one week after class Started.
The morning sun washed the academy entrance in gold as Lior stepped through the tall gates, hands tucked in his pockets. Students clustered everywhere—laughing, talking, walking in groups like they were lifelong friends. Lior stared at them and sighed.he muttered to himself. "One whole week… and I still don't talked to anyone or made any friend." He tugged at his bag strap and kept walking toward the main building. Around him, students waved to each other, calling out names, sharing snacks, comparing notes. It was like watching the old world he have been lived. *How do those protagonists in fiction do it?* he thought.*They enter school, trip over someone, save a cat,or save students from bully,bump into a girl,and boom- instant friend group. Meanwhile, I'm out here eating lunch alone like a background character and attend class. Like my old world.* A pair of boys ran past him, shoving each other playfully. A group of girls chatted excitedly, making weekend plans. Someone was even handing out homemade snacks to classmates. Lior lowered his head."No cheat skill for socializing. No sudden meet-cute. Not even a random accidental handshake… How am I supposed to compete with that?*. He stopped for a moment infront of his class room. he could see students gathering like puzzle pieces that fit perfectly.
Lior sighed again. *Maybe I should've said 'hi' on the first day… or smiled… instead of act like cool.* He imagined himself walking into a novel scene—where people would just magically like him. He whisper "Okay lior. today… maybe try talking to at least one person. Not a whole conversation. Just… words. Simple ones". He took a step toward his classroom Still nervous, still alone But determined. "Lior" suddenly he look back when somebody calls him it was kael thalorian "i like to speak with you. come with me " he said with a smile. "what are you saying why should i come with you" lior replied and thought. *what the hell is wrong with him why i go with him. or maybe he plan to take revenge after our first match*. "Don't be rude i got something helpful for you. it's good to be sit and talk at garden are you coming or not. "after hearing this lior thought.*i should be go with him lets see what is he talking about*.
They enter to the garden it was filled with flowers and students. they go to a corner of garden and sit in bench lior asked"now tell what you have got for me".he gazed at kael.
"I come to the point. you don't know how to make friends or talk to others right. i watched you for past one week i can teach you how to do it." kael replied with a smirk hearing this lior shocked and replied. "what are you saying why did you watch me even for one week. i am not girl and i know how to make friends you don't need to teach me." he thought. *why should he helping me. i don't think he got something. he want from me anyway let's check. "What you want from me" lior asked with a gentle smile kael replied "i want help you make you into a elegant men. and help you To talk to people. Make friends. Build confidence. All that."
A pause.
Then he added, "But I want something in return." *Ah, there it was. The trap*. Lior thought And narrowed his eyes. "What kind of 'something.'?"
Kael glance into surroundings and he make his expression sharpening.
"I want to become the class leader. That's why i need your help"
Lior blinked. "Why me? I'm nobody."
"Exactly," Thlorian said simply. "You're neutral. People don't hate you. You're not competing with anyone. And…" He smirked. "You look harmless, so you're easier to trust."
"That… doesn't sound like a compliment"lior said. "No it's not"kael respond instantly lior glared.
Kael continued "I'll help you socially. In return, you support me. Back me up in class as a partner. And…" He cracked his knuckles. "I will train with you.become stronger and beat you in our next match". Lior hesitated.and thought * hmm he still locking for rematch. and the deal is not bad lets see how he gonna help me. but he still think harmless. i don't get it why after loosing at the first battle he thinking i am harmless*
Thlorian extended his hand.
"Deal?".Lior looked at the hand. He took a breath.Then slowly placed his hand in Thlorian's. "…Deal."
.....
After noon At the colosseum
Students were training. on there resonance in battle arena under selene guidance some of them sparring with each other. some of them was having conversions. Lior and kael was standing in a corner of colosseum.
