Chapter 11: Whispers in the Shadows

The trial was over.

Eryndor had won.

But victories in politics were rarely final.

As he stepped out of the grand hearing chamber, he could feel the weight of a hundred stares on his back. Some were impressed. Others resentful.

And then there were those who remained silent watching, calculating, waiting.

Those were the dangerous ones.

Eryndor exhaled slowly. The Academy had always been a battlefield, but today had confirmed something else.

He was now a player in the grander game of noble politics.

And that meant he could never let his guard down.

Later that evening, as he returned to his dormitory, a royal guard awaited him at the entrance.

"Lord Valeria," the guard announced, bowing slightly. "His Highness, Crown Prince Darius, requests your presence immediately."

Eryndor raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Lead the way."

The guard turned sharply, guiding him through the academy's dimly lit corridors toward the Royal Pavilion the private quarters reserved for the crown prince and his closest circle.

Upon entering, Eryndor found Darius seated near a fireplace, a goblet of wine in hand. The prince's usual smirk remained, but there was something different in his eyes interest.

"Impressive work today, Valeria," Darius said, gesturing for him to sit. "Orwen thought he had you trapped, and yet, you turned the tables on him beautifully."

Eryndor took the seat across from him. "He underestimated me."

Darius chuckled. "Most people do… until it's too late."

The prince took a sip of his wine before setting the goblet aside. "Orwen won't forget what happened today. You embarrassed him. Publicly. And men like him don't let go of grudges so easily."

Eryndor already knew this. "Then I'll have to strike first."

Darius grinned. "Exactly what I was hoping you'd say."

A silence stretched between them, filled only by the faint crackling of the fire.

Then, Darius leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Valeria, tell me what do you really want?"

Eryndor studied the prince carefully. He had expected a political conversation, maybe a warning about Orwen, but this? This was something else.

Darius was testing him.

Eryndor answered truthfully.

"I want power."

The prince's smirk widened. "Good. Then I have an offer for you."

Eryndor tilted his head slightly, waiting.

Darius leaned back, his expression sharpening. "I need allies, Valeria. Real ones. The kind who don't just follow orders, but who think. Who see the bigger picture."

He gestured toward Eryndor. "And you? You're exactly that."

The firelight flickered, casting shadows across the prince's face.

"So, I ask you again, Valeria. Will you stand with me?"

Eryndor didn't answer immediately.

This wasn't just an offer of friendship.

Aligning with the Crown Prince meant stepping deeper into the world of noble politics. It meant gaining power but also making enemies.

It meant making a choice.

After a long pause, he met Darius's gaze. "If I stand with you, what do I gain?"

Darius chuckled. "I like that. You're already negotiating."

He tapped his fingers against the wooden table. "First, you gain protection. Orwen won't dare move against you openly if he knows you have the prince at your back."

Eryndor remained silent.

Darius continued. "Second, you gain resources. Training, intelligence, access to things most nobles could only dream of."

The prince's eyes gleamed. "And third? You gain a future."

A heavy silence followed.

Eryndor exhaled slowly. The offer was tempting. Powerful. Dangerous.

He weighed his options carefully.

Then, finally, he extended his hand.

"I'll stand with you."

Darius grinned, clasping his hand firmly. "Then we build the future together."

The next few days passed without incident, but Eryndor wasn't fooled.

Orwen had lost the trial, but men like him never accepted defeat so easily.

He knew an attack was coming. He just didn't know when.

That answer came sooner than expected.

One night, as Eryndor walked the Academy's training grounds, a sudden, sharp presence filled the air.

A killing intent.

Instinct kicked in. He turned just in time to see a hooded figure lunging at him, dagger in hand.

Eryndor barely dodged, rolling to the side as the blade sliced the air where his throat had been.

His system activated instantly.

[Threat Identified: Assassin]

[Skill Suggested: Combat Reflexes]

The assassin recovered quickly, moving with inhuman speed. This wasn't some low-level thug. This was a trained killer.

Eryndor had seconds to react.

He reached for his sword only to realize he had left it behind.

Damn.

The assassin lunged again.

But Eryndor had already moved.

He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the dagger, and grabbed a nearby training staff. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

The assassin attacked relentlessly, striking with deadly precision.

Eryndor blocked, parried, dodged. His mind worked furiously.

He couldn't match the assassin in speed. But he could outthink them.

The assassin struck again, aiming low this time.

Eryndor feigned weakness, letting his stance shift just enough to invite the attack.

The assassin fell for it.

In that split second, Eryndor twisted his body, swinging the training staff with all his strength.

CRACK!

The wooden staff slammed into the assassin's ribs. A grunt of pain followed, and the attacker stumbled back.

Eryndor didn't give them time to recover.

He lunged forward, slamming his knee into their chest, then delivered a final, crushing blow to the head.

The assassin collapsed.

Breathing heavily, Eryndor took a step back, his mind racing.

Orwen had finally moved against him directly.

But Orwen had made a fatal mistake.

Because now? Eryndor had proof.

Minutes later, royal guards swarmed the training grounds.

Darius himself arrived soon after, his expression unreadable as he observed the unconscious assassin.

Eryndor wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Orwen sent them."

Darius nodded. "Looks that way."

The prince turned to his guards. "Take this one to the dungeons. I want them interrogated."

Eryndor met Darius's gaze.

Orwen had struck first.

But now, it was their turn to strike back.

And this time?

They wouldn't miss.