chapter 4: The Mage acamdey and silent wars

The students, shaken but obedient, followed behind Austin and Sonya as they made their way toward the Grand Academy of Magic. The path leading up to the academy was lined with ancient stone pillars, enchanted to glow faintly in the twilight. The looming silhouette of the academy appeared over the horizon, its towers piercing the sky, an undeniable testament to centuries of magical prowess.

Sonya walked beside Austin, her face a mask of calm confidence, but inside, her thoughts raged like a storm.

"Austin von Ravenclaw... you shouldn't have been this strong. You shouldn't have been this important. But now? Now you're in my way. I'll make sure you're crushed before you become a true threat."

As they approached the academy's grand gates, lined with runes that shimmered like constellations, an escort of senior mages and professors greeted them.

An old, white-haired man in deep blue robes stepped forward. His piercing silver eyes glowed with wisdom, and his voice carried both authority and warmth.

"Professor Ravenclaw," he greeted. "And of course, Your Highness. Welcome to the academy."

Austin nodded his usual smirk in place. "Grandmaster Helgar, it's a pleasure to be back."

Helgar stroked his beard, studying the crowd of students behind them. His gaze lingered on Sonya for a moment before turning to Austin.

"I assume you've had an eventful journey?"

Austin chuckled. "Oh, nothing unusual. Just a terrorist attack and an assassination attempt. You know, the usual."

The students stiffened at his casual tone, while Sonya fought the urge to roll her eyes.

Helgar sighed. "Indeed... the world grows more dangerous by the day. Come, we have much to discuss inside."

"Princess. Students. From today onwards, you are members of the Grand Academy of Magic—the most prestigious institution in the entire continent."

He let the words settle, watching as the students straightened their postures.

"But understand this," his voice sharpened slightly. "Within these walls, you are not nobility, not imperial, not merchant-born, and not commoners. Your status, your name, your family's wealth—none of it matters here. The only thing that will determine your future in this academy is your strength, skill, and knowledge of magic."

Some of the noble students fidgeted, unused to being stripped of their social power. A few, like Sonya, remained unbothered, already knowing this was coming.

Austin's eyes gleamed slightly as he continued, "If you thought your name would shield you from failure, forget it. Here, everyone starts from the same ground. Magic alone rules these halls."

A few murmurs spread among the crowd, some impressed, others unsettled.

He then turned slightly to his right. "Now, Mr. Claude will lead you all to your respective dormitories. You will receive your academy robes, your introductory spellbooks, and class schedules. Any complaints?"

Silence.

Claude, a stern-faced man in formal attire, stepped forward, giving a polite nod. "Follow me."

As the students followed, Austin caught Sonya's gaze for a fraction of a second.

She held his stare for a moment before looking away, following the rest.

The inside of the Grand Academy of Magic was even more breathtaking than the outside. Floating crystal chandeliers illuminated the vast halls, and enchanted staircases shifted seamlessly between floors. Walls lined with countless books whispered softly as pages turned on their own.

The students were escorted to their dormitories, while Sonya was personally led to the royal quarters—an entire wing reserved for members of the imperial family.

Austin, however, walked straight toward the faculty chambers, where a meeting was already in progress.

Inside, a long oval table was surrounded by the academy's most powerful figures—Grandmaster Helgar, several archmages, and a few mysterious cloaked figures whose identities were unknown to most.

Austin took a seat, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned back comfortably.

"So," he began, "who exactly thought it was a good idea to send assassins after me?"

The room fell silent.

One of the cloaked figures spoke, his voice low and rasping.

"We suspect... factions within the imperial court. Certain nobles... feel that your power and influence are becoming a threat."

Austin's eyes gleamed dangerously.

"A threat, am I? Good. That means I'm doing something right."

Helgar sighed. "Austin, we cannot afford civil war within the empire. Your actions—"

"My actions?" Austin interrupted his voice smooth but laced with cold amusement. "I didn't start this war, Grandmaster. But if anyone thinks they can take me down, they better be ready to pay the price."

The students followed Mr. Claude through the grand marble corridors of the academy, their footsteps echoing against the high ceilings. The dormitory wings were divided into four massive towers, each reserved for different levels of students.

North Tower – Reserved for first-year students.

East Tower – For second-years.

West Tower – For third-years.

South Tower – The most prestigious, for final-year students and prodigies.

Claude led them to North Tower, stopping in front of a massive wooden door inlaid with silver runes. He turned to face the students, his face unreadable.

"You will find your names assigned to your rooms. Each dorm houses two students, chosen randomly. If you have a problem with your roommate..." he smiled faintly, "deal with it. Complaints will not be entertained."

