CHAPTER 71: First Duel in Academy.
The moment Aiden and Aaron stepped into the cafeteria, a figure rushed toward them as if she had been waiting the entire night.
It was Victoria.
Her hair was slightly messy, and her eyes were swollen from a lack of sleep. She had been worried sick—she hadn't rested until Victor informed her Aiden was safe. She had arrived early, just to see him with her own eyes.
She stopped right in front of him and almost yelled, voice trembling, "Are you alright? Where were you yesterday? We searched the entire academy for you!"
But Aiden, cold as winter frost, didn't speak. He simply walked past her as if she were a gust of wind brushing against him.
Victoria felt her heart twist. A mixture of anger, disappointment, and sadness swelled inside her. Even after everything, even after she stayed awake worrying about him… he treated her the same way as before.
Aaron saw this as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and said to her. "Don't worry. He's fine. I'll tell you everything that happened later."
Victoria lowered her head, biting her lip. She thought for a second and then nodded.
The three of them quietly collected their food and began to eat it.
A short moment later, Olivia arrived with her tray. She sat beside Victoria, took one look at Aiden, and narrowed her eyes as she asked.
"So you're completely fine? Where exactly were you yesterday?" Her tone wasn't concerned—only curious.
Aiden didn't answer. He continued eating with the same indifferent, emotionless expression on his face.
"Tch. Still cold as always." Olivia scoffed as she began eating her food.
Aiden finished his food silently and stood up. He had no interest in their questions. What mattered now was the practical class—today, they would be learning how to fight. Today, all the students would duel each other.
He wanted to see for himself how strong the so-called noble children really were and how challenging it would be for him to fight them only using stage 1 mana spells.
As he left, Victoria and Olivia instantly grabbed Aaron and pulled him aside. They wanted to know where Aiden had been.
Victoria spoke first, eyes sharp, as she asked, "Tell me where he was yesterday. Why did he disappear?"
Olivia also added, "Hurry. Our classes are about to start."
Aaron sighed. He knew he couldn't hide anything—not from these two. He braced himself and said,
"You two should've heard the rumor… about the principal adopting Julian."
Both girls nodded simultaneously. Victoria had dismissed it as nonsense, but she still knew of it. It had spread like wildfire through the academy. While Olivia had heard about it, she was just curious to know if it was true or not.
Aaron continued speaking, "I asked Julian about it. He said it's true."
The moment both girls heard this, they suddenly froze.
Victoria felt as if the ground beneath her shook. Julian—Aiden—had lived with them for a month. He hadn't known William before joining the academy. So how could he possibly be adopted by the principal?
Aaron kept speaking, "The principal gave him a private training room. He spent the entire day training there."
This time, both girls' eyes widened. Both of them knew what a private training room was and how hard it was to get even for a high noble family.
A private training room was something even nobles couldn't acquire easily. This year, only the Draconia family bought one—for Joshua. And now the principal granted one to Aiden personally.
That meant William wasn't treating Aiden as a student.
He was treating him as a son.
Olivia whispered to herself, as she was completely stunned, "A private room… He's already stronger than everyone. If he trains every day in there… how am I supposed to catch up to him?"
Victoria also murmured to herself, "This… shouldn't be possible… How could this even be possible?"
While they were drowning in shock, Aiden walked through the academy corridors, students passing by him like shadows. His mind was focused entirely on maintaining his breathing technique as he moved.
When he reached the training ground, several students were already gathered—including Ian Pavlov, who stared directly at him.
Olivia arrived moments later and glanced at Aiden with a confused expression on her face.
Soon, Logan stepped inside, maroon robe flowing with his stride.
He scanned the class and spoke loudly, "Today's class is the practical class of fire mana, so all of you will duel each other. I will analyze your strengths and weaknesses and then tell you how to improve them."
He took a breath and then asked ."Who wants to go first?"
Without hesitation, Ian raised his hand and said, "Professor, I want to go first."
Logan nodded and asked. "Then who do you want to fight?"
Ian turned immediately toward Aiden, pointed, and declared, "I choose Julian Cross as my opponent."
All the students in the class suddenly erupted in whispers. No one wanted to fight Aiden because they all knew how strong Aiden was—yet Ian had voluntarily chosen Aiden for a duel.
Logan's eyes gleamed in interest as he turned toward Aiden and asked. "Julian, do you accept his challenge?"
Aiden only nodded. Then Logan said in a loud voice.
"All of you, back away," Logan then ordered. "You two, step to the center."
The crowd retreated while Aiden and Ian walked to the middle.
Ian offered a respectful smile as he said. "I look forward to a good duel."
Aiden gave a silent nod.
Logan then raised his hand as he said in a loud voice ."Begin."
The moment the word left his mouth, Ian vanished.
Using Burst, he appeared behind Aiden, a blazing fire blade in his hand, as it was slicing toward Aiden's back with great speed.
But suddenly, a blazing wall of fire erupted instantly between them, stopping the attack completely.
Ian's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't even see the casting. This casting speed was far superior to anything he had ever seen in his life.
He moved again, teleporting in front of Aiden, slashing at his chest. This time, Aiden didn't conjure anything—he simply sidestepped effortlessly, dodging the attack.
Ian attacked again. And again. And again.
Aiden dodged every single strike easily; every movement of his was fluid, precise, almost playful.
The students watching felt a chill run down their spines.
To them, it looked like Aiden was toying with him.
Frustration began to crack Ian's composure. He suddenly stopped mid-attack and roared, "Why are you disrespecting me!? If all you want is to dodge, then stop this duel! I gave this fight my all, so stop making a fool out of me!"
Aiden paused for a moment as he thought about Ian's words.
He then realized Ian was right.
Ian had fought him seriously. Aiden had been holding back. This was clearly disrespectful to him because he was giving his all.
A fire blade formed in Aiden's hand, blazing with intent. He shifted into a fighting stance. He was now going to fight seriously without holding back.
Ian exhaled and mirrored him. "Thank you."
But before the words could finish, Aiden had already vanished.
He appeared beside Ian in a blur, fire blade inches away from Ian's neck. Ian couldn't react in time. But at the last moment, when the blade was about to land on Ian's neck, Aiden halted the blade.
Ian's eyes widened— he was just about to say something, but.
Then Aiden's fist crashed straight into his face.
Ian was sent flying to the ground with full force.
Aiden vanished again, appearing behind him, delivering a kick that sent him skidding across the ground.
Again, Aiden vanished and launched an attack on Ian.
It happened again and again.
Each strike was precise, controlled, but devastating.
Aiden appeared one more time, as he fist raised to land another blow—
But his wrist was suddenly caught. Aiden looked to the side as he saw a figure standing there. It was Logan.
Logan stood there, having stopped him from attacking any further.
Logan then announced in a loud voice. "The duel is over. The winner is: Julian Cross."
He then turned to Ian, who was bruised but conscious asked. "Are you alright?"
Ian wiped the blood from his lip and smiled weakly, "I'm fine… just a few small injuries."
Then he looked at Aiden with genuine admiration and said.
"Thank you for fighting me seriously."
Aiden heard this as he nodded.
And every student watching now understood one thing—
Aiden Cross wasn't just strong. He was far stronger than any of them.
He was on a level they could not even reach. He was in a league of his own.
Author's Note: Aiden had his first duel with Ian, but this only marks the beginning of many future fights and duels in the academy. While Aiden gets stronger every day, those who are with him or against him also begin to get stronger. Stay tuned for more.