Sword Fighting

Marcus Hale dreamed of becoming a hero. At ten, he played knight in the sunlit streets of Millbrook—until the demons came. When the Enforcers, elite magical warriors, chose to defend the capital instead of his village, Marcus lost everything: his parents, his home, and his faith in the world. Six years later, he enters Valorheart Academy as a Defender—the lowest rank in the magical caste system. Assigned to shield others while nobles chase glory, Marcus is mocked by instructors, denied access to advanced knowledge, and forced to accept that power is for the privileged. His only light is Isabella Rodriguez, a brilliant Mage and his first friend—maybe more. But even that is taken when Arthur Blackthorne, a powerful noble with eyes on both Isabella and the throne, maneuvers Marcus into disgrace. Stripped of allies and on the verge of expulsion, Marcus discovers a forgotten power buried beneath the academy—a living source of ancient magic that offers him what society never would: a choice. He fuses with it. Survives it. Becomes something no Defender was ever meant to be. With new abilities and a mind sharpened by betrayal, Marcus begins to reshape the academy from within, gathering outcasts and training them to challenge the system. He’s not just fighting for equality anymore—he’s building a revolution. But the deeper he delves into power, the more he risks becoming like the very tyrants he vowed to destroy. Love, loyalty, and vengeance collide as Marcus confronts the brutal truth: to create a new world, he may have to burn the old one down. He was born to defend a world that discarded him. Now, he will destroy it.

Power wears many faces. Magic is just one of them. When a sickly noble heir stumbles upon a strange gift — the ability to see through the veil of power. He sets out to rebuild his crumbling house, not with sword or spell… but with silver, strategy, and secrets. But in a Kingdom where strength is currency and weakness gets buried, Cael Varissen must learn fast: wealth is fragile, war is inevitable, and magic? It’s far older and hungrier than anyone cares to admit. What if the most dangerous magic wasn’t in spells, but in shrewd business deals... and dangerous alliances of the heart? In a world where political ambition, economic strategy, and forbidden desires hold as much sway as any ancient power, every alliance comes with a price. This is the heart of House of Ash and Gold. ... What to expect: Slow-burn political fantasy with teeth Layered worldbuilding A subtle, mysterious magic system Romance threaded through ambition What NOT to Expect: Instant overpowered MC Fast-food pacing Harem or shallow romance One-note villains Endless exposition dumps Release schedule hasn’t been decided, but tentatively 5 chapters per week.