"To kill a king, you must first convince the world you're not a threat."
The moon hung pale and pitiful over the capital city of Elarion.
Within the Varian estate, beneath its many towers and silent courtyards, Kael sat at his desk, writing by candlelight—not letters of apology, not noble requests.
But calculations.
Timetables. Faces. Weak points. Hidden corridors. The exact minute the changing of the guards happened in the inner sanctum of the Imperial Academy.
He had 10 days.
10 days before the new term at the Empire's most elite institution began—The Grand Academy of Elarion, a fortress of power, legacy, and future rulers.
In the past, it was where Kael was mocked, beaten, expelled from classes, and sabotaged.
This time?
It would be the first step in dismantling the world from the inside out.
[New Side Quest Unlocked: "False Face, True Power"]Objective: Infiltrate the Academy under an alias.Reward: Access to Inner Sanctum Libraries + 150 VPBonus: Defeat a royal student in public without revealing your identity (250 VP)
System Suggestion: A mask can protect more than your face.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Then let's become the shadow they never suspect."
🪶 Later that Night – Kael's Hidden Study
He opened an old trunk beneath the floorboards of his study. Inside: a set of robes he never wore, a journal from his childhood, and a mask—half obsidian, half silver, shaped like a crow's skull.
He held it up to the candlelight.
"Let them mock the broken prince. Let them fear the masked ghost."
The name came to him without hesitation:
"Raven Ashfall."
That would be his identity inside the Academy—a newly registered noble bastard from the borderlands. Fabricated documents had already been planted in the Dean's office via an undead courier earlier that evening.
Kael wasn't just a student anymore.
He was a ghost in the system.
🌇 One Week Later – The Academy Gates
The Grand Academy of Elarion was an architectural marvel—spires of crystal and marble, floating towers held by mana pillars, fire-forged banners waving from dragonbone arches.
Thousands of elite students entered in horse-drawn carriages, enchanted palanquins, or flying familiars.
Kael walked in alone.
His cloak was charcoal black. His hair tied back. The raven mask covered his upper face, revealing only cold, pale lips and a black insignia painted across his throat.
Eyes turned.
Some curious. Some annoyed.
One laughed. A noble girl whispered, "Who does this masked clown think he is?"
Kael didn't speak.
He walked straight into the registration atrium, where magic scrolls floated mid-air, recording each new student's name and noble bloodline.
A bored attendant looked up.
"Name?""Raven Ashfall.""Bloodline?""House of Blackpine, East Borderlands."
The attendant blinked. Searched the scrolls. Found the forged document—perfectly placed and sealed by the Academy's internal system.
"Huh. New noble house. Must be one of those backwater barons. Move along."
[Disguise Check Passed. Identity Confirmed.][Welcome to the Academy, Raven Ashfall.]
Kael's room was a shared dorm—Level 3 Nobility.
Not the elite wing. Not the slums. The middle.
Perfect for gathering intel unnoticed.
He stepped in.
His roommate glanced up. A boy about 16, brown-haired, thin-framed, clearly overburdened by books.
"Whoa, creepy mask, man. I'm Elric. Don't kill me in my sleep, alright?"
Kael stared for a moment… then nodded once.
"Don't give me a reason to."
Elric blinked. "...Cool. You're definitely a masked noble."
🩸 Later That Evening – Duel Arena Grounds
Every new term began with the Open Challenge Trials—a tradition where students publicly dueled to test their rank, claim territory in dorms, and earn the staff's favor.
Kael stood near the edge of the crowd, watching.
Blades flashed. Spells exploded. Fire, ice, lightning crackled across the arena. Blood spilled. No one died—but no one held back.
Then came the announcement:
"Next up—Prince Lorian of House Vaelthorn vs… any challenger?"
A hush fell.
Prince Lorian—son of the Solar Throne. Second in line to rule the Radiant Empire. The same brat who spat on Kael's robe years ago, laughing with Aeyla beside him.
"Anyone brave enough to fight me?" Lorian smirked, golden hair gleaming under the sun.
Kael stepped forward.
Slowly. Deliberately.
"I will."
Gasps rippled through the audience.
"Who the hell is that?""The masked one?""He's insane!"
Lorian laughed. "Name, peasant?"
Kael tilted his head. Voice smooth like poison silk.
"Raven Ashfall."
Lorian raised his sword lazily. "I'll try not to kill you too fast."
The duel began.
Kael didn't draw a weapon.
Lorian struck—quick, sharp, overconfident.
Kael stepped aside, barehanded. Grabbed Lorian's wrist mid-swing.
And broke it.
CRACK.
The prince screamed.
Gasps turned to horror.
Kael grabbed Lorian by the throat, lifted him, and slammed him into the dueling circle's wall. The magic runes cracked.
Then Kael whispered into his ear:
"Tell your father... the dead remember."
He let Lorian fall.
[Bonus Objective Complete: Defeat a Royal in Public Without Identity Reveal]+250 Villain PointsSystem Shop Unlocked.
Kael turned to the silent, stunned crowd. Bowed mockingly.
And walked away.