THE HEADMASTER'S OFFER

A MEETING IN THE SHADOWS...

The corridors of Arcane Crown Academy were silent at this hour. The moonlight barely touched the ancient stone walls as Elias walked toward the headmaster's chamber.

His mind was still racing.

Lucius's warning. Seraphina's reaction. The dark energy that still lingered beneath his skin.

Something had changed inside him.

And Vladis knew it.

Elias took a deep breath and stepped inside the office.

The doors closed behind him on their own.

And in front of him-Vladis Arcanis stood waiting.

THE HEADMASTER'S TRUTH...

Vladis's silver eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. He didn't motion for Elias to sit. He simply observed him, as if reading his very soul.

"You saw something in that tower, didn't you?" Vladis finally spoke.

Elias's jaw tightened. He had expected this question.

"I survived," Elias answered. "Isn't that enough?"

Vladis smirked. "No, it isn't."

He stepped forward, his aura pressing against the room. Ancient. Unbreakable.

" That Tower doesn't just test strength, Elias. It shows you something deeper. Something hidden. Tell me- what did it reveal to you?"

Elias hesitated. He could still hear the whispers of the Dark King's voice. He could still see Seraphina's lifeless body in that illision.

But he couldn't tell Vladis that.

"Nothing I couldn't handle."

For a moment, Vladis qas silent.

Then- he chuckled. Low. Amused.

"You're lying. But that's good." His voice was calm. Too calm.

Elias frowned. "Why?"

Vladis turned away, his cloak shifting. "Because it means you're thinking before you speak. That is the mark of someone who understands power."

His next words sent a chill through Elias's spine.

"And power, Elias, is what I'm offering you."

THE OFFER...

Elias's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean."

Vladis turned back, his gaze sharp. "You're different now. Stronger. But strength without guidance is dangerous. I can help you control it."

Elias exhaled sharply. "You wantto train me?"

A pause.

Then-Vladis smiled.

"Train you? I want to shape you."

The words hung in the air like a silent storm.

Elias's pulse quickened. What did he mean by that?

Vladis walked over to a nearby cabinet and opened it, revealing something covered in a black cloth. A box.

He placed it on the desk and slowly removed cloth-

Inside, resting on dark velvet, was a silver ring.

Ancient markings ran along its surface, glowing with a faint, otherworldly light.

"This belonged to the last true Arcane king." Vladis said, his voice quiet. " A ruler who was feared...and worshipped."

Elias stared at the ring. The Arcane King?

Vladis met his eyes. "You awakened something inside that tower, Elias. And i believe it was destiny."

He pulsed the ring forward.

"This is my offer. Accept it, and I'll teach you what no one else can. The path to true powers. To true rule."

Elias felt his breath catch.

This wasn't just training.

This was something bigger.

THE CHOICE...

The room was silent.

Elias stared at the ring, his thoughts racing. This wasn't just an offer of power. This was a path- one that could lead him to answer.To control.

But also....to something else.

Vladis wasn't just testing him. He was pulling him into something greater.

The question was- was Elias ready to step into it?

Slowly, he reached out-

But before his fingers could touch the ring-

The doors burst open.

And standing there, eyes burning woth urgency, was Seraphina .

"Don't."

Her voice was sharp. Almost desperate.

Vladis raised an eyebrow. Unbothered.

Elias turned to her. "What are you doing here?"

Seraphina took a step forward her gaze locked on to the ring.. "you don't know what this is."

Vladis chuckled. "Ah. But I do."

Elias looked between them.

Something wasn't right.

And he was standing in the middle of it.