The next morning, the academy courtyard was alive with whispers.
"Did you see him yesterday?"
"A commoner… he passed the Hall of Echoes?"
"He didn't even flinch. I—don't—understand."
Nobles in silver and gold uniforms narrowed their eyes as I walked past. My cloak barely moved in the wind, but somehow, it drew more attention than their gilded crests.
I had no intention of making friends. But for some reason, they wanted to test me.
"Hey, commoner!" a tall boy with spiky blond hair and a jeweled rapier sneered.
"You think passing the first test makes you something?"
I smiled. Just… smiled.
He stepped closer. "Answer me, what's your name?"
"Does it matter?" I said lightly, hands in my pockets.
The boy's face twitched. Good. Fear is subtle—let them panic on their own.
Another noble, a girl with long violet hair and a glare sharp enough to cut glass, joined in. "We're going to see if you're truly worthy, little commoner. The academy doesn't forgive arrogance."
I tilted my head. "Arrogance… is only dangerous if you're afraid of the truth."
The Duel That Wasn't
They challenged me to a duel.
A public duel—an open field, dozens of nobles watching.
I didn't draw a sword.
I didn't cast a spell.
I simply walked forward.
The boy lunged with his rapier. I sidestepped… without even looking at him.
The blade passed where I had been.
I smiled again. Calm, almost bored.
He stumbled, fell flat on his face. The crowd gasped.
Then the girl tried to strike from above with a magic-infused dagger.
I… waved my hand. Not much, really. Just a flick.
Her dagger spun in midair like caught in a wind tunnel, and she collapsed, stunned.
A ripple of shock passed through the nobles.
"Impossible… he's not even showing his strength!"
Exactly. I wasn't.
Aren Watches
From the sidelines, Aren Valen clenched his fists.
"You're… terrifying," he muttered under his breath.
I glanced at him and winked.
"Relax," I said. "I only break things if they threaten the story."
He blinked, confusion flashing across his sharp eyes.
"You… understand that?"
I shrugged. "Someone has to make sure you shine."
He laughed nervously. "You're… weird."
"Compliment taken," I said.
Aftermath
By the end of the day:
The nobles whispered behind trembling hands
Some plotted revenge
Others avoided me entirely
I walked through the academy as if it were empty
The rumor mill had already crowned me "The Smiling Commoner".
It sounded funny, even to me.
But tonight, in the shadows of the academy walls, something stirred.
Ancient magic that hadn't been awakened for centuries.
A presence older than the academy itself.
A thing that sensed my strength and did not approve.
And the academy… was about to get much darker.
Chapter 2