The academy corridors were always buzzing with whispers, but today, they felt sharper, louder. Every step Drake took was met with sneers and muttered insults.
"Look, it's the Unaffiliated."
"Disgusting. How did someone like him get accepted?"
"Probably begged for a spot. Or worse—someone took pity on him."
Drake kept his head down, hands shoved deep in his pockets. He had learned long ago that reacting only made things worse. At Iron Vale, ignoring the bullies had worked—eventually, they got bored and left him alone. But here, the hatred was different. These weren't just thugs looking for a fight. These were nobles, future rulers of the world, and they despised weakness more than anything.
And right now, Drake was the weakest of them all.
---
The dormitory hallway was empty—or so he thought.
Three figures stepped out of the shadows, blocking his path.
Connor Frey stood at the front, tall and broad-shouldered, his smirk cold and humorless. Behind him, his two lackeys loomed like guard dogs waiting for an order.
"Well, well," Connor drawled. "If it isn't the academy's stray."
Drake said nothing, stepping to the side to walk past them.
One of Connor's lackeys—a brute with a permanent sneer—shoved him back hard. "You don't just walk past us, commoner."
Drake exhaled through his nose. "Let me guess. You're going to give some grand speech about honor, then beat me up anyway?"
Connor's grin widened, but his eyes stayed cold. "Smart. But being smart doesn't change what you are."
A fist slammed into Drake's ribs, knocking the air from his lungs. He crashed into the wall, pain flaring through his body.
He knew pain. At Iron Vale, the beatings had been wild, fueled by anger and no skill. But this? This was different. Connor's lackeys held him down while their leader struck with precision—a knee to his stomach, an elbow to his back, a boot to his ribs.
Drake clenched his teeth. Screaming wouldn't help. It never did.
Nearby, two members of the Discipline Committee watched. They did nothing.
And above them, perched on the railing like a vulture, Sir Duron observed with clear disappointment in his golden eyes.
"Pathetic," Connor muttered, wiping his knuckles on Drake's ruined uniform. "You don't belong here. You never will."
Drake spat blood onto the floor. "And yet, here I am."
Connor's boot lifted again, ready to strike—
"That's enough."
A voice, calm but firm, cut through the hallway.
Alexis Knight stood at the far end, arms crossed. Beside him, Xian Lee twirled a strand of her pink hair, looking amused.
Connor's lip curled. "This doesn't concern you, Knight."
Alexis adjusted his glasses. "It does when you're breaking Academy Rule 14: Unauthorized Duels."
Connor scoffed. "Since when did you become a knight in shining armor?"
"Since now."
The air grew heavy with tension.
Then—
Xian giggled. "Oh, this is fun. Connor's getting scolded like a little kid. Should I record this?"
Connor's face darkened, but he stepped back. House Knight wasn't worth the trouble—not over something like this.
"This isn't over," he hissed at Drake before storming off, his lackeys trailing behind.
Xian crouched beside Drake, tilting her head like she was examining a strange bug. "You're really bad at this whole 'survival' thing, huh?"
Drake wiped blood from his mouth. "I'm still alive, aren't I?"
"Barely." She poked his bruised ribs, grinning when he flinched. "Ooh, that's gotta hurt."
Drake didn't answer.
"You didn't scream," she mused. "Didn't even beg. Most people would've."
"Would it have helped?" Drake said flatly.
"Nope." She winked. "But it's funny when they try."
Alexis sighed and hauled Drake to his feet. "Ignore her. She thinks empathy is a disease."
Xian smirked. "Because it is."
Drake said nothing. Gratitude was a luxury he couldn't afford.
Above them, Sir Duron finally moved, his shadow slipping away like smoke.
---
In the medical bay, the nurse worked quietly, stitching Drake's split lip and wrapping his ribs. Alexis lingered by the door, arms crossed.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"Why did they let you in?" His voice was low, serious. "No House. No backing. It doesn't make sense."
Drake stared at the wall. "Maybe they made a mistake."
Alexis didn't laugh. "Connor won't stop. Not until you're gone."
Drake met his gaze. "Then I guess I'll have to disappoint him."
Alexis had no answer.