**Kaels pov** I didn’t remember running, one moment I was standing in the library. The next, I was pushing through crowds of students gathering along the academy’s front courtyard. The annual Parent Council had always been one of Blackthorn Academy’s most important traditions, kings, queens, dukes, and clan leaders. Every influential family whose child attended the academy arrived to discuss the year’s events with the Headmaster. In my previous life, I had always greeted my parents with confidence. Today, my legs felt weak, the massive academy gates slowly opened, and dozens of royal carriages rolled through one after another. The Witch Kingdom, the Werewolf Kingdom, the Wizard Council, and the Noble Vampire Houses. Each carriage was escorted by knights carrying banners that fluttered proudly in the evening wind. Students hurried toward their families, some laughed, while some embraced their parents, and others bowed respectfully. I stood perfectly still, my e

**Kaels pov** No one spoke for several moments after I agreed, the tension that had filled Alaric’s office slowly disappeared. Mother smiled first, relief washed over her face.“I’m so glad.” She stood and wrapped me in another hug before I could protest. “You’ve spent too long away.”Elara laughed. “I told you he’d say yes eventually.”“I didn’t say eventually.”“You did now.”I rolled my eyes. “You haven’t changed.”“Neither have you.”Father rose from his chair and approached headmaster Alaric. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for my son.”Headmaster Alaric inclined his head. “He’s become an exceptional young man.”“He still has much to learn.”“I believe he’ll surprise all of us.”Father looked at me. “I intend to begin his royal training immediately after we return.” Headmaster Alaric nodded. “That is precisely what I hoped to hear, the First King is unlike any enemy our world has faced, je’ll need every advantage.”Father’s expression became serious. “I’ll personal

**Kaels pov** The first strike came faster than I expected. Father’s sword moved toward my shoulder, and I barely managed to block it, the impact sent a sharp vibration through my arms. I stepped backward. Father didn’t give me time to recover, when another strike came in then another. I blocked each one, but my feet continued sliding across the stone floor.“You rely too much on your strength,” Father said.I ducked beneath another swing.“You always have.”I spun and attempted a counterattack.He blocked it effortlessly. “Your speed is impressive.” His sword pressed against mine. “But speed without discipline is predictable.” He pushed me backward, and I stumbled. The nobles watching from the edge of the training grounds remained silent, but I could feel their eyes following every movement.Father lowered his sword. “Again.” I tightened my grip, then we continued. For nearly two hours, every mistake was corrected, every weakness exposed, and every instinct I had

**Aurora’s pov** I walked slowly through the enormous chamber, every step echoed against the stone. The sound made the place feel even larger than it already was, I kept looking over my shoulder. Part of me still expected something to emerge from the darkness, but nothing did. Eventually, I reached the opposite side of the chamber, there was a doorway. I almost laughed from relief.“A door.” I hurried toward it and placed my hand against the surface. The stone immediately began glowing, a deep rumble passed through the floor. The doorway opened, and beyond it was a corridor. I stared into the darkness, then I took a breath and stepped inside. The corridor stretched farther than I could see, strange blue flames floated along the walls, illuminating the path without any visible source, I walked beneath them carefully. The air was strangely still, no winds, no voices, and no footsteps except mine. I passed several enormous statues, each one depicted a different

**Aurora’s pov** The symbol on the map led me farther north than I expected. The streets became narrower as I left the central part of the kingdom behind, the buildings here were older. Most had been abandoned for centuries, while some had collapsed completely, leaving only pieces of stone scattered across the roads. Yet strangely, the kingdom didn’t feel dead. There was something about it that made me feel as though I was being watched, I stopped several times. Each time I turned around, there was nothing there, still, I couldn’t shake the feeling. Eventually, I reached the northern district. The symbol from the map appeared on a massive stone gate, a crescent moon surrounded by a circle. I placed my hand against it, the gate opened immediately. Beyond it was a small courtyard, and at the center stood a fountain. Unlike everything else in the kingdom, the fountain was perfectly maintained. Clear water flowed continuously from the mouth of a stone statue, so I