Grand Arcanum Academy --
The morning's events in Necromancy class still lingered in the minds of many students. The shattered Abyssal Crystal. The eerie whispers. The sheer unnaturalness of what had happened with Alistair Vaelthorne.
Even now, as they made their way to the next lecture, whispers circulated among the first-years.
"Did you see how the crystal just broke?"
"What the hell is he? Even Morganna's magic didn't do that."
"The Nightshade twins were terrifying, but… Alistair?"
They all fell into hushed murmurs when they reached the lecture hall.
Because the Enchantress of Desire was waiting.
****
The History lecture hall was a vast, circular chamber, adorned with floating celestial maps and magically inscribed murals detailing ancient battles, forgotten civilizations, and the divine pantheon that shaped the world.
The moment students entered, they were met with a scene of breathtaking beauty.
Standing at the center was Lady Selena Loventis—the Avatar of Aphrodite.
And as always—she was unforgettable.
Long, scarlet-red hair cascaded in silken waves down her shoulders, her form draped in a flowing dress that clung to her in all the right places, woven with golden embroidery. Her golden eyes shimmered like liquid rubies, reflecting the flickering candlelight.
Even the air around her felt intoxicating.
A subtle floral fragrance lingered, an invisible enchantment that made students feel warmer in her presence.
Leon Valerius—normally arrogant and brash—was visibly tense, sneaking glances at her with barely concealed admiration.
Dain Drakonis, the towering Dragonkin prince, crossed his arms, but his golden reptilian eyes kept flickering toward her.
Even the normally cold Veylen Nightshade seemed mildly intrigued, his crimson eyes narrowing as he studied her like a puzzle.
Selena smirked as she noticed their reactions.
She had that effect on people.
"Good morning, my lovely students," she purred, her voice as silky as velvet.
"Today, we discuss something far more interesting than wars and battles."
Her crimson gaze swept over the class, lingering on Alistair for just a second longer than the others before continuing.
"Today, we speak of races—the beings that walk this world, each gifted by the divine with unique strengths… and fatal weaknesses."
With a snap of her fingers, the floating celestial map expanded, displaying a massive illusion of Aetheria—the world itself.
The students settled into their seats.
And the lesson began.
Selena gestured, and the image shifted to the sprawling human empires—Aurelia, the Holy Kingdom of Zelthar, and the war-hardened Black Dominion of Kaelis.
"Humans," she began, "are the most adaptable of all races. Unlike others, who are bound to a single divine lineage, humans can be blessed by nearly any god, shaping them into warriors, mages, or rulers of their choosing."
Leon smirked, arms crossed. "Naturally."
Selena winked. "Oh, don't get too cocky, dear. Humans are versatile, but they are also… fragile."
Leon frowned.
She continued, "Unlike Dragonkin, Beastkin, or Vampires, humans rely purely on training and blessings to achieve greatness. Without divine favor… they are weak."
Alistair remained expressionless, but his black eyes glimmered slightly.
Selena smirked knowingly before moving on.
The map shifted, displaying vast, luminous forests and floating cities hidden within canopies of golden leaves.
The Elven Kingdom of Sylvalis.
Sylara Ilthariel sat straighter, her golden eyes glowing with pride.
"Elves," Selena said smoothly, "are beings of grace and longevity. Their lifespan can stretch beyond a thousand years, allowing them to accumulate knowledge and magical prowess beyond human comprehension."
Sylara lifted her chin slightly, basking in the unspoken superiority.
Selena smirked.
"However…" She leaned forward. "Their arrogance is their downfall."
Sylvara's smirk faded.
"Elves often believe themselves above others, which is why they have spent centuries waging wars they could have avoided."
Some students chuckled.
Sylvara's golden eyes darkened, but she remained silent.
Selena moved on.
The illusion shifted to vast tribal lands, where massive feline warriors and wolf-eared hunters prowled.
Rael Thunderfang's sharp amber eyes gleamed with interest.
"Beastkin are the most naturally gifted warriors in Aetheria," Selena explained. "Blessed by primal gods such as Fenrir and Raiju, their bodies are stronger, their instincts sharper, and their combat abilities terrifying."
Rael grinned, showing sharp fangs.
"But…" Selena raised a delicate finger. "Their greatest strength is also their flaw."
Rael's grin dimmed slightly.
"They are bound by instincts. Their beastly nature makes them prone to rage, bloodlust, and reckless aggression—all things that can be used against them."
Rael scoffed. "We don't need schemes. We win through strength."
Selena laughed softly, her voice like a bell. "Oh, dear boy, keep believing that."
She moved on before he could retort.
The image shifted again, this time revealing dark, gothic castles rising beneath a blood-red moon.
The Vampire Aristocracy.
Lunara and Veylen Nightshade both smiled knowingly, their red eyes glinting.
"Vampires," Selena purred, "are perhaps the most deceptive of all races. They possess immense magical prowess, supernatural speed, and the ability to regenerate wounds that would kill any other being."
Lunara giggled, twirling a strand of her silver hair.
"But…" Selena's smile grew sharp. "They also have curses. Their thirst for blood makes them dependent on feeding, and divine light—particularly from gods like Lumina or Solas—is lethal to them."
Serena Vale, the Saintess, glanced at the Nightshade twins with a calm, unreadable expression.
Veylen merely smirked, unfazed.
Selena moved on.
The illusion changed once more.
This time, titanic figures with gleaming scales and burning golden eyes emerged from stormy skies.
The Dragonkin Warlords.
Dain Drakonis grinned, cracking his knuckles.
"Dragonkin are the closest beings to the ancient gods of destruction. Their bodies are covered in impenetrable scales, their magic is raw and overwhelming, and their endurance is monstrous."
Dain laughed. "Damn right."
Selena smirked. "But their pride, oh… their pride is their undoing."
Dain's grin wavered.
"They refuse to yield, even when they should. And when a Dragonkin falls…" She leaned in. "They fall hard."
The class remained silent.
Dain scowled, but said nothing.
Selena stepped back, letting the illusions fade.
"There are more races, of course," she said. "But these? These are the ones that shape history."
She smiled.
And the lecture ended.
(To Be Continued...)