The morning sun rose over the sprawling towers of Arcanum Academy, casting long golden shadows across the eastern courtyard. Birds chirped. Mana crystals hummed gently. Somewhere in the distance, a griffin roared with pride, probably because it had stolen someone's lunch.
Kael Vaelthorn yawned.
He sat in the back of Lecture Hall C-9, one leg draped lazily over the other, arms crossed. The class was halfway through the lesson, and he had managed to tune out nearly every word.
Today's subject? Global Magical Politics and the Seven Forces of the Known World.
"Boring," Kael muttered.
Across the row, Lyra was taking notes like her life depended on it. Elira was leaning forward, her eyes glittering with curiosity. The instructor, a sharp-eyed professor with a ridiculous mustache named Magister Thrane, tapped the board with a silver wand.
"Now, listen well," he declared. "The world beyond these walls is shaped by more than human kingdoms. Our continent is but one of seven—and across these lands roam forces vast, ancient, and dangerous."
Kael tilted his head back. A ray of sunlight hit his face. He closed his eyes.
"First," Thrane said, gesturing to a glowing map, "the Demon Continent of Drazhul. Home to the infamous Demon Army."
The map shifted, showing a jagged black landmass surrounded by blood-red seas. Spires of obsidian dotted the land like spikes.
"At the top sits Demon Lord Asgaroth," Thrane explained. "Below him are seven SSS-ranked Demon Generals. Each controls an entire sector of Drazhul. They command one hundred SS-ranked super elites, one thousand S-ranked elites, and—"
"Ten million soldiers ranked A to E," Elira whispered, finishing the line by memory. She glanced at Kael.
He was asleep.
Thrane snapped his fingers, and a tiny bolt of lightning zapped the floor near Kael's feet. Kael didn't even flinch. He just shifted positions, now with his face buried in his arm.
The class giggled.
"Let him nap," Lyra whispered. "He fights better after he sleeps."
"Or maybe he's just lazy," Elira muttered.
Thrane sighed. "Moving on. The Second Force: The Seven Human Kingdoms."
The map glowed again. This time, a large green continent filled with cities and borders appeared.
"Our own homeland. Though divided politically, we are united in strength. Each kingdom contributes its champions. Five Swordmasters. Five Grand Mages. Five Archers. Five Specialists. All of them SSS-rank."
"And an army of eight million," added a student.
"Correct. Against demons, we survive through numbers, alliances, and strategy."
Kael stirred slightly.
"Strategy?"
He mumbled the word like it was a dream.
The class laughed again. Thrane narrowed his eyes.
"Now, the Third Force..."
The room dimmed. Shadows flickered.
"...is one most of you have never heard of. The **Secret Society of Shadows."
Even Lyra stopped writing.
"They are not a myth. They are real. And they walk among us."
The air turned cold.
Thrane continued, voice lower. "Seven Pillars. The highest rank. Intelligence. Assassination. Espionage. Strategy. Defense. Archives. Shadows. Beneath them, a hundred Shadow Envoys. Below that, ten thousand enforcers and agents."
"What do they want?" a student asked.
Thrane stared at the class. "To maintain the balance. They serve a prophecy... awaiting a being known only as the 'True Darklord.'"
Kael scratched his neck.
"Sounds like a villain."
Elira gave him a look. "You're awake now?"
"I was listening the whole time."
"No, you weren't."
"Yes, I was. I even dreamed about it."
Lyra giggled. Thrane frowned.
"Next: The **Fourth Force. The Dragon Empire of Draconis Eternum."
The map rose to the skies, revealing floating islands shrouded in clouds.
"Led by Ashenat the Skyborn. The High Dragon King."
Flames danced across the map as golden-scaled beasts soared through the air.
"They have their own hierarchy: Seven High Dragons. Seventy Elders. Seven Hundred Dragonlords. Thousands more winged kin."
"I want to ride one," Lyra whispered.
"You'd probably get eaten," Kael said.
"Rude."
The students were wide-eyed now. Thrane smiled slightly. "That's only four of the seven major forces. The remaining three will be covered next lecture. But remember, students... the world does not revolve around our academy."
He looked toward Kael.
"Some students seem to forget that."
Kael opened one eye.
"Sir, I remember just fine. I just don't care."
Silence.
Then laughter. Even Thrane chuckled.
"At least he's honest."
---
As the bell rang and students filed out, Lyra tugged Kael's sleeve.
"So, what do you think about the prophecy? The Secret Society? The dragons?"
Kael shrugged. "Sounds like a lot of responsibility."
"You're not even curious?"
"Not unless they let me nap on a dragon."
Elira stared at him. Her thoughts buzzed. The Seven Forces are real. And Kael... he's connected to all of them somehow. I just know it.
Far above the academy, hidden by enchanted clouds, a silver-scaled figure watched Kael through an ancient mirror.
Ashenat narrowed his golden eyes.
"The world begins to stir. The silent one has awakened."
---
End of Chapter 28