The sunlight streaming through the arched windows of the lecture hall felt muted, as if even the light dared not disturb the weight of the moment. Level 13 students of Aethermoor Academy, the brightest and most ambitious of their peers, filled the room with hushed anticipation. This class was exclusive to final-year students, those poised to take their first steps into the world as future leaders, scholars, and enforcers of elemental magic. At the center of the room, Professor Araminta Somerset commanded attention, her dark dress flowing like storm clouds and her piercing gaze scanning the room as if daring anyone to look away.
“Power,” Araminta began, her tone cutting through the air like a blade, “is both a privilege and a responsibility. It shapes nations, dictates lives, and defines the course of history. Yet the question remains, how should it be wielded? And by whom?” Her words lingered in the air, each syllable weighted with decades of experience. Behind her, the enchanted chalkboard shimmered to life, revealing the sprawling organizational chart of the Elemental Syndicate, with Elaria Beaufort’s name glowing ominously at the top.
Amara Ashford sat rigidly at her desk, her sharp jawline set with determination. This was the moment she had been waiting for. Every student in the room knew that Professor Somerset’s lectures on magical governance weren’t just academic, they were a proving ground for ideas and ambitions. Amara had spent years imagining herself within the Syndicate’s halls, not as a puppet of its corrupt system, but as an agent of change. Her voice, clear and resolute, cut through the room.
“The Syndicate was founded to serve all elemental mages equally,” Amara began, her hazel eyes locked on the diagram glowing on the board. “But what we’ve seen for generations is a system designed to benefit the elite few, those who already have power and wealth, like the Beauforts.” Her gaze flicked to Theo Beaufort, who lounged at his desk with an infuriating air of nonchalance.
Theo didn’t flinch. If anything, her words seemed to amuse him. He tilted his head slightly, his wavy brown hair catching the light as he leaned back in his chair. “Ah, Ashford,” he drawled, his green eyes alight with a mix of amusement and challenge. “What a noble sentiment. And yet, I can’t help but notice that the very system you decry has kept the peace for decades. Maybe you’d prefer we hand the reins to someone else? Perhaps your family, if they’re not too busy sulking over past misfortunes.”
The class collectively inhaled, their attention fully captured by the charged exchange. Amara’s cheeks flushed a deep red, but her voice didn’t falter. “It’s easy to defend a broken system when it works in your favor, Theo,” she shot back, her tone sharp and unrelenting. “Your family thrives off the Syndicate’s corruption while countless others are crushed under its weight. But I’m not interested in protecting privilege, I want to fix what’s broken.”
Theo straightened slightly, the smirk softening into something more dangerous. There was a glimmer of challenge in his eyes now, something sharper than his usual arrogance. “Fix it?” he repeated, his tone dripping with mockery. “And what exactly would you change, Amara? Eliminate the Syndicate? Throw us into chaos? Or perhaps you believe you’d be the glowing beacon of fire to guide us all to a better tomorrow. Tell me, what makes you think you’re so much better than the rest of us?”
Amara’s fingers clenched the edge of her desk, her nails pressing into the polished wood. “I don’t think I’m better than anyone,” she retorted, her voice rising despite herself. “But I believe in something more than sitting idly by while people suffer. You might not see the cracks in the system because you’re too busy enjoying its rewards. But some of us don’t have that luxury.”
“Luxury,” Theo repeated, leaning forward now, his voice soft but laced with venom. “You think my life is easy? That it’s all parties and privilege? Maybe if you spent less time sulking over your family’s failures, you’d understand what it means to bear the weight of expectations. Or is blaming the Syndicate the only thing keeping you relevant Ashford?”
The tension in the room was suffocating. Every unspoken word hanging between them like smoke that refused to dissipate. It wasn’t just an argument anymore, it was a battle, each word laced with years of rivalry and resentment. For a moment, they seemed to forget the rest of the class, their gazes locked like opposing forces in a storm.
