The Forsaken Heir

Lorian stepped out into the cool evening air, the stone halls of the academy towering around him as he made his way toward the west wing. The weight of the Bronze Griffin Pin on his chest was a constant reminder of the responsibility that now rested on his shoulders. Each step felt heavier than the last, not from fatigue, but from the anticipation of what lay ahead.

The academy grounds were still bustling, even as evening deepened into night. Torchlight flickered along the stone pathways, casting warm glows and long shadows over the courtyards. Students moved freely about, some strolling in groups, while others hurried to finish last-minute tasks before curfew. With free time until 10 pm, the academy had a relaxed energy, though Lorian's mind buzzed with the decisions ahead.

He continued toward the west wing, where the senior instructors held their offices and classrooms. Tonight, he was meeting with Master Instructor Varian to discuss his specialization classes. Lorian felt the pressure mounting. The choices he made now would not only shape his studies but also his future at the academy and, ultimately, his role in the kingdom.

When he arrived at the tall, arched door with Master Varian's nameplate, Lorian hesitated for a moment before knocking.

"Enter," came a deep, steady voice from within.

Lorian stepped inside, surprised to see Varian glance up with a raised eyebrow.

"Lorian Aeloria," Varian said, his tone a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "I wasn't expecting you to be up and about so soon. You suffered significant mana exhaustion earlier today—most students wouldn't be walking around just yet, let alone coming to discuss their next steps."

Lorian offered a respectful nod. "Yes, sir. I'm still feeling the effects, but I didn't want to lose time. I wanted to discuss my specialization classes before the week ends."

Varian studied him for a moment, then gave a short nod of approval. "Determination is a good trait in an Aeloria. Very well. Have a seat."

Lorian took a seat in front of Varian's large desk, his back straight despite the lingering soreness in his muscles. He couldn't help but glance around at the towering bookshelves and neatly arranged papers—a sign of the instructor's meticulous nature.

"I've reviewed your evaluation," Varian began, pulling a document from his desk. "Your strengths in combat and tactics are evident, but it's clear that your mana control is still lacking. The specializations you choose now will determine whether you address that gap or enhance your current skills. The academy offers hundreds of specialization options, which is one of the reasons why so many students desire to study here."

He handed Lorian a thick booklet, the pages listing an overwhelming number of specializations. Each was tailored to different fields, from combat and magical theory to more practical skills like politics, economics, and even crafting.

Lorian's eyes widened as he skimmed the index. There were options he hadn't even considered: alchemical warfare, beast mastery, strategic diplomacy, arcane forensics, and more. The sheer variety was impressive, further reinforcing why the capital's academy was the most sought-after institution in the kingdom.

"Given your evaluation, I would recommend a few choices," Varian said, his tone shifting to one of instruction. "You could lean into your combat prowess with Advanced Tactical Combat, or perhaps refine your mind with Arcane Strategy, which blends both combat and magic into advanced battlefield tactics. There's also Enchantment Mastery, which would allow you to weaponize your magic and supplement your lack of external mana control with enchanted items."

Lorian listened carefully, nodding as Varian spoke. But one option that had caught his eye was a class titled Kingdom's Cadet Corps. He scanned the description briefly—this program was designed for students who wanted a direct path into the kingdom's military. It offered specialized leadership training, real-world experience with the Royal Army, and direct involvement with military operations and planning. It was a commitment, but it would align perfectly with his goal of rising within the ranks and serving the kingdom in a more official capacity.

"I think I'd like to enroll in the Kingdom's Cadet Corps," Lorian said, his voice steady. "It offers military involvement, and I believe the training will prepare me for leadership roles in the future."

Varian raised an eyebrow, considering his response. "A bold choice. Not many students take that path until later in their studies—it's rigorous and requires balancing your academy duties with real-world assignments. But if you believe you're up for the challenge, I'll approve it."

"I am, sir," Lorian said firmly. "I'm prepared to take it on."

Varian nodded, clearly pleased with Lorian's determination. "Very well. And for your second specialization?"

Lorian thought for a moment. As much as he knew he needed to improve his magic control, something about weapon enchantment had piqued his interest. He recalled hearing stories about legendary warriors whose weapons were more than just tools of war—infused with magic that extended their wielders' abilities far beyond what mere steel could achieve. It wasn't just about crafting charms or simple enhancements; it was an art that allowed a warrior to blend their martial prowess with magic, creating a seamless fusion between the blade and the wielder's mana.

