The second day at the Academy.
I stepped into the classroom said to be reserved only for a chosen few: the Luminaries Class, Class S. The room was larger than the others, tall windows letting in the light, and carved wooden desks arranged neatly in a half-circle facing the crystal board at the front.
Vellion walked beside me, hands shoved into his pockets. As usual, his face was flat, uninterested.
> "Don't cause a scene on the second day, Gren," he said curtly.
I just grinned.
> "If there's a scene, that means the ants are the ones coming to me, not the other way around."
---
The moment I entered, I felt it. The atmosphere here was far heavier than yesterday. Understandable—this wasn't a normal class. Almost everyone in here bore names of great houses, some even descended from bloodlines that shaped the empire itself.
On the right sat a young man with short blue hair—his long side fringe draped across his face. Ceon Sapientia. Grandson of Grand Duke Sapientia. One of the four pillars of the empire. His sharp gaze cut through the room, as if weighing every single person the moment they walked in.
Across from him sat Kinn Medias, lilac hair braided neatly to the side, posture relaxed. His face was almost too pretty for a man, but his eyes… flamboyant, confident, and unshaken. His thin smile looked like a constant challenge to anyone who dared meet his gaze.
Not far from him lounged a hazel-eyed young man, his stare lazy as if he had just woken up—Veritas von Lebirabit, heir of a Count. His faint smile suggested he had already read everyone's thoughts in the room. His eyes lingered on me a second longer before shifting away.
By the window sat a girl clad in gothic black, shoulder-length hair sleek and straight, pale expressionless face. Acta Audere. The way she stared at the crystal board up front made it seem as if the world around her didn't matter at all. Even when others glanced her way, she didn't so much as flinch.
Then the door opened again. A girl stepped in—long hair white as snow, pale gray eyes, steps graceful yet steady. Whispers immediately filled the room.
Anette Vos Imperium. The emperor's daughter.
I could feel the air tighten around us. Of course it did—the presence of a member of the imperial family was no small matter. Even nobles bowed their heads before the Imperium.
I folded my arms, glancing sideways. That name was hardly unfamiliar. Imperium… the family above all. Even the Four Grand Dukes were pillars beneath the throne.
> "Tsk, so even the imperial family is willing to descend here," I muttered under my breath.
Vellion cast me a side glance and sighed.
> "Don't tell me you're planning to stir trouble with the emperor's daughter too."
I only smiled faintly.
---
Once everyone had taken their seats, the front door opened again. A man strode in with steady steps. Neatly kept black hair, a youthful face but eyes sharp—not the look of some old professor. The crystal staff in his hand caught the light.
> "Good morning, Luminaries."
His voice was deep, commanding.
> "I am Professor Vermal, your instructor and head overseer of this class. From today onward, you are part of the most prestigious group in the Academy. I care nothing for the blood in your veins. In this room, only one thing matters: ability."
Some students sat straighter. Some held their breath. Others remained impassive. Anette, for example—calm and poised, as though such words were nothing new. Ceon lowered his head slightly, whether in respect or calculation, it was hard to say.
I leaned back in my chair, hands still in my pockets. My gaze swept over all the faces. Anette Imperium. Ceon Sapientia. Big names. Thrones and pillars.
And me—Gren Solstice. The only one here who never considered anyone worthy of being called a rival.
---
Professor Vermal tapped his staff. The crystal board lit up, symbols floating in the air.
> "Today, we begin with the basics. Affinity—the core of your strength—is not simply 'talent.' It is the foundation of this world. Without understanding, power is nothing more than a blunt sword."
Some students scribbled notes with focus. Kinn, ever flamboyant, crossed his legs, tilting his head with a smirk as if this lecture were mere formality. Veritas wrote lazily, his eyes occasionally flicking toward his classmates, measuring, strategizing.
Acta Audere didn't even take notes, her blank stare fixed on the board.
Anette wrote in elegant strokes, neat and composed.
Beside me, Vellion yawned.
> "Gren… this is boring. Can't we just start dueling already?"
I sighed.
> "That's the difference between us, brat. I can master theory. You can only slam into walls with spirit."
He glared, then chuckled.
> "Hahaha… cocky as always."
I closed my eyes briefly, leaning back as Vermal's voice echoed on—about ars, about affinity and cores, about balance.
And I knew, while the others scrambled to prove themselves or judge one another… I was just waiting.
Waiting for the time to show them that none of these great names—not even the imperial bloodline—could stand above me.
---
The lesson finally ended. With a tap of Vermal's staff, the symbols on the board dimmed away. The class loosened up; some tidied their notes, others stood.
But Vermal halted them.
> "Oh, yes… before you leave, I realized something. You haven't properly introduced yourselves yet, have you?"
Some froze mid-movement. Vellion snorted. I raised a brow.
> "The Luminaries class is small, but you'll face each other often—in lessons and in missions. Let's start simple. Introduce yourselves. One by one. No unnecessary flourishes."
Murmurs rippled instantly. Clearly, some were not used to being ordered around like this.
Vermal raised his hand.
> "We'll start from the right."
---
The first to step forward was Kinn Medias. He moved lightly, almost like a dancer. His braided lilac hair swayed as he smiled flamboyantly at his classmates.
> "My name is Kinn Medias. My affinity is gravity. In short—I'm a close-combat fighter. If anyone wants a spar, don't hesitate to knock on the door next to mine."
His voice was calm but brimming with confidence. Some raised brows, others clearly unsettled by the way he carried himself. Even his return to his seat was like a model walking a runway.
---
Next came Veritas von Lebirabit.
He trudged lazily, hazel eyes half-closed.
