Eryx walked down the hallway, his boots clicking softly against the polished stone floor. The Academy had always been full of noise—students hurrying from one lesson to another, conversations drifting in the air, the occasional shout from one of the training grounds. Today, though, the usual sounds felt muffled, as though something was slightly off. The atmosphere had changed, thickened, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the calm before the storm had already passed.
He had spent the past several weeks familiarizing himself with the rhythm of his surroundings—magic lessons, sparring sessions, his own quiet reflection. But now, he sensed that the undercurrent of tension that had been quietly building was coming to the surface. The pressure to succeed, to perform well in the upcoming trials, had been growing, but it wasn't just the trials that had him on edge. It was something else—something subtle but undeniable.
The hallway before him narrowed into a corner where a heavy wooden door stood ajar, and the faint sound of voices carried out into the space. He paused, barely able to make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable—sharp, deliberate, as though the conversation taking place wasn't meant for just anyone to hear.
"…test results, then," a male voice said, the authority in his words cutting through the air. "We'll know soon enough who's ready for the next stage."
Another voice, this one female, responded coolly, "Don't underestimate anyone. It's getting more dangerous. They all know it."
Eryx's breath caught slightly. Dangerous? He didn't know exactly who was speaking, but the words sent a chill down his spine. His instinct told him to turn and walk away, but something kept him frozen in place. He didn't know what he expected to hear, but this wasn't it. He had thought the politics of the Academy, the pressure of the trial, was all that mattered. Yet here, in this small corner of the Academy, there were darker things at play.
He was about to take a step back when a sharp voice broke through the air.
"You there. What are you doing?"
Eryx's heart leapt, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his sword. It was a reflex, but he didn't draw it. Not yet. He turned slowly, meeting the gaze of a tall, imposing figure standing at the far end of the hall.
The student before him was older, easily a second-year. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his uniform marked him as someone of importance—part of an elite group, no doubt. His expression was cold, his eyes sharp.
Eryx stood his ground, his voice steady as he answered, "I wasn't doing anything."
The older student studied him for a long moment, his gaze unflinching. "I heard you. You're not supposed to be here."
"I wasn't listening," Eryx replied, trying to keep his voice neutral. "I wasn't intruding."
For a long time, the second-year said nothing. His eyes narrowed, and the silence stretched between them. Then, as if satisfied, he nodded. "Good. Keep it that way."
He knocked twice on the door before slipping inside, the heavy wood creaking shut behind him. Eryx stood motionless for a moment, the weight of the interaction settling in. That had been too close. He hadn't caught enough of the conversation to know what was truly going on, but the little he had heard was enough to raise a dozen questions in his mind.
What was this about a test? Who were these students planning something—something more than just the trial? His heart raced as the words from the conversation echoed in his mind.
Eryx didn't move immediately, still processing what had just happened. The Academy wasn't just a place of training. It was a battleground, a place where power was fought for and hidden behind every corner. This moment, these whispers, had been a glimpse into something far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
He finally turned and continued his walk, but now, every step felt heavier. He hadn't imagined that the stakes were this high. As much as he had wanted to remain distant, unaffected by the politics around him, it was clear now that he couldn't stay out of it forever.
He had no choice but to find out what was really happening, what forces were truly at play beneath the surface. And for the first time, Eryx realized just how deep the game ran at this Academy.