- 𝐄𝗇-𝖬𝗎𝗇𝗇. 𝖠𝖼𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗆𝗒 .

The name was given neither by decree of the king nor by decision of the council. It just happened.

Endmun Valoris was a first-year student here—the son of the royal executioner, without a title, without an entourage, without the right to be here. He was admitted by mistake: his papers were mixed up with those of another Valoris. They discovered him on the third day. They didn't have time to expel him—in those three days, he managed to seal a dark magic breach in the basement that the upperclassmen had been unable to close for a month.

They kept him. On one condition: no privileges, no concessions, any misbehavior would result in expulsion.

He hasn't committed a single one. For seven years.

In their fourth year, when the Academy Council split and the Dark and Light sides were ready to wage war within the walls, Endmun stepped into the center of the hall and uttered a single phrase. No one remembers what it was. They only remember that afterward, everyone sat down. And the Council never split again.

In their sixth year, the academy endured a siege. Not a magical one, but a real one: armies from three kingdoms stood at the gates, demanding the handover of the heirs. Rector Morven was absent. Endmun opened the gates himself and came out to speak. The siege was lifted within 24 hours. The kings later claimed they "found no advantage." The students claim otherwise, but remain silent.

When the question of a new name arose—after the old one had been stricken from all documents—the council voted briefly. Aurora Velmont proposed first. Celeste Noir whispered her support. Leon Crowe nodded but remained silent. Tobias Gray, who always votes against, abstained this time.

Endmun refused. Twice. The third time, Rector Morven said, "This is not a reward. It's a warning." Endmun didn't understand. Morven didn't explain.

Now the gates bear a forged inscription: En-Munn. No coat of arms, no motto. Every first-year asks what it means. The seniors answer differently, but agree on one thing: "Ask the council." The council replies: "Ask Endmun." Endmun doesn't answer.

"And one more thing that's not written in the documents: the name wasn't given only in his honor. It was given because he's still here. As long as Endmun walks these corridors, the academy bears his name."

Endmun Valoris is the head of the High Council. Seventh-year, dark. Neither prince nor duke—the son of the royal executioner, and that says it all. He's on the council not by blood, but because even those of higher blood fear him. He speaks little, stares long. They say the fountain sings louder when he's nearby. They say he's the only one to whom Rector Morven bows first.

Aurora Velmont—Princess of the North, Light, seventh year. Endmoon's right hand—and the only one who speaks against him. Flawless, cold, dangerous. She keeps the council's minutes and remembers every word spoken here for seven years.

Cassian Draven is the Duke's son, a Dark One, sixth year. Causal, brash, and talented. Formally not on the council, but everyone asks his opinion. Officially: "the informal leader of the opposition." Unofficially: the council's conscience, of which he is ashamed.

Celeste Noir is a princess, dark, seventh year. Beautiful in a way that makes you want to retreat. A whisper of advice. Knows everything about everyone—and sells it only to Endmoon. For free.

Prince Aidan Larr, heir to the south, light, sixth year. Golden boy, tired to death. He's on the council by right of blood, not by choice. He dreams of failure. Until he fails.

Mira Hall is the deputy's daughter, fair-skinned, fifth-year. Council secretary. She keeps a diary where she records other people's secrets. The only one on the council not by blood or fear, but by intellect. Endmoon keeps her close. More dangerous than she seems.

Leon Crowe is a small, dark, fifth-year count. Quiet, polite, he collects other people's fears. He's the youngest member of the council, but they listen to him. Endmoon calls him "the shadow." Leon doesn't argue.

Tobias Gray is a deputy's son, a fifth-year. A jester, an informant, a defector. He stays on the council because he's useful. Endmoon tolerates him right up until his first betrayal.

— This is the highest council of the academy. Senior students.
— — —

Professor Morven is the rector. No one knows whether he's dark or light. Perhaps both. He wears gray, speaks quietly, smiles rarely and always at the wrong time. He claims the academy is "safe." The students don't believe him.

