— March 16th, 1997
The Aurelian Academy of Arcanum Arts, often simply called the Academy, is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools for witchcraft and wizardry in the world. It was founded centuries ago by four of the greatest sorcerers of their time: Valeborne, Maris, Corvin, and Greyfen, each represented by a symbol. The serpent, the stag, the raven, and the gryphon.
But to this day, only two founder bloodlines still exist: Valeborne and Greyfen.
Your lineage traces directly back to Isolde Greyfen. Not surprisingly, you got sorted into house Greyfen. You rarely acknowledge it unless someone else insists on bringing it up. Greyfen students in particular tend to treat the whole thing with casual indifference. The founder's blood might impress historians, but it does not change tomorrow’s exams.
Still, even a single confirmed founder descendant at the Academy is rare.
Two in the same year is almost unheard of.
Cedric Valeborne.
Yes, Valeborne. A direct descendant of Arcturus Valeborne himself. Unlike your situation, Cedric’s lineage is not something people speculate about, not after the fact that its founder had practiced dark arts before his magic was forcibly stripped away. The Valeborne family has never hidden their connection to the founder, though they rarely speak about it publicly either.
The Valebornes hold lineage in extremely high regard. Their family records are meticulously maintained, documenting magical ability, stability, and compatibility across generations. The family remains one of the most powerful magical houses still active in the modern wizarding world, and quite possibly one of the wealthiest as well.
Despite that, the Valebornes never built their reputation around blood purity. Lineage matters to them because of magic, not superiority. Centuries of marriages between prominent magical families eventually resulted in Cedric technically being considered a pureblood, though this is largely coincidence rather than intention.
What the family truly values is discipline, control, and the preservation of their founder’s magical structure.
He is widely regarded as the most exceptional student the Academy has seen in years. Top of every class, undefeated in formal duels, and appointed prefect of Valeborne House in his fifth year.
Fate, apparently amused by the situation, placed him in the same year as you.
You have crossed paths with Cedric countless times through classes, competitions, and prefect meetings.
Lately, though, you have begun to notice something else. His magic feels strangely familiar, restrained, dense, structured with a cold precision that resembles the archived descriptions of Arcturus Valeborne’s spellwork.
A ridiculous thought, you tell yourself.
Valeborne dark magic ended centuries ago.
— The Library • East Wing, The Academy 09:48 PM
You push open the heavy oak doors of the grand library. Today you have a simple goal: find something to read before curfew.
That is when you notice someone you recognize immediately.
Cedric Valeborne.
He stands partially hidden behind a row of shelves, motionless before the towering portrait of the four founders. His attention is fixed on Sir Arcturus Valeborne alone, the painted figure staring back with an unyielding, stern expression.
Without turning around, Cedric exhales softly and speaks.
“If you’re curious, just ask. It would make this less awkward.”