"They sent a lamb with a badge and called him a lion. I'll send him back in pieces—if I send him back at all."
The sound of hooves shattered the morning calm.
Golden-armored riders stormed through the outer gates of the Grand Academy. Banners of the Radiant Empire whipped in the air like flames. Students scattered. Professors paused mid-lecture. Even the Headmaster emerged from his tower, robes flapping behind him like the wings of a startled crow.
At the center of the mounted procession rode a man not much older than Kael, yet cloaked in reverence and dread.
Sir Lucien Dawnmarch.
A royal enforcer.
A divine-blessed inquisitor.
A leashed beast of the Empire trained to smell rot and burn it alive.
Lucien dismounted, brushing a gauntlet through his snow-white hair. His golden cloak gleamed with runes of judgment. His left eye shimmered with holy light—blessed by the Solar Church to see corruption in men's hearts.
"Bring me the records," he said, voice crisp as shattered ice. "There is a falsehood within these halls. And I will tear it into the light."
The Headmaster bowed.
"We… have no proof that this 'Raven Ashfall' has committed any crime—"
Lucien raised a hand. Not to strike. But to silence.
"I was not sent to discuss. I was sent to purge."
🕯️ In the Alchemy Wing — Later That Day
Kael stirred a vial of smoke-green fluid under Elira's gaze.
"They sent Lucien Dawnmarch," she said. "The Empire's youngest Inquisitor. They say he once burned a heretic's soul before the man even spoke."
"How tragic," Kael replied.
"He's powerful."
"So am I."
"He has a divine eye that sees through lies."
"Then I'll speak only in truths he doesn't understand."
Elira frowned. "You're either brilliant or suicidal."
Kael smiled behind the mask.
"Both make good legends."
🌆 That Evening — Academy Square
A trial was announced.
Lucien stood at the platform, holy blade stabbed into the marble beside him.
"A masked noble with no history. An outlander who humiliated a royal. A magic signature cloaked in ancient symbols..."
He scanned the crowd.
"Raven Ashfall. Step forward. Deny your crimes to my face if you dare."
Kael did.
The crowd split as he walked. Students didn't breathe. Professors didn't blink.
He stood before Lucien like shadow before flame.
"I am Raven Ashfall. Registered. Signed. Marked in the Academy ledger by the very quills of your Church."
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
"What noble house?"
"Blackpine."
"Extinct."
"Reclaimed. Under edict from the border courts of Eastern Veyra."
"Fabricated."
Kael's voice dipped low.
"Then arrest your own scribes. I did not enchant the records."
Lucien took a step forward.
His glowing eye flared.
Students gasped.
Kael tensed.
[System Alert: Holy Gaze Detected — Class D Divine Skill]Warning: Alignment scan in progress. Masking Shadowbrand aura... success (partial).
Lucien's eye twitched.
"Your aura is… contradictory."
Kael tilted his head.
"As is the world."
For a moment, silence.
Then Lucien stabbed his sword back into the platform.
"You're clever. I've seen heretics lie, demons seduce, and nobles rot behind smiles. You're something else."
He turned.
"For now."
"But if you slip…"
He looked back, golden eye burning.
"I will not need proof to burn you."
🌙 That Night — Tomb Gate
Kael descended into his lair.
Varnak was waiting, scrolls of the Academy's surveillance web clutched in his skeletal fingers.
"Master. The divine eye scanned you. Shall I prepare defensive rituals?"
"No," Kael murmured. "He saw what I wanted him to see."
He looked up at the half-formed archways of his growing tomb.
"Let him chase shadows."
"And when he finds the truth?"
Kael touched the wall. The runes hissed.
"He won't have eyes to see it anymore."
[Villain Points Gained: +50 (For resisting holy interrogation)][Reputation: You are now considered a Class B Threat by the Empire.][New Hidden Quest Triggered: "Break the Eye" – Remove Lucien's divine vision before he unmasks you. Reward: 300 VP + Forbidden Blessing Fragment.]