The Imperial Archmage awaited Edge in a private chamber adjacent to the tournament grounds. Unlike the grand, ostentatious spaces typically reserved for visiting dignitaries, this room was sparse and functional—a simple table, several chairs, and wards inscribed on every surface that glowed with subtle power.
Edge recognized them as sound-dampening and observation-blocking enchantments. Whatever transpired here would remain strictly between those present.
Archmage Valerian stood with his back to the door, examining a small crystalline object that rotated above his palm. He didn't turn when Edge entered, though a slight inclination of his head acknowledged the arrival.
"Do you know what this is?" Valerian asked, still focused on the floating crystal.
Edge studied the object from his position near the door. The crystal resembled a miniature star, with facets that caught light in ways that seemed to bend rather than reflect it. "No, Archmage."
"A fragment," Valerian said, closing his fingers around the crystal, which vanished at his touch. He finally turned, fixing Edge with eyes of such pale blue they appeared almost white. "One of seven recovered over centuries."
The significance wasn't lost on Edge. Seven fragments. Seven Astral Blades. The connection seemed obvious, yet he hesitated to acknowledge it directly.
"Your exhibition today was remarkable," Valerian continued, moving to stand directly across the table from Edge. "Particularly your final techniques. Spatial manipulation and structured manifestation of that complexity are typically mastered by adepts with decades of study, not initiates three months into their education."
"I've had excellent instruction," Edge replied carefully.
A thin smile crossed Valerian's features. "Indeed. House Master Ravencrest. Magister Veren. Even senior student Adran Teller. All noted instructors." His gaze sharpened. "And yet none of them practice the disciplines you demonstrated today."
Edge remained silent, remembering Lyra's warning about revealing too much.
"Your reticence is prudent, if ultimately futile," Valerian said, seemingly untroubled by Edge's caution. "The Empire has monitored anomalous magical signatures for centuries. When the testing mages reported your unusual results, it raised immediate interest in certain quarters."
He gestured, and a chair slid out from the table on Edge's side. "Please, sit. This conversation may take some time."
Edge complied, recognizing it wasn't truly a request. His muscles still ached from the duel, and standing in the Imperial Archmage's presence had its own kind of weight.
"Your mana signature contains patterns identical to certain historical artifacts of great significance," Valerian continued once Edge was seated. "Patterns associated with the Astral Blades."
There it was—direct confirmation of what Edge had pieced together through research and dreams. He considered denial but opted for a more measured response. "I've encountered references to these weapons in my studies."
"Studies guided by Librarian Moira, who provided you with restricted texts. By your fellow initiate Talon Zul, who possesses ancestral knowledge from the Southern Isles. By Lyra Ironheart, whose family history is more complex than most at the Academy realize." Valerian's recitation of these connections demonstrated how thoroughly Edge had been observed. "And, of course, by your dreams."
The last point sent a chill through Edge. His dreams had been a private matter, shared only with his closest confidants. "How could you know about those?"
"The focusing disk Ravencrest gave you is ancient and valuable, but not merely for its enhancement properties. Such artifacts record the mana patterns channeled through them, creating a... resonance history, if you will. When you dream, your unconscious mind channels energy through the disk, and those patterns can be remotely monitored by those with the proper tools."
The revelation that his most private experiences had been observed without his knowledge ignited a flash of anger in Edge. "That's invasion."
"That's security," Valerian corrected without apology. "The Astral Blades are not mere historical curiosities or legendary weapons. They are keys to power that, if mishandled, could threaten the Empire itself."
He leaned forward slightly. "Your natural affinity for their magical frequency makes you either a valuable asset or a significant concern, depending on how you proceed from here."
The implied threat wasn't subtle. Edge measured his response, sensing that this conversation represented a turning point in his Academy career—perhaps in his life entirely.
"What exactly does the Empire want from me?" he asked directly.
Valerian seemed to approve of the straightforward question. "Initially, observation. Your development will be closely monitored by specialists in ancient magical disciplines. Your training will be supplemented with focused study of manifestation and spatial manipulation—your natural strengths."
