"You're pathetic."
Shaun froze, the smile fading from his face. "...What?"
Aiden's tone didn't change, but his words carried the weight of scorn.
"Didn't you hear me? I said you're pathetic. You let that arrogant fool beat you senseless and humiliate you in front of everyone—and you call yourself a magus?"
He took a step closer, his stare cold and unwavering.
"I've never seen anyone so quick to fall, so willing to stay down."
Shaun's shoulders sank. He lowered his gaze, unable to meet Aiden's eyes. Shame weighed heavier than his wounds.
"Wait," Sabastian interjected, stepping forward, "Why are you blaming Shaun for that? It wasn't his fault! That guy attacked him out of nowhere because of some stupid misunderstanding. And besides—he was way stronger, probably a senior. Vince outnumbered him—How could Shaun fight back against them?"
Aiden turned his head slightly, his voice cold, calm and piercing stare landing on Sabastian.
"Do you think numbers matter on a real battlefield?"
Sabastian flinched at the question. Aiden took a step closer, his voice low but firm.
"The enemy facing you won't spare you because you're younger or weaker. A magus who waits for mercy is already dead. Pride is not vanity—it's survival. Those who throw it away get crushed."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"Those who hesitate to fight, those who rely on pity… can never become magus."
Then his tone hardened, slicing through the air.
"A true magus stands his ground. Even when broken. Even when hopeless. He fights for his pride until his last breath—because self-respect is worth more than life itself."
He glanced down at Shaun, eyes narrowing.
"In the second half, you showed courage. I'll admit that. But what happened before that?"
Aiden's voice rose slightly—not in anger, but disappointment.
"You let him beat you, humiliate you, hit you around like a training dummy. Where was your magus pride then?"
He folded his arms, exhaling through his nose.
"I'd heard stories, you know. About the boy who took down Rufus and his gang… who stood up to Albus and his cowards. That's why I came to see you myself."
A brief silence followed, heavy and cold.
"But after today…" Aiden's expression hardened into something almost regretful.
"I'm disappointed. Maybe all that talk was just luck—and not strength."
Aiden's words hung in the air, cruel and precise. Shaun stayed rooted, shoulders hunched, eyes on the ground—unable or unwilling to answer.
Shaumin couldn't stand it. Anger flashed across his face and he stepped forward, voice raw.
"Hey—listen. We know you saved us, and we're grateful. But that doesn't give you the right to tear Shaun down in front of everyone. Nobody asked you to lecture him. If you hadn't jumped in, we'd have handled things ourselves."
Aiden's mouth twisted into a contemptuous smile. "Handled it yourselves? Are you serious? If I hadn't shown up, you'd all be dead—simple as that."
Shaumin's fist tightened. Red rose to his neck. "You shut up—"
He lunged, the motion brutal and instinctive, but Sabastian's hand closed on his wrist like iron.
"Shaumin—calm," Sabastian hissed, pulling him back. His voice was controlled but urgent. "This is the academy. Fighting's forbidden."
Shaumin struggled for a heartbeat, gaze burning toward Aiden, but Sabastian's grip and the memory of rules steadied him. He let out a ragged breath and forced his hands down, jaw working.
A tense silence fell—one that tasted of things unsaid and a score not yet settled. Akshay stepped forward, his calm presence cutting through the tension.
"Aiden," he said evenly, "don't you think that's enough? He's just an Apprentice Rank Disciple. And we both know how much trouble Vince causes wherever he goes. Keep this up, and you'll crush the boy's confidence instead of helping him. As his senior, you should at least consider his self-respect."
Aiden turned his gaze toward Akshay—cold, sharp, and simmering with something darker beneath.
"Self-respect?" he echoed, his voice dropping low. "That's rich… coming from you."
Akshay's brow lifted slightly, though his tone stayed mild. "Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"
For a heartbeat, Aiden said nothing. His glare hardened.
"Don't give advice," he said finally, each word edged like a blade, "on something you've already lost."
A flicker—something unreadable—crossed Akshay's eyes, but he quickly masked it with a faint, knowing smile.
"You're as cold as ever, Aiden," he said quietly. "Some things never change."
Aiden's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. The silence between them carried more weight than any argument could. Aiden didn't respond to Akshay's jab. He simply turned away, motioning for Garland to follow.
They'd only taken a few steps before Aiden stopped—right beside Shaun. For a moment, he said nothing. His shadow fell over the younger boy, his gaze unreadable.
"Your name's Shaun, right?" Aiden asked at last, his tone quiet but cutting. "I've heard the rumours—that you aim to challenge the three Supreme Mages."
He gave a faint, humourless chuckle. "If you think that's a stroll through paradise, I have some advice for you."
He leaned slightly forward, his eyes glinting beneath the fading sunlight.
