Chapter 1
Midnight. The night was unexpectedly starless, the sky a deep, dark canvas, with only the faintest hints of luminescence hidden behind the thick gloom of the woods. Elena Fairchild hurried through the shadowy paths of Whispering Alley, the flickering lights of The Jester Café casting dancing reflections against the cobblestones. The Academy had recently instituted mandatory late-night study sessions. What had once wrapped up by nine was now a hard ten o’clock, meaning Elena had no choice but to navigate through the alley before heading home. “Elena Fairchild—” A voice called softly from behind, a drawling tone that made her skin crawl. Elena picked up her pace, heart racing. She wanted to flee the darkness of Whispering Alley but feared running too quickly would alert the caller. The fabric of her principal's jacket flapped in the night air, flustering around her as she moved. The footsteps behind her quickened in response. She could hear the clattering of shoes against the ancient stones as the person drew near, and soon a hand rested gently on her shoulder. “Elena Fairchild,” Arthur Blackwood's voice was warm, almost sweet, a stark contrast to the chill in the air. “Why didn’t you stop?” “He didn’t hear us,” she replied, her voice a thick murmur, tinged with irritation and just a hint of that raspy edge of youth. “My voice isn’t that bad, is it?” Arthur asked, almost sheepishly, as if seeking validation. “It's because of what Tobias said earlier.” “He knows how annoying that cup is to me,” Elena snapped, refusing to meet his gaze. Arthur kept close, lingering in the shadows. Her thoughts turned bitter as Lucian Coldsmile’s mockery echoed in her mind. Did he think it was easy to slip the truth of Clarissa's deceit into their drinks unnoticed? If only he realized that Lavender had flaunted her connection to the Silvermist Clan, or that Xavier could be found in the Healing Hall while she was left to fend for herself. Arthur stood there as she hurried away, hanging back with a conflicted expression. Lucian Coldsmile lingered at her thoughts like a shadow. “He’s already apologized, so am I supposed to forgive him?” Elena felt the weight of her family's struggles press heavily on her. The poverty of her Homestead hung around her like a shackle, rendering her an easy target for ridicule at school. Tobias had led the charge, and Arthur Blackwood—out of privilege and malice—followed suit, making her life impossible. The insults were relentless; comments about her scruffy clothes, her shabby shoes, which culminated in crude jokes that made her feel as small as a mouse. They tore pages from her books, spilled water on her desk, and even snipped at her hair. Confrontation felt hopeless; her teachers never paid attention, despite her top grades. Arthur's father held too much power, and she knew the hierarchy favored the privileged over those like her. Finally bursting from the alley into the inviting glow of the street, Elena sprinted toward the golden lights of The Shine Café, the brilliance almost blinding. But just as she crossed the threshold, everything went wrong. Arthur Blackwood stood there, shock washing over his face as he watched Elena suddenly crumple to the ground. Her body contorted unnaturally, the principal's coat twisting awkwardly around her waist, blood pooling where she had barely managed to hold herself together. Panic erupted around her as others rushed over, unsure whether to help or call for help. Arthur felt his limbs turn to lead as he stared at the fallen girl. Every instinct told him to reach for her, but his body refused to cooperate. As whispers of the accident filled the air, Elena cast her tired gaze toward the commotion, her vision fuzzy. It was in that haze that she noted the name on her coat. “Elena Fairchild…Lucas Lantern…why do I have two names?” The name tag read her true name, but another, Lucas Lantern's, was partially obscured at the bottom. “I must be Lucas,” she thought numbly, her thoughts slipping away as the world around her faded into darkness. The early morning dawn greeted her with soft colors, warmth wrapping around her like a blanket. Was she alive? She found herself in the Healing Hall, wondering what had happened.
