ETCHWAKE

Three months after a Quilston field expedition ended in disaster, Noah's family still has no answer about what happened to his sister, Noemi. Quilston never declared her dead or gave the Marfells a clear answer. The Academy can explain the expedition: an abnormal rise in Aberrants turned it deadly. What it cannot explain is what became of Noemi. Her belongings are still at Quilston, and what happened to her has never been formally resolved. So Noah enrolls. He isn't chasing heroism or power, and he isn't a detective. When Quilston won't answer him, he learns its rules, tests their limits, and looks for the gaps they leave behind. At Quilston, magic has rules, access has limits, and knowledge depends on who you are. The more Noah learns how those systems work, the harder it becomes to believe the gaps around Noemi are simply unfinished business. At least, that's where it begins. The mystery is slow-burn, but it never stands still. First, Noah will have to learn where the truth is allowed to exist. A note on Noah: he's hard to read, especially at first. He keeps most of what he feels tightly contained. What to Expect:  A long-form fantasy mystery rooted in dark academia, with investigation at its core Rules-driven magic, academy training, fieldwork, Aberrants, and dangerous combat A slow-burn mystery where clues, discoveries, and consequences accumulate over time No LitRPG, levels, stat screens, or numerical power ladder English isn't my first language. ETCHWAKE is translated and revised from my original-language manuscript before publication.  If you spot any awkward phrasing or typos, corrections are always welcome.