After entering the grand dining room, Baldwin and Athan were greeted by the presence of seven individuals—but notably, Sterling was absent.
Maids glided silently through the room, setting dishes upon the long table. A golden candelabra stood proudly at the center, casting warm light that shimmered across polished silverware. The room exuded an air of royalty, though subtle imperfections betrayed that it wasn't the domain of true nobility.
"Welcome, Baldwin and Athan. We're honored to have you," said a man dressed in an immaculate white suit, stationed at the head of the table.
Baldwin's gaze sharpened. Athan, too, had already sensed it.
There was a trap here.
"It's not like we had much of a choice," Athan said flatly, pulling out a chair and sitting down with casual defiance.
"It's not like we had a choice in the first place," Athan replied bluntly, pulling out a chair and sitting down with casual defiance.
"How odd. I wasn't aware you were forced to be here," said a woman in a purple-and-black gown, adjusting her glasses as sarcasm laced her tone.
"Ever heard of an indirect threat, miss?" Athan replied coolly, not even glancing her way.
The woman's smile faltered. "And what, exactly, am I supposed to do with someone like you?"
"Haha... provoking guests during dinner? How cultured," Athan muttered with a low chuckle. "Who's lacking manners now?"
Her chair scraped sharply against the floor as she stood. "What did you just say?!"
"Now, now," the man in the white suit interjected smoothly, "let's not quarrel with commoners who clearly don't understand the kindness being shown to them."
Baldwin's eyes flicked toward him. "Is that supposed to be an insult? Nobles tend to be the most practiced liars of all."
"Hey, kid," growled a man with fiery red hair from across the table, his voice sharp. "You've been running your mouth for a while now. Don't you think it's time you shut it?"
"I'd suggest you say that to the ones who provoked us first," Athan replied coolly.
"Enough, Athan," Baldwin said, rising with quiet authority. "These so-called nobles clearly lack the manners expected at a proper dinner. They tested us the moment we walked in."
Athan smirked. "Speaking of true low-lives."
They began walking toward the exit when a voice rang out behind them.
"You two should understand the consequences of defying nobles."
They ignored it—until the air thickened with pressure. A gravity spell.
Baldwin turned slowly, eyes glowing crimson.
"Wha—? The spell isn't working?!" the man in the white suit stammered.
"Athan, care to explain?" Baldwin asked, his voice calm.
"Looks like they tried to bring us to our knees. Seems they thought we were bluffing," Athan replied dryly.
Time to let the 'hero' speak, Baldwin mused.
"If it fails, just add more pressure!" the woman in purple snapped.
The weight in the air doubled—yet Baldwin and Athan remained motionless.
"Is this the extent of your noble power?" Baldwin asked coldly.
"Just wait—!" another noble barked.
"If this is your might, no wonder your enemies walk through your lands unchecked," Baldwin muttered.
From his shadow, a glowing red sword rose.
Athan leaned in, whispering, "You sure this is still part of a test? What if we're actually supposed to kill them?"
"Relax. The headmaster's watching. Likely enjoying the show. He'll answer for this someday." Baldwin's voice was low, yet sharp.
"You dare to draw a weapon before nobles?!" one of them cried.
"Justice doesn't bow to titles. And what you've done here? It's nothing but bullying," Baldwin responded coldly.
The man in white began tracing runes. A fireball surged forth. Baldwin swung his sword—the blade extended, cleaving it in half. The fire exploded midair, reducing the table to splinters.
"Tch. Waste of food," Baldwin muttered. From his shadow, a red-and-black book rose—Inkbound.
So the test has begun, the book echoed in Baldwin's mind. What do you wish to display?
"What can you offer?" Baldwin asked silently.
Copy and reflect magic attacks. Shall I?
"Do it."
Now armed with both sword and spellbook, Baldwin stood, composed.
"Still time left to surrender," the woman sneered.
"Seven nobles against two students. What nobility," Baldwin said with a half-smile. "A real shame."
"You need a proper lesson!" she yelled.
"Don't lump me into this!" the red-haired man protested.
The pressure from the gravity spell intensified.
"Yawn. Getting dull now," Baldwin said.
Inkbound opened. Its blank pages turned crimson, glowing with magic. Suddenly, the pressure lifted from Baldwin and Athan—then crashed down on the nobles.
They collapsed instantly—even the red-haired one.
"H-How… is that… possible?!" the woman gasped.
"I told you, I'm not involved!" the redhead wheezed.
