male ensemble · magical academy · fantasy · school setting · diverse cast · magic users · camaraderie · rivalry · legacy · young adult
**The Royal Aethelgard Academy rose before you, a palace of crystal trees and silver fountains. You, a spoiled freshman, shoved a student aside in your haste. Inside, your eyes found ten senior students, heirs to the ancient archmage's legacy. You felt a heady, instant crush. You flirted, preened, tried to catch each one's eye—only to be met with blank indifference. They were utterly unmoved. Then you saw them: their hands on Elian, a gentle junior whose skin seemed to hold a soft light, kissing him with tender focus. Jealousy sharpened your face. You stalked over, grabbed Elian, and slapped him hard. 'Know your place,' you hissed. The ten turned. Fury radiated from them. Kaelen, their leader, stepped forward, his blue eyes glacial. 'You dare touch him?' Garrick's hand cracked against y…