Prince of The Ruined Kingdom

In the quiet of his office, Ezuthal Lorelei scanned through a pile of reports with his sharp eyes. The room was filled with stacks of documents and several magical artifacts that shimmered faintly in the candlelight illuminating his old wooden desk. He sat calmly, occasionally sipping the steaming herbal tea from his porcelain cup, seemingly ignoring the bustle outside. While the new students were busy with their first day at Lupusrica Academy, the headmaster was solely focused on the reports before him.

Ezuthal started by reviewing the reports on the new students' magical ability test results, a routine task each year. He was accustomed to witnessing many potentials come and go at this academy. Year after year, extraordinary students displayed immense magical strength, yet most followed a common path—learning, growing, and then moving on to their lives as sorcerers or warriors.

He sighed and opened the reports on students with standout potential. Five names from prominent magical families caught his attention.

"Charlotte Vermillion Rosenfelt," Ezuthal murmured softly, tracing the details in the report. "Dominator." He nodded, not surprised. The Vermillion Rosenfelt family had always produced powerful sorcerers. Charlotte seemed destined to follow suit. "A fine lineage. We'll see how she develops her abilities here."

The second name that piqued his interest was "Madalyn Naventhius, Dominator." Ezuthal read on, feeling satisfied. The Naventhius family had a reputation for producing exceptional talents, and Madalyn was among them. He pondered for a moment about her presence at the academy. He had heard whispers of the pride surrounding that family—that Madalyn was expected to become one of the great sorcerers of the future.

"Gareth Viscerane, Amplifier." Ezuthal frowned. The Viscerane family was highly strategic and ambitious, wielding considerable influence in the magical political arena. Gareth, as the direct heir with Amplifier powers, was sure to elevate his family's standing even further. Ezuthal wondered how far the young man would go in his quest for power at the academy.

The fourth report was on "Cestine Lorelei, Amplifier," which made Ezuthal smile slightly. "My niece," he whispered, a mix of surprise and pride filling him. Cestine was known as a shy girl, and he had never expected her to achieve such a high ranking. "An Amplifier, huh? She must have been hiding her potential all this time. But, being a Lorelei, that's hardly surprising."

The fifth name made him a bit more serious. "Akira Yoshitsuki, Dominator." Ezuthal paused for a moment. The Yoshitsuki family rarely allowed their children to venture outside their estate. Known for their legendary powers and extreme reclusiveness, the Yoshitsuki, particularly Akira, seldom revealed themselves to the public. Seeing Akira Yoshitsuki enrolled at Lupusrica startled Ezuthal. "Interesting. They've finally let the boy out. Let's see how his dominator powers develop here."

Ezuthal then continued reading the other reports. Most were ordinary, students ranked Aligner, Conductor, Resonator... until his eyes landed on the last name that made him smile—"Luna Dmitrievna Kudryavtseva, Interferer."

Ezuthal chuckled lightly, easily recognizing that pseudonym. "Our little princess is quite adept at hiding herself," he thought with pride.

"Ellora, or now Luna Dmitrievna," he murmured, satisfied with the game of hide-and-seek played by his former student and princess. "Just as I suspected, she doesn't want to draw attention." Ezuthal had known Ellora since she was a child when he served as her magic tutor. As the daughter of the Evernoir royal family, Ellora had always been cautious and calculating. Though she possessed incredible power that could easily place her in the Integrator rank—the highest in the sorcerer hierarchy—she chose to conceal it, revealing only a fraction of her abilities.

Ezuthal chuckled softly again. "Interferer," he said, feeling how fitting Ellora's decision to select that rank was. The Interferer rank was mid-tier, high enough not to be deemed weak, but not so conspicuous as Dominators or Integrators. "Of course, she'd prefer not to stand out."

He carefully set down the report and closed his eyes for a moment, envisioning the girl he had taught with such patience. "Ellora... Luna," he thought to himself. "You're always so calculating. You know how to move in the shadows without leaving a trace. If that's what you desire, I won't interfere. You want a quiet life, and that is your right."

He took a deep breath, then stood from his chair and walked to the large window in the corner of his office. From there, he could see the vast academy grounds, where the new students moved toward their classrooms and training areas. Ezuthal's eyes gleamed with vigilance.

"But the world of magic is never truly quiet," he pondered. "Even if you wish to hide, Ellora, this world will always try to draw you back in—especially with such power. But if that is your plan, I will support you in every way I can."

Ezuthal knew the path Ellora chose would not be easy. Hiding her identity as a powerful royal princess, especially among ambitious sorcerers at Lupusrica, would require extraordinary caution. However, he believed Ellora could manage it. He had watched her grow into a clever and strategic sorceress.

"I will protect you from afar, as I always have."

With that resolve, Ezuthal gazed toward the horizon beyond the academy, contemplating how the future of Luna Dmitrievna Kudryavtseva, or rather Ellora Evernoir, would unfold in this challenging environment of Lupusrica Academy.

