Absolutely. Here's Chapter Six of The Arrogant Young Master System — Theo's first day in Air Affinity Class, where he faces skeptical instructors, overconfident classmates, and finally begins unlocking the power of flair-based villainy. Expect sharp inner monologues, worldbuilding, sabotage attempts, and a very uncomfortable demonstration.
Chapter Six: Class, Criticism, and the Art of Atmospheric Arrogance
The classroom wasn't a room.
It was a floating stone arena suspended midair between two towers, encircled by swirling currents of wind and bordered with invisible runes to keep students from plummeting to their deaths.
Because apparently, if you're training to wield the skies, your classroom should try to kill you every five minutes.
System Notification: You have entered [Skyspire Arena – Air Path Training Grounds]
Environmental Bonus: Air Techniques slightly enhanced
Warning: Falling from this height may result in a very short academic career
I stepped onto the training platform with the grace of a man who knew he didn't belong but was going to act like he owned it anyway.
My boots tapped stone.
My cloak fluttered dramatically.
My villain glow aura shimmered just enough to annoy a bird flying past.
Perfect.
The instructor stood in the center of the ring—a tall, lean man in blue-gray robes, with hair like stormclouds and a personality like cold toast.
Instructor Zephyrn. Rank: A+. Affinity: Air (Mastery).
Known for throwing students off the platform "for growth."
He scanned the gathered group: ten students in total. Nine of them were lean, serious, and humming with barely contained elemental potential.
And then there was me.
Air Affinity Students – Highlights:
Camden Vale: Rank C+, noble, "top of last year's entry trials," smirks like a discount protagonist.
Nessa Roan: Affinity rank C, commoner, sharp eyes, looks like she's already judged everyone.
Theo Duskblood: Rank F+, glows faintly, suspiciously confident, definitely on a list somewhere.
Instructor Zephyrn clasped his hands. "Welcome to the Air Path. The weakest affinity physically—but the most versatile when mastered. Speed. Agility. Precision. Technique."
He paused.
His eyes landed on me. Flicked over my coat. My pose. My very existence.
"…and theatricality," he added, not quite kindly.
I gave him a small bow.
"Thank you for the spotlight, professor."
Camden snorted behind me.
"Of course he thinks it's a spotlight."
Training Exercise One: Lift
Zephyrn raised his hand. "Control the ambient air around your body. Suspend yourself for five seconds. Float. Nothing more."
Simple.
Unless you were me.
[System Reminder: Your Air Affinity is Rank: Unawakened. You are barely qualified to blow out candles.]
Camden went first. He stepped forward, summoned a soft white glow beneath his boots, and rose gently two feet off the ground.
Graceful. Balanced. Applauded.
Next few students followed suit—varying in height and control, but they all floated.
Then came me.
System: Action available – Force Light Breeze + Foot Twitch. Estimated result: 6 inches of dramatic struggle.
Would you like to proceed?
"System," I muttered. "Activate budget levitation."
I focused.
A tickle of energy pulsed under my feet.
And then—slowly, painfully—I rose.
Six inches. Unsteady. Wobbling like a sad balloon with commitment issues.
[You are floating. Badly.]
I held the pose for exactly five seconds, then stumbled back down with a theatrical twist and a bow.
Camden clapped. Slowly. Mocking.
"Oh bravo. That was adorable."
Villainy +2
Resist the urge to throw someone off the platform: +1 Self-Control EXP
Training Exercise Two: Wind Form
Zephyrn gestured to the edge of the platform. "The wind is not your servant. It is your partner. Form it. Shape it. Show me control."
Camden stepped up, exhaled, and a ribbon of wind circled his arm like a living snake. It danced around his wrist and snapped forward, slicing a stone in half.
Everyone oohed appropriately.
My turn.
System: You may attempt [Rough Gust]. Warning: Highly inaccurate. Mildly humiliating.
Would you like to proceed?
I extended my hand.
"Alright, air. Let's pretend we like each other."
I gathered the energy, pulled, shaped…
…and released.
A puff of wind shot directly into my own face.
My hair whipped backward. My coat flared open. I looked like I just got hit by a glamour fan at a fashion show.
Silence.
Camden coughed to hide a laugh. Nessa outright chuckled.
Even Zephyrn raised a brow.
"…theatricality. Noted."
System Notification: [Air Affinity Proficiency +1]
New Passive Trait Unlocked: Gust Flair – Your air techniques now have a +10% chance to look dramatic, even when ineffective.
"Progress," I whispered.
After Class – Observation Deck
I leaned on the railing, watching the training platform below as students left.
Then I sensed someone beside me.
Elaris.
Silver braid. Ice-blue eyes. The faint crackle of air around her. Cloaked in silence, like snow just before it falls.
She didn't look at me, but she spoke.
"That technique was terrible."
I smiled without turning.
"You'll find that's my specialty."
A pause.
"Yet you're still here," she said. "Still floating. Still smirking. Why?"
I finally looked at her.
"Because while they master wind, I'll master attention. Power will come. But infamy? That's a craft."
She tilted her head. "Interesting."
System Notification: Interest Level Raised: Elaris → Mildly Intrigued
New Tag: "Enjoys Watching You Struggle Publicly"
Back at the Dorm – Late Night
I stared at my system window.
Still weak.
Still mocked.
Still underpowered.
But my name was everywhere.
System Quest Complete: Make a Statement in Class
Reward: +100 Points | Unlock Skill Tree Node: [Gust Trick]
New Skill Available: Gust Trick (Passive) – You may enhance movement or dodge attempts with small bursts of air. Still looks extra. Still annoys people. Use responsibly.
Total Points: 125
I leaned back in my chair, grinning.
"Perfect. Just enough."
Tomorrow?
Crimson Thread – Passive Unlock would be mine.
Let the protagonists chase power.
I'd chase reactions.