Shadows of the Past

Raine and Aldric stood under the dim glow of the academy's lanterns, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. The distant hum of conversations from the other students faded into the background as they sized each other up. Aldric's piercing gaze studied Raine, as if searching for something beyond his noble name or reputation.

"You fought well today," Aldric said finally, arms crossed. "Didn't expect a noble to have that kind of grit."Raine smirked.

"Didn't expect an outlaw to walk into the Academy either."

Aldric's eyes narrowed slightly, but instead of taking offense, he chuckled. "Fair enough." He turned away, glancing up at the Academy towers. "This place is just another battlefield, don't you think?"

Raine hesitated. "Maybe. But here, we have rules."

Aldric gave a lopsided grin. "Rules only matter if you let them." With that, he stepped past Raine, disappearing into the shadows of the courtyard.

As the night deepened, the Academy buzzed with hushed rumors. Beyond the walls of Veythar, the world was stirring. Reports trickled in about a noble family's sudden downfall—House Valtheris, long thought to be secure in its power, had been overthrown overnight. The implications were dire, for Valtheris had been one of the few houses maintaining order in the western provinces.

At the same time, the Academy prepared for the next phase of the rankings. The evaluation had shaken up expectations, and now, students braced themselves for what came next. With noble houses watching and external factions maneuvering behind the scenes, the Academy of Veythar had become more than just a place of learning—it was now the heart of an unfolding power struggle.

Raine returned to his dormitory, his thoughts lingering on Aldric's words. Something about him felt... familiar. He shook the thought away. There was no time for distractions. The real battles were just beginning.