Professor Somerset cleared her throat, cutting through the electric tension in the room. “Enough,” she said sharply, her gaze flicking between the two students. “While I appreciate the passion, I suggest we keep the discussion constructive, and if you cannot do that I am sure Professor Grimward has room in detention for the both of you.” Her voice softened slightly, yet still stern, as she addressed the rest of the class. “This is a reminder that power, whether inherited or earned, carries with it a responsibility to consider all perspectives. Even those we disagree with.”
Amara sat back in her chair, forcing herself to take a deep breath. Her pulse thundered in her ears, and the heat of her anger still burned in her chest. She couldn’t tell if she had won the exchange or if Theo’s words had left a wound she wasn’t ready to examine. Across the room, Theo relaxed back into his seat, his smirk returning, though this time it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
As the class resumed, Amara forced herself to focus on Professor Somerset’s next point. The lecture shifted toward historical examples of power struggles within the Syndicate, but the tension between her and Theo lingered like a crackling flame. Amara’s jaw tightened with every word. She wanted to believe her argument had landed, but Theo’s smug expression across the room suggested otherwise.
“Consider the Syndicate’s intervention during the Obsidian Rebellion,” Professor Somerset said, pacing the room with deliberate strides. “Some argue it was a necessary measure to prevent chaos. Others claim it was an abuse of power, a clear demonstration of the Syndicate protecting its own interests at the expense of smaller mage factions. Which interpretation do you align with, and why?”
Amara’s hand shot up before she could stop herself. Somerset nodded cautiously, and Amara spoke, her tone measured but firm. “The Obsidian Rebellion wasn’t chaos, it was desperation. Those mages weren’t asking for war; they were asking for fair representation. The Syndicate didn’t intervene to keep peace, they crushed it to maintain control.”
A murmur rippled through the class, but it was Theo’s voice that cut through. “Desperation or not, they burned three cities to the ground, Amara. With the help of a certain Great Grandmother of yours if I do recall. Are you saying we should’ve let them continue unchecked? Sometimes, maintaining control is what prevents everything from falling apart.”
Amara whipped her head toward him, her eyes blazing with fury at the mention of her ancestor. “Burning cities is the last resort of people who’ve been ignored for too long, Theo. You think your family’s wealth and influence means you know what’s best for everyone, but the truth is, you’ve never had to fight for anything. You’ve never felt powerless.”
Theo’s smirk faltered for the briefest of moments, but he quickly recovered, leaning forward with his signature charm. “And you think you have? Tell me, Amara, how exactly does being born into the Ashford legacy qualify you as the voice of the oppressed? If I remember correctly, your family wasn’t exactly innocent when they held power.”
Her breath caught, but she quickly steadied herself. “My family isn’t perfect,” she admitted, her voice low but steady. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t try to make things better. The Syndicate could be a force for good, but it’s too busy protecting people like you to care about anyone else.”
Theo chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah, yes. The noble Amara Ashford, here to save us all from ourselves. How selfless of you. Tell me, when you’re sitting on a Syndicate council seat one day, will you even remember this conversation? Or will you be too busy turning into everything you claim to hate?”
Amara opened her mouth to retort, but Professor Somerset cut in, her sharp voice silencing them both. “That’s enough,” she said firmly, her gaze flicking between them. “Mr. Beaufort, Miss Ashford, while your passion is commendable, this is not a personal battleground. Detention for the both of you.”
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The class erupted into quiet laughter, though the tension was far from diffused. Amara sank back into her chair, swallowing her frustration. Theo’s words gnawed at her, not because they were true, but because they struck a nerve. She had spent years dreaming of joining the Syndicate to make a difference, but what if she did become part of the very system she wanted to change?
Theo, on the other hand, wore his smirk like armor. But beneath it, a storm brewed. Amara’s words had cut deeper than he’d let on. She didn’t understand, how could she? His life wasn’t as effortless as it seemed, and the weight of his mother’s expectations pressed on him constantly. Still, he wouldn’t let her see that. Not here. Not now.
As Somerset dismissed the class, Amara hurriedly packed her belongings, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere. But before she could leave, Jace caught her arm. “That was intense,” he said with a grin. “You’ve always had your fiery disposition, Amara, but you might want to be careful. Theo’s not the kind to let things slide, as you are well aware.”
