Kyle and the two seniors made their way to the cafeteria, chatting and discussing their findings from the Void Studies class when they bumped into Mirai and Orin.
"Ah, speak of the devil—it's Mirai," Vera said with a smile.
"Hello there, Vera. Fancy seeing you here… and with Kyle, of all people," Mirai replied, a strained smile tugging at her lips.
What's up with her? Kyle thought, catching the flicker in Mirai's eyes. She looked tired—more worn than usual, something unreadable passing briefly behind her gaze.
Orin waved from beside her, balancing a tray stacked with sweets. "Kyle! I thought you were ghosting us."
"Not intentionally," Kyle replied with a guilty smile. "Besides, didn't we meet just yesterday?"
Mirai chuckled. "That's already too long. We need you with us constantly," she said, grabbing Kyle and pulling him closer to her and Orin.
"So how's counselling going? Still attending?" Orin asked casually.
The question caught Vera and Cynric's attention.
Kyle's eye twitched. "I was cleared after the second session. They said I was fine, and you know the rest."
Mirai and Orin both nodded in quiet understanding.
Cynric cleared his throat. "Was it related to when the professor asked you to stay back during the first lesson?"
Kyle nodded. "I have a... let's say a complicated relationship with the concept of nobility. But I'm working on it. After my fight with Chris, they suggested I try to see nobles in a different light."
Vera shifted slightly in her seat.
"Don't worry, Vera," Mirai interjected. "He seems to enjoy your company, so there's not much hate left for your kind."
"Wait—You fought the Malloran boy? Was it a duel? Did you win?" Vera asked, perking up after processing the news.
"Not officially. He used me as a demonstration dummy during our first combat class. I reacted poorly." Kyle's voice held a note of shame, but also a quiet resolve.
"He's a thorn, that one," Vera muttered. "A very gilded, arrogant thorn."
"Huh? You speak like you've fought him," Orin said, surprised.
"I have. He was once engaged to my little sister. Burned her arm in a 'duel' and the fucker got away with it. So yeah, I don't have the best impression."
Mirai looked like she wanted to say something, but instead gestured to a nearby table. "Let's sit. No need to rehash all that on an empty stomach."
Why does she look so sad? Kyle wondered as they moved to sit down.
Orin quickly claimed the seat beside Kyle and offered him a candied fruit skewer. "Here—sugar fixes everything."
Kyle chuckled, accepting it. "Thanks. I'll need the energy boost this afternoon."
Vera leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So, Mirai. You and Kyle seem close, huh?" There was a teasing glint in her eyes.
Mirai's gaze flicked briefly to Kyle before she shrugged. "He's new. I keep an eye on our juniors. Especially the Noctis babies."
"That's not what you said two weeks ago," Orin mumbled through a mouthful of cream bun. The group turned to stare at him. "What?"
Mirai flushed and flicked his forehead. "Don't you have something sweet to eat?"
"Already doing that," he muttered, rubbing the spot.
Kyle quickly steered the conversation. "Anyway, today's Void Studies class was... interesting. Deadzones. Did you know mana can be pushed away by invisible forces?"
Mirai tilted her head. "I've never heard of that theory. Most people think deadzones are just magical anomalies and keep it at that."
"Not proven yet, but it makes sense," Cynric chimed in. "Kyle brought up some solid points about mana flow, saturation, and interference from unmeasurable sources."
"It reminded me of my village," Kyle added. "Nothing grew properly, spells failed, and people just... left. We always thought the land was cursed. But now it makes more sense."
Mirai nodded slowly. "You really are changing."
Kyle blinked. "Is that a good thing or...?"
Mirai gave a rare, sincere smile. "It is. You used to burn too hot—like you'd explode."
"Well, he did explode on Chris," Orin added helpfully.
Kyle groaned. "Thanks, Orin."
Vera chuckled. "I like this group. Good energy. You should consider joining the Senior Mentorship program. It's optional, but you'd get to shadow us during practicals and joint theory sessions."
