After some hours, we finally reached the Fervid Academy.
The sheer size of it made my heart skip a beat, and its elegance left me momentarily speechless. The high gates, the ornate spires, and the sprawling grounds looked like something out of a painting— an ideal blend of strength, prestige, and sophistication.
"It's beautiful," I muttered, my voice barely audible over the soft creaking of the carriage wheels.
"Glad you like it," Raye said beside me, a pleased expression hidden partially behind his mask, though the subtle tilt of his head and the way he shifted his stance made his satisfaction obvious.
Though his behavior seemed unusually composed and almost charmingly human in that moment, I didn't dwell too long on it— Raye was always a little strange in his own way.
"Lady Esmond, this way please," a staff member from the Academy called out, bowing slightly as he extended a hand to guide me.
The staff hesitated for a moment when he noticed Raye standing behind me. I could see the question in his eyes, as if silently asking why a masked stranger was accompanying a noble student.
But Raye simply gestured subtly, and almost immediately, the staff's expression changed to one of respect and courtesy. Whatever Raye did, it worked, but I didn't pry. He liked to keep certain things private, and I wasn't about to ask.
The staff led us through the polished hallways and into the waiting area where other newly admitted nobles had gathered. The polished floors reflected the grand chandeliers above, and the murmurs of the students buzzed in the air like electricity.
"Kyana!"
I turned at the familiar voice and saw Aviona Gytha, one of the few friends I had made over the years.
Relief and joy flared inside me, and I ran toward her. We collided in a warm hug, holding each other tightly for a brief moment.
"Are you okay? I heard you got attacked," Aviona asked, her concern evident.
I smiled softly, glancing at Raye standing quietly behind me.
"I'm fine. Raye helped me," I replied.
Aviona's eyes widened as she studied Raye for a moment, her curiosity evident. She leaned in slightly and whispered to me, "Who is he?"
"He's the one who saved me," I answered simply, keeping my tone casual.
"Why is he wearing a mask?" she asked, eyebrows furrowed in curiosity.
"I don't know. He doesn't take it off," I replied.
"And why is he here then?"
"He came with me," I answered, shrugging slightly.
"The staff let him in?"
"Strangely, yes," I replied, giving her a small smile.
Aviona bombarded me with questions, but I didn't mind. It felt good to speak with someone who genuinely cared about me, especially after the chaos I had gone through.
Raye, on the other hand, remained calm, observing the people around us with quiet detachment.
But just then—
"Umm, Sir Raye?" Aviona called out after a moment.
Raye looked at her, tilting his head slightly. "Yes?"
"I'm Aviona Gytha, second daughter of Duke Gytha, and a friend of Kyana," she said politely, offering her hand in introduction.
Raye glanced at her, a faint smile forming under his mask. "I'm Raye, Kyana's lov–"
"We're friends now!" I interjected quickly, cutting him off before he could say anything stupid.
I shot Raye a glare. 'He was about to say we're lovers!' I thought angrily.
Raye simply shrugged, unfazed, then turned to Aviona with composed elegance.
"I'm Raye. It's nice to meet you, Lady Aviona," he said smoothly, lifting her hand and pressing a courteous kiss to the back of it.
Aviona blushed slightly at the gesture. I frowned internally, feeling a mixture of irritation and disbelief. Just like before, Raye exuded a presence so refined that heads turned and attention shifted toward him.
I noticed several girls glancing at him with evident admiration, even without seeing his full face.
'What's wrong with them? They can't even see his face,' I wondered inwardly.
At that moment...
"Oh, who do we have here?" a familiar, unwelcome voice called out.
Turning my head, I saw Gibson Stithulf, second son of Duke Stithulf—
And the man I was certain orchestrated the attack against me. My stomach churned at the sight of him.
"I heard you got attacked by about twenty bandits," Gibson said with a cunning smile, his words carrying a deliberate undertone.
'This bastard...' I thought, understanding instantly.
It wasn't public knowledge how many attacked me, yet he referenced it. He was indirectly boasting about his involvement.
Despite us being children of dukes, my status as an illegitimate child fueled his disdain, and his expression made it clear.
I didn't do anything to earn his hate— he simply didn't like my existence.
"Hey, go away. You're disgusting!" Aviona shouted, stepping in to shield me.
"Why are you protecting that illegitimate child?" Gibson scoffed.
"Are you stupid, Aviona?" he added, provoking laughter from nearby students.
"You piece of shit," Aviona muttered through gritted teeth.
"I'm surprised you made it here. Did you use your body to get admitted here? That's the only thing that's good about you," Gibson sneered at me, laughter echoing from the group behind him.
My hands clenched at my sides, my body trembling slightly. I bit my lips in frustration.
Then, at that moment—
"I remember everyone that laughed."
A threatening voice came from behind me.
I turned slowly, my heart pounding. And there—
TAP-
Raye stood, bloodshot eyes burning with barely contained rage. His hands and teeth were clenched, veins on his neck protruding ominously.
Raye stepped past me, ignoring my desperate call.
"Raye, no!" I shouted, but he didn't flinch.
Stopping just a few steps from Gibson, Raye's presence alone silenced the room.
"Huh? Who are you supposed to be?" Gibson sneered.
"I'm Raye, and I ask you for a duel," Raye replied calmly, though his aura of lethal intensity was unmistakable.
Laughter erupted around him. Gibson, a well-known genius swordsman, was clearly amused by the audacity.
"HAHAHAHA! Did you become stupid just by being near that illegitimate?!" he exclaimed. The students behind him joined in, laughing cruelly.
Raye's anger flared.
Fwip-
He removed one of his gloves, covering it with his aura...
FWOOSH—
Then he hurled it at Gibson with terrifying speed! The wind roared as the glove cut through the air—
BAM!
And it hit Gibson squarely in the face!
B O O M-!
The impact sent him flying backward, and the students laughing behind him were swept away by the force. Walls cracked and debris scattered as Gibson was slammed there.
"Huh...?"
"..."
The room shook. It fell silent all around.
"I said, I ask you for a duel, bitch," Raye muttered, voice low and dangerous.
Gibson and the other students were already unconscious.
A clear hand-shaped mark marred Gibson's face, leaving no doubt about the power behind the attack.
The ridicule toward Raye had shifted instantly, replaced by fear and awe.
"..."
Students who had mocked him now looked away, trembling like idiots.