Amara’s gaze flicked back to where Theo stood, casually chatting with a group of students, his laughter ringing out as if nothing had happened. She turned back to Jace, her expression resolute. “Let him come at me,” she said quietly. “I’m not backing down.”
The crisp autumn air hit Amara’s face as she stepped out of the lecture hall and into the cobblestone courtyard. She hadn’t realized how tightly her chest had been wound until she exhaled, her breath visible in the cool breeze. Students milled about in small groups, their voices a low hum of chatter, but Amara walked quickly, her shoes clicking against the stone as she made her way toward the oak-lined path leading to her favorite bench. She needed space to think—and to cool the lingering fire Theo had stoked inside her.
She had barely made it halfway down the path when a familiar voice called after her. “Ashford, running away already?”
Amara turned, already bracing herself for another snide remark. But when she saw Theo leaning casually against one of the stone archways, his posture loose and relaxed, there was something different in his expression—a flicker of something other than arrogance. The sunlight caught his green eyes, and for just a second, he looked less like the cocky heir to the Beaufort fortune and more like a person trying to find his own ground.
“Beaufort,” Amara said, her voice tight with frustration. “What the hell do you want? Haven’t you had your fun yet, getting us both detention? I hope you’re happy”
Theo pushed off the archway, closing the distance between them with slow, deliberate steps. His voice was quieter now, almost thoughtful. “Ecstatic, but I’m not here to have ‘fun,’ Amara. I’m here to make sure you don’t do something stupid.” He met her gaze, his expression more intense than usual. “You really think burning everything down is going to fix shit?”
Amara scoffed, throwing her hands up in the air. “You’re so full of it, Theo. You’ve got everything handed to you on a silver platter, and you can’t even see how broken the system is! You’re so damn comfortable that you’re blind to the people who get crushed by it every day.”
Theo’s eyes darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. “I’m not blind,” he snapped, stepping closer. “You don’t get it, Ashford. You think I’m sitting here enjoying this, but I’m stuck in it, just like you. This doesn’t work for me, either. But do you think I get to just walk away from it? Hell no.”
Amara’s heart raced, her breath coming quicker as the anger swelled inside her again. “Oh, I get it,” she shot back, her voice dripping with disdain. “You want to pretend like you’re the victim here. The damn system is rigged for you, Theo. You don’t have to do anything to survive, and you can’t even see how fucked up that is.”
Theo took a step back, running a hand through his hair, clearly trying to rein in his frustration. “I never asked for this!” His voice was quieter now, more vulnerable, though his eyes still burned with frustration. “But you think I can just throw it all away? Do you think I wouldn’t if I could? You think I like this life?” He shook his head, taking a deep breath. “Sometimes I wish I could walk away and say ‘fuck it,’ but I can’t. And neither can you.”
Amara stared at him, her anger faltering as she saw a flicker of something beneath his usual bravado. But before she could respond, Theo’s smirk reappeared, though it was softer, almost wistful. “Anyway,” he said with a shrug, “don’t get yourself worked up over me, Ashford. I’m not worth the energy.”
Amara took a step forward, shaking her head. “I’m not wasting my energy on you, Theo. But what you’re defending? Yeah, that’s worth the fight.”
Theo paused, glancing back over his shoulder as he started to walk away. “You really think you can change all this? Don’t fool yourself, Ashford. This whole system is a fucking monster, and you can’t kill it with a few nice speeches and some righteous anger.” He gave her a look, half-smirking. “But hey, you’re welcome to try.”
He didn’t wait for a response, his footsteps echoing off the cobblestones as he disappeared down the path. Amara stood there for a moment, her heart pounding, her thoughts a jumbled mess. His words gnawed at her, but she pushed them away. She wasn’t going to let Theo, or anyone, stop her from fighting for what was right.
Amara walked slowly across the academy grounds, the golden leaves of the oak trees crunching beneath her shoes as the crisp autumn air swept through the courtyard. She was lost in thought, still processing the conversation with Theo. The day had been draining, and the cool breeze offered a welcome distraction. She needed to clear her head. As she rounded the corner of the library, she spotted Aurelia sitting on the stone bench near the fountain, her quiet figure a stark contrast to Amara’s own energy.