> "…Veritas. Earth affinity. I use magic, not fists. That's all."
Flat, dismissive—yet there was something subtle in his tone, manipulative, drawing curiosity rather than indifference. He slumped back into his seat, hands in pockets.
---
Then, Acta Audere.
The gothic girl rose slowly. Her eyes empty, her voice soft yet cutting.
> "Acta. Shadow affinity. I don't like talking much."
Silence. Even Vellion, usually full of commentary, said nothing. The way she spoke sounded less like an introduction and more like a quiet threat. She sat back down, unmoved.
---
After her, Anette Vos Imperium.
Whispers broke out at once. Her steps were graceful, flawless. White hair gleamed under the window light. She faced the class, voice calm.
> "I am Anette Vos Imperium. My affinity is wind. I am an archer, so I prefer to fight from a distance."
Simple. Brief. Yet the name 'Imperium' alone was enough to make throats tighten. Vellion leaned toward me and whispered, "Wow, the emperor's daughter really does have a different aura, huh, Gren…"
I just scoffed.
---
Then came Ceon Sapientia.
He rose with deliberate composure, gaze sweeping the class—sharp, commanding.
> "Ceon Sapientia. My affinity… not one, but theory and practice of multi-elements. I rely on strategy, not mere strength."
Calm, authoritative. The weight of the Sapientia name made the air heavier still.
---
One by one, others followed—some brief, some confident.
At last, Vellion's turn. He bounded forward with a wide grin.
> "I'm Vellion Marbal! My affinity's blood! I love fighting, so don't be shy about challenging me. Oh, and I'm also Gren Solstice's roommate—so be careful if you mess with me, yeah?"
The class buzzed instantly. The Marbal name was enough, but his casual mention of being "roommates with Gren Solstice" drew even more stares in my direction.
---
Finally, me.
All eyes turned as I stood. I walked casually, hands still in my pockets. Sunlight spilled across my face as I stopped at the front, gazing over them.
> "Gren Solstice."
I paused deliberately. The room fell silent, waiting.
> "Affinity? Doesn't matter. Just know this: whatever your style, don't expect me to ever lose to it."
Some scoffed, others smirked. Vellion burst into loud laughter, "Hahaha! That's my leader!"
I glanced at him, smiling faintly.
> "If you want to know more, come find out yourselves. As a friend… or as an opponent."
I sat back down, hands still pocketed. Whispers broke out across the room.
Some were clearly offended by my arrogance. Others… remained silent, caught between awe and unease.
Professor Vermal only gave a slight nod.
> "Hm. That concludes introductions. From tomorrow, I expect you to know not only each other's names… but each other's strength."
---
Whispers lingered in my ears.
Big names echoed in the room: Imperium, Sapientia, Marbal, Medias…
They boasted of their bloodlines.
They believed their lineage was why they sat in these seats.
I smiled thinly.
> Grand Duke Sapientia. Grand Duke Marbal. Grand Duke Medias…
Then my mother's words returned to me. The night before I left for the Academy, she gazed at me with eyes calm as the moon, whispering:
> "Don't forget, Gren. Solstice is not just another pillar. Even among the Grand Dukes, our blood holds greater sway. You never need to bow to anyone."
That was why I never saw anyone as a rival.
To me, they were nothing more than stepping stones.
I left the classroom.
Vellion followed, chuckling.
> "Hey, Gren. You realize half the class is already heated because of you, right?"
I smirked, hands still in my pockets.
> "Good. Let them. The ones burning first are the ones who burn out the fastest."
And with that, the second day at the Academy came to a close.
But I knew—this was only the beginning.
---
I walked out with Vellion, the academy halls still crowded with students from other classes just dismissed. The air buzzed with chatter, but from the stairway came a louder commotion.
> "Hahaha, what's with that hair?!"
> "Seriously, did you come here for the Academy or for a festival dance?"
Vellion and I exchanged glances.
There, Kinn Medias was surrounded by three Zenith seniors, grinning mockingly. His braided lilac hair had become their target.
One senior reached out, pretending to tug it.
> "What is this? A horse's rein? Or should we use it as a clothesline?"
Vellion burst out laughing.
> "Pfft—hahaha! Damn, Gren, that's brutal."
I shoved my hands deeper into my pockets, unimpressed.
> "They're just looking for fun. Problem is… they picked the wrong target."
Kinn wasn't angry. He smiled faintly, flamboyance intact as if truly being praised.
> "Oh? You're interested in my hair? Hm… sorry, only those with refined taste are worthy of touching it."
A subtle wave of gravity seeped out, faint but undeniable. The floor beneath the seniors cracked lightly.
One of them scoffed, still trying to look tough.
> "You—freshman, don't get cocky!"
But the tension was clear. Students passing by had stopped to watch.
Vellion elbowed me, barely stifling laughter.
> "Hahaha, look at them. Those seniors already lost their cool."
I snorted, stepping forward casually.
> "If this keeps up, the academy floor's gonna collapse."
Vellion strolled along, grin wide.
> "Heh, let's go make this even more embarrassing for them, Gren."
The crowd instinctively parted as we approached. The three seniors turned, surprise flashing, then their faces soured further when they saw me standing beside Kinn.
> "Oi."
My voice was flat but sharp enough to cut through the noise.
> "If you're bored, don't make a stage out of this. Kinn's hair may be flashy… but trust me, you'll end up far more 'wrecked' if you keep messing around."
Vellion added cheerfully:
> "Yeah, and if you really want to pick on juniors, why not me instead? Way more fun."
The hall, once noisy, fell silent.
Every student held their breath, waiting to see what would happen.