"And in return?"
"You continue your education at the Academy with enhanced resources and privileges. Your family's stipend increases correspondingly. Upon graduation, you would be offered a position within a specialized division of Imperial service."
The offer sounded reasonable on its surface, but Edge sensed layers beneath. "What division, exactly?"
"The Artifact Recovery and Containment Authority. ARCA, as it's known to those with sufficient clearance. We locate, secure, and study magical objects of historical and practical significance."
"Objects like the Astral Blades," Edge surmised.
Valerian inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Among others. The Empire has cataloged thousands of significant artifacts over its history. Some benefit humanity and strengthen our borders. Others pose existential threats if improperly handled."
"And where do the Astral Blades fall in that classification?"
"That depends entirely on who wields them." Valerian's gaze intensified. "The legends speak truthfully about their capacity to seal breaches between worlds. What most accounts omit is that they can also create such breaches."
Edge thought of his recurring dream—the tear in reality, the void beyond with its cold, malevolent stars. "The Void Breach."
"You've seen it," Valerian said, not a question but a confirmation. "The space between realities where entities exist that would find our world quite... appetizing."
A silence fell between them as Edge processed the implications. The Empire wasn't merely interested in him as a magical prodigy but as someone with potential connection to weapons of world-altering capability.
"What if I decline this special attention?" Edge finally asked.
"That would be unfortunate," Valerian replied, his tone unchanged but somehow carrying greater weight. "The nature of your abilities makes you significant regardless of your preferences. If not guided by the Empire, you would eventually draw attention from less benevolent interests."
"Such as?"
"Various factions exist that seek the Astral Blades for their own purposes. Some are merely power-hungry. Others believe the weapons should be used to reshape reality according to their philosophical ideals." Valerian's expression darkened slightly. "And some actively seek to create new Void Breaches, believing that what lies beyond would reward their service."
The bluntness of the Archmage's assessment left little room for misinterpretation. Edge was being politely but firmly informed that independence was not an option—he would either accept Imperial guidance or be treated as a potential threat.
"Do I need to decide immediately?" Edge asked.
"You've already decided," Valerian replied with unexpected frankness. "You simply haven't acknowledged it yet. You came to the Academy seeking understanding of your abilities. We offer that understanding, along with purpose and protection." He rose from his seat with fluid grace. "Consider today's conversation an introduction rather than a recruitment. You'll continue your regular studies, supplemented by additional instruction in areas aligned with your unique talents."
He moved toward the door, then paused. "One final matter. Your victory today has earned you legitimate recognition, but it has also placed you in a precarious position. The Vellaren family does not accept defeat graciously, especially in public settings. Watch your back, Initiate Regius."
With that warning, Valerian departed, leaving Edge alone in the warded chamber. The silence felt oppressive, the implications of the conversation weighing on him more heavily than the exertion of the duel.
He sat motionless for several minutes, processing everything he'd learned. The Empire's knowledge of the Astral Blades seemed more concrete than the fragmentary information he'd pieced together from dreams and ancient texts. Valerian had spoken of the weapons as real, tangible objects—some possibly already in Imperial possession.
And more disturbing, the Archmage had confirmed the existence of the Void and the entities within it, entities that featured prominently in Edge's dreams.
The door opened again, this time admitting Archmage Vex. Unlike Valerian's controlled intensity, her expression was openly calculating as she surveyed Edge.
"I see Valerian has completed his assessment," she said, taking the seat the Imperial Archmage had vacated. "How did you find him?"
The question seemed genuine rather than rhetorical. Edge considered his response carefully. "Direct. Intimidating. Well-informed."
"An accurate summary." Vex's pale eyes studied him with clinical interest. "He's recommended you for specialized training beyond standard curriculum. As Academy Archmage, I must approve such arrangements."
"And will you?" Edge asked.
"That depends on your answers to several questions." She folded her hands on the table's surface. "First: when did you become aware of your connection to the Astral Blades?"