"Wake up. This world—this cursed world of magic—doesn't bend to dreams or kindness. It devours the weak and forgets the hopeful."
Shaun looked up at him, speechless.
"If you truly want to survive," Aiden continued, "stop trying to be liked by everyone. Kindness is a sin in a world ruled by power. The only things you can ever rely on are your pride and your strength. Defend them—sharpen them—until no one can take them from you."
He paused, voice lowering to a near whisper.
"Because if you don't, others will crush you… and steal everything you hold dear."
The courtyard had gone quiet again. Only the rustle of the wind filled the space between them.
"There's no place for weaklings in this world, Shaun Thunderhawk," Aiden said, straightening. "If you can't protect your own Magus pride, then walk away—before this world breaks you."
With that, he turned and strode off, Garland following close behind. Their figures faded into the crowd—one of fire, the other of shadow—leaving Shaun standing in silence, Aiden's words echoing in his chest like thunder that refused to die.
**********
Silence lingered long after Aiden and Garland were gone. No one spoke. Even the breeze seemed to hold its breath.
Shaun stood motionless—his eyes empty, his thoughts spiralling. For the first time, someone had torn him out of his dream and thrown him into reality. Aiden's words echoed in his mind like thunder that refused to fade.
Am I… really not worthy to be the world's strongest magus? Was he right? Am I truly that pathetic?
His heart thudded painfully. The more he tried to shake Aiden's voice away, the louder it rang. And then—another voice emerged from the depths of his memory.
The scene replayed inside his mind like a cruel loop—that same nightmare that had haunted him countless nights since the entrance exam.
Darkness… Fire... A massive shadow cloaked in crimson mist... Natasha's lifeless body and her voice fading into silence... Everyone's lifeless body lying on the ground and their final scream echoing into nothingness.
And in the middle of it all—Shaun, trembling, powerless, watching everything he cared for crumble before his eyes. And in the end… His own death as the monstrous figure's blade descended.
The memory cut like a knife. Shaun's breathing quickened, fists clenching until his knuckles turned white. He could feel Natasha's hand gripping his shoulder in the present, grounding him back to reality.
He blinked, the vision fading—but the guilt remained, burning in his chest.
Sabastian watched his friend's vacant stare and felt a pang of worry. He stepped forward, resting a steady hand on Shaun's shoulder.
"Shaun," he said softly, "we should tell Lady Maya about this. She'll know what to do—maybe she can—"
"No." Shaun's voice, though quiet, stopped him cold. Everyone turned to him in surprise. Shaun's eyes lifted—still bruised, still weary, but burning with something new. Resolve.
"I don't want to report it," he said. "Aiden was right… about everything."
"Shaun—" Natasha began, but he cut her off gently.
"How long are we going to keep relying on others? We need to fight our own battles. If I can't protect my own Magus pride, then I have no right to dream of becoming a Magus."
His fists clenched at his sides. The faint breeze stirred the petals again, as if listening.
"Becoming a Magus isn't child's play. Dreams alone don't make us strong—it's effort, struggle, pain."
He looked up toward the clouds Aiden had left behind.
"Aiden said this world is cursed. Then I'll change it. I'll make it so he can call it beautiful."
He exhaled, steady and sure.
"From today, I'll work harder than ever. I'll prove to Aiden—to the academy—to the world—that I am worthy of becoming the World's Strongest Magus."
A beat of silence followed. Then Shaumin grinned, fire in his eyes.
"Now that's the Shaun I know! You're not doing this alone, bro. We'll grow stronger together and show those seniors what we're really made of!"
Sabastian nodded, his calm voice carrying quiet conviction.
"Count me in. Let's become strong enough that no one can ever look down on us again."
Natasha stepped forward, her eyes shining.
"Then it's settled. If you aim to reach the pinnacle, Shaun… then I will master the storm to stand alongside you."
She smiled fiercely. "We'll crush the pride of those arrogant royals—together."
For the first time since the chaos began, Shaun smiled again—tired, but true. Around them, the wind picked up, carrying the faint shimmer of renewed purpose. The storm had passed. But a new one was just beginning—born from resolve.
**********
The laughter among Shaun and his friends carried for a while, echoing faintly across the courtyard.
A little distance away, Akshay stood watching them in silence—calm eyes taking in the fragile peace that had returned. Kevin approached, concern etched on his face.
"Are you all right, Prez?"
Akshay's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm fine, Kevin. You should worry about that boy instead. He's the one who got hurt."
His gaze drifted back toward Shaun and his friends. Kevin followed it, his expression darkening.
"That arrogant bastard Vince… he'll never change. Shouldn't we do something about him?"
Akshay's tone turned measured, the weight of his position clear in his voice.
