I woke up again three days after the duel, and the first thing I noticed was flowers. Not just a few but dozens of bouquets crowded the infirmary room, turning it into an improvised garden. Cards attached to most of them, messages from students I'd never spoken to.
"Get well soon, Ravana."
"That was an incredible fight."
"You've earned my respect."
I pushed myself up carefully to test my ribs. The healers' potions had done their work and the sharp, stabbing pain was gone, replaced by a dull ache that reminded me I wasn't even close to invincible.
"Young Master." Damian rose from the chair beside my bed, setting down a stack of papers. "You're awake. The healers said you'd recover fully in another day."
"How long was I out again?"
"Three days. You pushed yourself harder than they recommended." He poured water into a glass. "But the results speak for themselves."
I accepted the water gratefully, my throat dry. "Results?"
"Dont't forget, students have requested meetings with you. All want to join your..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Organization..."
I nearly choked on the water. "Organization? I don't have an organization."
"They seem to believe you do." Damian's expression remained professionally neutral, but I caught a hint of amusement. "They're calling it a faction. Some are calling you the leader of the real opposition to Adrian Celestius."
[REPUTATION UPDATE]
[STATUS: Competent Rival]
[STUDENT OPINION: 40% Respect, 35% Curious, 25% Still Hostile]
[NEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE]
The system notification materialized at the edge of my vision. I dismissed it mentally, focusing on the immediate situation.
"Seven students," I repeated, setting down the glass. "What do we know about them?"
Damian handed me the papers of a detailed dossiers on each potential recruit. He'd done his homework well.
"Two from A-Class, three from B-Class, two from C-Class," he reported. "I took the liberty of conducting background checks. Most have been disadvantaged by Adrian's growing influence. A few have genuine talent being overlooked."
I scanned the names. Some I recognized from the novel as minor characters who'd died in Adrian's shadow. Others were completely unknowns, a solid proof that this world was more than just the story I'd read.
Sarah Winters. B-Class, earth mage. Adrian's faction had sabotaged her dungeon practical evaluation. Drake Ironward. B-Class, combat mage. Impressed by tactical fighting rather than raw power displays. Kira and Mira Shadowbrook. C-Class twins, rogues. Blacklisted by Adrian's information network for refusing to spy on other students.
"Some of them all have something in common," I observed. "Adrian hurt them."
"Yes, Young Master. Either directly or through his supporters." Damian refilled my water. "They see you as an alternative. Someone willing to stand against him."
I swung my legs off the bed, testing my balance and it was table enough. My body was still sore, but it was functional and that's all I need.
"Set up individual meetings with each of them, I need to assess them separately before making any commitments."
"Young Master, the healers said..."
"The healers don't know I'm on a deadline." I stood, reaching for the academy uniform Damian had laid out. "How's Marcus doing with those enchantments?"
"He left a message. Says to meet him at the Underground Arena when you're recovered."
The Underground Arena. The black market beneath the academy where information, goods, and services flowed outside official channels. Perfect place for a headquarters, if I was actually building a faction.
Which, apparently, I was.
Great.
"Help me get dressed," I said. "We have work to do."
☆☆▪︎▪︎☆☆
The path to the Underground Arena took us through corridors I'd never known existed.
Damian led me down maintenance stairwells and forgotten passages, the architecture shifting from academy standard to something older and grimmer, polished stone gave way to rough brick. Magical lighting flickered to torches. Students passed us in the shadows, most wearing hoods or masks. No one made eye contact. Down here, anonymity was how to survive.
"This way, Young Master."
We descended another flight of stairs. The sounds of the main academy faded away to be replaced by different noises. Muffled conversations. The clink of coins. Occasional shouts or laughter echoing off stone.
The corridor opened into a massive chamber carved from bedrock. Hundreds of people filled the space, students, merchants, figures in dark cloaks I couldn't identify. Stalls lined the walls selling everything from illegal potions to banned spell scrolls.
In the center, a fighting pit where two students circled each other with real weapons and no protective barriers with blood already staining the sand.
"Charming," I muttered.
"The real academy, Young Master." Marcus waved from a corner table, grinning like he'd found paradise. "Welcome to where the interesting people gather."
I made my way to his table, Damian a half-step behind me, hand resting near his concealed blade. We attracted some attention, my face was recognizable after the duel, but most people returned to their business quickly.
Down here, everyone had secrets. Mine were just one more set.
"This is where you've been spending your time?" I asked, sliding into the seat across from Marcus.
"Best enchanting supplies in the kingdom, no questions asked. Plus..." He gestured at the crowd. "Information. Everything that happens in the academy flows through here eventually. Usually before the professors know about it."
"And you think this is a good place for a headquarters?"
"I think it's the only place where Adrian's people can't touch you." Marcus leaned forward, voice dropping. "The Arena Master maintains strict neutrality. No faction fights inside these walls. Break that rule and you're banned for life or maybe worse."
"You've already approached this Arena Master?"
"Mentioned you might be interested in renting space. He's curious." Marcus's grin widened. "Says anyone who can make Adrian Celestius bleed twice deserves a meeting."
[ANALYTICAL EYE: MARCUS VOIDSTEP]
[EMOTIONAL STATE: Excited, Optimistic, Genuinely Invested]
[LOYALTY: 65% → 70%]
[MOTIVATION: Personal benefit + genuine friendship]
[ASSESSMENT: Trustworthy ally, relationship strengthening]
I studied the dynamics of the Underground Arena, unlike the other time where I went directly to Marcus's place, this time was in the open. Even in chaos, hierarchies existed. Certain stalls draws more respect and certain individuals moved with authority that made others step aside. This was its own ecosystem. And if I wanted to survive what was coming, I needed to understand it.
"Alright," I decided. "Set up the meeting."
Marcus's grin threatened to split his face. "Already done. He's expecting us now."