Ashenwell Academy rose like a cathedral split in half—one side made of obsidian stone and skyglass, the other of pale wood and star-forged steel. It looked like a place where gods argued over who got to name the halls.
Grim stood at the gates, cloak torn, side still sore, eyes locked on the gold-and-onyx crest carved into the arch:
"Ashenwell — We Burn, Therefore We Rise."
"Wow," Sparks said from inside him. "Very subtle. Definitely not overcompensating."
Kaia stepped forward, hood down now, blade slung behind her. The guards barely looked at her—just saluted with stiff nerves and let her pass. Power did that.
"We'll stay quiet. Let me talk. My cousin got us clearance… unofficially."
Grim followed through the archway, where the temperature somehow dropped. Students crossed the grand courtyard in layered robes, glinting armor, and cloaks lined with family sigils. Some laughed in little noble knots. Others sat alone, heads buried in spellbooks or gauntlet tech.
"Nobles on the left," Sparks whispered. "Commoners on the right. And I'm guessing somewhere in the middle, someone's being bribed to pretend it's fair."
"Looks like a battlefield."
"That's because it is one. Just prettier."
🏰 Inside Ashenwell
The academy halls glowed with soft light from Lume lanterns. Grim passed towering paintings—heroes of old, court officials, and students who "ascended" to power. Every corner whispered expectations.
"You know," Sparks murmured, "this place smells like wealth, fear, and overcooked ambition."
"Like your last update?"
"Exactly. But with more capes."
Kaia stopped at a sealed iron door at the base of a tower. She placed her hand against the rune-lock.
"This is off-record. My cousin modified the dorm system. You two get a sealed room—no Echo taps, no surveillance scans. But you can't let anyone know Sparks is inside you."
"I get it."
"No. You don't. If anyone finds out, you won't be expelled. You'll be dissected. And I'll be forced to pretend I never met you."
"Okay, noted," Sparks muttered. "Operation: Hide the Glitch. Tight-lipped. Stealth mode. Hacker ninja. You name it."
Kaia raised a brow.
"...It talks a lot."
"You have no idea."
🏠 The Room
The dorm was quiet, reinforced, and more luxurious than Grim expected. A high window showed the upper towers, where nobles studied specialized disciplines—energy summoning, diplomacy, combat magic.
Below, commoners trained in basic elemental defense, enchantment trades, and support casting.
"Split system," Sparks observed. "Nobles get magic missiles. Everyone else learns how to not die from one."
Grim slumped onto the edge of the bed, finally breathing. Kaia stood by the door.
"You'll be evaluated tomorrow. Placement exam. Try not to explode."
She tossed down a sealed pin—a sigil of Ashenwell with a faint ember flickering in the center.
"That badge says you're one of us. Don't prove it wrong."
She left without another word.
Grim lay back, staring at the ceiling.
"Ashenwell, huh?"
"Welcome to the lion's den, flameboy."
A pause.
"...You think they'll like me?"
"If they knew what you are? No."
He smirked.
"Then we give 'em a reason to."