By the next morning, everyone knew.
Not the truth—never the truth—but something.
Whispers followed me through the corridors like a second shadow. I caught fragments as I passed.
"…private lesson…" "…Halvren doesn't waste time…" "…maybe he's pretending…"
I made sure to yawn loudly and trip on the stairs.
Twice.
Renvor caught my arm before I face-planted. "Careful," he said, then lowered his voice. "People are starting to stare instead of laugh."
"Progress," I muttered.
The training grounds were already crowded when we arrived. That alone was suspicious. Academy students didn't gather this early unless there was blood or spectacle involved.
Or both.
A circular arena had been activated.
Great.
Professor Halvren stood at the center, hands folded, expression unreadable. Around him were several instructors—and one very familiar figure.
Selene.
She leaned against the railing, crimson eyes scanning the crowd until they found me. Her smile curved, sharp and delighted.
Charlotte stood on the opposite side, arms crossed, gaze cold and unwavering.
"This," Halvren announced, "is a controlled evaluation."
I did not like the word evaluation.
"A voluntary duel," he continued, "to demonstrate mana control under pressure."
Voluntary.
My name was called.
Then Selene's.
The crowd erupted.
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. "Sir," I said carefully, "I think there's been a mistake."
Halvren tilted his head. "You may refuse."
Every eye in the arena bored into me.
Refusal would confirm everything.
Acceptance would be worse.
Selene hopped down into the arena, landing lightly. "Don't worry," she said cheerfully. "I'll go easy on you."
Her aura flared.
The ground vibrated.
I swallowed.
"…Fine," I said.
The barrier snapped into place.
The duel began.
Selene moved first—fast, vicious, playful. A wave of crimson mana tore toward me.
I panicked.
Or at least, I made it look like I did.
I threw myself aside, rolling awkwardly, barely dodging the attack. The crowd gasped.
Good.
Another strike. I blocked it clumsily, mana sputtering, unstable.
But inside—
I was calculating.
Distance. Timing. Output.
One wrong move and the mask would shatter.
Selene paused mid-attack, eyes narrowing.
"You're doing this on purpose," she murmured.
I grinned weakly. "I trip when I'm nervous."
She laughed.
Then she came at me seriously.
For just one heartbeat, I let my aura slip.
The barrier hummed.
The instructors stiffened.
Charlotte's eyes widened.
Selene froze.
I cut it instantly.
Silence crashed down over the arena.
"…Oops," I said.
Halvren smiled.
The crowd roared.
And I knew, with painful certainty—
There was no going back now.