"I'll choose Advanced Arcane Weaponry as my second specialization," Lorian said, choosing the class that focused on more intricate and complex weapon enchantments. "It'll let me enhance my combat ability by merging mana and steel. I think it's a way to balance out my shortcomings in external mana control."

Varian leaned back in his chair, a look of approval crossing his face. "An interesting choice. Advanced Arcane Weaponry is not a simple enchantment class—it delves into weapon augmentation through deeply attuned mana techniques, perfect for someone with your combat focus. You'll learn how to imbue your weapons with magic, not just for raw power, but for strategic advantages in battle. It'll push you, but I believe you'll find it rewarding."

Lorian nodded, feeling confident in his decision. The idea of strengthening his swordsmanship through arcane enhancement appealed to him greatly. If he couldn't control magic as adeptly as others, perhaps this was the way to turn his weakness into a strength.

Varian made a few notes on the paper before sliding it back to Lorian. "These are your updated class assignments. The Kingdom's Cadet Corps will have its first briefing next week. Until then, focus on your other classes, and prepare yourself for the workload ahead."

Lorian looked down at the finalized schedule, noting the balance of combat training, tactical studies, and mana control, now supplemented by the Cadet Corps and the weapon enchantment course. It felt like a solid step forward.

"Thank you, Master Varian," Lorian said, rising from his seat and offering another respectful bow.

Varian's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained steady. "You've shown promise, Lorian. But promise alone won't carry you through. You'll need to push yourself harder than ever to succeed, especially in the Cadet Corps. Don't lose sight of the work ahead."

"I won't," Lorian promised, meeting his gaze firmly.

With a final nod from Varian, Lorian turned and exited the office, the door closing softly behind him. The cool night air greeted him once more, and as he walked through the academy’s quiet courtyards, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The crisp evening breeze whispered through the trees, carrying with it the faint sounds of other students enjoying their free time before the curfew bell rang.

Though his muscles still ached from the trials of the day, Lorian was far from tired. The academy, with its towering spires and expansive courtyards, seemed to call to him. There was so much left to explore, and for the first time since his arrival, he had the time to do so at his own pace.

He walked through the central courtyard, where a few clusters of students lounged beneath the ancient trees, their voices hushed in conversation. The statues of Valeria’s founding heroes stood tall and proud, casting long shadows in the torchlight. Lorian had passed through this area many times, but tonight it felt different—quieter, more serene.

After wandering for a few minutes, he found himself drawn to the Armory, a place he'd only seen in passing. It was located near the combat training grounds, its doors forged from thick iron. The moment he stepped inside, the sharp scent of metal filled his lungs, and he was greeted by the sight of weapons lining the walls—swords, spears, axes, and shields, each crafted with precision and care.

As Lorian wandered the rows of finely crafted weapons, his thoughts drifted to Caelan, his old friend from Aelshire. Caelan had always been more interested in the forge than the battlefield, and even as a boy, he had taken up blacksmithing, determined to follow in his father’s footsteps. While Lorian had trained with swords, honing his combat skills, Caelan had been in the workshop, hammering away at molten steel.

Lorian had always admired Caelan’s dedication to his craft. Caelan may not have been a fighter, but his weapons were some of the finest in Aelshire. The sword Lorian carried now, though simple compared to some of the enchanted blades in the academy’s armory, had been forged by Caelan. Every swing of it reminded Lorian of his friend’s skill and the bond they shared.

A small smile tugged at Lorian’s lips as he ran his fingers over the hilt of a particularly well-made longsword. He wondered how Caelan was faring back in Aelshire. They had promised to keep in touch, but the academy’s intensity had made that difficult. He would need to write Caelan soon, if only to tell him how much he appreciated the blade he had crafted.

Satisfied with his brief stop at the armory, Lorian left, feeling a renewed sense of determination. The reminder of his roots—of Caelan’s steady hand at the forge—only fueled his drive to improve. He may not have the natural talent for magic that some of his classmates did, but he had skill, and like Caelan, he was willing to put in the work.

Next, Lorian made his way toward the Alchemy Wing, a quieter section of the academy filled with strange odors and faint wisps of smoke. Through the windows of the workshops, Lorian could see students brewing potions and conducting experiments, their faces lit by the glow of enchanted fires.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Lorian leaned closer to one of the windows to watch more closely. Inside, a student was carefully pouring a shimmering liquid into a flask. The liquid bubbled and sparked, clearly some sort of complex potion. The student’s brow was furrowed in concentration as they measured out a few more drops.

