Chapter 16: The Test of Allegiances

The morning after the announcement of the first-year rankings, Var-Nyx stood by the window of his dormitory, watching the students below bustling around in the courtyard. The sun cast a warm, golden glow on the academy grounds, yet Var-Nyx felt a chill in his bones. The entrance exam was behind him, but the real challenges were just beginning.

He had deliberately scored a mediocre 70 in each test to avoid drawing attention to his extraordinary abilities. It was a choice that now seemed both brilliant and dangerous. The student body was a mixture of anxious energy and silent judgment. Some of the students who scored higher would already be looking down on those who barely passed—especially the poor students who barely scraped through the magical and mental trials.

Yet, for all the pressure surrounding him, Var-Nyx couldn't help but feel a strange sense of calm. No one knew who he truly was. No one knew what he was capable of. The very fact that they underestimated him gave him an edge in this game of politics, magic, and survival.

But that edge also came with risks. His teachers would be keeping an eye on him. The high-ranking students—like Lord Jehnic—would probably want to size him up, test him, and either use him or crush him. It was just the way things worked in places like Dorothrel Academy. You had to either be a predator or a prey, and right now, Var-Nyx couldn't afford to be either.

His thoughts were interrupted when a knock sounded at his door. He quickly moved to answer, opening it to find a tall, elegant figure standing in the doorway. It was one of the upperclassmen—Kael Arith, a second-year student with sharp features and a reputation for being a top-tier strategist.

"Var-Nyx," Kael said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I've been looking for you. There's a meeting in the senior hall today. You'll want to be there."

Var-Nyx raised an eyebrow. "A meeting? What kind of meeting?"

Kael leaned closer, lowering his voice. "A meeting where the real students of this academy are sorted out. Don't be late. Or... well, you won't want to be left behind."

With that cryptic statement, Kael turned and walked away, leaving Var-Nyx to ponder his words.

Later that day, Var-Nyx entered the senior hall, a large, imposing building with stone walls lined with ancient banners and faded portraits of past headmasters. The room was filled with murmurs as students of all years gathered around a long table at the front. At the head of the table sat Lord Jehnic, his piercing blue eyes scanning the room as he stood to address the students.

"Welcome, first-years," Jehnic said, his voice carrying across the room. "You've made it this far. But here, at Dorothrel Academy, we don't care about grades. We care about potential. We care about power. And those who fail to prove their worth... will be left behind."

Var-Nyx's pulse quickened, but he kept his expression neutral. This wasn't just a gathering—it was a show of dominance. A test. But by whom? And for what purpose?

Lord Jehnic continued, his eyes briefly resting on Var-Nyx as though he already knew what the boy was capable of. "This academy is a microcosm of the world outside. There are the powerful, and then there are the powerless. You will all face challenges that will test not only your magic but your ability to navigate the dangerous waters of politics, influence, and survival. Choose your allies carefully, and be wary of your enemies. Not everyone in this room is what they seem."

Var-Nyx's gaze shifted to the students around him. A mix of ambition, fear, and pride filled the air. Some students wore the gleam of new wealth, while others seemed more scrappy, trying to hide their nervousness. He knew that the power dynamics in this room were shifting as Jehnic spoke—old alliances were being reforged, and new ones were being made.

Kael, who had led him here, was standing near the back, his eyes fixed on the front of the room. His stance was one of quiet confidence, yet something about the way he observed Jehnic suggested that he knew far more about the intricacies of academy politics than he was letting on.

Lord Jehnic's gaze swept the room once more. "I'll be watching all of you. And I expect the same from each of you. Prove your worth, or be forgotten."

The room was filled with silence after his words, before a ripple of murmurs began to spread. Jehnic smiled, sensing the power he wielded over these students. He turned and gestured for the meeting to end, as if dismissing the tension in the room.

Var-Nyx remained still, his mind whirling with new information. He had expected some kind of power struggle, but not quite like this. This meeting had been a statement—a declaration of intent.

He now understood something important: the game here at Dorothrel Academy wasn't just about magical prowess. It was about manipulation, alliances, and survival.

As the students began to file out of the hall, Var-Nyx lingered, his mind already working through his options. He needed to be careful. The road ahead wouldn't just be paved with magic; it would be fraught with betrayal, corruption, and a constant push to prove himself.

As Var-Nyx left the senior hall, he couldn't help but wonder: was he already being watched? Had Jehnic singled him out on purpose, or was it just a coincidence? And if it wasn't, what did it mean for his future here?

But whatever the answers, one thing was certain: Dorothrel Academy had just become a battlefield, and Var-Nyx was already in the thick of it.