"No. We can't—not yet. He's the heir of the Dragonblade family—one of the Five Great Houses of the Silver Heaven Region. His father may only be a temporary Emperor, but one wrong move could stir unrest across the region and this academy."
He folded his arms, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"We must wait—for that single opportunity that can turn the tables. Perhaps… Aiden is thinking the same."
Kevin tilted his head, puzzled. "Still… I was surprised at how calmly Aiden handled everything. I always thought he hated getting involved in other people's affairs. And yet, he went after Vince—for that boy. I wonder why?"
Akshay gave a soft, knowing chuckle.
"Well… we'll see soon enough. But one thing's certain."
He looked up toward the drifting clouds, a glint of mystery in his eyes.
"It's not just the wind that's changing here. Something else is… something deeper. I don't know what yet—but it's coming."
"You always talk in riddles, Prez," Kevin blinked, then grinned.
Akshay's smile lingered as his gaze returned to Shaun and his friends. They were still laughing, still standing—unaware that fate had already begun to shift around them.
"Kurumi," Akshay called softly.
At his signal, Kurumi stepped forward, directing the Disciplinary Knights to escort Shaun and his group to the infirmary. The courtyard slowly emptied as the final gong of the lunch break rang out across Silver Heaven Academy.
The day resumed its rhythm… But beneath the calm, the winds of change had already begun to stir.
**********
Footsteps echoed through the long wooden corridor of Silver Heaven Academy's main building. Aiden walked ahead, his posture calm and composed as always.
Garland followed a step behind, his eyes occasionally flicking toward his friend's unreadable expression.
Since leaving the courtyard, Aiden hadn't said a single word. The silence between them stretched until Garland finally broke it.
"Hey, Aiden," he said carefully, "don't you think you went a little overboard with that boy? You almost crushed him."
Aiden didn't slow his pace. His tone was quiet, but firm.
"No. I only showed him the truth. Someone needed to pull him out of his fantasy before it destroyed him. If he's going to grow stronger, he has to see the world as it is—not as he wants it to be."
Garland frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Still… you could've been a bit softer, you know? I mean, I get it—you were pissed when you found out he wasn't the one we were looking for."
He sighed. "We chased the wrong person all this time, thinking he was that so-called Monster Disciple. What a waste. Guess we'll never know who really shattered that Spirit Stone during the entrance test."
"Don't be so sure, Garland. Just because Thunderhawk isn't the one doesn't mean our search ends here," Aiden's gaze sharpened as he walked.
He paused briefly, his voice dropping a notch.
"I'll find that Monster Disciple—the one whose soul power broke the Spirit Stone—and when I do, I'll challenge him myself."
Garland blinked, surprised. "You actually want to fight him?"
Aiden's eyes glinted faintly under the corridor lights. "Of course. A magus that powerful… would be the perfect rival."
They turned down the next hallway, the sound of distant chatter from classrooms reaching their ears.
Garland spoke again, more hesitantly this time. "Then what about that Thunderhawk boy?"
Aiden slowed just enough to glance at him over his shoulder.
"Keep an eye on him," he said. "Vince won't let this go easily. If he tries anything again, protect Thunderhawk."
Garland raised a brow. "Protect him? Since when do you care about rookies?"
Aiden faced forward once more, his tone unreadable.
"I don't know why," he admitted, "but… something tells me we should. Maybe it's nothing. Still…" He trailed off, eyes hardening.
"Trust your instincts. Mine rarely lie."
Garland nodded silently. The two of them continued down the corridor, their footsteps fading into the distance—one walking in light, the other in shadow.
**********
As Aiden and Garland's footsteps faded down the corridor, silence returned to the wooden hall—cold, heavy, and watchful. From the dim shadows behind a nearby column, a tall figure slowly stepped into view.
He had spiky, dark-gray hair tied back into a loose ponytail, a lean but muscular frame, and sharp, predatory eyes that gleamed under the flickering lantern light.
A black, sleeveless vest with a mandarin collar clung to his shoulders, revealing arms marked with faint traces of battle scars.
He leaned casually against the wall, watching the direction Aiden had gone. A crooked smile curved his lips.
"So that's the famous prodigy," he murmured to himself.
"The Flame Prince—Aiden Flamesaber. The strongest disciple in this academy, huh?"
His smile widened, half amusement, half hunger.
"Guess the rumours were true. The mighty prince of fire really does exist. Hah… looks like this academy won't be as boring as I thought."
His eyes glinted with cold delight as he turned, fading back into the shadows.
"Mighty Aiden Flamesaber…" he whispered, voice low and dark.
"Looks like I've found my first prey."
The corridor fell silent once more—only the faint rustle of wind through the open window breaking the stillness. Far below, the afternoon light shimmered across the academy grounds, unaware that in its heart, a storm was beginning to stir again—one born not of rivalry or pride… but of fate.
**********