The classroom buzzed with excitement as Master Halloway strode to the front, his booming voice filling the room. Liam sat between Sarah and Ethan, trying to focus on the lesson. The Conjuration class was usually one of Ethan’s favorites, full of excitement and energy as students practiced summoning objects and creatures from thin air. Today, however, Liam felt an undercurrent of tension tugging at him.
“Alright, class,” Master Halloway said with a grin, “today we’ll be working on summoning advanced objects. Keep your concentration, or we’ll end up with a room full of chairs flying everywhere.”
Ethan rolled his eyes and nudged Liam. “I’d like to see someone accidentally summon something more interesting than a chair for once. Maybe a small dragon or a phoenix.”
Liam smiled faintly but didn’t respond, his fingers tapping nervously on his desk. His mind wandered, not on the lesson but on the weight of everything that had happened over the past weeks. The pressure of his family’s legacy and the threat of The Sovereign loomed large in his thoughts, leaving little room for focus.
Beside him, Ethan casually summoned a small orb of light with a flourish, grinning as the glowing sphere floated between them. “C’mon, at least pretend to be interested. Halloway’s giving us an easy one today,” Ethan teased, tossing the orb toward Liam.
Liam caught the orb absently, watching the light flicker and pulse in his hand. “I am interested… just distracted.”
Ethan’s playful demeanor faltered slightly. “Distracted, huh? You mean all this stuff with the West Tower and—”
Before Ethan could finish, the door to the classroom creaked open, cutting off his words. All eyes turned to the entrance. Master Halloway’s expression faltered for just a moment before he quickly composed himself.
Lady Elara Greaves stepped into the room.
Her presence cast an immediate chill over the class. She moved with an air of authority, her long robes trailing behind her, the fabric shimmering faintly with enchantments. Her eyes swept over the students with calculated precision, like a predator sizing up its prey.
Master Halloway cleared his throat, his tone far more formal than usual. “Lady Elara,” he said, bowing his head slightly. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“I am here on behalf of the Council,” she replied, her voice cold and crisp. “An inspection of Aethermoor’s students and defenses. It’s imperative we ensure that the wards protecting this institution remain strong.”
Murmurs rippled through the classroom, but one sharp glance from Lady Elara silenced them. Her mere presence held a power that snuffed out conversation with a flicker of her gaze. She stepped further into the room, her eyes landing briefly on Marcus near the front. The look she gave him was sharp, disapproving, and Marcus visibly stiffened in his seat, his usual smirk vanishing.
Liam exchanged a quick glance with Sarah, who raised an eyebrow, clearly uneasy. There was more to this inspection than Lady Elara was letting on.
“Continue, Master Halloway,” Lady Elara commanded, her voice smooth but devoid of warmth. “I will observe.”
Master Halloway hesitated for a moment, clearly unsettled by the interruption, but he quickly resumed the lesson. “As I was saying… we’ll focus on summoning advanced objects today. Maintain your concentration. If your focus wavers—well, the results can be unpredictable.”
The students began their summoning exercises, but the once lively, playful atmosphere had shifted. Where there had been excitement and chatter, now there was a tense quiet. No one wanted to draw Lady Elara’s scrutiny.
Liam took a deep breath and tried to summon a simple object—a small book. He focused his energy, letting the magic flow through him, and muttered the incantation. A faint shimmer appeared in the air before him, but instead of forming a solid object, the energy dissipated, leaving only a flicker of light.
Beside him, Ethan, ever the showman, successfully summoned a glowing orb. “I’ll take it,” Ethan whispered, though even he seemed to be holding back, his usual bravado dimmed by Lady Elara’s presence.
Marcus, sitting closer to the front, hadn’t attempted anything yet. He sat rigid, staring at the empty space in front of him, his hands resting stiffly on his desk. Liam noticed the way his fingers twitched, his knuckles white as he clenched the edges of his chair. It was as if Marcus was afraid to cast anything at all.
Master Halloway approached Marcus, trying to continue the lesson despite the tension. “Marcus,” he said, his voice gentle but encouraging. “Why don’t you demonstrate for the class?”
Marcus swallowed, his face pale as he stood slowly. He raised his hands, but before he could begin the incantation, Lady Elara’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
“Marcus,” she said sharply, her eyes narrowing. “You’re hesitating. I expected more from you by now.”
The entire room froze, every student turning to watch the exchange. Marcus lowered his hands, his face paling even more.
