Sovereign of the Ashes

Fabricating falsehoods in the presence of an academy supervisor was no easy task. These giant owls were exceptional magic beasts, raised specifically by the enigmatic dean of the Black Magic Academy.

With combat capabilities surpassing even those of high-level magic beasts, these owls were more than equipped to mediate disputes among initiates who had yet to become full-fledged mages.

Moreover, within the confines of the Black Magic Academy, hidden magic inscriptions and alchemy surveillance orbs were scattered throughout.

Therefore, the quest to uncover the truth or reconstruct the specifics of the recent battle would have been well within their means.

However, a skirmish involving junior initiates like the one at hand was not significant enough for the academy overseers to employ the surveillance orbs to recreate the details of the altercation.

When Sein produced the medal signifying his status as an apprentice to a full-fledged black mage, the overseer wisely chose to lay the matter to rest.

Furthermore, Sein’s latter assertion provided the owl with an opportunity for graceful retreat.

With a sweep of its massive wings, the charred remains of the junior initiate, Elrik, were disintegrated by a gust of aero element magic spell and dispersed into the White Raven Forest flanking both sides of the path.

His fragmented remains would serve as ideal fertilizer for the plants thriving within the White Raven Forest.

Considering the frequent conflicts and skirmishes among the initiates within the Black Magic Academy, it came as no surprise that such fertilizers were commonly scattered throughout the forest.

Sein offered a graceful bow to the wise owl before moving on, ignoring the curious glances of the other initiates as he slowly made his way toward the dormitory.

The white mask, acquired from his recent skirmish, was now on his face.

Remarkably, as soon as he put it on, Sein immediately sensed that his vision had expanded significantly, affording him a newfound clarity of sight.

***

The Black Magic Academy in Mystralora City maintained a steady population of between seven and eight hundred initiates all year round.

Although some initiates perished due to various reasons throughout the year, the academy continued to receive new ones annually.

Among the new joiners, only a small fraction of them hailed from Mystralora City’s local youth population.

Most of them shared Sein’s origin. They were children from the surface world, abducted and trafficked by black mages through various means.

Sein’s recollection before he was six years old was hazy, but his blond hair and handsome features proved that he was part of the nobility.

He recalled being able to fend off others his age for food when he first arrived in Gloomhaven by relying on his basic sword and breathing techniques.

These were skills beyond the reach of common folk.

Apart from these, most of Sein’s childhood memories had faded away.

He could remember his last name and the face of his kind mother from his dreams, but little else.

Life at the Black Magic Academy had consumed most of Sein’s energy, leaving him little time to dwell on his past. Instead, he focused on surviving in the present.

The academy provided over twenty dormitory buildings for initiates. Each had six floors with eight rooms on each floor.

The more powerful the initiate, the more secluded and higher their choice of dorm room.

Their preference stemmed from the need for a quieter environment to facilitate their meditation and spell experiments.

It was not uncommon for some powerful initiates to occupy entire floors by themselves either.

For this reason, fierce disputes over dormitory assignments would inevitably arise among the fresh arrivals at the academy every year.

Sein’s room was situated on the fourth floor of the fifth building in the rear of the complex.

Given his status as a junior initiate, it was impossible for him to secure such a prime spot. He was only able to stay here because his girlfriend, Leena, shared her place with him.

Leena was his angel, his senior, and his guide on the path of magic.

In many ways, Leena assumed the role of his mentor.

It was their collaborative efforts on various magic experiments throughout the year that contributed to Sein’s proficiency in pyro elemental knowledge.

Click!

Sein flicked the switch of the magic crystal lamp, filling the room with dim light.

The room measured roughly seventy square meters, a modest size but cluttered due to various experiment materials, books, an experimental table and a separate bathroom.

While the room might have appeared more cramped than it truly was, for Sein, it was a sanctuary—a cozy nest where he could unwind.

A subtle hint of sourness lingered in the air, which Sein recognized as the scent of burnt black camphor grass, a basic magic ingredient.

Leena was not a lady known for tidiness, leaving Sein to organize their shared living space ever since he moved in.

Sein glanced around the room, noticing Leena’s absence. He wearily made his way to the large bed situated in the center of the room.

It was a unique piece made by combining two single beds, a result from an event that occurred two years ago.

As certain images flitted through his mind, Sein could not help but audibly gulp before forcefully pushing those thoughts aside.

Placing his recent harvests on the desk next to the bed, he assumed a meditation position and reached for the bottle of intermediate-level antidote gifted to him by his new mentor, Morsidor.

As the antidote flowed into his mouth, Sein focused on his routine meditation.

Meditation was the gentlest way for one to recover their focus and mana. Sometimes, it could even replace the need for sleep.

With each passing hour, Sein recovered more of his focus and mana. The antidote he took also gradually purged the effects of the blue moss toxin from his body.

By the time Sein completed his meditation, it was already the next day.

After meditating for over ten hours, Sein’s condition had significantly improved.

It was when he concluded his meditation that he noticed his girlfriend, Leena, had returned.

“You’re back,” Sein murmured.

The petite girl, standing at only 150 centimeters by the window, nodded in response. Her fiery red hair was a stark contrast with her icy demeanor.

She was not one for lengthy conversations, even with Sein, her partner of eight years. Most of their interactions were terse and straightforward.

While Leena’s appearance suggested she was around fourteen or fifteen years old, Sein knew this was not the case.

Her physical appearance had remained unchanged since their first encounter eight years ago.

Rumors at the academy hinted at a past experimental accident with her mentor, an incident that left her perpetually youthful.

Sein refrained from prying into her real age, just as Leena had never inquired about his last name or past.

Everyone had their secrets and a mysterious side to them.

Despite their physical intimacy, Sein and Leena maintained certain boundaries.

Leena’s gaze shifted to Sein’s magic wand and the white mask on the bedside table, before settling on his chest, which was still stained with blood.

“You’re hurt?” she asked with a frown on her face.