Three days later, Adrian entered the academy.
The Royal Academy of Asteria was one of the most prestigious institutions on the continent.
Its students included nobles, talented commoners, wealthy merchants' children, and descendants of powerful families.
The academy's enormous towers dominated the surrounding city.
Adrian walked through the entrance without attracting much attention.
That was exactly what he wanted.
The original Adrian had been arrogant and loud.
The new Adrian intended to be different.
He registered his name and received his student identification.
"Adrian von Valen?"
A student standing nearby turned.
"You're from the Valen family?"
Adrian nodded.
"I am."
The student gave him a brief look.
"I heard your family lost most of its northern territory."
"That is correct."
"Must be difficult."
"It has been."
The conversation ended.
Adrian continued walking.
He wasn't interested in defending his family's reputation.
He needed information.
The academy's library was his first destination.
There, he searched for books about bloodlines, ancient species, magical inheritance, and regional history.
He discovered something useful.
Bloodlines were not limited to major noble families.
Many adventurers possessed diluted ancestral traits.
Some inherited only enhanced senses or minor elemental affinities.
Others possessed unusual abilities that were poorly understood.
Adrian wrote down several names.
Among them was Gareth Voss.
He found Gareth in the eastern training grounds later that afternoon.
The young man had brown hair, a lean build, and unusually sharp eyes.
He was practicing with a wooden spear.
Adrian approached.
"Are you Gareth Voss?"
The young man turned.
"Yes. Do I know you?"
"Adrian von Valen."
Gareth lowered his spear.
"A noble?"
"Unfortunately."
Gareth laughed.
"At least you have a sense of humor."
Adrian glanced at the spear.
"You're an adventurer?"
"An aspiring one. I'm studying here to obtain a proper qualification."
"Your spear technique is interesting."
"Thanks."
Gareth returned the weapon to its rack.
"Do you practice?"
"A little."
"Want to spar?"
Adrian hesitated.
His current swordsmanship was poor.
But he needed to understand Gareth's ability.
"Perhaps another time."
Gareth shrugged.
"Whenever you want."
Adrian left the training ground.
He had no intention of rushing into a contest.
A few days of observation would tell him more about Gareth's fighting style.
And perhaps more about the bloodline he possessed.