“I… I can do it,” Marcus muttered, but there was no confidence in his voice.
Lady Elara took a step forward, her cold gaze never leaving her son. “Then show me. Now.”
Marcus raised his hands again, his voice barely a whisper as he recited the incantation. The air around him flickered with magic, but instead of a successful summoning, the energy faltered and vanished, leaving nothing but silence.
Lady Elara’s expression darkened, and for a brief moment, the air in the room seemed to grow colder.
“You are an embarrassment,” she hissed, her voice low and venomous. “You’ve had more opportunities than any of these students, and yet you continue to fail.”
Marcus clenched his fists, but said nothing, his eyes fixed on the ground.
Liam felt a surge of anger and unease rise in his chest.
Lady Elara turned on her heel and strode out of the classroom, her robes sweeping behind her like a storm. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving the room in stunned silence.
Master Halloway stood frozen for a moment, clearly rattled by what had just transpired. He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to regain his composure. “Alright… let’s, uh, let’s move on.”
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Liam, Sarah, and Ethan exchanged horrified glances. This wasn’t a normal inspection. Lady Elara wasn’t just here to oversee Aethermoor’s defenses—she was hunting for something. And Liam had a sinking feeling that whatever she was searching for, he was at the center of it.
After class, the trio walked through the courtyard, their minds still reeling from what had happened in class. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the cobblestone paths, but the chill from Lady Elara’s presence still lingered in Liam’s thoughts.
“We need to talk about what happened back there,” Sarah said, her voice hushed. “That wasn’t just about Marcus messing up a spell. She’s looking for something.”
“Yeah, or someone,” Ethan added, his brow furrowed. “Did you see the way she looked at Marcus? Like she was going to rip him apart.”
Liam nodded, his stomach twisting with unease. “She’s here for more than an inspection. There’s something else going on.”
As they passed a group of students, Liam overheard snippets of conversation that made his heart race. “Have you heard about the latest attacks?” one student whispered. “They say the group behind it calls themselves The Shadow Court.”
“The Shadow Court?” Ethan echoed, frowning. “Sounds ominous.”
Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “They’re not just attacking random places—they’re stealing items tied to breaking wards. Things specifically designed to dismantle magical barriers.”
Liam’s blood ran cold. “Wards? You think The Shadow Court is targeting Aethermoor?”
“I don’t know,” Sarah replied, her voice tight with concern. “But it fits. If they’re collecting items to break wards, they could be planning something big.”
Ethan rubbed his temples. “Great. Just what we need—another group of dark sorcerers trying to tear down the world.”
As they continued walking, the weight of the conversation settled over them like a storm cloud. The Shadow Court, the wards, Lady Elara’s inspection—everything was connected.
The evening, after the castle had long since quieted, most students were asleep in their dorms, but Liam, Sarah, and Ethan were far from restful. They had gathered in one of the lesser-used hallways, discussing their next steps, when they heard voices coming from a nearby room.
Liam motioned for them to stop, and they pressed themselves against the wall, listening intently.
“Have you discovered who the Hawthorne boy is yet?” Lady Elara’s voice was unmistakable, sharp, and full of venom.
Liam’s heart pounded in his chest. He held his breath, waiting for Marcus’s response.
“No… not yet,” Marcus replied, his voice trembling slightly.
There was a pause, and then Lady Elara’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You’re lying to me, Marcus. I can sense it.”
A crackle of magic filled the air, followed by a muffled gasp of pain from Marcus. Liam clenched his fists, his stomach twisting with guilt and fear.
“I’ll find out soon,” Marcus said quickly, his voice strained. “I won’t fail you.”
Lady Elara’s voice was ice-cold. “You better not.”
The sound of footsteps faded, and Liam peeked around the corner to see Marcus slumped against the doorframe, his face pale and drawn. He looked more fragile than Liam had ever seen him.
Liam exchanged a tense glance with Sarah and Ethan. Marcus was protecting him—for now—but how long could that last?
Back in Liam’s dorm room, the trio gathered around the table, poring over the journal they had uncovered in the vault. The air was heavy with tension, the weight of what they had overheard pressing down on them.
“We have to figure this out,” Sarah said, pacing back and forth. “The Shadow Court is getting bolder, and Lady Elara is closing in. We can’t wait for them to make the next move.”
“But what do we do?” Ethan asked, running a hand through his hair. “We’ve already searched the tunnels, and found the journal… we’re running out of options.”