Some of the noble-born students scowled but remained silent.

"Your uniforms, spellbooks, and class schedules are already inside your rooms. Breakfast is served at 7 AM sharp in the dining hall. Classes begin at 8 AM. If you're late, don't bother showing up—you'll be marked absent, and absences will affect your rank. Magic here is earned, not given. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!" The students answered.

"Good. Now, off you go."

The doors swung open, revealing a grand common area with stone walls, enchanted chandeliers, and floating bookshelves. At the center, a large board displayed the room assignments.

Sonya stepped forward, scanning the list until she found her name.

Room 302 – Sonya Evandril & Luna Valtine

She let out a breath. Luna Valentine—a name she didn't recognize. That was good. It meant she wasn't stuck with a rival or someone difficult.

She turned to glance at Austin, wondering who his roommate was

As Sonya pushed open the heavy wooden door of Room 302, the first thing she noticed was the scent—lavender and old books. The second thing was the girl already sitting inside, cross-legged on the window seat, a book levitating in front of her as she lazily turned its pages with a flick of her fingers.

She had long, silver-white hair, pale skin, and piercing crimson-red eyes—an unusual color for a mage. A faint dark aura surrounded her, subtle but unmistakable.

"She's powerful."

The girl didn't even look up as she spoke in a smooth, detached voice.

"So, you're Sonya Evandril, the Imperial Princess."

Sonya narrowed her eyes. She didn't like the tone—it wasn't respectful, nor was it mocking. It was simply indifferent, as if her status meant nothing.

"And you are?" Sonya asked, shutting the door behind her.

The girl finally glanced at her, snapping her fingers. The levitating book closed with a soft thud before gently floating down onto the nightstand.

"Luna Valentine," she said. "Your new roommate."

Sonya raised an eyebrow. The Valentine family wasn't particularly influential, nor were they directly connected to the Imperial Court. They were obscure, known only for their proficiency in ancient and forgotten magic.

"A dark mage?" Sonya thought.

She walked to her own side of the room, inspecting the neatly arranged academy uniform on her bed. She could feel Luna's gaze still on her, studying her carefully.

"You're different from what I expected," Luna said suddenly.

Sonya turned to face her. "And what exactly did you expect?"

Luna gave a small, unreadable smile. "A spoiled princess, pampered and weak. But I can tell... you're not weak at all."

Sonya smirked. "Good. Then we won't have a problem."

Luna tilted her head, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "I suppose not. But I should warn you... this academy is not as it seems. There are things happening behind the scenes—things that even you, with all your status, aren't prepared for."

Sonya crossed her arms. "And you are?"

Luna's smile widened slightly, but she didn't answer. Instead, she stood up, stretching lazily before walking to the door.

"Classes start tomorrow. Try not to die before then," she said, and with that, she left the room, leaving Sonya alone.

For a few moments, Sonya stood still, thinking.

"She's hiding something."

She wasn't sure whether Luna Valentine was a friend or an enemy, but one thing was certain—this year at the academy was going to be far more dangerous than she had anticipated.

As Sonya settled into her side of the room, she glanced at the neatly arranged desk on Luna's side. Unlike her own, which was still bare, Luna's workspace was meticulously organized. A black leather notebook lay open, filled with intricate, flowing handwriting. Strange symbols and incantations were scribbled in the margins, some of them glowing faintly under the dim lantern light.

Sonya's eyes narrowed. Ancient magic scripts?

She had seen similar texts in the imperial archives—forbidden spells, lost arts, forgotten knowledge—the kind of magic that was either too dangerous or too powerful to be practiced in modern times.

"Who exactly is Luna Valentine?"

The silver-haired girl was still standing by the door, a small smirk playing on her lips as if she could read Sonya's thoughts.

"You're staring," Luna said, her voice smooth and teasing.

Sonya glanced away, trying to act uninterested. "You write?"

Luna chuckled softly. "Of course. Writing is a powerful form of magic in itself, you know. The right words, written in the right way, can shape reality just as much as a spell cast with mana."

Sonya raised an eyebrow. "So, you're a scholar?"

Luna shrugged, walking over to her desk. "Something like that." She ran her fingers over the edge of the notebook, almost affectionately, before flipping it shut with a soft thud.

Sonya didn't miss the way Luna's fingertips glowed faintly when she touched the cover—some kind of protective enchantment.

"She doesn't want anyone reading it."

Luna leaned against the desk, crossing her arms. "Do you know what makes a story truly powerful, Princess?"

Sonya frowned. "What?"