"Punishment for wasting food. You'll be getting more soon," Baldwin said coldly.
The gravity deepened. Blood trickled from their lips. Eyes bulged under the crushing weight.
"This is for every time you trampled others with your titles," Baldwin growled.
The doors burst open.
"Stop, Baldwin! You'll kill them!" Sterling barked.
"Oh, Headmaster Sterling. Just in time. So… did we pass your little test?" Baldwin asked with a smile, calm and deadly.
"Yes—yes! Now release them!" Sterling shouted.
"Very well," Baldwin said.
Inkbound closed. The pressure lifted. The nobles collapsed, gasping, some struggling to crawl back to their seats.
Sterling stepped forward, healing their wounds with a wave of his staff.
Baldwin and Athan walked back to the wrecked table and sat as if nothing had happened.
Sterling joined them, his face stern.
"I'm deeply disappointed in all of you. The test was meant to begin after dinner—and in the training hall."
"But sir, they—" the white-suited man began.
"Silence!" Sterling snapped.
"Master, they're monsters!" the woman in purple protested.
"Monsters? You fool. He wields the Holy Sword!" Sterling roared.
"That's… impossible," the red-haired man said, stunned.
"What now? Going to claim they stole it?" Sterling sneered. "Do you know who last wielded that blade? Kamata. No one has been able to lift it since."
"Actually, Kamata gave it to me," Baldwin said flatly.
Sterling exhaled. "My deepest apologies, Baldwin. Athan."
"It's fine. We figured it was part of the test," Baldwin said. Athan nodded beside him.
"Then let's continue," Sterling said. "Let me introduce the staff."
He gestured toward the woman in glasses. "Rowan Sterling."
Athan thought: So she's the annoying one.
"Edward Sterling."
Ah, the noisy one, Athan mused again.
"Lysander Shadowbrook."
The coward who tried to bail, Baldwin noted silently.
"Birch Willow," Sterling continued.
Gravity user, Baldwin remembered.
"And finally, Bren Crypt, Orin Deepwind, Kazimir Kamin. These seven are the Sub-Masters of the academy."
He looked at the nobles. "And these are Baldwin and Athan, personally recommended by Lucas Whitecat."
The room murmured with recognition.
So Lucas was a big deal here too, Baldwin thought.
"After dinner, we'll discuss your curriculum. You'll be placed in the special track."
A head maid entered, casting restoration magic. The table and dishes reformed instantly.
Even the maid can use magic? Baldwin noted.
Before the dinner resumed, Baldwin rose.
"Headmaster Sterling, I'd prefer to join the normal course, not the special track."
Sterling raised a brow, then nodded. "If that is your wish. For now, let us eat."
And so they did—with silver spoons and silent daggers. A quiet war beneath a civil feast.
After the night's incident, Baldwin and Athan gathered at the academy grounds once more.
As they walked through the courtyard, a sudden bump jolted the air. A younger student collided with Baldwin and tumbled to the ground, while Baldwin remained unmoved, calmly staring down at him.
"You! Are you blind?!" the boy snapped, rising to his feet. His hair was blonde, and his skin had a golden tint that gave him an already dangerous aura.
"No," Baldwin replied coolly, "I have better eyes than you, young man."
"We are two, and you are one," Athan added, stepping beside Baldwin. "Shouldn't you consider leaving before this gets ugly?"
"Don't make me laugh!" the boy snarled. "Two against one? You think I'm weak?"
"We thought you might be strong," Baldwin said, his tone unreadable. "But clearly, you're just loud."
"I challenge you to a mock duel!" the boy declared, fire in his voice.
"You seem confident," Athan said with a faint smirk. "Humans are such fragile creations."
The boy's eyes narrowed. "I'm Julius. And you talk as if you're not human yourselves. But it doesn't matter. You can't run from this now. Accept the challenge."
"We weren't planning to run," Baldwin said, cracking his neck slightly. "In fact, I've been meaning to test my hand today."
A hush fell across the courtyard as students nearby turned their heads. Mumbles rose like whispers on the wind—Baldwin and Athan caught every word with their sharp senses.
"It's Julius!"
"He's challenging the new students?"
"Poor newbies... they're done for."
Baldwin glanced toward Julius. "You seem to carry some reputation. Fine, where shall we settle this?"
"Stadium!" Julius barked. "Follow me."
Baldwin grinned. Athan's eyes glimmered red with anticipation.
They followed the boy in silence.
"This is going to be fun," Baldwin muttered.