"Seriously?" Kyle asked.
"Seriously," Cynric confirmed. "You're sharp. Sharper than most first-years."
Mirai gave them both a long look, then glanced at Kyle. "If you're going to do that, don't forget us juniors. I was your first senior friend, got it?"
"I'll think about it, Vera. And I'm not going anywhere, Mirai." Kyle grinned. "Well—except to combat practice."
Mirai blinked. "Why? You're off-schedule today, aren't you?"
"Someone knows a certain junior's schedule by heart," Vera teased, twirling her hair.
Kyle coughed. "Yeah, well, Professor Owl said we could use the room. I need to stay sharp. After the last few days, I've realized how far I still have to go."
A moment of quiet followed, broken only by Orin slurping the last of his juice.
"Good," Mirai finally said. "Keep that fire—but control it too."
Kyle nodded, more grounded than he had been in days. "I will."
The mana combat arena buzzed with energy as students sparred under Professor Owl's sharp gaze. Refreshed from his Void Studies class, Kyle headed to the training grounds, eager to refine his technique.
As he prepared for another round of drills, a hush swept across the arena. Three seniors approached, their faces a mix of disdain and amusement.
"You're Kyle, right?" one sneered. "The one who got in through favouritism?"
Kyle straightened. "What are you talking about?"
The tallest senior stepped forward. "Don't play dumb. You failed the Mana test and skipped the written exam. Isn't that right, Rank Zero?"
"My name is Alex Mordain, first son of House Mordain—the phoenix family of the Magic Tower. I challenge you to a duel."
Professor Owl stepped in, voice stern. "This arena is for practice, not settling personal grudges. You know that, Mordain."
Alex smirked. "Just a friendly spar, Professor. From a senior to a junior."
Kyle raised his voice, steady and firm. "I refuse."
The arena buzzed with whispers.
Do you think it's true?He's not exactly impressive.But he's smart. He's in my Magic History class...
Alex saw the growing doubt and struck while the iron was hot."See? Even the crowd doesn't think you belong here. Unless, of course, you want to prove us wrong."
Professor Owl turned to Kyle, silently awaiting his decision.
Kyle sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. Let's do this."
Owl hesitated, then nodded. "Very well. But keep it clean."
They stepped onto the center platform. Alex wielded a sleek wand; Kyle drew a blunt dagger.
"A dagger?" Alex laughed. "What kind of mage uses a dagger? You should've gone to that second rate, inferior school, Caerwyn if you wanted to play with knives."
Kyle said nothing. He simply watched.
The duel began. Kyle stuck to what he knew—simple, reliable spells—and watched for patterns in Alex's movements.
Alex, overconfident, launched repeated attacks with minimal variation. Kyle started dodging more effectively, gradually moving into offense.
A well-timed Flash spell, a light element spell that creates a flash in front of where the user casts it, blinded Alex.
It was just long enough for Kyle to land a few precise strikes, eventually disarming him with a wrist shot.
The crowd murmured.
He's holding his own.Alex must be going easy.Wait... Kyle's actually winning?
Enraged, Alex pulled out a second wand.
Before anyone could stop him, he shouted,"Burn in hell, commoner—Hellfire: Flare Circle!"
A red circular spell circle formed below Kyle, and a column of fire erupted from it.A blast of searing flame engulfed Kyle.
He screamed, dropping to his knees, smoke rising from his charred shirt.
Professor Owl stormed forward, fury in his tone. "Mordain! What the hell was that? I said keep it clean!"
Alex shrugged. "He looked sturdy. Not my fault if he's weak."
Then someone gasped.
He's standing!
Alex turned, eyes widening.
Kyle stood—shirt burnt to nothing, scars on full display. His eyes were vacant, body trembling.
Is he... unconscious while standing?
A crushing pressure descended on the arena.
Bloodlust. Pure and suffocating.
Kyle's lips moved, but his voice was barely audible—just a chilling murmur beneath the tension.
"I'll kill you all."