Luna's crimson eyes gleamed in the candlelight. "It's not just about what's written—it's about who is writing it."

For a moment, the air in the room felt heavier, like an unseen force was pressing against Sonya's chest.

Who is writing it?

The words echoed in her mind. There was something off about Luna—something beyond her intelligence, her skill in magic, or her strange affinity for words.

Luna suddenly stopped writing, her crimson eyes flicking up to meet Sonya's gaze in the dim light.

"You should sleep," she said softly. "Tomorrow's going to be… interesting."

Sonya swallowed and turned over, closing her eyes.

But sleep didn't come easily.

Because for the first time since she had arrived at the Academy of Magic, she was afraid.

The walls were lined with scrolls, some so old their edges had turned to dust, while magical artifacts pulsed faintly within glass cases.

Austin Ravenclaw stood before the aged Grandmaster Helagr, a man whose presence alone demanded respect. His long silver beard, etched with strands of glowing blue mana, cascaded down his chest like flowing silk. His deep, sunken eyes, which had seen centuries of war, betrayal, and magic, locked onto Austin's.

Helagr's voice was grave, layered with years of wisdom and sorrow.

"The path you are taking, Austin, will bring nothing but doom."

Austin remained still, his arms crossed, his violet eyes burning with determination.

"I know," he replied simply.

Helagr's fingers twitched as he tapped his cane against the marble floor, his expression one of frustration. The runes on the cane glowed momentarily, as if the very magic within it was echoing his emotions.

"Then you also know what will follow. The crows will gather, Austin. They will come from all directions, and when they do, they will pick at your flesh, devour every last piece of you until nothing remains."

The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the Grandmaster's wrinkled face, making him appear even more ethereal.

Austin smirked, unfazed. "Then let them come. I'll make sure those crows leave with shattered beaks and broken wings."

Helagr sighed, shaking his head.

"You still don't understand, do you?"

He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower.

**"The Imperials, the ones you think are your allies, will be the first to strike. They will pretend to be your shield, your benefactors. They will smile in your face, offering you power, wealth, influence—but they are nothing more than wolves in sheep's skin."

Austin's jaw tightened.

Helagr continued, his eyes darkening with a knowing look.

"You already know this to be true. The Emperor may have shown you favor, but at the end of the day, you are still nothing but an inconvenience to them—one that grows stronger and harder to control. And what does the empire do to those they cannot control?"

Austin clenched his fists.

"They eliminate them."

The old man nodded, his fingers tracing the engravings on his cane.

"Exactly. They have already tried once, haven't they? Do you think they will stop?"

Austin exhaled slowly, his mind racing. Of course, he knew. The assassination attempt on the train had Imperial fingerprints all over it. It wasn't just an act of terrorism—it was a warning, a subtle message wrapped in bloodshed.

Helagr continued, his tone grim.

"The Imperial family is like a hydra, Austin. Cut off one head, and another will grow in its place. The deeper you get, the more tangled you become in their web of deception. They will make you their pawn, whether you like it or not."

Austin finally spoke, his voice unwavering.

"And if I refuse to be their pawn?"

Helagr let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head.

"Then you become their enemy. And the only fate awaiting enemies of the empire… is death."

Silence filled the chamber.

Austin stared at the Grandmaster, his mind calculating. He knew the risks, the consequences of his actions. But retreating? Bowing his head to those who wanted him dead? That was not an option.

"I've walked through hell already, Grandmaster. If the empire wants a war…"

A cold, dangerous smirk formed on his lips.

"Then I'll give them one."

Helagr sighed, leaning back into his chair, as if exhausted by the weight of his own words.

"Then may the gods have mercy on you, Austin. Because from here on out, you walk a path where even the gods dare not tread."

Austin leaned back slightly, crossing his arms, his violet eyes sharpening like daggers. His voice was calm yet firm.

"Besides that, have you found anything about the Orb?"

Grandmaster Helagr sighed, his ancient fingers brushing over the runes etched into his wooden cane.

"Not much."

His tone was tinged with frustration.

"Artifacts of such magnitude do not leave behind simple trails, Austin. But if there is any place where knowledge on the Orb still lingers… it is the Academy."

Austin exhaled, his mind already racing. The Academy—a hub of scholars, warriors, mages, and ancient texts. It was a dangerous place for someone like him, a man balancing on the fine thread between ally and enemy in the eyes of the Empire. But if the Orb held answers, then he had no choice.

"Then I will see to it myself."

He stood up, his cape billowing slightly from the motion, and turned to leave.

Helagr watched him with unreadable eyes before saying, "Austin."

Austin stopped but didn't turn around.

"The path you are walking is a lonely one."

