VALOR_30

At the Academy of Veythar, where nobles and commoners clash in duels of steel and 
sorcery, Raine Vaelor, a former outlaw, becomes an unexpected contender for power. 
When an ancient prophecy claims he is destined to shape the world’s fate, nobles seek to 
control him, rivals vow to break him, and unseen forces move in the shadows. 
But what if the prophecy is wrong? 
As assassins close in and forbidden magic resurfaces, Raine must uncover the truth before 
he becomes a pawn in a game centuries in the making. In a world where power is an 
illusion, will he forge his own path—or be destroyed by a destiny that was never his to begin 
with?

Eclipse of Fate

The murmurs had not yet faded. Though a day had passed since the duel between Raine Vaelor and Aldric Valtheris, whispers still coiled through the Academy of Veythar's halls like a persistent wind. Some praised Aldric's skill, others speculated about Raine's origins and unorthodox fighting style.

Raine, however, paid them little mind. Seated at a long wooden table in the Academy's grand hall, he absentmindedly pushed his food around his plate. His body ached from the bruises Aldric had left, but his mind was sharper than ever. The duel had been a lesson—one that he would not forget.

"Still brooding?" a voice teased. Raine looked up to see Elaris Faelthorne, a fellow student, though of noble elven blood. With sharp, emerald eyes and golden hair, she carried herself with the effortless grace of her people.

"I prefer to call it strategizing," Raine replied dryly.

Elaris smirked and took a seat across from him. "Good. You'll need a strategy if you want to survive here. That duel painted a target on your back."

Raine raised an eyebrow. "You think Aldric is the only one who wants to fight me?"

She leaned forward. "Aldric? He was a test. The real threats are watching from the shadows. Some nobles won't tolerate an outsider earning any recognition."

Her words settled in Raine's mind like an unspoken warning. The Academy of Veythar was more than just a school—it was a battlefield.

The Academy's student body was divided into various factions, some aligned with noble houses, others forged through sheer talent and ambition. While commoners could rise through skill, the weight of noble prestige still pressed upon the academy's structure.

The Argent Circle – A faction dominated by high-ranking nobles, including Aldric Valtheris. They dictated many unwritten rules of the Academy and ensured that power remained in the hands of the aristocracy.

The Ironfang Pact – A group of hardened warriors and skilled duelists, some of noble blood, but many were commoners who refused to be trampled upon.

The Silent Veil – An enigmatic group composed of spellcasters and scholars who preferred influence from the shadows. Rumors suggested they had ties to forbidden magic.

The Wild Hunt – A faction filled with outcasts, beastkin, and those who thrived on unpredictability. Their members were considered dangerous and reckless.

Raine, as of now, was unaffiliated. A dangerous position.

Though great noble houses like Valtheris, Faelthorne, and others dominated Vaeloria's landscape, there were lesser noble families eager to rise. Some sought alliances, while others saw Raine as an obstacle.

Among them was Darius Vortane, a minor noble with ambitions far greater than his station. His family lacked influence, but he compensated with ruthlessness. Another was Lillian Duskwind, a half-demon noble who carried herself with an air of mystery. She rarely spoke, yet her eyes missed nothing.

These were the ones who now watched Raine with interest.

As Raine finished his meal, he knew that the duel had been only the beginning. If he wanted to survive—if he wanted to carve out a place for himself—he would need allies.

And he would need to get stronger.

But most importantly, he had to uncover the truth behind the prophecy that now followed him like an unwanted shadow.

Ripples of the Duel