The day after Alex received the ring, something shifted in the air.
Magic felt heavier.
Every hallway in the academy seemed darker. The usual whispers turned to silence whenever he passed. Even the professors were strangely subdued.
News had spread.
House Argent had withdrawn three major political motions in the council overnight. House Emberlight had moved to delay their annual combat trials. And House Crestfall, usually neutral, had begun moving their elite cadets into training bunkers.
Alex's duel hadn't just bruised pride.
It had fractured the balance of power.
---
At breakfast, Kira tossed him a rolled scroll. "Another invitation. This one's from House Myrell."
He broke the seal. Inside was an elegantly written request for a meeting—thinly veiled as a 'social gathering.'
"They want to evaluate you," Mila said, sipping tea beside him.
"Or size me up for a knife in the back," Alex replied.
He placed the letter in the fire.
"Decline it."
Arno frowned. "Is it wise to ignore alliances?"
"Better to make them nervous," Alex said, "than to pretend I need their blessing."
---
Later that day, he stood before the doors of the Sealed Wing.
No one had entered in a century. Rumors claimed the original founder of the academy had died in there, sealing forbidden knowledge and magical anomalies within.
Alex slipped on the Ring of the Lost Dominion.
The wards shimmered—and parted.
He stepped inside.
---
Dust. Silence. And books—rows of them, older than any others in the academy. Some bound in dragonhide. Others pulsing with faint light.
He walked deeper, past shelves into a chamber that looked untouched by time. A stone pedestal held a crystalline orb, cracked and leaking faint magical residue.
Beside it: a black book, sealed with thirteen runes.
As he approached, the system chimed.
[Warning: High-Risk Artifact Detected. 'Codex of Ruin' — Class S Forbidden Tome. Proceed with caution.]
He placed his hand on it.
The runes resisted—then recognized him.
[Codex Recognizes System User. Access Granted. Limited Pages Available. Initiating Integration.]
A flash of energy surged through him.
Knowledge—not in words, but instincts, images, spells that hadn't been spoken aloud in centuries—seeped into his mind.
[New Skill Acquired: Abyssal Rewrite — Modify the nature of one known spell once per day. Limit: One activation until mastery.]
Valerian staggered back.
So this was the legacy they tried to erase.
---
He didn't mention the book to his team.
Not yet.
But that night, when Professor Kirel sent a summons for a 'disciplinary review,' Alex knew exactly what it was.
A trap.
He arrived at the office right on time. Kirel's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"You've been very... active, Valerian."
"Only as much as needed," he replied.
"There are rules here. Old ones. Some even I can't break. But you?" Kirel leaned forward. "I don't know what you are."
Alex's crimson eyes didn't waver. "That makes two of us."
[System Notice: Aura of Fear triggered. Target: Kirel. Emotional Disruption Detected.]
Kirel faltered—just for a second. Then he smiled. "Enjoy your time, Nightshade. It won't last."
Alex turned and left. But not before slipping a coded slip of paper into Kirel's desk drawer.
The Black Fang would retrieve it later. Every word in that office was recorded. Every secret? A weapon.
---
Later, Mila cornered him on the balcony. The wind tangled her silver hair. Her expression was calm—but her eyes were storming.
"You're hiding something," she said.
"I'm managing something," he replied.
"Same thing," she snapped. "We're your allies, not your shadows."
He looked at her then—really looked.
Mila had followed him since day one. Trusted him.
He owed her more.
"I found something. Dangerous. Useful. If I told you now, it would put you at risk."
Mila studied him. "And if I say I'm willing to share that risk?"
"Then I'd say not yet," Alex said quietly. "But soon."
She nodded once. Then walked away.
[Romance Flag: Mila Tierwyn — Trust Level Deepening. Emotional Bond Strengthened.]
---
By week's end, Alex had begun rewriting more than spells.
He was altering the academy's future.
One book. One ring. One step at a time.
But from the shadows, another figure watched.
A student cloaked in moonlight, speaking to no one, recording everything.
And waiting.
---
End of Chapter Question: Should Alex share the secrets of the Codex with his allies—or keep it hidden until he can fully control it? What would you do in his place?