But just as Lorian pressed his face closer to the glass, his elbow bumped against the window, causing it to rattle slightly.

Startled by the noise, the student jerked their hand, accidentally pouring too much of the liquid into the flask. There was a brief pause, and then—

BOOM!

The flask exploded with a dramatic burst, sending a puff of blue smoke and potion everywhere. The student let out a yelp as they were completely covered in the shimmering blue substance, their entire figure now glowing like a human lantern. Their wide-eyed, shocked expression made it even worse.

Lorian’s heart skipped a beat, his mouth opening in shock before a guilty grin tugged at his lips. The student glanced toward the window, looking both confused and furious, but before they could lock eyes with him, Lorian ducked down and quickly backed away, stifling a laugh.

"Uh-oh," he muttered to himself, trying not to snicker. He wasted no time slipping away from the alchemy wing, deciding it was probably best to leave before he got blamed for the mishap.

With the echoes of the explosion fading behind him, Lorian shook his head, still grinning at the absurdity of what had just happened. “Well… that’s enough alchemy for one night.”

He kept walking, the pace of his steps picking up as he headed for his next destination. After a few minutes of wandering, the soft glow of lamplight and the faint murmur of hushed voices led him to the Grand Library. He had heard whispers about it from his fellow students—stories of its endless shelves and ancient tomes, many of which held knowledge that stretched back to the earliest days of the kingdom. The library was housed in a massive stone building, its tall windows glowing faintly with light. As he approached, the large oak doors creaked open, revealing the grand interior.

Stepping inside, Lorian was immediately struck by the sheer size of the place. Towering shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with books of every kind. Chandeliers floated above, their gentle light casting a warm glow across the polished marble floors. It was quiet here, the kind of silence that encouraged deep thought and study.

He wandered through the aisles, his eyes scanning the spines of books filled with subjects that ranged from Summoning Eldritch Beasts in Four Easy Steps to Advanced Cake-Baking for Enchanted Parties. Occasionally, he would spot a fellow student hunched over a desk, deeply engrossed in their studies. The library was truly a place of knowledge, and Lorian could already tell that it would become one of his favorite spots in the academy.

As he reached the far end of the library, near a section dedicated to Kingdom History, Lorian rounded a corner and suddenly found himself face-to-face with someone. He stumbled back slightly, barely catching himself before he collided with the shelf.

“Oh, excuse me—” he began, but his words trailed off when he realized who stood before him.

It was Princess Selene.

She looked up from the book in her hands, her violet eyes meeting his with a hint of surprise, though her expression remained calm and poised. Even here, dressed in the simple yet elegant robes of a student, there was no mistaking her regal air. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the soft glow of the library’s light seemed to make her presence all the more striking.

“Lorian Aeloria,” she said, her voice smooth and cool. “We seem to keep crossing paths.”

Lorian blinked, a wave of memories from their brief interaction at the academy’s opening ceremony rushing back. He had been too overwhelmed at the time to properly engage with her, but now, standing in the quiet of the library, the full weight of who she was settled over him.

“Princess Selene,” Lorian managed to say, offering a respectful nod. “I… didn’t expect to see you here.”

A faint smile touched her lips as she closed the book in her hands. “I come here often. It’s one of the few places where I can find some peace away from the eyes of the court and the academy.”

Lorian nodded, unsure of what to say next. His mind raced, trying to grasp the proper protocol for speaking with a princess, especially one so famous for her intellect and magical prowess. But Selene, sensing his hesitation, softened her gaze.

“You don’t need to be so formal,” she said, her voice quiet but reassuring. “Here, I’m just another student."

Lorian relaxed slightly, though the aura of nobility around her was impossible to ignore. He glanced at the book in her hands, noticing the title: The Tactics of the Four Great Wars. It was a tome on military strategy, one of the more advanced texts in the academy’s collection.

Lorian’s eyes flicked to the book in her hands, then back to Selene. “Studying strategy?” he asked, the tension in his voice easing slightly as curiosity took over.

Selene glanced down at the tome, brushing a black strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes,” she replied, her tone thoughtful. “The tactics of the Great Wars are fascinating. They weren’t just about brute force. It was about using every resource—terrain, timing, even the morale of the troops. There's always more to learn.”