Edge saw little benefit in deception at this point. "Gradually, over the past two months. The dreams began shortly after arriving at the Academy. My research into unusual manifestation magic led to references to the Blades."
"And you pursued this research... why?"
"To understand what was happening to me. My magic doesn't follow conventional patterns. I needed explanations."
Vex nodded, apparently satisfied with his reasoning. "Second question: who else knows the full extent of your discoveries? Not suspicions or general awareness of your unusual abilities, but specific knowledge of the Astral Blade connection."
This question required more careful navigation. Edge was reluctant to potentially implicate his friends, especially given the clear Imperial interest in controlling information about the Blades.
"I've discussed elements of my research with several people," he hedged. "But most conversations were theoretical rather than conclusive."
"Names, Initiate Regius," Vex pressed, her tone cooling. "This isn't merely bureaucratic curiosity. Knowledge of certain magical frequencies can be dangerous without proper context."
Edge weighed his options. Lying to the Academy Archmage seemed unwise, yet full disclosure felt like betrayal. "Talon Zul has ancestral knowledge of the Blades from Southern Isle traditions. Librarian Moira provided historical texts referencing them. House Master Ravencrest seems aware of their significance, given the specific focusing disk he provided."
He deliberately omitted Lyra, whose warning suggested she had reasons to avoid Imperial attention regarding this matter.
Vex's eyes narrowed slightly, suggesting she suspected the list was incomplete. Nevertheless, she moved on. "Final question: what did you experience during the spatial distortion technique you employed against Caius Vellaren?"
The specificity of the query surprised Edge. "I'm not sure I understand."
"When you redirected his flame vortex," Vex clarified. "That technique resembles ancient records of how the Astral Blades manipulate the boundaries between spaces. Those who employ such methods often perceive... something... during the manipulation. I need to know what you saw or felt."
Edge recalled the moment with perfect clarity. As he'd created the distortion, there had been a fleeting sensation of standing in two places simultaneously—the arena and somewhere else, a space of swirling silver light where direction seemed meaningless. The experience had lasted less than a heartbeat but left an indelible impression.
"I glimpsed another space," he admitted. "Not the Void from my dreams, but something between—a silver realm where physical laws seemed different."
Vex's expression remained controlled, but a subtle shift in her posture suggested this answer held significance. "The Interstitial Plane," she murmured, almost to herself. "Remarkable for a first attempt, even unconsciously guided."
She refocused on Edge. "Your specialized training will begin next week. You'll continue regular classes with your House, but three sessions weekly will be devoted to advanced manifestation techniques under my personal supervision."
The prospect of private instruction from the Academy Archmage would normally be considered an extraordinary honor. Under the circumstances, it felt more like elevated confinement.
"Do I have a choice?" Edge asked, echoing his earlier question to Valerian.
Vex's response was more direct than her Imperial counterpart's. "No. Your abilities present both opportunity and risk. Untrained, you could inadvertently create breaches between realities with catastrophic consequences. The Academy's primary mandate is to ensure magical safety for the Empire. Your participation is not optional."
She rose from her seat. "Return to your dormitory and rest. The magical exertion you displayed today will have aftereffects. Tomorrow, report to the medical faculty for evaluation before resuming normal activities."
As she reached the door, she paused just as Valerian had. "One more thing, Initiate Regius. While the Empire acknowledges your potential value, others may view you primarily as a threat. Exercise extreme caution in whom you trust—even among those you consider allies."
With that ominous warning, she departed, leaving Edge alone once more. The silence of the warded room pressed against him like a physical weight.
Eventually, he gathered his strength and left the chamber, emerging into the late afternoon sunlight of the tournament grounds. The event continued around him, students and spectators focused on ongoing matches, unaware of the conversation that had just fundamentally altered Edge's path at the Academy.
He made his way toward Drakescale Tower, avoiding the main thoroughfares where his victory would likely draw attention. The physical and magical exertion of the duel, combined with the intensity of the interviews that followed, left him craving solitude to process all that had transpired.