The Ashen Path

Abandoned as a baby and raised in the harshest streets of a city that shunned him, Elias has known nothing but poverty, pain, and survival. With no talent for magic or swordsmanship, he ekes out a miserable existence as a pickpocket, enduring the scorn and cruelty of those around him. But when he is beaten within an inch of his life and left to die, a mysterious old man intervenes, sacrificing himself to grant Elias a second chance—a chance to unlock a hidden power within him.As Elias grapples with the newfound magic coursing through his veins, he quickly realizes that this gift is more curse than blessing. The magic is wild, untamed, and dangerous, and it’s only a matter of time before it consumes him entirely. Desperate for answers, Elias sets out on a perilous journey to the Academy, the seat of magical knowledge, where he hopes to find the key to mastering his power.But the path ahead is fraught with danger, and Elias is not the only one interested in the mysterious power he now possesses. Dark forces are at work, and secrets from his forgotten past begin to surface. As he delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding his abilities, Elias will discover that his fate is tied to something far greater—and far more dangerous—than he could ever have imagined.