Crownshade Academy – Inner Courtyard, Noon
The echo of footsteps mingled with the murmur of leaves as Aeron Blackthorn walked through the heart of Crownshade Academy.
The dueling grounds and murmuring nobles were behind him now.
Wide walkways opened into an immaculate courtyard where crystal flowers bloomed in symmetric harmony with polished fountains.
Students in fresh uniforms chatted, sparred, or pored over notes beneath the shade of white-leaved ash trees.
Nearby, a quiet waiting area had been set aside—for those who had passed the trials.
Aeron sat on one of the wooden benches assembled there.
Not long ago, he would’ve never imagined being here.
But now…
this place would become his base of growth.
Two Hours Later
His fingers brushed the edge of the bench as he watched sunlight dance off the distant tower spires.
More students had arrived—those who had also passed.
Some glanced his way and whispered.
A few stared, but none approached.
They sat one or two seats apart, instinctively leaving distance.
Hmm… I like it this way.
No interference—
His thoughts broke as a timid voice cut through the silence.
“U-umm… c-can I-i sit here…?”
Aeron nodded slightly without looking up.
“Hm.”
Then, turning sideways, his eyes paused.
A girl stood there—grey hair, sun-kissed skin, a cropped fitted top for movement, flowing short pants, a short coat, and soft leather boots.
But most striking were her wolf ears and tail.
A beastfolk… wolf type, Aeron noted instantly.
“Umm… L-Lyra… Lyra Dakes,” the girl stammered as she sat beside him, shivering slightly under his gaze.
Aeron gave a calm nod.
“Aeron.
Aeron Blackthorn.”
Lyra returned the nod with a tiny smile, then her eyes widened.
Blackthorn… That’s a noble house!
One of the big ones…
Behind them, whispers stirred.
Lyra’s fingers clutched at her skirt.
She’d heard them.
Aeron noticed—but said nothing.
His mind had wandered elsewhere.
He hadn’t come here just for ambition.
Staying at the crumbling Blackthorn manor, after suddenly awakening real power, would’ve drawn unwanted attention.
Dangerous attention.
Nobles noticed everything.
They whispered.
They calculated.
If a boy once labeled magicless suddenly began growing stronger in the shadows, rumors would spiral into suspicions.
Into assassins.
Interrogations.
Worse.
But the Academy gave structure.
Legitimacy.
Protection.
Crownshade wasn’t just a school—it was a veil, a forge, and a shield.
An Hour Later
A pair of attendants arrived, scrolls in hand.
They read out names, sorting students into different dorms.
“Aeron Blackthorn.
Lyra Dakes.
Dorm C.
Please follow me.”
The attendant turned briskly, heading toward the inner corridors.
Aeron and Lyra followed.
No one else was assigned with them.
Is it just us in Dorm C?”
The attendant didn’t stop, but slowed slightly.
“Yes.
This time, it’s just the two of you.”
She added, “Most others went to Dorms B and D.
A few made it to A.
And by the way—” she glanced back with a smirk, “—I’m your senior.
Try not to forget that.”
Aeron nodded.
Lyra did too.
The rest of the walk passed in silence.
Dorm C lay beyond the busier paths.
No golden banners or loud laughter echoed here.
Instead, the route curved through shaded stone paths under moss-draped arches, where birds chirped over still ponds and ivy climbed ancient walls.
Eventually, they stopped before a quiet three-story building wrapped in leafy vines.
A brass plaque gleamed:
Division Dormitory – C Wing
The senior paused and turned.
“This is your dorm.
Here are your keys.
Don’t lose them.”
She handed them each a simple iron key, a room number etched onto the tag.
Aeron and Lyra bowed slightly.
“Thank you, senior,” they said in unison.
With a faint nod, she walked off, disappearing beyond the central buildings.
Aeron looked down at his tag.
Room Eleven.
He stepped through the entrance—enchanted polished wood, long hallways, and rooms on both sides.
Stairs spiraled upward.
He climbed them calmly.
First Floor – Room Eleven
At the far end of the hall, he stopped before his door.
But as his hand reached for the knob, he turned.
“…Why are you following me?” he asked dryly.
Lyra flinched.
“N-no!
I-I’m not following—!”
She stepped aside, revealing the room next to his: Room Twelve.
“This is… my room…” she muttered, holding up her tag.
Aeron blinked, then smiled faintly.
“Ah.
My apologies.”
He chuckled once.
“Looks like we’re neighbors.”
Without waiting for a reply, he opened his door and stepped inside.
