“You made any friends yet?”

What in the veil?

This was the first time Master wrote back and he asked if I’d made any friends? He should’ve replied to my other messages. Also, it was only the third day. Who made friends that fast? It was especially hard because of all the rumors about me too.

“No,” I replied.

“Go make some then. It’s part of your promise.”

I wrote him back a few more times but he stopped responding.

During lunch, I sat down with one of the few people I knew.

“Everyone sure loves talking about you, Rai,” Axel said, pointing to a group of nobles with his fork. “They’ve all been whispering since your duel.”

They turned away when I looked but I felt their glares.

“Let them. It doesn’t bother me.”

Axel was one of the few people who arrived as early as I did in the city. We spoke here and there since we lived on the same floor, but I didn’t know he’d be in the same class as me. Maybe I should’ve put him down when Master asked if I’d made any friends. It wasn’t exactly a lie. I liked the guy well enough. He was friendly and didn’t push for personal information. But, we hadn’t done anything together other than talk in class and eat. Maybe that was enough.

“Whatever you say, man. If it does bother you though, give them a piece of your mind. They’re too scared to pick a fight.”

“And what if they decide to challenge me to a duel?”

Axel shrugged. “Win.”

Yeah, he wasn’t bad.

Feno, Axel’s partner, sat next to him. “It’s cold again,” he said as he flipped over the stringy meat. “Can’t we get something hot for once?”

Axel and I were already done with our food and we eyed Feno with interest, or rather, what he brought. Axel leaned over, “You don’t eat meat right? I can take that off your hands.”

“Just not beef. I eat other meat.”

“So you’re gonna eat it?” I asked.

“Are you guys that desperate?”

I pointed to another table where students lined up in droves with untouched trays. At the head of it, a blonde boy with disdainful eyes, not dissimilar to Contempt Girl, sat. He leaned on one hand, elbow propped on the table, handing out hefty sums of coins in exchange for the meat. Some tried to introduce themselves and he’d roll his eyes, nodding and waving them away, motioning for the next to come.

“You guys wanna give my food to him? How come you didn’t sell yours?”

“I was hungry,” I said.

“And I finished before he started offering.”

“How in the veil do you eat so fast? I came only a few minutes after you guys.”

“Gotta save time, Feno. There’s only so much in a day.”

“If they let us use the training grounds whenever we wanted, I’d have eaten faster.”

With labyrinth delving happening so soon, I was surprised they kept the training grounds under lock and key. We hadn’t visited it yet, so I didn’t get a chance to see what Blue Hair could do.

Speaking of Blue Hair.

She sat in the corner of the cafeteria by herself, just like yesterday. Her head was down as she fumbled with the utensils, trying to finish as quickly as she could with the smallest movements possible.

She didn’t seem the type to hold a conversation well and she kept to herself. Despite being paired together, there wasn’t much reason for me to interact with her. All I needed to do was become registered in the guild and go into the labyrinth by myself. Despite that, I did feel a little bad. She helped me out when I was in a tight spot.

“You wanna invite her over?” Axel asked.

“You guys don’t mind?”

“N-Not at all,” Feno stammered. “It’s normal to eat with your partner. Everyone else is.”

“Can you put my tray away if you’re going to get up?”

“Sure,” I said, taking Axel’s tray and mine.

As I set them away, a noble cut in front. “We were in line first,” he said, not even ashamed of the obvious lie. His two other friends dropped off their trays before I could finally put mine away. If this was what the harassment amounted to, it wasn’t too bad.

Making my way to Blue Hair’s table, I noticed she was gone. I asked one of the tables near her where she went.

“I don’t know,” the arem girl said. Her aremshai-ir traits blended into her clothes, or rather, she made it that way. Visible tufts of white fur encircled her collar and stuck out of her sleeves. Below her emerald pin was one made of elderwood, engraved with the academy’s emblem. “I’m sorry I can’t be of help.”

“Nothing to apologize for,” I said.

“Look at that. He doesn’t know how to interact with humans so he goes to ask animals for help. They don’t speak, you know?”

“It’s not like he understands what we’re saying either,” another noble student said.

I rolled my eyes.

“Do any of you know where she went, then?”

“Oh gods, he does know how to speak human.”

They laughed.

What’s the point of the academy if it’s filled with people like this?

They felt the insults too, but the girl with the emblem, their representative, held them back. I left the arem table to head back. Feno waved at me from across the room and pointed outside. I took a quick look. A few ate on the grass and benches, while others enjoyed the contrast between the chilling wind and warm sun.

