Three days into Academy life, and I'd settled into a routine.
Morning training with Bessie. Classes. More training. Study sessions to actually understand the material instead of coasting on family reputation like the original Ren had done.
It was exhausting but satisfying.
The system had been keeping track of everything:
[WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT]
Bessie's Level: 1 → 4
Your Combat Skills: Improving steadily
Academic Standing: Top 15% of first-years
Social Reputation: Shifting from "arrogant young master" to "serious student"
Relationship Status:
Kai Vermillion: Neutral (curious) Seraphina Nocturne: 0 → +5 (slightly interested) Marcus Belmont: -15 (embarrassed/resentful)
That last one was going to be a problem eventually, but I'd deal with it when necessary.
Right now, I had bigger concerns.
It was Thursday evening, and I'd booked one of the public training grounds for solo practice. The Academy had dozens of them—reinforced arenas where students could train their creatures without accidentally destroying campus property.
Training Ground 7 was my favorite. Secluded, well-maintained, and usually empty during evening hours.
Bessie and I had been working on combination attacks—having her use Iron Charge followed immediately by Power Stomp to create devastating combo damage. The timing was tricky, but we were getting better.
"Again!" I called out. "Charge, then stomp on my signal!"
Bessie lowered her horns and thundered across the arena. The ground shook with each step. At the optimal moment, I shouted, "Now!"
She planted her hooves and stomped. The resulting shockwave rippled outward, cracking the reinforced floor tiles.
[SKILL LEVEL UP]
Power Stomp: Lv.1 → Lv.2
Increased area of effect and damage
"Perfect!" I grinned and pulled out a premium treat from my bag. Bessie trotted over and gobbled it up happily.
"Impressive coordination."
I spun around.
Seraphina Nocturne stood at the training ground entrance, her Fenrir beside her. I hadn't even heard them approach—the massive wolf moved with supernatural silence despite its size.
"How long have you been watching?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual despite my racing heartbeat.
"Long enough to see that your synchronization wasn't a fluke." She walked into the arena, her movements graceful and deliberate. "You and your creature move well together. Better than most first-years achieve in their entire first semester."
The Fenrir's ice-blue eyes studied Bessie with predatory interest. Bessie, to her credit, didn't back down—she stood her ground, horns lowered slightly in a defensive stance.
"Thank you," I said. "That means a lot coming from someone who scored 96."
"Flattery again, Ashford?"
"Observation. There's a difference."
Something flickered in her expression—amusement, maybe? It was hard to tell with her.
She circled the training ground slowly, examining the cracked floor tiles, the scorch marks on the training dummies, the evidence of hours of dedicated practice.
"Most students from wealthy families don't train this hard," she said. "They rely on buying high-rank creatures and expensive equipment to compensate for lack of skill. But you" She turned to face me. "You're actually putting in the work. Why?"
Because I know what's coming, I thought. Because I know that money and status won't mean anything when the real threats emerge. Because I need to be strong enough to protect you from the tragedy that's supposed to destroy you.
But I couldn't say any of that.
"Because I refuse to be weak," I said instead. "I refuse to be someone who hides behind their family name and fails when it actually matters."
Seraphina studied me with those analytical eyes, and I had the uncomfortable feeling she could see right through me.
"You really have changed," she said quietly. "The Ren Ashford I knew three months ago would never say something like that. He would never train until his hands bled." She nodded toward my palms.
I glanced down. She was right—I had calluses forming from weapon practice, small cuts from training accidents. Signs of actual effort.
"People can change," I said.
"Can they?" Her voice held a note of skepticism born from experience. "Or do they just hide their true nature better?"
Before I could respond, her Fenrir suddenly tensed, a low growl rumbling from its throat. Bessie reacted instantly, horns gleaming as she positioned herself between me and potential danger.
"Someone's coming," Seraphina said, her hand moving to the rapier at her waist—a tamer's weapon, enchanted to channel her ice magic.
Footsteps echoed from the entrance tunnel. Multiple sets.
Five students emerged into the training ground, and I recognized them immediately. Marcus Belmont led the group, his Thunder Cub at his side. The four others were his usual entourage—rich kids with C and B-rank creatures.
"Well, well," Marcus drawled, his voice dripping with false friendliness. "Look who's here. The cow keeper and the Ice Queen, alone together. What a surprising coincidence."
This wasn't a coincidence. This was an ambush.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
WARNING: Hostile encounter detected
Multiple opponents identified
Recommended action: Avoid confrontation if possible
"Belmont," I said evenly. "Training Ground 7 is reserved under my name for another hour. You'll have to use a different arena."
