After the academy shortlist came out, the Acheron estate basically turned into a zoo.
People who didn't even look at each other before were suddenly sparring like their lives depended on it. Ki blasts were flying left and right, wooden dummies were breaking every half hour, and the healers were already annoyed with all the "minor injuries" piling up.
Darius, as usual, stayed out of the chaos.
He had no intention of proving anything to anyone. Still, the shift in behaviour was hard to ignore.
Earlier, people used to ignore him like background noise. Now, half the cousins were either giving him side-eyes or smiling fake smiles like they suddenly remembered they were related.
One even had the audacity to pat his back and say, "Bro, I always said you had hidden potential, re." Darius didn't even remember the guy's name.
"Yeah, thanks," he said, deadpan. Then walked off.
Revan, on the other hand, was acting like someone had pissed in his tea. He still walked around like he owned the place, but there was this slight edge now—as if he couldn't figure out whether Darius was an actual threat or just a lucky fluke.
Everyone expected some drama, and honestly, the estate didn't disappoint.
Two cousins from the side branches—Neil and Krish—got into a full-blown ki fight in the middle of the eastern training ground. No warning, no formality. Just one guy calling the other a "bootlicker" and boom—straight-up ki palm to the chest.
Everyone gathered, obviously. Free entertainment.
Darius was just sitting under the tree nearby, sipping plain herbal tea and watching like it was a street cricket match.
"You're not gonna jump in?" a voice asked.
He turned to see Arjun—one of the few cousins who didn't act like a complete moron around him.
"Nah," Darius said. "Let them fight. One less fool to deal with."
Arjun laughed. "True, bro. That Neil guy's been on a power trip since he touched Tier C. Bloody thinks he's already the academy's chosen son."
The fight ended five minutes later. Neil won but had a bleeding lip and torn sleeve. Krish walked off with a limp, muttering curses under his breath. Nothing major, but the elders were definitely going to scold both later.
"People are losing their minds," Darius muttered, finishing his tea.
"They're scared," Arjun said. "Even Revan. You getting shortlisted shook up their confidence."
"I didn't ask for it."
"Yeah, but you got it. Now you're in the game whether you like it or not."
Darius didn't reply. He just got up, dusted his robe, and walked away.
Later that evening, as the sky turned that typical orange-pink mix, a servant showed up at his door.
"Elder Mira is calling you to the east chamber. Alone."
Darius frowned. That was weird. Usually, elders didn't talk to juniors one-on-one unless it was scolding, punishment, or some secret favour business.
Still, he followed.
The east chamber was mostly empty when he arrived. Mira was already sitting with a teacup, her sharp eyes scanning a scroll lazily.
"Sit," she said without looking up.
Darius sat, not too stiff, not too casual.
"You know why I called you?"
"Not really."
She looked up now, expression unreadable. "You've been quiet. Too quiet. Ever since your name showed up on the academy list, you haven't said a single word to any of the elders. Not even a formal thanks."
Darius kept his tone flat. "Didn't know I was supposed to thank someone for something I didn't ask for."
Mira smirked. "Fair enough. But make no mistake, child. That shortlist is not some random lottery. Someone up there noticed you. That means you're being watched. Closely."
"I figured."
"And you still don't want to prepare? You're what, late Tier D?"
"Mid-D," he corrected. "Give or take."
She raised an eyebrow. "Still dragging your feet even now? You're not curious how or why you got noticed?"
Darius met her eyes. "Curiosity usually brings more trouble than answers in this family."
Mira actually chuckled at that. "Hmph. You're not dumb, I'll give you that."
She leaned forward slightly, her tone shifting. "Listen, Darius. Whatever you're hiding—or whatever's helping you stay under the radar—keep it close. People here, even blood, will cut you down if they think you're climbing too fast."
Darius nodded once. "I know."
"Good." She leaned back. "That's all. You can go."
He got up and left. No fanfare, no threats, no promises.
Outside, the wind had picked up a bit. The trees rustled, and the sky had darkened just enough to call it evening.
Darius walked back to his wing slowly. His mind wasn't racing, but he was alert. Eyes scanning, ears open.
The Boundless Nexus flickered again in his vision for just a second.
[Boundless Nexus – Adaptive Mode Active]
Concealment Stable
Ki Absorption: 8.3/hr
External Surveillance: Moderate
Root Tier: D (74%)
Note: Keep profile low until advancement
He closed the window with a blink.
Low profile. That had always been the plan.
But now, things were changing too fast. Too many eyes. Too many games.
And he was right in the middle of it.