Chapter 64
Author: Dep Flair
last update2025-08-28 23:18:32

The office felt smaller with six people crammed into it. Draven sat between his friends, facing the three academy officials across Thorne's desk. The silence stretched until Headmaster Valerian cleared his throat.

"Let's start simple," Valerian said. "Where did you really go during your survival exercise?"

"The Northern Wastes," Draven replied. "That part was true."

"And what happened there?"

Draven glanced at his friends. They'd agreed to tell as much truth as possible without revealing the most dangerous details.

"We encountered members of the Shadow Moon Sect," he said. "They were conducting some kind of operation in the area."

One of the unknown instructors leaned forward. "What kind of operation?"

"We don't know," Jin said. "We avoided direct contact when possible."

"Yet they're now watching the academy," Thorne pointed out. "That suggests more than casual avoidance."

"They saw us," Sera said quietly. "Recognized us as academy students. Probably decided we were worth investigatin
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    Morning came too quickly.Draven woke to sunlight streaming through his window. His body ached. Not from physical injury. From tension. From the false magic circle still settling in his chest.The gala was over. Technically. But the guests wouldn't leave until afternoon. One more meal. One more round of political pleasantries.Then he could escape back to the academy.Draven dressed and made his way downstairs. The manor was quieter than the night before. Servants cleaning up. Decorations being removed. The grand display packed away.But the whispers remained."Did you see him fight?""Destroyed Viktor Crane like it was nothing.""The Princess couldn't stop watching him.""Everything's changed now."Draven found breakfast laid out in the smaller dining room. His brothers were already there.Garrett looked up first. Grinned. "There's the man of the hour. How does it feel to be the most talked-about person at the gala?""Exhausting.""I bet." Garrett gestured to an empty seat. "Sit. Eat

  • Chapter 183

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    The great hall held its breath.Viktor Crane stood in the exhibition circle. Confident. Ready. Every inch the Imperial elite guard.Draven walked toward him. Each step measured. The crowd parting immediately.Whispers followed."Another challenge? Tonight?""Viktor Crane against the Ashworth?""This should be interesting.""Interesting? It'll be a massacre. Viktor's Imperial-trained.""So was Lucas supposedly the strongest. Look how that ended."Draven reached the edge of the circle. Viktor watched him approach with cold eyes."I'm glad you accepted," Viktor said. Loud enough for nearby nobles to hear. "I was concerned you might refuse. Given the late hour."Translation: I thought you might be a coward."I wouldn't dream of refusing," Draven replied. "It would be disrespectful."Translation: You trapped me with politics and you know it.Viktor smiled. Sharp. "Indeed. We wouldn't want any disrespect between our families."Prime Minister Aldric Crane approached the circle. His presence

  • Chapter 181

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    The great hall remained frozen.Lucas Nervia slumped against the wall. Draven standing in the exhibition circle. Smoke still rising from his hand where the controlled fire had erupted.Everyone staring.Draven looked up at the platform. At his father.Waiting for the reaction. The anger. The disappointment. Something.Father's face was stone.No expression. No emotion. Nothing.He simply stood there. Watching. Like he was observing a training exercise rather than his son publicly destroying an ally's heir.That silence was somehow worse than any anger could have been.But everyone else?Everyone else lost their minds.The whispers exploded into full conversations. Nobles grabbing each other's arms. Officers exchanging shocked looks. The carefully maintained decorum of the gala shattered."Did you see that speed?""He moved like—I've never seen anything like that.""The fire. That controlled burst. How is he only sixteen?""Second-year student? Impossible.""Lucas Nervia didn't stand a

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