Aurelia looked up when she heard Amara’s footsteps, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Hey,” she greeted softly, her bright blue eyes warm but reserved.
Amara smiled back, walking over to sit beside her. “Hey, Aura. You’re out here alone?”
Aurelia nodded, tucking a loose strand of her chocolate hair behind her ear. “I like the quiet. It’s… peaceful.” She glanced up at the sky, the clouds painted with soft hues of pink and purple as the sun began to set. “I’m glad it’s finally autumn. Feels like the right time for a break, you know?”
Amara chuckled lightly. “You always were the calm one between us. I’m surprised you don’t spend all your time in the library or meditating.”
Aurelia blushed slightly, looking down at her hands. “I’m not that intense, Amara. I just… like the stillness of the outdoors. It helps me think.”
Amara leaned back, stretching her legs out and letting the cool breeze sweep over her. “I get it. Honestly, I think we all could use a little more stillness around here. The autumn weather’s perfect for it.”
Aurelia shifted slightly, glancing at her sister with a more curious expression. “Have you thought about the Autumnal Equinox celebration? It’s next weekend. It’ll be nice to get out of the academy for a bit.”
Amara nodded, though her thoughts briefly drifted to the last time she’d attended. The weekend had always been a time for all Mage families to celebrate, but for her, it always carried a weight. “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. A break sounds good. Plus, it’s nice to have a weekend away from the usual chaos.” She tilted her head toward Aurelia. “Are you excited?”
Aurelia’s eyes brightened. “A little. It’ll be nice to spend some time with family, but the celebration is special to me. It’s our way of resetting before the colder months.” She hesitated for a moment, then added, “But there’s something else, too.”
Amara glanced at her sister, sensing her discomfort. “What’s up?”
Aurelia seemed to hesitate, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of the fountain. After a long pause, she finally looked up, her cheeks turning pink. “I’ve… been seeing someone.”
Amara’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, but she kept her voice calm. “Oh? Anyone I know?”
Aurelia nodded, her gaze dropping again. “Cassian Lennox. He’s in Level 12, in Noctis as well.”
Amara’s expression shifted immediately, her protective instincts kicking in. “Cassian Lennox?” She tried to keep her tone even, but there was a sharpness in her voice. “Aurelia, you know who he’s connected to, right? He’s one of Theo’s closest friends.”
Aurelia shifted uncomfortably, clearly noticing the change in her sister’s tone. “I know, but… he’s different. He’s not like Theo. He’s kind and… he listens. He really sees me.” She paused, searching Amara’s face for understanding. “You don’t think I should be with him, do you?”
Amara felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She wanted to protect Aurelia from the complications that came with the Beauforts and their friends, but she didn’t want to push her sister away. “It’s not about him, Aurelia. It’s about the kind of life he’s tied to. The kind of person Theo is. They come from the same world. That world is full of lies and manipulation. And I’m not saying Cassian’s like that, but I know Theo, and I know how his circle works. It’s dangerous.”
Aurelia looked hurt but didn’t argue. She simply nodded slowly, though Amara could see the uncertainty in her eyes. “I didn’t think about it that way,” she said softly. “I just… I really like him. He makes me feel like I’m not invisible.”
Amara softened, reaching over to gently take her sister’s hand. “I get it, I do. But I don’t want you to get hurt, Aurelia. The world they live in isn’t as pretty as it looks from the outside. I just… I want you to be careful, okay?”
Aurelia gave her sister a small, hesitant smile. “Okay. I’ll be careful.” She squeezed Amara’s hand in return before letting go. “Thanks for looking out for me. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
Amara smiled back, feeling a wave of tenderness for her younger sister. “You’ll never disappoint me, Aurelia. I’m just worried. You’re still my little sister, no matter what.”
Aurelia’s smile widened slightly, and she leaned her head on Amara’s shoulder. “I know. I’ll be okay.”