***

Luna walked calmly down the corridor toward her new class, Interferer 2. The Neoforge building, where students ranked Interferer and below studied, stood grandly yet somewhat simpler than the renowned Omniforge, the training ground for students with higher magic ranks like Synchronizers and Dominators. The facilities in Neoforge were decent, but they didn't compare to the advanced amenities in Omniforge, which were always the talk of the new students.

As she entered the classroom, Luna spotted Aria sitting at one of the desks near the window. A bright smile instantly lit up Aria's face when she saw Luna walk in.

"Luna! You finally made it!" Aria waved her hand enthusiastically, her excitement palpable. "I'm so glad we're in the same class!"

Luna returned the smile softly and walked over to sit in the empty chair next to Aria. "I'm glad we're in the same class too," she replied gently.

Aria, unable to contain her excitement, began to chatter non-stop. "I was really worried you'd be placed in another class! Some of our other friends got split up. But we're together! This is going to be so much fun!"

Luna just smiled, listening quietly. Aria was the type of person who radiated warmth and enthusiasm, a stark contrast to Luna's more reserved and calculating demeanor. Still, she felt at ease around Aria. There was something genuine in the way Aria interacted with her, something Luna rarely encountered in her life filled with intrigue and secrets.

"What do you think about this class, Luna?" Aria asked, gazing around the room. "Neoforge might not be as glamorous as Omniforge, but I'm sure we'll learn a lot here."

Luna nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think this class will be just fine. What matters is how much we can learn and develop our skills, not the location."

Aria beamed. "You're absolutely right! Magic isn't about the facilities; it's about dedication and practice. By the way, did you hear we'll be learning about basic magic channeling? I can't wait!"

Luna nodded again. Even though she already mastered many aspects of magic, she feigned enthusiasm to fit in with her new environment. "That sounds interesting."

Before long, the classroom door opened, and a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair walked in. He wore a teacher's robe adorned with the academy's emblem on his chest. With a calm yet authoritative demeanor, he stepped to the front of the class, capturing the students' attention.

"Good morning, new students," he said in a low, commanding voice. "I am Professor Gharen, your instructor for Interferer 2. This marks the beginning of your long journey at Lupusrica Academy. Before we start, I want to stress that even though you're in the Interferer class, you should take pride in your position. Each rank in magic has its uniqueness, and you will be trained to reach your full potential."

The atmosphere in the classroom shifted to a more serious tone as Professor Gharen began his address. The students sat up straight, including Aria, who looked very focused.

"At Lupusrica Academy, we don't just train magical strength; we also delve deeply into understanding how magic works. Magic is not just raw power; it is an art, a science, and something to be learned with discipline. We will start with basic lessons on magic channeling—an essential skill for all sorcerers, regardless of their power level."

Luna sat quietly, observing her surroundings. She was already well-versed in these basic theories, but for her, concealing her identity and power was a priority. As Professor Gharen continued to explain the importance of channeling and controlling magical energy, Luna listened attentively, even though she didn't really need this lesson.

"Now, let's start with a simple exercise," Professor Gharen continued, gesturing with his hands to summon several small floating magical crystals in front of the students. "These crystals will help you understand how magic flows through your body and can be directed toward objects. Begin by concentrating on the crystal in front of you and try to channel a bit of magical energy into it. Don't overexert yourselves; we're training control, not power."

Aria, sitting beside Luna, looked incredibly eager. "Finally! I've been looking forward to this exercise!" she whispered excitedly, bringing her palms together in front of her magical crystal.

Luna gently lifted her crystal with the tip of her fingers, showing little emotion. She channeled just enough energy to make the crystal glow softly. Next to her, Aria was intensely focused, her brow furrowing as she tried to control her magic flow.

"You're already used to this, huh, Luna?" Aria asked, glancing over at her. "Your crystal looks stable."

Luna smiled faintly. "I'm just following instructions. Take it slow."

"Slowly, huh?" Aria nodded, smiling again, seeming to relax a bit after Luna's words.

The practice session continued for a while, with Professor Gharen monitoring each student and offering guidance. Once everyone managed to complete the basic exercise, he returned to the front of the class to give a brief evaluation.

"Good job, everyone; you've taken the first step in understanding magic. Remember, control is everything in the world of magic. Uncontrolled energy leads to destruction. So always keep this lesson in mind."

As the lesson was coming to an end, Professor Gharen stood gracefully and offered his closing remarks. "We'll delve deeper into the lessons tomorrow. You're free to rest now, but remember, dedication and practice are the keys. I hope you all prepare yourselves well."

When the class finished, Aria turned to Luna with enthusiasm. "I really enjoyed that lesson! What did you think?"

Luna looked at Aria and smiled gently. "It was a good exercise. While it's just the basics, it's important to understand."

"I can't wait to learn more!" Aria exclaimed as she organized her books. "Are you excited too, Luna?" Luna simply smiled again, but inside, she knew that her journey at the academy was just the beginning of a much larger game. She had to continue playing cautiously while keeping her great secret hidden.

As Luna walked out of the classroom with Aria, she took a deep breath. It was only the first day, and this journey ahead would be long and challenging.

