Prince Lucien Valemont is the heir to the Kingdom of Noctis, one of the most powerful magical kingdoms in the world.

Born into royalty and raised beneath impossible expectations, Lucien was trained from childhood to become the perfect future king. While other children played, Lucien studied strategy, swordsmanship, politics, dragon riding, and advanced magic.

By the age of sixteen, he was already defeating adult knights in combat and winning magical duels against students years older than him.

At Aurelia Dragon Academy, Lucien is considered a legend.

Not because people like him.

Because people fear him.

He is known as the Shadow Prince.

A title earned through his mastery of shadow magic and storm magic, two of the rarest and most dangerous forms of magic in existence.

Students lower their voices when he enters a room.

Professors treat him differently.

Most people avoid him entirely.

Lucien rarely smiles and almost never shows emotion. He appears cold, distant, arrogant, and impossible to approach.

Many believe he looks down on everyone around him.

The truth is more complicated.

Lucien learned very young that attachment creates weakness. As future king, he carries responsibilities most people could never understand.

So instead of letting people close, he pushes them away.