Behind him, Lyra stood stunned.
H-he smiled…?
And apologized…?
She wasn’t expecting much—maybe even a cold glare—but not an apology… with warmth.
He’s the first…
Being a half-blood between races had always made her a target.
In this kingdom, discrimination might be outlawed, but it still lingered.
She was used to isolation.
Bullying.
Silence.
Her only pillars were her loving human father and beastfolk mother—who sent her here with smiles and dreams when they discovered her magical potential.
Her ears twitched as she smiled softly, closing her door behind her.
Room Eleven – Aeron’s Quarters
The room was simple.
A bed.
A wooden desk.
A bookshelf.
A closet.
A narrow balcony overlooking the gardens below.
Quiet.
His.
He stepped in and closed the door behind him, the silence wrapping him like an old friend.
On the desk ahead lay his folded uniform—white shirt, dark blue coat, red tie, and black trousers.
He ran his hand across the cloth.
Soft.
Enchanted.
And tailored to his size.
The academy’s insignia lay stitched over the heart.
Beside it, a small memo.
He picked it up and read.
[Crownshade Academy – Welcome Memo]
Curfew Rules:
Division B and below: Curfew at 8 p.m.
Division A and above: No curfew, but discipline applies.
Combat Rules:
Unauthorized combat is forbidden.
Duels must be mutual, faculty-supervised, and held in official arenas.
Rule-breakers face expulsion.
Gender Protocol:
Cross-room and cross-dorm visits are prohibited after 8 p.m.
Student relationships are not monitored by the Academy.
Discrimination of race or status is forbidden.
Any violations lead to expulsion and further action.
Reward System:
Mana Stones (Low, Mid, High Grade) awarded for academic and combat performance.
Low: Common — Energy support
Mid: Earned — Spell practice and cultivation
High: Rare — Reserved for top-tier performers
Uniform:
Color denotes division status.
Training set (non-divisional) for physical drills and extra activities.
[Classes Begin in 7 Days]
Aeron nodded, folding the memo neatly.
He placed the uniform inside the closet and sat on the edge of his bed.
“Guess this is home for now…”
He murmured to himself.
Leaving the academy was prohibited unless officially permitted.
As someone in Division C, not even holidays would grant him freedom.
If he needed something… he’d have to write home.
Still… this is better.
Then—
[DING!]
[Quest Complete – Beneath the Veils]
Objective: Enter Crownshade Academy
Reward: 1000 EXP
A small smile tugged at Aeron’s lips.
Simple quest.
Largest reward yet.
Another screen appeared.
[System Update]
EXP: 1420 / 1000
> EXP fuels level progression.
Each level unlocks:
— New abilities
— Passive bonuses
— Greater Void control
Items Gained:
Minor Void Shard x1:
> A condensed essence of Void.
Can be consumed to learn a minor Void spell or used as a reagent to enhance stats.
Skill Unlocked:
[Silent Casting]
> Allows casting without vocal incantations or gestures.
+25% Spell Initiation Speed
Reduces detection in battle.
Aeron leaned back on the headboard.
“These items… are good.”
Another screen shimmered into view.
[SYSTEM STATUS – USER: AERON BLACKTHORN]
Class: Unknown (System Class: VOIDBOUND)
Affiliation: Crownshade Academy – Dorm C
Element: [Void – Suppressed], [Fire]
Magic Circle: Second Circle (Combat Equivalent: Mid–Third)
Combat Rank: C+
Level: 3
EXP: 1420 / 1000
Core Attributes
Strength: 32
Flexibility: 41
Defense: 29
Stamina: 45
Mana Control: 47
Mental Fortitude: 50
System Abilities
[Void Perception] – Time-slowing mana perception
[Void Latch] – Disrupts enemy spells
[Void Seal – Pulse Disrupt] – Breaks defenses
[Silent Casting] – Invisible, fast casting
[Void Vault] – Locked
[Class Advancement] – Locked
Inventory
Minor Void Shard x1 – Enhances stats or unlocks Void skills
Dorm Key – Crownshade Academy (Eastern Courtyard)
He stood and walked to the balcony.
The sun had dipped lower, casting golden shadows over the courtyard.
Below, students moved—some laughing, some training, others lost in thought.
“From a legend to
a mere student, huh…” he whispered.
Tomorrow would bring new faces.
New rules.
New threats.
But tonight… Aeron Blackthorn smiled faintly.
Because for the first time in years—
He wasn’t fading.
He was living.
And rising.