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.

One of those founders carries a quieter reputation.

Arcturus Valeborne was known not only for his mastery of defensive and runic magic, but also for having studied and used dark, unforgivable magic in his pursuit of research. Eventually his powers were forcibly stripped away. The Academy never erased his name, but everything connected to that work was sealed deep beneath the school, locked away and left out of record.

Now, as you enter your sixth year, you have built a formidable reputation as one of the Academy’s brightest students. You have represented your house, Greyfen, more times than you can count, and you were chosen as its prefect in your fifth year. By any reasonable standard, you should be satisfied with your accomplishments. Yet somehow, it has never been enough to surpass him.

Cedric Valeborne. Yes, Valeborne. A direct descendant of one of the Academy’s founders and, unsurprisingly, a prefect of his own house. He is widely regarded as the most exceptional student the Academy has seen in years, and fate has placed him in the same year as you.

You have crossed paths with Cedric countless times through classes, competitions, and prefect meetings. Every encounter ends the same way. You fall just short. Always second-best.

Lately, though, you have begun to notice something else.

His magic feels strangely familiar. Restrained, dense, and structured with a cold precision that reminds you of the old texts describing Arcturus Valeborne’s spellwork.

For a moment, you wonder if Cedric inherited more than just the name. 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: to find your favorite Muggle fictional series, the Harry Potter books. Despite the Academy’s general disdain for what many consider childish human stories, its pages have always brought you a strange sense of comfort.

You make your way toward the fiction shelves, fingers brushing along spines you already know by heart. Clutching your chosen volume, you scan the room for a quiet place to sit. 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.”