All the freshers were divided into groups, each assigned to a senior student who would guide them through the academy grounds.
Kael found himself placed in Selena's batch.
As the students followed behind her through the wide academy corridors, Selena calmly introduced the various sections of the academy.
"This is the academy cafeteria," she explained while pointing toward a massive hall crowded with students.
"And if you continue down this corridor, you'll reach the main classrooms and laboratories."
Compared to the noble students, the commoners reacted far more strongly to everything around them.
Some stared at the classrooms and laboratories with sparkling eyes.
Others whispered excitedly while looking at the enormous libraries and academy buildings surrounding them.
"This place is insane…"
"I heard the academy itself is bigger than some villages."
Kael himself could barely stop looking around.
Everything here felt unreal.
The deeper they moved into the academy, the grander everything became. Beautiful statues lined the pathways while fountains shimmered beneath the sunlight. Students filled every corridor while distant sounds of spellcasting occasionally echoed through the air.
Then suddenly—
Clang!
Clang!
The sharp sound of metal colliding echoed nearby.
Several freshers turned their heads immediately.
"What's that?" one student asked curiously.
Selena glanced toward the source of the noise.
"The training grounds," she answered calmly.
Without stopping, she guided the group toward the large open structure nearby.
The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed instantly.
The training grounds were enormous, surrounded by elevated stone platforms where students gathered to watch ongoing matches.
At the center stood two students dressed in slightly rugged academy uniforms, exchanging rapid sword strikes.
Clang!
Their blades collided violently once more.
"So you're still weak, aren't you, Lucian?" one of them said with a grin.
The silver-haired student standing opposite him exhaled slowly before tightening his grip on the sword.
"Let's see if you can still dodge this, Luca."
The duel intensified immediately.
The freshers watched in complete awe as both students exchanged blows at speeds on par with the knights.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
Even among senior students, the silver-haired boy's movements looked refined.
Fast.
Precise.
Efficient.
After dodging another strike, Lucian suddenly twisted his body sideways before redirecting the attack smoothly.
"I'm not that weak… am I?"
In a single fluid motion, he stepped forward and swung downward.
Clang!
The duel ended instantly.
Lucian's blade stopped inches away from Luca's neck.
For a brief moment, silence filled the training grounds.
Then loud cheers erupted from the surrounding students.
Kael stared at the scene with shining eyes.
For a moment—
Lucian had reminded him of the stories told about Ray Valden.
Even some students nearby whispered excitedly among themselves.
"Wait… is that the Lucian everyone talks about?"
"Yeah, it's him. He looks insanely strong."
"They say Lucian might surpass Ray someday."
"What?! Seriously?"
"No wonder the academy favors him."
The freshers exchanged shocked glances immediately.
To be compared to Ray Valden at such a young age…
That alone sounded monstrous.
Selena herself had been quietly admiring the duel before finally snapping back to reality.
"Oii, Lucian!"
The silver-haired student immediately turned toward her.
"Are you skipping your duties again?"
Lucian instantly lowered his sword before awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
"Selena, I wanted to come earlier, but Luca challenged me and dragged me into this battle."
While giving Luca a cold stare , Selena continues
"You say that like you didn't enjoy it at all.Can't you just say no to him"
A few freshers quietly laughed while watching their interaction.
"Don't Lucian and Selena look perfect together?"
"Seriously… they look like a match made in heaven."
Lucian nearly choked hearing that.
"N-No, no," he quickly corrected while waving both hands.
"First of all ,I'm just a commoner and also she's already engaged."
The atmosphere around Selena shifted almost invisibly for a brief moment.
The smile on her face weakened slightly before returning to normal.
The freshers immediately became curious.
"Engaged?"
"To who?"
Before Selena could answer, they were interrupted by a calm voice from behind.
"Oh my… if it isn't Lucian himself."
The students immediately turned around.
Kael's eyes widened.
Vyom Dravik.
Lucian instantly straightened himself before bowing respectfully.
"Guildmaster Vyom Dravik. Greetings, sir."
Vyom gently patted Lucian's shoulder, causing many students nearby to gasp quietly.
The youngest guild leader personally recognized by the royal family…
was treating Lucian this warmly.
"So, Lucian," Vyom said calmly, "have you thought about my offer to join Dravik?"
Lucian confidently looked into Vyom's eyes before replying respectfully.
"Guildmaster Dravik, I'm truly grateful for your offer."
"But right now, I want to focus on learning and graduating from the academy first."
"I'm sorry."
Lucian kept his head slightly lowered after speaking.
Vyom simply smiled faintly.
"It's fine, Lucian. I'm not forcing you to join."
"But remember…"
"My offer will always remain open."
The surrounding students exchanged stunned glances.
A direct invitation into Dravik.
One of the kingdom's strongest guilds.
And Lucian had actually refused it.
Then Vyom's expression shifted slightly.
"I also heard you were gravely injured during that ambush."
"Are you alright now?"
Lucian slowly lifted his head.
"Yes, sir. I'm alright now."
"Thank you for asking."
Vyom patted his shoulder once more.
"Take care of yourself."
"You're a talent this academy… and this kingdom… cannot afford to lose."
Lucian nodded respectfully.
"I understand, sir."
Vyom then turned calmly before beginning to walk away.
"I'll take my leave now."
The moment he disappeared into the corridor, whispers immediately spread among the students.
"Wait… Lucian was attacked?"
"I heard he was seriously injured."
"Who would even dare attack him?"
"I heard it was a noble."
The atmosphere slowly became awkward.
Because almost everyone already knew who that noble was.
Selena quietly lowered her eyes.
Because unlike the others…
she knew that person far too well.
________________________________________
Far away from the academy—
near the edge of a lonely forest cliff where a river roared violently far below—
a chubby young boy sat silently upon a large rock.
A single paper rested tightly within his trembling hands.