weeks, Madam Reeves had declared him fit to resume normal activities—though with a warning look that promised dire consequences should he push himself too hard again.

A New Status Quo