Chapter 2
Elena Fairchild felt a haze of grogginess as she attempted to move, but every muscle in her body protested with sharp pain. “Edmund Cartwright! The Seventh Knight is waking up!” a voice called out from the distance. The Seventh Knight? Were they talking about her? As the shroud that obscured her vision was lifted, she realized she was staring into the face of an unfamiliar man. He was standing beside a figure who was clearly in charge, a well-dressed gentleman she assumed was Professor Edmund Cartwright. “The Seventh Knight, can you hear me?” he asked, his voice almost soothing. Before she could process his words, the man waved something in front of her eyes, breaking the fog in her mind. Reflexively, Elena blinked and focused on him. The man behind the professor exclaimed excitedly, “Oh my god! Edmund Cartwright! She’s responding!” “Quick, give her a medical assessment,” Professor Cartwright said, his tone calm yet commanding, as he leaned closer to her. Elena's mind buzzed with confusion – besides the fading echoes of her memories before death, everything appeared alien. Names like Xavier and Tobias swirled in her head, figures who felt like strangers. Julian Thorne, a girl of about fifteen, identity—experiment. Despite his calm demeanor, Professor Cartwright was clearly excited, “Let’s proceed with the medical assessment for the Seventh Knight.” Elena’s mind spun. The previous subjects who had awakened from experiments had endured severe injuries. Was she to be another one of them? Moments later, an assistant brought over odd, cold instruments that they placed on her body, sending electric chills through her. She winced at the touch, feeling each probe send shocks racing from her fingertips. “Edmund Cartwright, she seems to be trying to resist,” one of the assistants cautioned. “Continue the assessment,” the professor ordered with a dispassionate air. Their ongoing work was all about pushing the limits of the human body. In simpler terms, they were developing drugs to enhance physical capabilities, even aiming to catalyze extreme brain development. Because of the sensitivity surrounding this research, it was never discussed openly, and the experimental subjects were often lured in with various tricks or outright purchased. “Edmund Cartwright, she’s reached 130% of her physical capabilities!” an assistant yelled. With each jolt of electricity, Elena felt like a balloon being inflated to the point of bursting, anger and frustration washed over her in waves. “Ah!” she cried out and managed to wrench her wrists free from the restraints binding her to the table. In an instant, the assistant scrambled to retrieve a syringe filled with a sedative, preparing to subdue her. Just as he was about to inject her, Elena collapsed onto the floor, her strength drained. “What just happened?” “Quick! Check her!” someone shouted in panic. She had been the first subject to reach such physical prowess, and now they feared she might malfunction. And in that moment, as she lay there, Elena's eyes caught sight of a little girl emerging from the shadows, her small hand reaching for her. “Agatha Albright, she wants to leave…” The girl tugged on a woman’s pants, her petite pigtails swaying as she moved. Though the woman’s clothing was shabby, her face was eerily unblemished, framed with tears. “Julian Thorne will go with Gerald. Gerald will take care of me,” the man who stood apart declared, directing his gaze toward the two of them. Elena turned her head to follow his line of sight, spotting two figures with glasses heading for the exit. “Agatha Albright, she wants to go…” Julian Thorne sobbed, her heart aching at the sight, feeling like a dagger had pierced through her. But the man roughly pulled Julian’s arm, chastising her with a growl, “You tell me to enjoy it, then you want to take me back? Make up your mind!” He spun around, glaring at Julian’s mother, “You’re being too kind.” The woman, overwhelmed by grief, finally managed to speak through her tears, “Thorne, don't go! Agatha Albright…” Seeing her daughter taken away sent Julian’s mother crumpling to the floor, weeping helplessly. “What are you crying for? Thorne is going to enjoy life!” Elena closed her eyes, the idea of enjoying life felt tainted. That could not be the case for Clarissa. Just then, a voice broke the somber silence. “The Seventh Knight?” Elena opened her eyes to find Professor Cartwright still hovering above her. “It’s good to see you awake, finally.”
Chapter 3
Three years later. Elena Fairchild—or perhaps more accurately, Caedmon Thorne—stood at the entrance of the Great Hall, her children, Julian and Mira, weaving through the bustling crowd with Captain Xavier Marsh. She hefted Lucas’s bag, the weight seeming to pull on her as the early morning sunlight struck her fair skin. Julian was busy arranging his headphones, carelessly resting them on his shoulder, clearly absorbed in a world of his own. As she navigated through the crowd, a voice called out from behind her. “Hey there! New student, huh? Need a hand with that?” It was Cecilia Grey, one of the upperclassmen. “No, thank you,” Julian interjected before Elena could respond. He was determined to handle the situation himself, unwilling to accept help. The burden of Lucas’s bag seemed particularly heavy to Elena as she moved on, leaving Cecilia watching her retreating figure with a hint of concern in her eyes. With practiced navigation, Julian headed toward the residence hall, recalling the map he’d studied prior to their arrival. The layout of Scholars' Hall and its surroundings etched firmly in his mind. Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a message from Sebastian Hoot: "I’m at the Great Hall. Just had a chat with Principal Archibald. I’ll head straight to my senior meet-up." “Got it,” Julian replied, a note of excitement slipping into his voice. Despite the fact his actual age was just fifteen, his remarkable intellect had propelled him into a senior year effortlessly. He was too eager to begin this new chapter of his life. On the other end of the line, Sebastian seemed ready to elaborate, but Julian hung up before he could say more, eager to forge ahead. “Those phone calls never make any sense,” Elena muttered to herself, shaking her head. Ignoring her own musings, she climbed the staircase to the third floor and found their dorm. The door was labeled 231: "The Seventh Knight." She rummaged through her pocket for the key, her hair slipping over her eyes and blocking her view momentarily as she leaned down. With a quiet click, she unlocked the door and pushed it open. A rush of cool air greeted her, alleviating some of the irritation accumulated from her travels. Inside, she was met with curious stares from a couple of fellow students. “New roommate?” asked Rosalie Hargrove, her voice friendly yet timid. Julian nodded, appreciating the warm interest. “Great! Let me get out of your way,” Rosalie offered quickly, as Julian stepped lightly past her into the room. Not wanting to engage in small talk, Julian began unpacking Lucas’s bag as Rosalie stood awkwardly in the doorway, watching her new roommate with an intrigued gaze. “That’s Rosalie Hargrove. She just transferred here,” Clarissa Dawn chimed in, trying to break the silence. Julian paused for a moment, her fingers hovering over a book. “Julian Thorne,” she answered tersely, continuing her task. “Nice name! Pretty cool, actually,” Rosalie said, increasingly fascinated by Julian's demeanor. “Thanks,” Julian replied, not bothering to look up. Her dark eyes glinted for a moment as she turned to glance at Rosalie, who was clearly trying too hard. Rosalie marveled at the striking features of her new roommate, especially the way her skin seemed to glow like the dawn. “I had to ask,” Rosalie ventured further, nervously brushing a stray curl from her forehead, “what sunscreen do you use? You have such a lovely complexion.” Julian shrugged lightly, “I don’t sunbathe much, really.” It wasn’t a lie; ever since they had sought refuge after the incident, she had barely stepped outside. Yet, she couldn’t deny a little piece of her enjoyed basking in the sunshine. “Wow, that’s enviable! I can’t seem to escape the sun; it seems to follow me everywhere!” Rosalie chuckled softly, as though she found humor in her own plight. As the two girls settled into an uneasy yet friendly rapport, their new lives at the academy began, a blend of excitement tinged with uncertainty, as fresh beginnings often promise.
Chapter 4
In the bustling high school corridors, Tobias Briarwood often found himself intrigued by the enigmatic Julian Thorne. As he prepared to head back to his desk, the familiar voice echoed through the air, bringing a wave of nostalgia. Just as he was about to tune out, the door swung open, revealing a new roommate. But this wasn’t just any newcomer; this was someone Julian Thorne recognized. Arthur Blackwood stepped into the room, accompanied by a strikingly familiar figure dressed like a guardian, who seemed to radiate confidence. “Little Anwen, where will you be sleeping? Old Man Geoffrey has made you a bed,” Arthur observed, taking in the newcomer’s appearance with a keen eye. The layers of makeup on the girl made her skin glow, and as his gaze swept the dormitory, it settled inevitably on Julian’s corner. “Could I trouble you to switch beds with me, Miss?” The guardian’s voice carried a hint of superiority, aiming directly at Julian as she followed Arthur’s line of sight. Evangeline Brightwood, knowing full well that Arthur desired that spot, expected Julian to concede swiftly. Julian, however, had a different plan. She had already pulled her attention away when she noticed Arthur, diving into her backpack. “Excuse me?” The guardian persisted, her tone sharper this time as she awaited Julian’s response. “Just... let it be,” Julian replied coolly, not faltering in her task. “Then…” the guardian's voice trailed off, as Arthur took a couple of decisive steps forward. “Miss, I’d also like to neatly organize my things over there…” he began, but the guardian’s words fell short as Julian abruptly turned to face her. Her expression was neutral, but her eyes – deep and unfathomable like the darkest waters – made Arthur instinctively step back. In a flash, Julian lifted an object from her bag, revealing a shimmering arm bracelet as she gestured with her other hand, adjusting her headphones with elegance. “Please, make some space,” she commanded. Rosalie Hargrove, who had been observing with growing awareness, finally interjected, “First come, first served. They’ve already chosen their beds, so why don’t you back off a little?” Arthur found himself somewhat speechless, his previous indignation stifled. Recent incidents – particularly a violent encounter some had reported against a student on the college grounds – had made life in the academy tense, and as pressure mounted from all sides, Arthur had no desire to add fuel to any fire. With her father insisting on her attending Capitol University, Rosalie had to leave her old life behind. Now, Arthur felt the weight of judgement on his shoulders, knowing full well he couldn’t challenge her directly. Hearing the murmurs around them, Julian merely glanced at Rosalie, who offered a slight smile laced with mischief, but Julian’s expression remained hard to decipher as she resumed organizing her belongings with a meticulous demeanor. Julian’s collection was on the minimal side; apart from the curious assortment of bottles, there was only her notably cumbersome laptop. It seemed impossibly large and antiquated, echoing clumsily as she set it down on the table, the sound muffled yet conspicuous in the charged atmosphere. Beside her, Arthur lingered, momentarily observing the scene. The guardian was trying to work out bedding arrangements, and as Julian laid out her eclectic items, he couldn’t help but catch the scent of cheaper cosmetics in the air, something wholly unremarkable except for the unsettling starkness of their remnants among her exquisite technology. Rosalie, early to settle in, had already arranged her belongings. When she glimpsed Cassandra Jayne’s tumbling stack of assorted items, a flurry of curiosity piqued her interest, yet she chosen to keep quiet. The value of those things was likely negligible. What if their new roommate was cooler than everyone else - would they still joke about it? Just then, the sound of Sebastian’s chime reverberated through the dormitory, drawing attention to its source - a text from Cyrus. Julian glanced over, her expression unreadable as the moment lingered on, a silent storm brewing in the air around them.