"Oh, I don't think so." He stepped forward, his lackeys spreading out to flank us. "See, I've been thinking about our match the other day. How your cow got lucky against my Thunder Cub. And I realized—I never got a proper rematch."
"The match was fair and you lost," I replied. "Accept it and move on."
His expression darkened. "Nobody makes a fool of Marcus Belmont. Especially not someone with a farm animal."
One of his friends—a tall guy with a flame hound—laughed. "Yeah. And what's with you hanging around the Ice Queen? Trying to social climb by association? That's pathetic even for you, Ashford."
I felt anger rising but pushed it down. Getting emotional would play right into their hands.
"Leave," Seraphina's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Now. Before this becomes a problem you can't handle."
Marcus sneered. "Or what? You'll sick your Fenrir on us? We're five against two, Nocturne. Even you can't—"
The temperature in the training ground dropped ten degrees in an instant. Frost formed on the walls. The Fenrir took one step forward, and the raw killing intent radiating from it made everyone freeze.
"I don't need my Fenrir," Seraphina said softly, her hand resting on her rapier. "I could handle all five of you myself. But let me be clear—if you're stupid enough to attack us, I won't hold back. And the Academy has very generous self-defense policies."
Marcus paled slightly. For all his bravado, he wasn't actually stupid. Seraphina was an SS-rank tamer, and her reputation for ruthlessness was well-earned.
But he'd committed to this confrontation in front of his friends. Backing down would humiliate him worse than any defeat.
"Fine," he said, trying to save face. "We didn't come here to fight anyway. Just wanted to check out the training facilities." His eyes locked on mine. "But this isn't over, Ashford. You and me. Official Academy duel. Next week. Unless you're too scared to accept?"
A duel challenge. In front of witnesses. If I refused, I'd look like a coward. If I accepted, I'd be playing into whatever scheme he was planning.
But I also couldn't let him think I was afraid.
"Next week works," I said calmly. "Standard duel rules. Instructor supervision. I'll have the paperwork filed tomorrow."
Marcus blinked, clearly not expecting me to accept so readily. "Right. Good. Don't chicken out."
He and his group left, trying to maintain some dignity.
As soon as they were gone, I let out a breath I'd been holding.
"That was stupid," Seraphina said bluntly.
"Probably," I admitted. "But if I'd refused, he would've made my life hell. At least this way, it's contained to a single official match."
"He's going to cheat," she said matter-of-factly. "Belmont's family specializes in buying their way to victory. He'll get evolution stones, enhancement potions, maybe even hire a private coach to exploit any weaknesses in your fighting style."
"I know."
"And you accepted anyway?"
"I did."
She studied me for a long moment, then something shifted in her expression. Not quite a smile, but a softening of her usual cold mask.
"You're either very brave or very foolish, Ashford. I haven't decided which yet."
"Can't it be both?"
This time, she actually did smile—small, brief, but genuine. It transformed her face, making her look younger and less burdened.
"Perhaps." She turned to leave, her Fenrir falling into step beside her. But at the entrance, she paused. "The duel. When you inevitably get in over your head, don't do anything stupid like fighting alone. Use every advantage you have."
"Is that advice?"
"Consider it professional courtesy. From one person trying to survive this Academy to another."
Then she was gone, leaving only frost patterns on the ground where she'd stood.
I looked down at Bessie. "Well, girl. Looks like we have one week to get a lot stronger."
"Moo!" She sounded determined rather than worried.
[NEW QUEST: The Duel]
Objective: Defeat Marcus Belmont in an official Academy duel
Time Limit: 7 days
Difficulty: Moderate (opponent will prepare extensively)
Recommended: Increase Bessie's level to at least 10, acquire new skills
Reward: +1000 SP, Rare Evolution Material, Reputation increase
Failure: Significant reputation damage, potential injury
Seven days. I needed to make every single one count.
I pulled up the system shop and started planning. With 1,450 SP available, I had options.
Training Efficiency Potion (7-day duration) - 300 SP
Skill Book: Meteor Horn Strike - 600 SP
Attribute Enhancement Elixir (Strength) - 400 SP
Battle Strategy Guide (Advanced) - 500 SP
I bought the training potion and the skill book. The new attack—Meteor Horn Strike—would give Bessie a powerful finisher to complement her existing moves.
[Remaining SP: 550]
For the next seven days, Bessie and I would train harder than ever.
Because I wasn't just fighting for pride or reputation.
I was fighting to prove that even a "worthless cow" could surpass everyone's expectations.
And maybe, just maybe, I was fighting to earn the respect of a certain ice queen who'd shown me more kindness than she probably realized.