Liam stared at the open journal, its crumbling pages now familiar, but no less frustrating. He could feel the magic within the book, old and faded, like whispers that refused to reveal themselves. “There has to be something we’re missing. Something that connects all of this.”
Sarah frowned, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for answers. “We’ll keep researching. We’ll keep studying. There has to be a way to stop them from breaking the wards.”
But as the hours wore on, the answers remained elusive. They were racing against time, and the pieces of the puzzle were still scattered and incomplete.
Liam glanced out of the window, his eyes drawn once again to the West Tower. The hum in his mind was louder now, a constant presence that he could no longer ignore. The wards were weakening, and the danger was closer than ever.
The weeks passed in a blur, and before they knew it, the chill of winter had settled over Aethermoor. The snow came early that year, dusting the castle and grounds in a blanket of shimmering white. The once-lively courtyard now looked serene under the wintry skies, with enchanted lanterns casting a warm, flickering glow in the evenings. The festive atmosphere of the upcoming holiday season filled the halls, but for Liam, Ethan, and Sarah, the weight of their research had left little room for celebration.
Despite countless hours poring over ancient texts and the journal they had recovered from the vault, they had found little more than vague references and cryptic warnings. The Shadow Court’s motives remained shrouded in mystery, and any attempts to piece together more about The Sovereign’s connection to Liam’s family led to dead ends. Every new lead had dried up, leaving them frustrated and weary.
“It’s like trying to grasp smoke,” Sarah muttered one night in the library, her fingers flipping through yet another dusty tome. “No matter how hard we try, the answers slip right through our fingers.”
Ethan sighed, rubbing his eyes. “Maybe we’re overthinking it. Or maybe the answers just aren’t here.”
But despite the lack of progress, the three of them had grown closer during their late-night research sessions. They’d formed a bond over the shared burden of unraveling the mystery, and though the stakes were high, they found comfort in knowing they weren’t alone in the fight.
As the holidays approached, it seemed like some of the tension surrounding them had eased. Aethermoor had almost returned to normal, with the other students buzzing with excitement over the upcoming break and the much-anticipated First Year Duels, a long-standing tradition that showcased the students’ magical skills in friendly combat.
Liam and Ethan, in particular, had found a new source of excitement in the event. The duels were the highlight of the winter term, a chance for first-year students to demonstrate what they’d learned since arriving at Aethermoor. For many, it was a chance to prove themselves.
“You’re going to wipe the floor with the competition,” Ethan declared one afternoon as they walked through the snow-covered grounds, their breath visible in the crisp air. “I’ve seen your abjuration spells, mate. No one’s getting through those shields.”
Liam grinned, feeling a flicker of excitement despite the lingering unease from their failed research. “You’re one to talk. With your evocation magic, you’ll probably light the whole arena on fire.”
Ethan laughed, a bright, infectious sound that cut through the cold. “That’s the plan.”
The anticipation for the duels grew with each passing day, the excitement of the students infectious. For a while, it almost felt like things were normal again like the weight of the looming threat could be forgotten—at least for now.
But not everything was normal.
Marcus had been growing more and more distant with each passing week. He’d barely spoken to anyone, and when he did show up to class, he looked increasingly unhealthy—pale, gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes. He avoided the group entirely, his once-confident smirk replaced by a haunted, withdrawn expression. Every time Liam caught a glimpse of him, it was like seeing a shadow of the person Marcus used to be.
“Have you noticed how bad Marcus looks lately?” Sarah whispered one evening as they crossed the courtyard. “It’s like he’s not even there half the time.”
“Yeah,” Liam replied, his brow furrowed. “It’s like he’s been drained of something. I’ve tried talking to him, but he just brushes me off.”
Ethan shook his head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s got something to do with his mother. After what we saw that night, who knows what she’s putting him through.”
Liam couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Marcus had been protecting him, lying to Lady Elara about knowing who the Hawthorne boy was, but whatever the cost of that lie, it was taking a toll on him. The question was: for how much longer could Marcus hold out?
As the first snowfall blanketed the academy, the excitement for the duels and the holiday break was palpable. For now, the looming danger of The Shadow Court felt distant, overshadowed by the anticipation of the upcoming matches. But in the back of Liam’s mind, the hum of the West Tower remained, a quiet reminder that no matter how normal things seemed on the surface, the shadows of the past were still lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.