Brion stood frozen as Instructor Kael's cloak disappeared beyond the training grounds. His jaw clenched so hard it ached. Anyone— even a blind man—could see it.
The instructor had taken notice of Leo.
Leo.
A nobody from nowhere.
A mere Tier-1 beginner.
Heat simmered beneath Brion's skin as his fire-aligned energy responded to his anger. As a low Tier-2 Fire Elementalist, he had trained relentlessly, refined his flames, and prepared himself to shine during the very first week of the academy.
That moment was supposed to be mine.
The recognition. The praise. The accomplishment.
Yet that trash—
that trash—
had stolen it from him right in front of everyone.
And worse than losing Kael's attention…
was watching Lady Aliya smile at Leo.
Not polite academy friendliness.
Not simple amusement.
Warm.
Warm in a way she had never looked at Brion.
His left eye twitched.
"This is ridiculous," one of his lackeys muttered. "How did a Tier-1 rookie catch Instructor Kael's eye?"
Another scoffed with a crossed-arm huff. "He was unawakened trash. There's no way he pulled off stances like that."
Brion didn't respond, but his expression darkened. As always, his subordinates mimicked him—faces tightening, fists clenching, brows drawn down—reflecting the fury of their leader.
He exhaled sharply. A faint flicker of flame danced across his fingertips before he forced it down.
"Enjoy your luck, Leo," Brion muttered. "It won't last."
---
Leo, meanwhile, practically glowed with excitement as he walked with his friends toward the cafeteria. Drex clapped him on the back repeatedly, nearly knocking him forward each time.
"Brother, you impressed Kael. Kael!" Drex shouted. "Do you know how rare that is? Some seniors train a whole year without getting a nod from that man!"
Mary snorted. "He didn't insult Leo. That counts as divine approval."
Leo laughed softly, still riding the excitement of the spar. "Honestly, I think it was just all that practice. My body just reacted."
"Doesn't matter," Drex said proudly, slinging an arm over Leo's shoulder. "You swung the sword."
Leo smiled—then noticed something.
Aliya walked quietly beside them.
Not upset.
Not sad.
Just thoughtful.
"Aliya?" Leo asked. "You didn't join sword practice. I thought the instructor would've acknowledged you too."
She blinked, surprised he noticed. "Oh… that. I just haven't decided what my main weapon will be yet."
"You haven't?" Leo asked.
Aliya shook her head. "The academy encourages experimentation. I want to feel things out before I commit."
"That makes sense," Leo said.
Drex overheard and grinned. "She's being smart. Some people pick weapons based on ego instead of compatibility."
Mary sighed dramatically. "Like a certain someone who thinks swinging a spear makes him elegant."
"Hey!" Drex protested.
They all laughed, and Aliya's soft smile returned.
"Let's get food," she said. "We've earned it."
---
The Central Combat Academy's cafeteria looked like a futuristic dining hall. A massive ceiling projected a soft artificial sky filled with drifting clouds. The walls were lined with every type of food imaginable—beast-meat grills, floating fruit stations, and elemental cuisine counters that steamed, crackled, or sparkled depending on the dish.
Hundreds of students filled the long tables, chatting loudly about instructors, spar results, and academy rumors.
Leo and his group entered, immediately hit by a mix of scents—some delicious, some questionable.
Drex inhaled deeply. "Ah… the smell of overconfidence and protein."
Mary wrinkled her nose. "And burnt mana."
Aliya tugged Leo's sleeve. "Let's grab seats near the window."
They settled at a four-seat table overlooking the courtyard. Drex immediately rushed toward the food stalls and returned with a plate large enough to feed a small village.
Leo stared. "Drex… that's a mountain."
"No," Drex corrected confidently. "This is motivation."
Aliya giggled as she placed her own—much smaller—plate down. "What did you even get?"
"Everything that looked like it wouldn't kill me," Drex said proudly.
Mary looked at Leo. "How do you feel? After Kael, I mean."
Leo paused. "…Nervous. Motivated. Mostly confused."
"Confused?" Aliya asked.
"Yeah." Leo poked his food. "He said the sword chose me. I… don't really understand what that means."
Drex swallowed a huge bite. "It means you're a main character."
Mary kicked his shin. Drex yelped.
Aliya leaned forward slightly. "Weapons resonate differently with everyone. Some people spend years figuring it out. If Instructor Kael recognized something in you, then you should take it seriously."
Leo nodded slowly. "Yeah. I will."
---
Across the cafeteria, whispers began spreading.
"That's the kid from Sword Circle 12."
"He fought Kael directly, right?"
"I heard he lasted a full minute!"
"No way—Kael blasts people in five seconds."
Leo pretended not to notice the exaggerations, but Drex puffed out his chest, soaking in every word.
"That's right!" he shouted proudly. "His name is Leo Stevens! Remember it!"
Mary groaned. "Why are you like this…"
Aliya laughed. "He's proud of his friend."
Leo covered his face. "Please don't turn this into a spectacle."
"But it is a spectacle!" Drex declared. "Our boy got noticed on the second day!"
"Technically, he was noticed yesterday too," Aliya added.
Leo groaned louder. "You're not helping."
But despite everything… he couldn't stop the smile creeping up.
It felt good.
To have friends.
To not be alone.
---
As they ate, their conversation drifted through weapon choices, class rumors, elemental theory, and legends of the upperclassmen. Laughter filled their table again and again.
Halfway through the meal, Aliya set her fork down.
"Leo."
He looked up. "Yeah?"
"Are you nervous about the forms Instructor Kael mentioned?"
Leo hesitated—then nodded. "Yeah. A lot."
Aliya's gentle smile answered him. "You'll learn them. Maybe not instantly, but you will."
Mary added, "You already have a head start. Most of us looked like chickens swinging sticks."
Drex raised his cup. "To Leo—not dying!"
Leo raised his cup as well. "I'll drink to that."
They clinked their cups lightly.
For a moment, everything felt perfect.
---
But across the cafeteria, in a shadowed corner, Brion watched the group with eyes full of fire and hate.
His tray remained untouched.
His lackeys whispered meaningless reassurances.
Brion didn't hear a single word.
His glare never left Leo.
You took my recognition.
You stole Lady Aliya's attention.
Enjoy your moment, trash.
A faint flame curled around his clenched fist.
Because I'm going to take everything back.
---