MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: The Veiled Hands: Aetheris Academy’s Shadow Syndicate
Beneath the grand halls and polished corridors of Aetheris Academy, hidden in the cracks of noble politics and ruthless power struggles, lies The Veiled Hands—a faction feared, whispered about, but never openly acknowledged.
Who Are the Veiled Hands?
The Veiled Hands are Aetheris's most elusive underground organization.
Neither fully criminal nor entirely noble, they operate in the shadows, pulling strings that even the academy's ruling elite fail to see.
Their motto?
"Influence unseen is power absolute."
Their members?
A mix of disowned nobles, rogue scholars, assassins, spies, and outcasts—all bound together by one belief:
The academy's true power belongs not to those who wear crowns, but to those who know how to move the pieces.
Origins and Purpose
Rumors swirl about how the Veiled Hands first formed.
Some say they were once a secret order of exiled students who survived Aetheris's brutal purges and built a hidden network to control the academy from the shadows.
Others claim they are older than Aetheris itself, an ancient force that ensures the academy never falls into the hands of just one ruling family.
Regardless of their origins, one truth remains:
They are untouchable.
Untraceable.
And absolutely deadly.
Hierarchy and Structure
The Veiled Hands are organized into a tiered structure:
The Veil – The topmost tier. Few know their identities. They issue commands, shape alliances, and decide who lives and who disappears.
The Cloaks – The lieutenants and enforcers. They manage the day-to-day dealings, from blackmail and bribery to assassinations and sabotage.
The Silken Blades – The operatives. They carry out missions in secrecy, gathering intelligence, eliminating threats, and planting deception where needed.
The Shadows – The initiates, newly recruited but closely watched. Some rise. Some vanish. Those who fail the tests… are never seen again.
To be recruited by the Veiled Hands is both an honor and a curse.
You gain power. Connections. Access to secrets others would kill for.
But you also become a pawn in a game you may never understand.
Their Role in Aetheris Academy
The Veiled Hands do not fight for the academy's official rulers.
They fight for balance—ensuring that no single noble house, no council member, and no rogue faction grows too powerful.
They whisper in the ears of professors.
They plant rumors that topple reputations.
They orchestrate accidents that look like fate.
And when necessary…
They remove threats permanently.