The bell rang across Ravenhart Academy, echoing through the stone halls like a song of magic.
Students rushed to their classrooms, their cloaks fluttering and spellbooks floating beside them.
Leon walked alone, as always. He had no friends here. Only stares and whispers. But today, he felt... different.
The memory of the fire from last night still burned in his chest. The strange power. The mark. It all felt real.
But he kept quiet. If anyone found out, they might throw him out—or worse.
🏰 In the High Tower
Far above the school, in a tall silver tower, a girl stood beside a window.
Her name was Astha Valeborne—top student, heir to the strongest noble family, and daughter of the Academy's Headmaster.
She had long black hair tied in a silver ribbon. Her uniform was perfect, and her eyes—deep violet—seemed to see everything.
She wasn't like the others. She didn't care about riches or power. She cared about truth. And last night, she saw something in the fire.
"That flame," she whispered. "It came from someone... untrained. Uncontrolled. But old. Ancient."
She had searched through the Academy's records. Only one student had been outside that night.
Leon Ashfall.
"A commoner?" she said to herself. "That shouldn't be possible."
Yet something inside her stirred. A strange pull. Like fate whispering.
🌙 That Night
Leon sat near the back of the library, reading about forbidden magic.
He had sneaked in past closing time. His fingers ran over the old pages, eyes wide as he read about magic symbols, bloodlines, and cursed flames.
Suddenly, he heard a voice.
"You're not supposed to be here."
He looked up fast.
A girl stood before him, calm and sharp-eyed. She was holding a glowing crystal and wore a cloak with the academy crest.
Leon stood up quickly. "Sorry. I'll leave."
She stepped closer. "You're Leon Ashfall, right?"
His heart skipped.
"Yes. Who are you?"
"Astha Valeborne."
The name hit like thunder. Leon had heard of her. Everyone had.
"What do you want?" he asked, a little too defensive.
"I want to know," she said, "where you learned that fire."
Leon froze.
She knows.
🔥 A Silent Spark
For a moment, they stood in silence.
Books surrounded them. Candles flickered. And something unseen passed between them—like a flame lighting a second wick.
Astha's voice softened. "I don't think you're normal. And I don't think your magic is either."
Leon met her gaze. "Neither do I."
Then, without warning, a book flew from the shelf behind them—pages glowing red.
Both turned.
The book burst into flame.
And from the shadows, a dark shape began to rise.
"What is that?" Leon asked.
Astha stepped in front of him.
"Trouble."