Page 70 of Academy of the Wicked, Year One

I wasn’t expecting him to sense it, especially from this distance, but it leaves me curious to wonder why that is. Why do the three of them sense the pulsations of a mark that’s not on their own bodies?

Is it because of their connection with one another? Their rooted friendship is probably centuries old. I can only wonder if Mortimer is a part of that equation.

I haven’t seen him around, but I can only assume he’s contributing to his own set of duties as one of the Seven.Contributing to this mastermind of a game plan that’s about to unravel before our eyes.

And hopefully not kill us…

Around me, students gather in tight clusters, their voices carrying on the wind as they discuss the Seven — those mysterious figures who hold our fates in their hands.

"Professor Mortimer Kaine," one student recites, his voice carrying equal parts fear and respect. "Master of Death Magic and Necromantic Arts. They say he can resurrect the dead without the usual limitations. No decay, no mindless servitude. True resurrection."

Another student nods eagerly.

"But that's nothing compared to Professor Thaddeus Blackthorn. His mastery of Blood Magic goes beyond simple manipulation. He can literally rewrite a being's entire bloodline, changing their inheritance of power at its source."

"What about Professor Lilith Shadowmend?" a third student joins in. "Her Void Manipulation abilities are legendary. She can create and collapse entire pocket dimensions on a whim."

The names of the Seven flow through the crowd like dark honey, each one carrying its own weight of power and implications.

"Professor Xavier Mindweaver," someone behind me whispers. "They say his Mind Arts can break the strongest psychic barriers, reshape memories as easily as molding clay. Even the other professors fear his abilities."

"And Professor Helena Fleshcraft," another adds with a shudder. "Her experiments in biological transformation... I heard she once turned an entire class into living art pieces because they failed to appreciate the complexity of cellular manipulation properly."

The wind carries more whispers and more details about these beings of immense power who guide our education with iron fists and unfathomable knowledge.

"Professor Dmitri Chaosborn," comes another voice. "Master of Pure Chaos itself. No one knows his true form anymore — he exists in a constant state of probability and possibility."

Each name adds another layer to the mystique surrounding the Seven, but it's the last member that draws the most intense discussions.

"The Headmaster chose each of them personally," a student near me explains. "Each one represents a different aspect of forbidden knowledge. But Professor Astrid Eternalis...she's different."

Eternalis…like the flower I manifested in Damien’s room?

"Different how?" I find myself asking, drawn into the conversation despite my better judgment.

The student glances around nervously before continuing.

"She's the only one who mastersallsix disciplines. Death Magic, Blood Magic, Void Manipulation, Mind Arts, Flesh Crafting, and Pure Chaos — she can wield them all. Some say she's the Headmaster's true heir, chosen to carry on their legacy of power and pain."

The information settles heavily in my mind. Seven professors, each wielding power that shouldn't exist in our realm. Each one is chosen for their mastery of arts that most consider too dangerous to even study.

“But I thought Wicked Academy can’t have female professors.”

“Remember, they’re not professors,” one of the students speaks up in a matter-of-fact tone. “They’re “The Seven”. They’re like untouchable beings when you think about it. It’s a blessing if one even looks your way, let alone speak to you.”

They’re regarded that highly…

Mortimer's earlier behavior takes on new meaning in this context. As one of the Seven, his interest in my unique situation might go deeper than simple curiosity.

"But why seven?" I ask, careful to keep my deep voice appropriately masculine despite my growing unease. "Why not six to match the disciplines, or eight for symmetry?"

The question sparks a new round of whispered theories.

"They say seven is the number of perfect power," one student offers. "The point where magic becomes unstable if you add more, unusable if you subtract any."

"No, it's because of the original betrayal," another counters, and suddenly the conversation shifts from the Seven to the dark history that spawned their creation.

The wind carries more whispers now, darker ones about the academy's origins. About the Headmaster's lost child and the woman who allegedly betrayed them.

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