The Imperial Arcane Academy had a reputation.
A terrifying one.
A place where geniuses were forged, monsters were born, and weaklings were crushed.
Lucien Vale was starting to think that reputation was a lie.
Because right now—
The academy felt like a disaster waiting to laugh.
MORNING ROLL CALL — DISASTER #1
Professor Caldreth adjusted his glasses, staring at the attendance list.
"Lucien Vale."
"Present and emotionally prepared," Lucien replied.
"…Just say present."
Lucien nodded seriously.
"Present."
"Brom Ironvein."
Brom slammed his fist into the desk.
"HERE!"
Several desks shook.
Caldreth sighed.
"…Please do not assault the furniture."
"It looked at me funny," Brom muttered.
"Elarion Sylvaris."
"…Present."
"Kael Dravaryn."
Kael didn't answer.
Caldreth frowned.
"Kael Dravaryn?"
Lucien leaned over.
"He's present in spirit," Lucien said. "Physically brooding."
Kael glared.
Caldreth rubbed his temples.
"…Why is this my class?"
LUNCH — DISASTER #2
The cafeteria buzzed with noise.
Lucien sat in the center of the table like a self-appointed leader.
"Alright," he announced, pointing his spoon, "new rule. Whoever finishes last does dish duty."
"That's unfair," Elarion said flatly. "You eat like a beast."
Lucien gasped.
"Speciesist."
Brom laughed.
"I accept!"
Kael frowned.
"…Why am I here?"
Lucien leaned closer.
"Because if you leave, it looks like you lost."
Kael froze.
"…Fine."
Ten minutes later—
Kael was still eating calmly.
Brom was inhaling food like a forge.
Elarion was maintaining dignity.
Lucien was done.
He wiped his mouth.
"Welp."
Elarion narrowed his eyes.
"You cheated."
Lucien smiled.
"Optimized."
Kael stared at his plate.
"…I lost."
Lucien clapped him on the shoulder.
"Dish duty builds character."
Kael twitched.
ALCHEMY CLASS — DISASTER #3
Instructor Mireya eyed Lucien suspiciously.
"Why do I feel like you're about to do something stupid?"
Lucien raised his hand.
"Because you know me."
"Do not experiment."
Lucien nodded solemnly.
"I won't."
Five minutes later—
Smoke filled the room.
A cauldron began hopping.
Elarion stepped back.
"That potion is not supposed to move."
Lucien crouched, fascinated.
"…Okay, but what if it wanted to?"
The potion leapt out.
Chaos erupted.
Students screamed.
Mireya snapped her fingers and froze it midair.
Silence.
She turned slowly toward Lucien.
"…Explain."
Lucien scratched his cheek.
"Positive reinforcement gone wrong?"
Mireya pointed at the door.
"Out."
Lucien stood.
"Worth it."
COMBAT PRACTICE — DISASTER #4
Instructor Varos paired Lucien with three students at once.
"Let's see if you can still joke."
Lucien stretched.
"Three-on-one? Finally, a tutorial boss."
The students charged.
Lucien dodged, ducked, and slipped between them.
He tapped one shoulder.
Sidestepped another.
Lightly kicked the third's ankle.
All three fell.
Silence.
Varos smirked.
"…Again."
Lucien laughed.
"Oh, I like you."
ELARION POV — REALIZATION
Elarion watched Lucien joking with other students.
Helping someone pick up books.
Teasing a nervous first-year.
Laughing loudly.
He's not just strong, Elarion thought.
He's… approachable.
That was rare.
Dangerous, even.
KAEL POV — ANNOYANCE (AND SOMETHING ELSE)
Kael sat on his bed later that night.
Lucien was talking.
Again.
"…and then the potion tried to escape!"
Brom laughed loudly.
Kael sighed.
Why does his presence fill the room?
And worse—
Why do I not hate it?
He frowned.
"…You're noisy."
Lucien grinned.
"Yet you're still here."
Kael looked away.
"…Tch."
DORM NIGHT — QUIET MOMENT
As the laughter died down, Lucien lay back, hands behind his head.
"This academy's fun," he said softly.
Brom nodded.
"Best forge I've ever been in."
Elarion hesitated.
"…It's not unbearable."
Lucien smiled.
"That's high praise."
Outside, the academy lights glowed warmly.
For now—
There were no monsters.
No blood.
No fate-bearing decisions.
Just students.
SYSTEM — SOFT UPDATE
Bond Progress:
Multiple bonds stabilizing
Trust increasing naturally
Forced synchronization not recommended
Lucien closed his eyes.
Slow is fine.
This is how parties are formed.
GODDESS OF SIGHT — POV
She watched the laughter echo through stone halls.
"Before calamity…"
"There is joy."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Let him have it."