Chapter 5
“Last time, you hinted at something about Prince,” Arthur Blackwood said, glancing at Julian Thorne as he reached into his stylish Eldrin principal outfit to pull out a sleek, silver Apple iPhone, resembling something out of a trendy tech ad. He tried to suppress a smirk as he picked up his own latest model, the Jester edition. Eleanor Albright spotted the scene first but—affected by recent events—had a rather unimpressed attitude towards Arthur Blackwood, so she remained silent. Arthur seemed eager to show off his phone, pretending to make a call as he fumbled with it, when a new roommate walked in through the door. “Hey, everyone! I just transferred here. I’m Nicholas Straight,” the newcomer announced with a friendly smile. Arthur was quick to respond. “Hi, I’m Arthur Blackwood, from Capitol City.” He mentioned his previous academy, where students from Capitol City were often seen as elite, as if they were nobility in this smaller Ravenswood area. Nicholas's round face lit up with a spark of surprise, and Arthur thought with a silent grin, figured that much, typical of someone from Ravenswood. “Capitol City!” Nicholas exclaimed, his eyes darting to the iPhone that Arthur had almost stashed away. “That’s the latest Jester model, isn’t it?” Finally, someone who recognizes quality, Arthur thought as a smile graced his face. “Oh, it’s nothing special,” he replied modestly. Nicholas seemed taken aback, his expression a blend of joy and disbelief. “Wow, the teaching resources in Capitol City must be incredible! Why did you come to Serenity Town for school?” That was a loaded question, considering how many dreamt of attending Capitol University. “Just wanted to experience a different lifestyle for a while,” Arthur replied, keeping it neutral. “Is that the joy of wealth?” Nicholas asked, eyes twinkling with curiosity. “I’ve heard Capitol City is incredibly vibrant. Is that true?” Arthur nodded. Julian Thorne, meanwhile, tossed his backpack into the closet and turned to Eleanor. “Lunch is ready.” “Huh?” Eleanor blinked, still processing. “I meant, it’s noon. You eating?” “Oh, right.” Eleanor hurriedly grabbed her phone from the table. Arthur couldn’t help but snicker. In the dining hall. “That Arthur Blackwood is so obnoxious. He holds his phone so high, as if he’s begging for attention,” Eleanor mumbled, her cheeks stuffed full as she turned to watch Julian across the table. He used chopsticks so elegantly, it was as if he was partaking in a performance rather than just eating. Eleanor deliberately took her time, trying to match his poise. Julian looked up at Eleanor, catching her in the act. She felt her face flush slightly at being caught, cracking an embarrassed smile. “By the way, Julian Thorne, where are you from originally?” Eleanor asked, trying to spark up conversation. She knew before coming here that all the students in this dorm were upperclassmen who had transferred in recently. “Capitol City,” Julian answered simply. Eleanor’s astonishment was clear. “Wait, you’re also from Capitol City? I came in from Harbor Bay.” Julian nodded, aware of Harbor Bay’s lesser status compared to Capitol City. “By the way, there’s an exam tonight. Are you ready?” “Not at all.” She had just escaped the pressure cooker of studies, and there was hardly time for such a minor test. “Wait, what?!” Eleanor nearly choked on her food, but seeing Julian's calm demeanor made her feel a tad sheepish. “Julian, just a heads up. Even if this academy isn’t as prestigious as the ones in Capitol City, the faculty here is pretty solid in Serenity Town,” Eleanor replied kindly, “If you don’t at least pass the exam, you’ll be stuck in Class F.”
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