Rowan stood there, the weight of the professor's words pressing down on him like an unseen hand. The crystal in his palm pulsed with an energy he didn't fully understand, but it felt like it was becoming a part of him, syncing with his very heartbeat. His head was spinning, and every instinct told him to run - to get away from this unimaginable truth that was being forced on him.
Professor Aldric's gaze softened as if sensing the turmoil swirling inside Rowan. "You have questions. But there is little time. You will learn more in time, but for now, you must stay hidden. If the wrong people find out about you… about your magic… it could be the end of everything."
Rowan glanced at the professor, uncertainty written all over his face. "The wrong people?"
Aldric nodded, his face growing more serious. "The Factions are still very much active, Rowan. Those who sought to destroy the Thirteenth House in the past are not gone. Some of them are right under our noses, lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. They've been watching you from the moment you arrived at Blackthorn."
Rowan's pulse quickened. "Who are they?"
Aldric hesitated before responding. "Some call them the Council of Shadows, but there are others—powerful figures with ties to the highest realms of magic. They will do whatever it takes to claim the power of the Thirteenth House, and you are the key to unlocking it."
"Me?" Rowan whispered, his voice barely audible. "Why me? What makes me different?"
Aldric stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Rowan's shoulder. "Because you were chosen. The blood of the ancient mages runs through your veins, Rowan. Your lineage is older than you think. You are more than just a student at Blackthorn Academy - you are the last of the true heirs of the Thirteenth House."
Rowan stumbled back, his mind racing. The bloodline of the Thirteenth House? He had no memory of any such thing. No one had ever told him about magic—about anything like this.
"I don't know what to do," Rowan said, his voice trembling. "How can I fight against something I don't even understand?"
Aldric's gaze softened, his expression almost sympathetic. "You won't be alone. There are others here—those who still believe in the legacy of the Thirteenth House, those who will help you. But you must act quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to control the magic inside you." He paused, his eyes darkening. "And the harder it will be to trust anyone."
Before Rowan could respond, a sharp, high-pitched sound pierced the air, and both he and Aldric turned sharply. From the shadows of the passageway, a figure emerged—a girl with dark, flowing hair, her eyes narrowed and intense, her body wrapped in a long, black cloak.
"Professor Aldric." Her voice was low and cold, like ice against metal. "I see you've found him."
Rowan took an instinctive step back, the crystal in his hand growing warmer. The girl's gaze locked onto him, her eyes scanning him with an unsettling intensity.
"This is Rowan Vale," Aldric said, his tone neutral. "He's the one."
The girl's lips curled into a slight smirk, but there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. "I'm Lyra, from the House of Shadows. I've been sent to observe. And I must say, I'm intrigued."
"Observe?" Rowan asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. "What do you mean, observe?"
Lyra's smirk deepened. "I mean I've been keeping an eye on you. You're not the first heir to emerge, but you're certainly the most… interesting." She took a step forward, her eyes still locked on him. "There are many forces at play, Rowan. Powerful forces. Some will claim you. Some will destroy you. And then there are those who will protect you. But not all of them are to be trusted."
Rowan felt his stomach twist into knots. Who was this girl? And why did she seem to know so much about him already?
"Why are you telling me this?" Rowan asked, his voice barely steady.
Lyra's smile faded, and her eyes grew sharp. "Because the House of Shadows has its own agenda. And whether you like it or not, you are at the center of a much bigger game." She turned to Aldric. "The council won't let this pass easily. It won't just be the Factions you'll have to worry about. The Academy is far from safe."
Aldric's expression darkened. "I know. That's why I've been keeping him hidden."
Lyra's gaze flickered back to Rowan. "Hiding won't protect you forever, though. The magic—it's already starting to stir, and with it comes a storm of people eager to claim its power."
Rowan swallowed hard. "What am I supposed to do?"
Lyra chuckled darkly. "Learn to control your magic first. And fast. Otherwise, the power will control you."
Aldric stepped forward, placing himself between Rowan and Lyra. "That's enough, Lyra. He needs time to process everything. We'll keep him safe—for now."
Lyra raised an eyebrow but said nothing. After a long moment of silence, she turned on her heel and walked back into the shadows, her figure disappearing into the passage behind them.
Rowan's heart was pounding in his chest. The crystal in his hand had grown hotter, the warmth radiating out in waves, and he felt a pull—a connection to something deep within the academy, something that had been hidden for centuries. It was as if the crystal itself was calling him.
Aldric turned back to him, his eyes filled with concern. "You need to leave now. Go back to your dorm. Stay out of sight. We'll talk more later."
Rowan nodded, still reeling from the encounter. He had so many questions—questions that could never be answered in a single night. But one thing was clear: his life had changed forever. He was no longer just a student at Blackthorn Academy. He was now at the center of something much larger—something that could destroy him or make him the most powerful mage in the world.
As he turned to leave, Rowan could feel the weight of the crystal in his hand, and the danger that was closing in on him. He had no choice now. The path before him was already set, and it was up to him to decide whether he would embrace the magic or let it destroy him.