"Is there any plan you got for winning the election" lior asked. "Not yet I will make it soon before that. Tell me What you know about our first years and election tell me it first" with out any hesitate lior started replying "our first year class are 3 batch. these batch are mixed with Nobel and commoners. you and me in first batch. and the prince and princess are in second batch. and the each class need a leader. and it's choosen by election in each class. after that some weeks later. first years representive leader election will be conducted between these three. right like usual the leader from selected by election that's all i guess right." after giving reply lior take a breath-out. Kael looked lior and replied. "not bad. but do you think. i got a chance to win these two election and become leader." after taking some moment he replied. "are you testing me. I thought you got any plan.okay i answer from what i observed you will win our class leader. election but the chance for win class representative election is very low. chance because if the prince and princess are participating then everyone will be vote to them. so with out a perfect plan you can't win." after hearing this kael said in a measured tone. "you got sharp eyes but you Missed some things. for us winning our class election is a little difficult. we got a opponent in our class leader election like you said the prince or princesses will elect in class two and win. and class three got a headache one so he will be the leader of class 3. and in the upcoming class representative election. let's think about it after class leader election." after hearing this lior thought for a moment and replied. "okay but you said something i Missed. that you got an oppent in our class leader election is he a Nobel like us. And what about the headache in class 3 who is he."
After hearing this kael replied lightly "not he it she her name is Mira Veylen. she is not Nobel that's why her winning chance is high if she participate. And don't you know about Darius Valemire from valemire Nobel house. it's not a big deal he is a scum type who think commoners are his slave. we deal him with later" after hearing this lior started think *Darius valemire i think he is the bully type. i seen in fiction where hero beats his pulp. And mira veylen an first female character entering to my life. let's what type character will be she in my story. And the election it's getting fun. the deal is not bad let's where will this is gonna take me.* lior smiled lightly looking at kael and said. "i think our deal is not bad let's help each other like we said." kael replied with a sharp gaze. "i promise you don't be disappointed in me." as they continue their conversation. And The resonance field hummed softly. as students continued training. Blades of emotion clashed. Sparks of light flared and vanished.
Suddenly a Footsteps echoed.
Prince Cael and Princess Serin. entered the colosseum. Whispers spread instantly.
"Look the prince and princess here."
"They were leave yesterday."
"Maybe something happened in urgent came in castle."
"They are Royals right they can take leave as they want."
They walked straight toward Professor Selene. Prince Cael bowed slightly.
"Apologies, Professor. We were delayed by some unofficial matters."
Princess Serin added politely.
"We hope we didn't disrupt the session."
Selene studied them for a moment, then nodded. "Delays happen.
But once you step into this arena., you are students like everyone else."
Her eyes swept briefly across the colosseum — nobles, commoners, royalty included.
"Take your place. You'll be assessed by the same standard." everyone was going back to their practice combat and lior was turned away after looking prince and princess. but Kael suddenly grabbed his arm. "Come with me."
"What" Lior whispered startled.
Kael didn't slow down.
"Trust me."
They walked forward. Every step felt heavier. Students noticed. Whispers grew louder.
"Look that's kael thalorian right he going towards prince."
"Did he fallen for princesses."
"maybe he trying to act cool. or trying to grab the trust of future heirs."
"That's will be true. he is a over prided one but who is the with him."
"It's lior from eryndor Nobel house. but they had match at day one. and kael was defeated right."
"Are they become friends now. i can't believe kael is a pridefull one. or something else going between them."
Lior hears the whispers. and thought. *what is this is he gone crazy. grabing my hand and run towards the prince and princess like a couples.* lior whisper to kael. "hey stop running others thing we are something else."
but they already reached near prince and princess.
They stopped a few steps away from the royal siblings. Kael straightened.
His Pride didn't flare—but it stood tall, unyielding.
"Prince Cael. Princess Serin."
The prince turned, eyes sharp but calm. "Yes?" Kael spoke clearly.
"I am Kael Thalorian. First-year. From Class One. Like you" Then—without warning.
He placed a hand on Lior's shoulder.
"And this is Lior Eryndor. My friend we Happy to meet you." cael glanced at the two of them. like measuring and replied.
"Lior and kael don't call us prince and princess just cael and serin we all are same in here. so don't be formal hope we are going to have good friendship." he extended his hands towards kael
Kael smiled faintly. And placed his hands on cael's hand said with a confidence tone.
"yes i look forward to competing with you both in class… and beyond." Not only cael but serin also extend his hands towards lior. with a calm look. Lior hesitated but shake his hands with serine. She can feel the tremble in his hands and wet she looked at him. Serin's eyes softened. Instead of commenting, she simply smiled. Lior frozed Just for a heartbeat. *What was that i just shaked my hands with the princess i can't believe it feel good. So this is how it starts… *he thought.
Selene watched from afar,
The academy bells rang.
*the first arc in my story is starting now the election arc lior* was feeling something he can't express in his mind.
Like he said the election arc begins now.