Ophelia Moore never knew magic was real until her shadow magic exploded out of her, shattering her life in one terrifying moment.
Now, she's been thrust into the mysterious and gothic Hallowgate Academy, where students master dangerous powers, and...
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I stand before the hidden door again, the same one I found before in the shadowy hallways of Blackthorn Hall. The passage looms ahead, barely visible in the dim lighting that always seems to flicker just enough to make me doubt whether it's real. But it's here. I know it is. I've been here before, and I'm not letting Draven or anyone else stop me from coming back.
Taking a deep breath, I allow my shadows to push open the door. It groans in protest, but gives way, revealing the dimly lit space beyond. The scent of old paper and dust hits me immediately, heavy and familiar. The faint glow from the sconces along the walls casts an eerie light, and the rows of forgotten books stretch out in front of me, endless.
I step inside, the door clicking shut behind me with a soft thud. I scan the shelves, my fingers itching to pull something down, to uncover what's been left here for who knows how long. This place has secrets—secrets no one else at Hallowgate knows about, and that thought sends a thrill through me.
I run my fingers over the spines of the books as I walk, feeling the ridges and worn leather beneath my skin. Some of the titles are faded, illegible. Others are written in languages I don't recognize. I grab one at random, flipping through it, but it's filled with spells and runes that make my head spin. Not what I'm looking for.
Then something catches my eye. A small, unassuming book tucked between two larger tomes. It's plain, with a worn black cover and no title. I pull it out, surprised by how light it feels in my hands. It doesn't look like a spellbook or a textbook. I open it, and the first page reveals neat handwriting in faded ink.
Journal of Matthias Greer, Year One at Hallowgate Academy.
I blink, my heart skipping a beat. A journal? I glance around the room, as if expecting someone to stop me, but the library is silent, still. I sit down on the floor, my back against a shelf, and begin to read.
Entry One:
I can't believe I'm finally here. Hallowgate Academy. And in Blackthorn Hall, no less! This is everything I've ever dreamed of. The moment I walked through those gates, I knew my life would never be the same. The professors, the students, the halls filled with magic... it's like stepping into another world. I've been practicing my necromancy since I got here, and I already feel stronger. There's so much to learn, but I know I'm in the right place.
I smile to myself as I read the first entry. Matthias sounds excited, hopeful. Like how I felt before I realized just how overwhelming this place could be. But it's a relief to know someone else felt like this once, like they didn't quite belong but were determined to make it work.
I flip to the next page, curious to see how his time here unfolded.
Entry Six:
Necromancy is incredible. The power... it's unlike anything else. I can feel the energy of the dead, like they're whispering to me just below the surface. Some of the other students look at me strangely when I talk about it, but they don't understand. They don't know what it's like to command something so ancient, so primal. I've started exploring the older parts of Blackthorn Hall. There are places here that feel... different. Like the walls themselves are watching. But that's impossible, right?