Rounding the corner, I saw Blue Hair nested under a tree. She had a book in her lap and as her eyes slowly trailed down the page, her fingers skimmed along the edges of the next page. She looked more calm and focused than I’d ever seen her. So focused, she didn’t notice the people pointing at her.

It was a group made up of three girls and two boys with Contempt Girl at the center of it. I’d pinned her down on the first day for her constant jeers whenever I passed by.

She’s busy. I’ll just ask her tomorrow.

Ms. Ein led us to the training grounds. It was more spacious than I thought it would be, easily fitting all thirty students. It was at the back of the academy’s main building and elevated a few steps above the usual stone-paved paths.

“I’ll be measuring your abilities today. Take note of your partner as you’ll be evaluated together during our venture into the labyrinth.”

“Now you can finally show me what you’re made of,” Axel said, clapping Feno on the back.

“Don’t expect much. Mom taught me a few things in secret, but Father forbade magic lessons until I was officially recognized.”

“Officially recognized? Wait, you’re a noble?”

“I didn’t expect that either,” I said.

Feno was half-elf. Marriages between elves and humans weren’t illegal, but most nobility looked down on it. Elves were relegated to lovers and mistresses, and usually not by choice.

“I’ll tell you guys later, Ms. Ein’s looking at us.”

The training dummies were set up and we formed lines at each of the five. There were a few interesting students, but I wanted to see what Blue Hair was capable of.

One of the girls late on the first day, Elis, tore a chunk out of the target’s chest, revealing a shimmering core inside. The non-nobles and poorer nobility held their breaths at the sight. One of those would sell for a rather large amount, at least forty gold apiece. It’d be enough for a family to live on for a few years.

If I stole all the dummies here, then I’d be around halfway to buying a major core.

It wouldn’t work. Even if I managed to scrounge up the other half of the money, the adventurer’s guild would likely notify the academy of my purchase.

The splintered wood on the ground faded away as the dummy’s chest regrew over the core like nothing had ever happened.

“I’m pretty amazing.”

“You sure are,” Iris said.

I was up next. Compared to Elis’, even if I poured all my mana into it, mine probably wouldn’t even do half of what her’s did. “Firebolt!” My spell struck the target, leaving behind a scorch mark. The wood didn’t move.

“Y-You did good,” Feno said as I came back.

“It wasn’t bad at all, Rai. But those idiots over there are laughing for some reason,” Axel said. He jutted a thumb at Contempt Girl’s group.

Contempt Girl herself was too lazy to even bring her pristine little hand to cover her big mouth. She smirked when our eyes met.

“It lets me know who to avoid.”

“At least you’re thinking optimistically. Your duel with Abelard’s still the talk of the school. Lots of people tried to find out about your family afterward,” Feno said. “No one seems to have found anything, though.”

Good. I preferred to keep it that way. No one on my dad’s side was notable and my grandparents on my mom’s side covered up who she ran away with. The Yurfrays would disturb the veil if it meant I wouldn’t be associated with them. So, as far as the world knew, and as far as I cared, I had no connection with the Yurfrays. Except for Aisha.

Stop thinking about it.

I already decided I would open the letter after I found the major core.

“I don’t need to hear any more. Let them talk if they want.”

Feno seemed bothered while Axel shrugged. “If you say so. Though they conveniently forget you lasted against the council leader with those weak spells.”

“You could have left out the weak part.”

Blue Hair skittered toward the dummy furthest to the right. She stood frozen for a few seconds, only her fingers moving as they fiddled around. Though she was taller than Elis, she felt smaller with the way she always pulled in rather than pushing out. Contempt Girl snickered.

“W-W-Waterbolt…”

Contempt Girl and her group held back their laughter. Feno watched with a sympathetic expression. Her waterbolt didn’t manifest. She heard their muted laughter, pulling back her hand and hanging her head. She sulked back to the line.

Damn.

I owed her, but if she couldn’t cast magic, then there was no hope of her doing well in the labyrinth. I’d have to do everything by myself, and even then, if we’re being evaluated together, it might not be enough. Did the old man coordinate this with Carlyle so I’d give up on finding Kharss?

If that was the case, I’d go back to looking around solo. No matter how hard they tried, I wasn’t going to stop until I found him.

I almost missed it. Forming in the air wasn’t water, but ice. It shot toward the dummy, shattering it and sending splinters everywhere. The class jumped. It sounded like a boulder crashing into a lake. Fragmented pieces of the core scattered along the ground, glistening under the sunlight, the mana remaining far too little to restore its form.

Blue Hair stared at the spot where the target used to be. Elis ran up, taking her hand and congratulating her. Blue Hair sheepishly thanked her and hid at the back of her line.