The Grandmaster's voice was softer now, tinged with something uncharacteristic—concern.

"I just pray that when we meet again, it will not be as enemies."

Austin smirked but didn't look back.

"Then let's hope you make the right choice when that time comes, Grandmaster."

And with that, he walked away, his boots echoing against the stone floor, leaving behind the heavy silence of an unspoken warning.

Meanwhile, in the Academy…

Deep within the library, Sonya sat hunched over a desk, her hands flipping through pages at an almost unnatural speed. Piles of books surrounded her, tomes of ice magic, elemental theory, and battle tactics.

Her eyes glowed faintly with determination.

"Austin Ravenclaw… I will ruin you."

Her fingers traced an old incantation written in ancient runes, her mind absorbing every detail. She wasn't just learning—she was preparing.

And when the time came, she would make sure Austin Ravenclaw regretted ever crossing paths with her.

Sonya leaned back in her chair, eyes flickering with realization.

"Austin… In the game, you went after the Orb of Nemesis, didn't you?" 

She clenched her fists, recalling the storyline.

The Orb of Nemesis—an artifact of unimaginable power, one that could break the natural order and summon beings beyond mortal understanding.

Legends spoke of its origins in whispers, buried deep within the forgotten history of the continent. Even in the game, no one knew its true purpose, but one thing was clear—whoever controlled the Orb controlled fate itself.

In the game's lore, the Orb of Nemesis was created thousands of years ago in an age when gods still walked among mortals. A great war broke out between the divine and the mortal races—a war so destructive that entire civilizations were wiped from history.

The mortals, desperate to stand against the gods, forged the Orb of Nemesis using:

The Heart of a Fallen Deity – The remains of a god that had been slain, its divine core twisted into a new form.

The Curses of the Betrayed – Ancient magic imbued by the spirits of those who had been betrayed and slaughtered.

The Despair of a Dying Empire – The final breath of an empire that cursed the gods with its last moments.

The Orb was said to be able to defy destiny itself—a power that terrified both gods and mortals alike.

But the consequences of wielding it were unknown.

If Austin was still after the Orb of Nemesis, then Sonya had two choices:

Obtain the Orb herself and prevent Austin from using it.

Destroy it before he could find it.

She didn't know why he wanted it in this world.

She didn't even know if the story would play out the same way.

She was no longer just a player trapped in a game—she was now part of this world, and that meant she had to think ahead.

The future was uncertain, but there were still major events she remembered. Some were small, some were catastrophic, but one name stood out above all others—

The Reaper of Kuntahal.

Sonya's quill hovered over the parchment, her mind racing.

The Reaper of Kuntahal was not yet the terrifying swordswoman feared across the continent.

No—she was still in the making.

A raw gem yet to be polished.

A beast yet to be unleashed.

But what made her even more dangerous—was who she belonged to.

The girl who would one day be known as the Reaper of Kuntahal was once just a child. A daughter of a noble household. A family that served the empire with unwavering loyalty.

Her name was Selene Vossaria.

She was born into the prestigious House Vossaria, a lineage of renowned swordmasters, sworn to protect the empire. Her father was General Alric Vossaria, a war hero who led countless battles. Her elder brother was Cassian Vossaria, a prodigy knight who was once considered the empire's rising star.

But everything changed—because of Austin Ravenclaw.

It wasn't war that destroyed Selene's family.It wasn't betrayal from within.It wasn't even a coup.

It was Austin Ravenclaw's ruthlessness.

At the time, Austin was just a rising figure in the empire. A grand mage. A tactician whose methods were as effective as they were merciless.

House Vossaria had long been loyal to the emperor. But during the empire's internal conflicts, Austin uncovered evidence that General Alric was secretly involved in a forbidden pact with a foreign kingdom—a deal made not for power, but to protect their homeland from destruction.

Austin didn't care about their reasons.

In the game, the Reaper of Kuntahal was an enemy. But Sonya wasn't just following the original story anymore.

She needed allies.

She needed someone strong.

And most importantly—she needed someone who would keep Austin in check.

If Sonya could befriend the Reaper, then she would have a powerful ally against Austin.

She tapped the quill against her chin, thinking

"How do I find her…?

According to the game's timeline, the Reaper of Kuntahal would appear soon—maybe in a few weeks.

She would be hiding among the students, waiting for her chance to strike.

If Sonya played her cards right, she could get close to her before Austin even realized what was happening.

"I have two days before the Academy's trials begin."

Two days to prepare

Two days to change her fate.

And two days before the greatest swordswoman of this era made her move.

