A lot changed after that night. Both Aaran's personal and student life were impacted. He wasn't challenged to sporadic duels by the seniors anymore.
No one wanted to fight with someone who survived a night in the Dead Forest. But Aaran knew the real reason. He was the Emperor's and the Hero's future son-in-law. With such individuals behind him, no one dared to offend him.
As for Seraphina, she openly acknowledged their relationship the day after the award ceremony.
There wasn't a moment when she left his side. During classes, she sat by him, and afterward, she changed her dorm to live next door. Amara was amused by her reaction, but Aaran wasn't.
It felt more like she was staking a claim on him than expressing love. It was one reason Aaran did not want to get involved with women so early in his life.
Thankfully, his days in the academy were numbered.
True to his words, the Emperor called to teach him more about necromancy and dark magic.