I stumbled onto a golden goose. We’d have to work out her nervousness and the delayed spell, but if she was that strong, we’d get awarded our adventuring licenses for sure.

“Wow,” said Feno.

“Wow’s putting it lightly,” Axel added.

Contempt Girl clicked her tongue. “She looks ready to pass out. Probably used all her mana for that one spell.”

Ms. Ein gathered us up and split us into our partners. “Before we begin, does everyone know how to conjure a barrier?” She asked.

Blue Hair began fiddling with her hands again.

Does she not know how?

“I’m not sure if I remember,” I said, raising a hand.

Ms. Ein raised an eyebrow and Blue Hair looked up, surprised. Mocking whispers floated between the students.

Ms. Ein probably saw me cast those barriers, which explained her reactions. The others, of course, didn’t. Despite that she said, “This is a great opportunity to go through basic concepts of magic as well, considering the diverse backgrounds of this class.” Some other commoner students looked relieved. “Bolt spells are the simplest spell and the second simplest manifestation of our magic. The first, of course, being a ‘flare’.”A light breeze emanated from her hand.

As Master explained it, flares were the expulsions of mana without a spell to shape it.

Ms. Ein reiterated his point. “It is the simple release of mana through your first gate,” she said, pointing to her hand. The nobles rolled their eyes. No noble house would send their kid here without teaching them the basics of magic. They all already learned flow control from their families too. A privilege none of the common students had except for me and maybe the non-human students.

“Visualize your mana consolidating into a thin layer around you,” she finished. “For those who may need focus words, simply say, “Renard, grant me protection.”. You may switch Renard for any of The Seven Great Mages, or for a god. Try to move away from the incantation as soon as possible. Practice until your verbal evocations strengthen your barrier rather than act as a crutch for its formation.”

If that was the bar, then I’d pass the class with no problem. My visualizations skills with barriers were second to none and verbal evocations happened to be my forte. Mostly because they had to be. My magic was too weak otherwise.

Ms. Ein signaled for us to split.

“What about gates and flow control?” someone asked.

“Flow control is not important right now. As for the second gate, most mages are never able to access it. So long as no one has their hands cut off, there should be no need to learn of it.”

Flow control was how mana moved through one’s body and their gate. Every mage developed it by themselves at some point, but it helped to have someone demonstrate theirs.

We practiced conjuring barriers until Ms. Ein was satisfied. Blue Hair’s already pale face lost a shade of color as we turned to face each other. Her eyes quivered.

“Are you ready?”

She nodded tentatively.

Is this gonna be okay? She made barriers just fine a second ago but things change when stuff starts getting thrown at your face.

“Why don’t you attack me first?”

She didn’t seem any bit more enthused than before. In fact, she seemed worse. “...Me,” she said, “attack me first.”

If you say so.

I cast a firebolt once her barrier was up. She flinched but her barrier held without signs of weakening. After the fifth shot, it became clear that I wouldn’t break it unless I exerted myself, maybe not even then. “Your turn,” I said, feeling a bit weary.

Blue Hair didn’t respond.

I conjured a barrier. She shuffled around, working herself up to the task. Would it be this tedious every time? Maintaining a half barrier already felt like a waste of energy, more so for a full one like now. If I didn’t keep it up though, Ms. Ein would lecture me.

“W-W-W-Waterbolt…”

I waited for about as long as it took the other one to appear. Nothing happened.

“Again,” I told her.

“B-But…”

“Do it again.”

“Wa-Waterbolt.”

“More firmly.”

“W-Waterbolt!”

I released the barrier.

This girl really doesn’t know how to use her magic at all, does she?

“Rainen!”

Time slowed as I saw my own breath rising. Where Blue Hair’s hand used to be, a swirling torrent formed. A golden dome materialized around me as the waterbolt cut through the air. It shattered the barrier and another took its place, catching an intact sliver that had turned into solid ice. Two more bolts came right after.

The second cracked the barrier and the third punched through before Ms. Ein’s last defense formed. I conjured three hand-sized layers. They shattered without resistance. I threw up my arm. Pain shot through my whole right side.

Ms. Ein ran to my side, “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m, I’m fine.” If I wasn’t wearing my bracer, my arm would’ve snapped. Somehow I survived again without needing to use my ability.

“I-I’m, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

Blue Hair ran into the building. Ms. Ein ordered us to stay put and chased after her. Not a minute passed before people like Contempt Girl started gossiping about the incident. After checking if I was alright, Axel and Feno changed topics.