A dimly lit chamber, deep within the underground hideout of the Abyssals. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and old blood. Shadows danced along the cracked walls as torches flickered, casting eerie shapes upon the figures within.

The Reaper of Kuntahal, Selene Vossaria, stood with her arms crossed, her piercing crimson eyes locked onto the hunched figure before her.

The old man, a wretched creature with a spine bent from years of servitude to the abyss, let out a raspy chuckle. His voice slithered through the air like a snake.

"Heh… Heh… What will you do now, Reaper? The assassination attempt failed. Austin Ravenclaw still breathes."

Selene's jaw tightened. She had planned everything perfectly—the strike aboard the train should have worked. The terrorists were supposed to stall him, to weaken him, to keep him occupied just long enough for her to strike. But she had underestimated him.

Austin Ravenclaw wasn't just powerful. He was unpredictable.

And worst of all, he was still alive.

The old man continued, his yellowed teeth exposed in a grin. "That man is not just a mage. He's a monster in human skin." His beady eyes gleamed with amusement. "Even if you trained for a hundred years, do you truly believe you can kill him?"

Selene's fingers twitched towards the hilt of her blade, but she didn't strike.

Instead, she exhaled slowly. Calm. Calculated. Cold.

"I was careless," she admitted. "But this isn't over."

The old man tilted his head. "Oh? Do tell… How will you dance with death next?"

Selene turned away from the old man, stepping toward the large table in the center of the room. Upon it, maps were spread out—detailed layouts of the Academy of Magic, heavily marked with notes. Strings connected key locations, forming a spiderweb of strategy.

She wasn't done. She had only just begun.

Her voice was low, steady. "Austin is arrogant. He believes himself untouchable. That arrogance will be his downfall."

She traced a gloved finger over a particular point on the map—the underground archives of the academy.

"The Orb of Nemesis."

The old man's eyes narrowed. "You intend to reach for the forbidden relic?" 

As Austin gazed out at the moonlit sky, his reflection staring back at him in the glass, his face remained eerily calm—too calm. But behind that composure, his eyes burned with an intense, almost maddening determination. His face curled into a confirmed gesture and a smirk as if he could already see himself holding the Orb in his hands.

"The Orb of Nemesis…" he murmured, his fingers tightening into a fist.

"If I get my hands on it, I can uncover the truth."

Why had the story changed?Why was he in this world?

Everything was deviating from the script he knew. Events that should have unfolded differently were taking new paths, people were making decisions they weren't supposed to, and most importantly—he wasn't in control anymore.

And that unsettled him.

But he wasn't the only one after it.

In another part of the Academy, deep in the candlelit chambers of the library, Sonya sat hunched over a book, her fingers tracing the ancient text. She had been up all night, cross-referencing everything she knew.

The game had followed a script—one she was familiar with. Yet Austin was changing.

His choices, his actions… they weren't what she expected.

Her pen scratched against the parchment as she wrote down her conclusions.

"Austin is going after the Orb of Nemesis."

That meant she had to get to it first.

If he obtained it, he would have access to power beyond reason. Power that could shift the balance of this world and lead to an ending she couldn't predict.

And Sonya despised uncertainty.

She exhaled sharply, slamming the book shut. "I can't let him win. I will acquire the Orb before he does."

The Reaper's Oath

Far beyond the Academy walls, in the dark lairs of the Abyssals, a blade was being sharpened against a whetstone. The sound of steel grinding against rock filled the air, slow and deliberate.

Selene Vossaria, the Reaper of Kuntahal, had made her decision.

She had no love for Ravenclaw. No admiration. Only hatred.

He was the reason her family was destroyed. The reason she had lost everything. The reason she had become a killer.

He had taken everything from her.

And now, she was after the Orb of Nemesis.

She knew what that meant.

If she were to get the Orb, she would rise beyond mere grand swordswomen—she would become something untouchable. Something no blade could strike down.

And she would do anything for it for her purpose.

Selene tightened her grip on her sword, her crimson eyes burning with resolve. 

Austin in the hall staring at the moon, his resolve unwavering said "I'll acquire, it no matter what"

Sonya in her bedroom "I won't let it get to you Ravenclaw"

Selene determined for her revenge " I will kill you Austin Von Ravenclaw"

The Orb of Nemesis.

A relic so powerful that it had been sealed away for centuries. A tool that could rewrite the course of history, alter fate, and grant knowledge beyond mortal comprehension.

Austin Ravenclaw sought it for answers.Sonya pursued it to seize control of the game.Selene hunted it to ensure she only wielded its power.

Three destinies, intertwined in a dangerous race

Who would reach it first?And what would happen when they did?