The Academy of Magic is an elite institution located in the Kingdom of Ithaka, where only those born with magic are permitted to attend.
The Academy of Magic is the leading institution for magical education in the Kingdom of Ithaka, located in the southern region of the kingdom within the Lost Forest. Only mages are permitted to attend, and enrollment is required for those seeking formal training in advanced magic.
The Academy is led by Headmaster Whitefang and offers a structured curriculum covering a wide range of magical disciplines, including Battle Magic, Charm Cards, and Alchemy. Every student receives their grimoire at the Academy, a vital weapon that provides new incantations and spells. Without a grimoire, a mage cannot advance their studies or fully control their magic.
The Academy is divided into four primary residences, known as Houses, which are positioned at the cardinal points of the grounds. House Boros, in the north, is known for its strong stone architecture and is home to disciplined, resilient mages. House Notos, in the south, is known for its warm, flame-lit halls and emphasis on adaptability and knowledge. House Euros, in the east, is built with towering spires and represents renewal and progress. House Zophos, in the west, is constructed into the landscape and associated with deep study and exploration of magical theory.
The Academy’s design reflects a long history of magical tradition, and many believe it holds hidden knowledge within its archives and structures.
Some students claim that standing at the precise center of the grounds allows them to feel the convergence of the four winds, though this remains unverified.
***This section contains spoilers for Book 1: Academy of Villains***
The Grimoire Selection Ceremony is a formal ritual at the Academy of Magic, where new students receive their grimoires based on their magical affinity. It takes place within an ancient coliseum at midnight, under the supervision of Professor Gorgon.
The ceremony is centered around thirteen towering pillars of runestone, each attuned to different types of magic. When a student steps onto the platform, their latent magic manifests, guiding them toward the corresponding pillar. The runestone glows in response, and from this connection, a grimoire materializes, binding itself to the mage. The selection is irreversible, marking the student’s official entry into their magical discipline.
For most, the process follows a predictable pattern. However, anomalies are rare and significant. Kiara’s selection was unprecedented, as her magic activated a pillar that had not glowed in centuries, revealing her to be a Starmage.
The Stone Gate was discovered beneath the Academy of Magic by Kiara, a newly identified Starmage, after she unknowingly activated a hidden passageway. Located deep within an underground chamber, the gate is part of an ancient structure predating the academy itself. The passage leading to it is marked by intricate carvings and statues of warriors, all bearing the eight-pointed star, an emblem also found on Kiara’s grimoire. The chamber exudes an ancient and residual magic, suggesting that the gate may have once served a significant purpose tied to the lost history of Starmages.
The Academy of Magic is steeped in mystery and ancient enchantments, many of which remain unsolved to this day.
The Academy is protected by powerful, unknown wards that prevent the King of Ithaka and his forces from entering. No one knows who originally set these wards or why, but they remain unbreakable.
The halls and chambers of the Academy are illuminated by floating magelights, orbs of magical energy that drift through the air. These magelights are drawn to the strongest mages, often hovering near them or trailing behind them as if recognizing their power.
The architecture of the Academy seems to change at will. Hallways occasionally shift, leading students in unexpected directions. Some believe the Academy itself is sentient, while others think this is the result of unstable magic.
The Academy is shrouded in speculation. Countless rumors speak of secret locations, forgotten magical objects, and lost knowledge buried within its walls. While some secrets have been uncovered, many mysteries remain unsolved.
Occasionally, students receive mysterious enchanted scrolls that appear in floating magical bubbles. These scrolls contain rumors, secrets, and gossip circulating within the Academy. No one knows who sends them, but each is signed simply as “The Messenger.” Some believe The Messenger is a student, while others suspect a faculty member could be involved. Regardless, the arrival of a new scroll is always a source of excitement, drama, and sometimes fear.
Notable characters attending or living at the Academy of Magic:
The four Houses of the Academy of Magic are inspired by the four wind gods of Greek mythology, known as the Anemoi. Each House reflects the traits associated with its respective wind god:
In ancient Greece, the winds were believed to be divine forces that influenced the weather, seasons, and even fate. Sailors, farmers, and oracles often relied on the winds for guidance, and they were commonly depicted in myths as personified gods or winged spirits. Their importance extended beyond weather, with each wind carrying symbolic meaning related to life, death, change, and renewal.
Greek mythology frequently depicts mortals being chosen or marked by the gods, often through omens, divine trials, or supernatural signs. The Oracle of Delphi’s pronouncements could declare a hero’s fate, while individuals like Achilles and Heracles were gifted or cursed from birth. This mirrors how mages in Academy of Villains undergo a selection process, where their latent magic is revealed, binding them to a grimoire that determines their magical path.