THE RISE OF A CONTENDER

WHISPERS OF A NEW THREAT...

The Academy had changed.

Or maybe, Elias, had changed, and The Academy was finally seeing it.

For the first time since he stepped into Arcane Crown Academy , he wasn't an outcast. He wasn't ignored.

He was feared.

The always buzzed with Whisper as he passed. Conversations stopped. Every eyes followed him.

" did you hear? He didn't Just Beat Lucius- he overpowered him."

" no one in the Academy has ever done that before."

"Vladis must have seen something in him. Otherwise, why would he let Elias take the tower of trials?"

Elias ignore them. Let them talk. He had more important things to worry about.

Because something felt...wrong.

Ever since the fight, the air around him felt heavy. Charged with something unseen.

It wasn't just attention.

It was a warning.

Amd then- he felt it.

A presence. Watching.

Not from the students.

From something....older.

SERAPHINA'S CONFRONTATION...

Elias barely had time to process before a voice pulled him back to reality.

" you need to talk to me."

He turned. Seraphina stood there. Arms crossed.

Her expression was unreadable but her eyes burned with something sharp.

"Not now." Elias sighed.

"Yes. Now." She grabbed his wrist-a bold move considering what had happened last time.

But this time, there was no Spark. No surge of dark energy.

Still her grip was tight.

"We need to talk- before it's too late."

Elias hesitated.

Then, without a word, he followed her.

THE HIDDEN TRUTH...

They ended up in a secluded tower, away from Prying Eyes.

Seraphina shut the doors, then turned on him.

" what did you see in the tower?"

Elias exhaled. " you already know."

Seraphina's gaze didn't waver. "Say it".

For a long moment, there was silence. Then-

" I saw what I could become."

Seraphina clenched her fists.

"The Dark king."

Elias nodded.

"And yet you took the ring anyway,"

Elias net her gaze. "I had no choice".

Seraphina took a step closer.

"No. You did. And you chose power."

Her voice wasn't angry. It was....pained.

Elias frowned. "Why do you care so much?"

Seraphina looled away. " because you are not the first."

Silence.

Elias's breath caught. "What?"

Finally looked back at him and for the first time, there was fear in her eyes.

"You think this is new?" She whispered. " that you're special?"

She shook her head.

"Elias... the last person who took that ring disappeared."

Elias felt his pulse slow.

" disappeared?"

Seraphina nodded.

"And if you don't listen, you'll be next."

A SHADOW MOVES...

Before Elias could respond, the air shifted.

Both of them tensed.

A presence-cold, ancient, suffocating-descended upon them.

Elias turned sharply.

For a moment, there was nothing.

Then -a Whisper.

"The pieces are finally moving."

Elias's blood ran cold.

The voice...it wasn't human.

Seraphina grabbed his arm. "We need to leave . Now".

But Elias didn't move.

Because standing in the corner of the room where there had been nothing just a moment ago- was a shadow.

watching .

waiting .

and then- it spoke again.

"We've been waiting for you, ELIAS NIGHTSHADE."