“So, about that auction happening in a month. Sounds like fun, right?” Axel said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Y-Yeah,” Feno responded stiffly.

“Can we get in?”

“No idea, Rai. There might be some additional rules for students and they might only allow nobility and their guests.” Axel broke into a grin. “That’s not a problem for us though, right Mr. noble?”

Feno sighed, “I don’t know if I want to go.”

“Why not? It seems pretty cool.”

“Father will be coming.”

“Are you gonna tell us more about that?” I asked.

“Well, there’s not a lot to say. Father is a Three Star. We live on the border

of Hengkal Forest.”

A Three Star, huh. Not bad.

Nobles were ranked on a scale of Six Stars, with Six being the highest. Each of the family lines stemming from The Seven Great Mages, were Six Star houses.

Axel snapped his fingers, “I knew we were meant to be the greatest of friends the moment Ms. Ein announced our partnership. We’ll do amazing things… By the way, what’s your place in line for your dad’s title?”

“I’m last, so third.”

Axel and I looked at each other.

“Not too bad,” I said. “If your dad cares more about achievements than your age, you might be able to get to first.”

“That won’t happen. I’m only in line for the title because of the law that’s passing soon. If it wasn’t for my mom agreeing to be Father’s second wife, on the condition that I was officially recognized, then I wouldn’t even be here.”

It took me a moment to realize he was talking about the treaty with the Sesoro Kingdom. They were an elven nation that the empire had close relations with, and because of that relationship, the empire was passing a law that banned the slavery of elves. Since Feno’s dad was a Three Star, and a border noble at that, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to ‘acquire’ elves.

“Well,” Axel said, patting his shoulder. “You should make the best of it then, for your mom. Why don’t you try rising up in the ranks?”

“How? I already said that Father doesn’t care about me.”

Axel and I looked at each other again.

“”Poison,”” we said.

His mouth hung open. “I’m not-”

“Conspiring to kill a noble? I wouldn’t expect any less from the hack who stole my spot.”

I glanced at the newcomer. Rich Boy. The same kid who was buying food from other people during lunch.

“We’re joking,” Feno said in a panic.

Axel rolled his eyes. “Why is someone from another class here?”

“Trying to run away from what you said?” Rich Boy sneered. “We’re here for training, unlike you three. Move out of the way. I’ll let you off the hook since the instructor’s here.” Though he said that, he seemed more conscious of Iris who was explaining the situation to their instructor.

We moved to the corner of the space. A dark-haired girl with a slim physique tapped my arm. Her hand rested on her hip as if she was used to holding onto something there. “What happened with your partner?”

“I know as much as the rest of you do.”

“That you’re weak,” Contempt Girl said.

“What is it with you nobles and always butting in?” Axel asked.

Feno tried to stop Axel from saying any more. He didn’t back down, but also didn’t push. It was obvious she was of high status, at least higher than the nobles surrounding her.

She laughed. “Looks like one of you has a brain. Seems that some vestiges of sense still show so long as half of you is noble.”

Half of me is noble too bitch.

“That’s all?” the dark-haired girl asked.

I nodded.

“Nula Chosk, right? You shouldn’t speak with them. They’re not on our level,” one of the boys next to Contempt Girl said.

“We’re equals in the academy,” Nula replied.

“Renard’s only failing. He had too much faith in the common people.”

Contempt Girl’s comment earned her some less than happy looks from the non-nobles, and the aremshai-ir seemed on edge.

“You’ve got a lot of resentment towards a hero of the empire.”

“I told you to watch yourself, Chosk,” the boy said. His bangs which had been brushed aside fell over his eyes. “One bad incident and your family will Fall.”

Nula clenched her fists and glared at him. Apparently, he’d hit a sore spot, though a family was usually anyone’s sore spot. He didn’t falter from her simmering anger. He smirked as she eventually turned around and started toward her seat.

“Lame.”

“What?” the boy looked around.

“Lame,” Elis said again. “I wanted to hear about Ellar, not your bickering.”

He snickered in the same way Contempt Girl did.

“Not gonna fight back against a family that isn’t falling?” I asked.

I knew it wasn’t the best idea, especially with how Feno’s face fell once I said it, but I had to get a jab in there somewhere considering how they’ve been laughing at me all day. Even if they weren’t worth my time, I wasn’t going to be pushed around.

“You think you’re so great after surviving a few seconds against the council leader? Anyone would have done better in your place.”

“Easy to say when you’re not staring down six of those spears. Not that he would’ve wasted a spell like that on you.”

His face twisted in rage.

“I challenge you to a duel!”

I laughed.

“No.”