Lorian couldn’t help but feel a little impressed. He had always admired tactical thinking, something that had been drilled into him during his training with Captain Aric. Seeing someone as influential as Selene focused on the same subject brought a strange sense of camaraderie, despite their differences in status.

"That's true," Lorian said, nodding. "Strategy can change the tide of battle, even when you're outnumbered or outmatched."

As Selene’s violet eyes met his, Lorian’s pulse quickened unexpectedly. He tried to push the feeling aside, but his heart refused to slow. There was something about her—her calm confidence, the way she spoke with such certainty—that made it hard for him to remain unaffected. He had always admired her from afar, but standing here now, exchanging words like equals, was something entirely different.

"I’ve heard about your performance in the intelligence test," Selene said, her voice cutting through the thoughts racing in his mind. "You solved that puzzle in record time. Impressive."

Lorian blinked, surprised she knew about that. "Oh... thank you," he muttered, trying to stay composed as the weight of her attention settled on him. His heart was still pounding, and he hoped it didn’t show. "It’s something I’ve always been good at. I grew up learning from my mentor, Captain Aric. He made sure I could think on my feet."

Selene’s eyes gleamed with recognition, her expression shifting slightly. "Captain Aric? The Thorn of Aeloria himself? I heard earlier during your match that he trained you. That explains a lot."

Lorian chuckled softly, trying to downplay the compliment despite the warmth spreading through his chest. "Yeah, he was tough on me, but I owe him a lot. He made sure I was ready for anything."

Selene nodded, seemingly impressed. "It shows. Many students here have raw power, but few can think three steps ahead. That’s an advantage not everyone values." Her gaze softened just slightly, a rare warmth flickering in her otherwise composed demeanor. "You’ll go far if you keep that in mind."

Lorian’s breath caught in his throat. Compliments from a princess weren’t something he was used to, especially not from someone like Selene, whose brilliant reputation had always seemed so far out of his reach. Yet here she was, offering him approval, her words lingering in the air like a melody he wanted to hear again.

"Have you chosen your specialization classes yet?" Selene asked, her voice pulling him back to the present.

Lorian nodded, swallowing the nervousness that threatened to spill over. "I have, actually. I’m focusing on military involvement and weapon enhancement."

Selene nodded, her expression thoughtful, but Lorian could feel his heart thudding even harder, wondering what she would think of his choices. "Weapon enhancement? That’s a smart choice. Blending combat skills with magic will give you a significant edge." She paused before continuing, "And the military involvement... are you thinking of pursuing a more direct role in the kingdom’s forces?"

Lorian shrugged lightly, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance despite the flutter in his chest. "Maybe. I’m not sure yet, but it feels like a path that could help me figure out where I fit in."

Selene smiled faintly, her approval almost tangible. "That’s a wise approach. Many here rush to prove themselves without thinking about where they want to end up. It’s good that you're considering your path carefully."

For a moment, Lorian wasn’t sure if he was more captivated by her words or the way she spoke them, her voice soft yet strong. He found himself relaxing slightly, though his pulse remained steady in its quick rhythm. She had a way of making him feel seen, like he wasn’t just another student lost in the crowd.

"I should let you get back to your studies," he said finally, not wanting to overstay his welcome, even though part of him didn’t want the conversation to end.

Selene closed the book in her hands with a soft thud, her violet eyes meeting his once more. "It was good running into you, Lorian. I’ll be watching your progress."

Lorian gave a small nod, trying to ignore the way his heart seemed to jump at her words. "Thank you, Princess."

Selene’s faint smile returned, and for a moment, her formal demeanor melted away. "Remember, it’s just Selene here."

With that, she turned and glided away between the rows of shelves, disappearing into the library’s depths like a wisp of black in the moonlight.

Lorian stood there for a moment longer, trying to steady his breath. He hadn’t expected to run into Selene tonight, much less have such a conversation. The way his heart reacted when she spoke, the way her presence made him feel... it was more than just admiration.

He shook his head slightly, turning to leave the library, but the image of her black hair and the sound of her voice stayed with him, lingering like an unsolved puzzle—one he couldn’t stop thinking about.

As the cool night air greeted him once more, Lorian took a deep breath. There was much to learn and even more to accomplish, but now, more than ever, he felt the pull to keep pushing forward—not just for himself, but for reasons he couldn’t quite name yet.