The morning after the duel, Olivia felt it before she even stepped out of her dorm.
Eyes. Dozens of them. Watching. Weighing. Measuring.
In the Academy, gossip spread faster than plasma through a power conduit. Yesterday, she had been one more first-year among hundreds. Today, she was the girl who toppled Rourke.
She pulled her uniform jacket tight and started down the corridor. Cadets parted before her—not out of respect, but curiosity. Some whispered behind hands. Others stared openly.
"—took his leg out, did you see the replay—"
"—probably just luck, no way a first-year beats Rourke otherwise—"
"—she's Alpha-ranked. You know what that means—"
Olivia kept her chin up, pace steady. She refused to let them see the tight knot in her stomach. She'd survived worse than stares.
Morning Assembly
The central courtyard bustled with the usual organized chaos: squads forming, instructors shouting, banners of the different academic divisions fluttering in the breeze. The massive statue of Emperor Corvinus loomed over them all, carved from black steel, its shadow stretching like a blade.
Hana and Darius found her near the fountain.
"You've started a storm," Hana said, handing Olivia a ration bar. "Half the upperclassmen either want to recruit you, duel you, or trip you in the cafeteria."
Darius snorted. "Yeah, you're practically famous. People keep asking me what you eat for breakfast."
Olivia gave a short laugh. "Pretzels and orange juice. Want to sell that to them?"
"I might," Darius said. "There's money to be made."
Before Olivia could reply, a sudden hush rippled through the courtyard. Marcus approached, surrounded by a cluster of cadets like a minor celebrity. He'd clearly enjoyed the attention since their first classes began: perfect hair, perfect uniform, and a grin that suggested he owned the place.
"Corvinus," Marcus greeted smoothly, as if they were old rivals. "Impressive work yesterday. I was wondering when you'd finally do something interesting."
Olivia raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't performing for your entertainment."
Marcus leaned closer, his smile sharpening. "Oh, but you are. Whether you like it or not. Everyone's talking about you now. And that means eyes are on us. First-years from Kepler Terminus. It reflects on me too."
Hana's voice turned to ice. "She didn't win for your reputation."
Marcus ignored her. "You should come to Strategy Club this afternoon. Some people want to meet you. People who can make your time here… smoother."
Olivia heard the subtext. Power blocs. Factions. Alliances. She'd expected this eventually. Just not so soon.
"I'll think about it," she said flatly.
Marcus's grin didn't waver, but something flickered in his eyes—annoyance. He didn't like not being the center. "Don't wait too long. Opportunities don't linger here."
He walked off, entourage in tow. The whispers resumed immediately.
Instructors Take Notice
Later that morning, Olivia was summoned unexpectedly after Foundations of Mecha Repair.
"Corvinus, Captain Kade wants to see you. Immediately," the instructor said.
Hana and Darius exchanged looks. Olivia shrugged, trying to appear calm, but her pulse jumped. Kade didn't "summon" first-years casually.
She followed the steel corridors up to the administrative wing. The walls here were lined with historical holos of past battles—Titans locked in combat, fleets burning in orbit, soldiers saluting beneath the imperial flag.
Kade's office was sparse but imposing. He stood behind a black-steel desk, hands clasped behind his back, gaze fixed out the panoramic window overlooking the training arenas.
"Cadet Corvinus," he said without turning. "You fought well yesterday."
"Thank you, sir."
"Rourke is one of the strongest second-years. Few first-years last thirty seconds against him." Kade turned finally, his eyes sharp as knives. "You not only lasted. You won. That makes waves."
Olivia met his gaze. "I didn't do it for attention."
"I know," Kade said. "But attention has found you regardless. And with it, expectations." He paced slowly. "You are Alpha-ranked. Rare. Dangerous. The Academy will watch your progress closely. So will others—military branches, intelligence divisions, even the royal family. Do you understand the position you've put yourself in?"
"Yes, sir," Olivia said, though the weight of it settled uneasily in her gut.
Kade stopped before her. "Good. Then understand this as well: talent without discipline is a liability. I've seen prodigies burn out, break, or become tools of others. If you intend to rise, you must control the storm you've unleashed."
Olivia straightened. "I intend to, sir."
For a heartbeat, something like approval glimmered in his expression. "Dismissed. And, Corvinus—well fought."
She left with her mind racing. Kade wasn't just warning her. He was measuring her.
Factions in the Shadows
By midday, invitations began to arrive. Digital messages flashed on her wristband.
House Varyn Strategy Club invites you to a meeting. Attendance highly encouraged.
Knight Squadron recruitment interest.
Engineering Collective would like to discuss potential collaboration.
She deleted three. Marked one for later. Ignored the rest.
Hana noticed during lunch. "You're popular."
Olivia stabbed at her food. "They don't want me. They want what they think I can give them."
"That's how the Academy works," Hana said simply. "Everyone's climbing. Some will step on you. Others will offer a hand, but only if they can pull you into their structure."
Darius nodded, mouth full. "Yeah. I already got asked to join two minor clubs. One offered me free VR game time. The other, free snacks. Guess which I picked."
Olivia almost smiled. Darius's levity was a welcome relief. But Hana's words lingered. Pull you into their structure. She'd spent her first life clawing out of others' control. She wouldn't let it happen again.
Unexpected Allies
That evening, Olivia found someone waiting outside her dorm: a tall second-year cadet with crimson hair, wearing a Knight Squadron emblem.
"Corvinus," she said, voice crisp but not unfriendly. "I'm Cadet Reina. Knight Squadron." She gestured to the emblem. "You've caused quite a stir."
Olivia crossed her arms. "I'm aware."
Reina smiled faintly. "Good. I like people who know their worth. I watched your duel. Precise. Tactical. You didn't win through brute force—you used your opponent's momentum against him. We need pilots like you."
"So this is a recruitment pitch?"
"Partially," Reina admitted. "But more than that—a warning. Rourke isn't the only one whose pride you wounded. There are cadets in his faction who will come for you. Not in duels. In more… subtle ways."
Olivia's stomach tightened. "Thanks for the warning."
Reina nodded once. "If you ever need allies, Knight Squadron values strength and brains. Think about it."
She left as abruptly as she'd arrived, leaving Olivia alone under the dorm's cold lights.
Night Whispers
The Academy never truly slept. Even at night, the hum of machines and distant clatter of training echoed through the halls. Olivia lay in her bunk, staring at the ceiling, her System faintly active in her vision.
[Name: Olivia Corvinus]
[Compatibility: Rank A / Alpha]
[Innate System Function: Technology Communication]
[Strength: 6]
[Dexterity: 8]
[Agility: 8]
[Intelligence: 9]
[Endurance: 6]
[Perception: 9]
[Additional System Functions: 1 Pending Unlock]
Her victory had raised her stats. But it had also painted a target on her back.
She thought of Kade's warning. Of Marcus's veiled offer. Of Reina's subtle recruiting.
The Academy wasn't just about piloting mecha. It was about navigating power.
In her past life—whatever fragments she could still remember—she had commanded machines, maybe even soldiers. The instincts were there, buried deep. She could feel them stirring.
This was her new battlefield now. Not steel against steel. But ambition against ambition.
Outside her window, training lights flickered like distant stars. Olivia turned on her side, mind whirring. Tomorrow, the ripples would grow into waves. She needed to be ready to surf them—or drown.