Magister Ophelia Vale is a teacher of light magic. Strict, impeccable, and demands perfect technique. Light in her hands is like a scalpel: precise and merciless. She believes that emotions are a hindrance. Her favorite phrase: "Magic does not forgive carelessness."

Master Grim is a teacher of dark magic. An old man with burnt fingers and a hoarse laugh. He teaches not to fear the darkness—and not to trust it. He's the only one who calls his students "children" and not "masters." He's both feared and loved.

Professor Selina Noct is the theory of equilibrium. Young, beautiful, and speaks in riddles. She claims that dark and light are the same thing, just viewed from different angles. Half the students are in love with her, the other half are suspicious.

Master Thorn is a combat magician. Huge, taciturn, with a scar across his face. He doesn't distinguish between dark and light, only strong and weak. First-year students cry in his classes. Second-year students are proud.

Mistress May is a potion maker. Small, neat, with eyes that can see through a cauldron. Knows all the recipes and all the gossip. Trades information for good grades.

Professor Ash is the history of magic. Boring to the point of yawning, but the only one who remembers why the sky above the academy never changes. People fall asleep during his lectures. They wake up during his exams.

• these are the teachers of the academy.
  — — —

Lyra Vane is the princess of a small mountain kingdom, a bright soul. Far from home for the first time, she is painfully naive and foolishly brave. She believes that everyone here is equal. Her gift is light, but for now it only flickers, like a candle in the wind.

Dorian Caste is the Duke's son, a dark one. He's arrogant because he was taught to be, not because he believes it. This is the first time he's encountered anyone who doesn't bow. This angers him—and fascinates him.

Petty Lowe is a deputy's daughter, a bright girl. A chatterbox, the life of the party, she draws everyone around her. Lyra's first friend. Beneath her chatter, she hides fear: her family is on the brink of ruin, and studying here is her last chance.

Raven More is the earl's son, dark-skinned. Silent, pale, and never without a black glove on his left hand. No one knows what's underneath. First-years bet on wishes.

Twins Sol and Knox Arden are children of a noble family, one fair-skinned, the other dark-skinned. Inseparable, they sit on opposite sides of each other in class. They speak in chorus, finishing each other's sentences. The teachers are somewhat afraid of them.

Timothy Brush is a small count, fair-haired, plump, and perpetually frightened. He arrived with suitcases full of sweets and the hope that they wouldn't beat him here. They do. But Lyra stands up for him.

Isolde Crowe is Leon's younger sister, the dark one. A first-year, but she already looks like she knows everything about you. Quieter than her brother. Scarier than her brother.

—these are first-year students.
— — —

Aurora Velmont is the princess of the Northern Kingdom, a light-hearted woman. Impeccable manners, icy politeness. She smiles at everyone and trusts no one. Her gift is light, which heals, but also burns her from within.

Cassian Draven is the Duke's youngest son, a dark one. He receives no inheritance, so he takes everything himself. Sarcasm, impudence, a talent for cursing. The only one who speaks to the fountain out loud.

Mira Hall is a deputy's daughter, a bright soul. She's the only one here who isn't a real bigwig, but has made her way through the ranks with her wits. She keeps a diary where she records other people's secrets. More dangerous than she seems.

Leon Crowe is a small, dark-skinned count. Thirteen years old, but with the eyes of an old man. Quiet, polite, he collects other people's fears. He's feared more than the older students.

Prince Aiden Larr is the heir to the southern kingdom, a fair one. A golden boy, universally beloved—and sick to death of it. He dreams of failure, so he can finally be left alone.

Celeste Noir is a princess, a dark one. Beautiful in a way that makes you want to take a step back. She speaks in a whisper, but everyone hears her. She knows the fountain sings not about balance.

Tobias Gray, the son of a member of parliament, hasn't made up his mind. He shifts between the dark and the light, needed by everyone and unwelcome by anyone. A jester, an informant, a future chancellor—or a future corpse.

• These are senior students.
  — — —