Rumors spread like wildfire around the academy after the royal summons.
Whispers filled the corridors, speculation twisting into wild tales—some claimed Riven had barely escaped execution, others insisted he had been marked by the King himself, cursed to be watched until the day he slipped up. A few dared to say he had challenged the King outright and survived, though those who truly understood politics knew such a thing was impossible.
But among the more sinister whispers, a new rumor began to take root—one far darker, far more dangerous.
They said Riven was truly a necromancer.
That his fire was not fire at all, but something unnatural. That he had deceived the King, tricked the court, and that he was the one that was leading the undead to attack the kingdom.
Fear spread with each retelling, with each exaggerated account of black flames and whispered power. Students who once spoke freely in his presence now hesitated. Some avoided his gaze entirely.
