Chapter 1 — Academy

  The noisy hum filling the corridors of the Imperial Academy was gradually fading.

  Morning light poured through the tall stained-glass windows, reflecting in the marble floors and the crests of the great houses that adorned the walls. Only those whose family names carried weight studied here. The chance to enter these walls was, in itself, a great honor.

  When he entered the building, conversations began to die down on their own.

  Kael Elvaria neither quickened his step nor slowed it. He moved evenly and calmly, as if the surrounding space adjusted itself to him.

  The crowd instinctively parted.

  He did not consider it anything special. Silence and unfamiliar gazes had followed him for as long as he could remember. To him, it meant nothing.

  He found the correct classroom without mistake. As soon as the door closed behind him, a tense silence settled over the room.

  Kael walked to an empty seat in the middle of the class and sat down. A straight back, a calm gaze, and an icy expression made him the embodiment of composure.

  For several seconds no one dared to speak.

  Then whispers finally broke through.

  — I can’t believe it… he’s in our class…

  — The heir of the North…

  — I heard he’ll become a sword master!

  — Handsome… right?

  Kael looked out the window.

  The northern wind had never been gentle. He was used to the cold — real, harsh cold. And all those whispers seemed something distant and empty to him.

  Just one year, he thought calmly. Nothing more.

  Michael, who always learned news first, burst into the classroom, out of breath.

  — You won’t believe it, — he whispered. — This is unbelievable! The sensation of the century!

  — What could be more unbelievable than Kael Elvaria himself being in our class? — one of the students asked with a smirk.

  At that moment the doors swung open, and it seemed as if light rushed into the room.

  Unlike Kael, he did not enter alone. Several young men followed behind him, laughing and interrupting one another. At the center of that light commotion walked he.

  Ryan Crowen.

  His golden eyes glimmered softly as he swept the class with a quick glance. Warm olive skin, dark shoulder-length hair neatly styled, delicate gold earrings — everything about him looked flawlessly deliberate and at the same time natural.

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  He smiled — and half the class was already conquered.

  — Incredible… — someone whispered. — The South and the North in one class…

  How easy, Ryan thought, watching their reaction.

  They give in so quickly it becomes boring.

  He felt other people’s emotions almost physically — admiration, nervousness, anticipation. It was familiar. Controlling people’s attention was a game to him.

  But since I’ll be spending a year here… I might as well increase the number of my pawns instead of wasting time.

  And only at that moment did he notice him.

  Kael Elvaria raised his gaze and looked straight at him.

  Everything around fell silent.

  The two most talked-about young men of the empire stood facing each other, not looking away.

  Kael’s blue eyes were clear and cold like a winter sky. There was neither interest in them, nor irritation, nor any attempt to impress.

  He was not charmed.

  Ryan understood that instantly.

  That gaze did not slide across the surface — it was as if it saw deeper. Through the smile. Through the words. Through the carefully constructed image.

  It was unpleasant.

  And at the same time — refreshing.

  A faint thrill flickered in his chest.

  Ryan smiled.

  Slowly.

  Like a hunter who had noticed rare prey.

  Amusing… he thought. He looks perfect. So perfect it makes one want to break him. Is that why the adults always spoke about war with the Elvaria? Well then… now their worries are over. I will definitely make him my pawn.

  He took a step forward.

  Then another.

  His entourage remained behind. Now there was almost no distance between them.

  The class froze, as if afraid even to breathe.

  — May I sit next to you? — Ryan asked in a soft, almost friendly tone.

  Kael looked at him for several seconds.

  There was no hostility in his gaze.

  But no concession either.

  — What does that have to do with me? — he said evenly, in a cold tone. — Do as you wish.

  Someone in the class let out a nervous breath.

  Ryan quietly chuckled and lowered himself into the seat beside him. He leaned slightly forward, as if testing the distance.

  Kael did not even turn his head.

  Interesting… Ryan thought. He isn’t trying to seem strong. He really is like that?

  A barely noticeable smile flickered on Ryan’s lips. Without realizing it himself, he licked his lips.

  Seems… this year will be more interesting than I expected.