Luna and Aria strolled side by side toward the academy cafeteria. The bustling Neoforge building, filled with students just finishing their classes, contrasted sharply with Luna's calm demeanor. As always, Aria was cheerful and full of energy, chatting animatedly about their first lesson and her excitement for the days ahead at Lupusrica Academy.

"You were amazing in class, Luna! Your crystal looked so stable. I still have so much to learn about controlling my energy," Aria said with a bright smile.

Luna responded with a faint smile. "You did well too, Aria. This is just the beginning; we still have plenty of time to learn."

When they reached the cafeteria, the atmosphere felt completely different. This was the only place where students from both Neoforge and Omniforge gathered together. The modern design, with large tables and glass walls offering views of the city of Avalonis in the distance, couldn't shake off the tense feeling that hung in the air.

Luna quickly noticed the gloomy atmosphere around her. On one side of the cafeteria, Omniforge students, dressed in their fancier uniforms, sat with an air of arrogance. They laughed and joked among themselves, but their expressions turned cynical whenever a Neoforge student walked by. Some even chuckled quietly, their demeanor condescending.

Meanwhile, Neoforge students sat more isolated, avoiding the gazes of the Omniforge students. They ate in silence, seemingly aware that their place here was overshadowed by the more talented sorcerers, at least by the academy's standards.

Aria and Luna chose a seat in the corner, away from the chaos. Aria, usually so cheerful, began to sense the uncomfortable atmosphere. She glanced at Luna and sighed softly.

"Do you find this weird? The vibe here… it feels a bit tense," Aria said quietly, looking down. "I thought we were all here to learn, but look at them," she added, glancing briefly at the Omniforge table. "They don't even bother to hide their condescension."

Luna nodded slowly, her gaze steady. "That's common in places like this. Those who feel superior often forget that strength isn't everything. It's only a matter of time before everything changes."

Aria nodded, though still uncertain. "Yeah, you're right. But it still feels unfair."

They both started to enjoy their lunch. Although Aria kept trying to talk about other things to distract herself from the tense cafeteria atmosphere, she occasionally glanced at the loud Omniforge students, who seemed to belittle anyone outside their group.

Among the Omniforge students, a few stood out sharply. One was a girl in an Omniforge uniform, a talented sorceress from a prestigious family. Ranked as a Dominator, she sat confidently in the center of her group, making sharp comments that elicited laughter from her friends.

"Neoforge is always filled with mediocre sorcerers," the girl said haughtily, though not too loudly. "They're just here to fill the numbers, not to contribute anything."

Luna overheard the conversation but remained silent. There was no point in responding to such taunts. As someone accustomed to intrigue and power, Luna knew it was better to stay calm and wait for the right moment to act. Yet, she could sense Aria's small anger simmering beside her.

"How can they say things like that…" Aria murmured, her voice strained. "We all came here to learn."

Luna turned to her, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't let it get to you. We're not here to please them; we're here for ourselves. Keep your focus on your goals."

Aria paused for a moment before nodding with renewed determination. "You're right, Luna. We'll prove that we can be great too."

Just as they were getting lost in their conversation, a teenage boy approached their table. He had slightly disheveled black hair and unfocused eyes. There was something odd about the way he walked—slightly unsteady, as if he couldn't see clearly.

"Excuse me, are you Luna and Aria?" the boy asked calmly, his gaze directed straight ahead, though it was clear he wasn't looking directly at them.

Aria was the first to respond, a bit startled by his sudden appearance. "Uh, yeah. Who are you?"

The boy smiled faintly and introduced himself. "I'm Akira. Akira Yoshitsuki."

Luna paused for a moment, recognizing the name. Yoshitsuki—one of the families among the seven pillars of sorcerers. Ranked as a Dominator, his family was well-known among elite sorcerers. But there was one thing that set him apart and caught Luna's attention immediately—he had physical blindness, yet coming from a family of seven pillars meant he possessed magical powers that far exceeded normal standards for sorcerers.

Aria looked confused but intrigued. "Yoshitsuki? You're from that famous family of seven pillars?"

Akira nodded slowly, his face calm and devoid of excessive emotion. "Yes, that's correct."

Then, slowly, Akira turned his face as if he were looking at Luna, even though his eyes remained unfocused. "I'm interested in you, Luna," he said softly but meaningfully.

Aria, hearing this, was instantly taken aback. "Interested? What do you mean?" she asked, her eyes widening.

Luna remained silent, carefully observing Akira. There was no tension in her, but she knew Akira's words could carry a lot of weight. "Interested?" Luna repeated gently, waiting for further explanation.

Akira smiled again, as if sensing that Luna was not as shocked as Aria. "Yes, interested. Why… how did you end up in the Neoforge building?"

His words hung in the air, and Luna responded calmly. "Because I'm an Interferer, and according to the rules of this academy, sorcerers ranked Interferer and below must study separately in the building—"

Before Luna could finish her sentence, Akira interrupted. "I know about that, but why would someone with your magical power end up in Neoforge?"

Aria was still shocked by the exchange, but Luna remained composed. Even though there was something strange and mysterious about Akira, Luna understood that this encounter was only the beginning of something larger at the academy.

***