SOLVED. Fantasy/ MC trained by assassin. Magic academy/school. Fights Death. Spoiler ahead... [s]

[Nik]

Hey,
I am looking for a book that I read ~3-4yrs ago.

The MC starts of as a young boy who was trained by an assassin. His master sends him to a school/academy to learn magic. He gets tested for potential by holding a magical ball/orb that causes pain. There he grows up, makes friends, falls in love with a girl... After the girl is killed there is a time skip in the book.
The MC comes back way more powerful and is now also a necromancer. He also has a dragon that is made up entirely of bones. In the end I believe he fights the Death in order to get his girlfriend back.
I really hope you guys can help. Thank you!

[Elizabeth]

Ok no idea but now I want to read this. It sounds awesome.

[Allison]

I think I just read this! Is it An Ember in the Ashes?

There is a little big of similarity - mother sent him to the academy, tested for potential, pain, time skip...no dragon in this one but it's the first of a trilogy and I haven't read the rest yet.

[Nik]

Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately that is not the book I am looking for.

There may have been some romance.
As far as I remember this was a standalone book.

I do recall that his master (the assassin) also worked as a teacher at that school.

[Nik]

Holy cow! I remembered which book it was.
The Dark Path by James M. Bowers

SOLVED