2nd January, 2001

  It was a normal morning for Daniel, except that he had overslept. The food party from last night had gone on longer than expected, and now he was running late for his first class of the year.

  “Daniel! Wake up already, it’s past eight!” Tom shouted, shaking him by the shoulder.

  Daniel groaned, rubbing his eyes. “Five more minutes, Tom… just five.”

  “No way,” Tom said, tossing Daniel’s robe toward him. “You’ll miss the first lecture of the year. Move it!”

  After a rushed bath and a messy attempt at breakfast, the two hurried down the hallway. They ran through the corridor of ancient arches until they reached the Oldest Library Tower, where the Ancient Lecture Hall was located.

  When they stepped inside, they realized something surprising—it was a merged class between Dracorus and Nihilara houses.

  Tom looked around. “So, both houses together, huh? This is gonna be interesting.”

  Daniel scanned the rows of benches. “We need to find Scarlett.”

  They finally spotted her sitting on the third bench of the very right lane. The seat beside her was empty, and the one behind her was too. Tom slid into the bench behind, while Daniel took the seat next to her.

  Scarlett turned her head and smiled. “You’re late, Daniel.”

  Daniel grinned. “Yeah, blame the food party. I swear, those caramel pies were cursed.”

  Tom chuckled from behind them. “Cursed or not, you ate half of them.”

  Scarlett laughed softly. “Well, at least you made it before the teacher.”

  Before Daniel could reply, the heavy wooden door creaked open. Everyone quickly stood up as a tall, serious-looking man entered the room. His cloak was black with silver trims, and he carried an ancient book under his arm.

  “Good morning, first-year students,” he said in a deep, calm voice. “You may sit.”

  The room fell silent as everyone sat down.

  “I am Mr. Jonathan, your professor for History of Dark and Light,” he continued, placing the book on the table. “This subject will help you understand how both forces shaped our magical world. I hope you’re ready to think, not just memorize.”

  A few students exchanged nervous glances.

  Tom whispered, “He looks like he could duel a demon and still have time for tea.”

  Daniel smirked. “Yeah, let’s just hope he’s not as strict as he looks.”

  Mr. Jonathan’s sharp eyes swept across the class. “History is not a bedtime story, Mr. Cruse,” he said, glancing directly at Daniel.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  The entire room chuckled quietly. Daniel’s face turned red.

  “Yes, sir,” he said quickly, sitting up straight.

  Scarlett hid a smile. “Nice start, Daniel,” she whispered teasingly.

  Daniel sighed. “Great. First day, and I’m already noticed.”

  Mr. Jonathan opened his book. “Let’s begin. Tell me, class—what do you believe is the difference between Light Magic and Dark Magic?”

  The room stayed silent for a moment until a boy from the left row raised his hand.

  “Sir,” he said, “Light Magic heals and protects. Dark Magic harms and destroys.”

  Mr. Jonathan nodded slowly. “A fair assumption—but not entirely true. Light Magic doesn’t always heal, and Dark Magic doesn’t always destroy. Both are tools. It is the Intent of the user that decides the outcome.”

  Scarlett raised her hand next. “Sir, if both can be used for good or bad, then why do people still fear Dark Magic?”

  “A good question,” Mr. Jonathan said, turning toward her. “Because fear comes from history. Long ago, during the First Magical War, many wizards used Dark Magic not for balance—but for domination. Their hunger for power tainted the reputation of darkness forever.”

  Daniel frowned slightly. “So you’re saying Dark Magic itself isn’t evil?”

  Mr. Jonathan smiled faintly. “Exactly. Fire can warm a home—or burn it down. It depends on who holds the flame.”

  The students murmured among themselves, impressed.

  Tom raised his hand. “Sir, were there any wizards who used both sides—Light and Dark?”

  Mr. Jonathan’s eyes darkened a little. “Yes… but very few. Those who could balance both were called Equinox Mages. They believed true mastery came from harmony, not division.”

  He paused and walked slowly between the rows of benches.

  “But balance is dangerous. Many who tried were consumed by it.”

  Scarlett looked curious. “Consumed? You mean… they went mad?”

  “Some,” said Mr. Jonathan. “Others vanished. Some even turned into what we now call Shadowborn—creatures neither light nor dark, but trapped between both.”

  A shiver went through the room.

  Daniel whispered, “That’s… creepy.”

  Mr. Jonathan heard him and smiled faintly. “Yes, Mr. Cruse. Creepy—and true. You’ll study more about the Shadowborn in your later years. For now, remember this: balance without control leads to chaos.”

  He waved his wand, and glowing images appeared in the air—figures of ancient wizards locked in battle, their spells clashing like storms.

  “Every war in history,” he said, “was not Light against Dark… but pride against pride.”

  The class sat in silence, mesmerized by the shimmering vision above them.

  After a moment, he turned back to the students.

  “Any last thoughts before we end for today?”

  Tom muttered under his breath, “Yeah, I’m thinking I should’ve taken Herbology.”

  Daniel snorted quietly, earning another glance from Mr. Jonathan.

  “Something to share, Mr. Cruse?”

  Daniel straightened up quickly. “No, sir! Just… fascinated.”

  “Good,” Mr. Jonathan said with a hint of amusement. “Then let that fascination turn into discipline. You’ll need it.”

  Mr. Jonathan closed his book. “That will be all for today. Tomorrow, we begin the Age of the First War. Bring your minds, not just your wands.”

  Daniel leaned closer and whispered, “After Herbology class, we’ve got a short break. We should use that time to check the public library—see if we can find anything about Shadowborn creatures and the War between Dark and Light.”

  Scarlett frowned slightly. “I can’t. I’ve got Potions right after this.”

  Daniel’s expression hardened. “Then meet us after your class. We can’t keep waiting. Something about all this doesn’t feel right.”

  Tom leaned forward, his voice low but firm. “Scarlett, he’s right. Too many things aren’t adding up—the merged classes, the weird energy in the hall, and that book the professor mentioned earlier. After Potions, wait outside the library for us. Don’t go in alone.”

  Scarlett hesitated for a moment, glancing between them. “Alright… but if anyone asks where we’re going, we were just studying. Agreed?”

  Daniel gave a faint smirk. “Agreed. But this time, we’re not just studying—we’re finding answers.”

  Tom looked toward the tall window where faint sunlight filtered through the dust. “Let’s hope we’re ready for what we’ll find.”

  The three exchanged a silent nod as the bell rang, echoing through the ancient hall.