Morning sunlight filtered through the academy's glass towers, scattering across the courtyard like a thousand shards of gold.
Students filled the walkways — laughing, talking, rushing to class — the rhythm of another ordinary school day.
He slipped into his classroom just before the bell rang, taking his usual seat beside Jay.
"Morning, future celebrity," Jay said with a grin, leaning back in his chair. "Still trending on the student forum, by the way."
Arlen groaned. "You're kidding."
"Nope. Somebody slowed down the footage of you blowing up those drones — said it looks like an anime transformation. They even added music."
Arlen dropped his head to the desk. "I hate the internet."
Jay laughed. "You love it. Admit it."
---
The instructor entered, holographic lesson boards flaring to life with System theory formulas and combat analytics.
While most students listened, Arlen found his mind drifting again — not to battles or power, but to the faint pulse beneath his wristband.
He hadn't told anyone about it, not even Jay.
The System's words echoed faintly in his mind:
> Energy resonance detected. Source: internal.
He flexed his hand slightly beneath the desk, feeling the pulse once — faint, almost nonexistent — and forced himself to ignore it.
"Hey," Jay whispered beside him, "you thinking about the competition?"
Arlen blinked, pulled from his thoughts. "Yeah… about that. I signed up."
Jay froze mid-scribble. "You what?"
"I signed up," Arlen repeated calmly, as if it wasn't a big deal.
Jay's eyes went wide. "You actually did it! Dude, that's huge! You're—"
"Keep it down," Arlen muttered, nudging him.
Jay leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Man, you don't get it. This isn't just some tournament. It's the guild exam. You could actually make it big."
Arlen shrugged. "I just… want to see where I stand."
Jay grinned. "You mean, how far you can outclass everyone else?"
Arlen smiled faintly. "Something like that."
---
The rest of the day passed quietly.
Lunch on the roof.
Training simulations in moderation.
A few casual conversations about classes and weapon types.
Every now and then, he'd catch Lira Vale glancing his way during drills, though she never said a word. Her expression remained unreadable — sharp, calculating, like she was trying to figure out what he was.
When their eyes met once, she looked away first.
---
After class, Jay and Arlen walked down the steps toward the main courtyard. The sunset painted the city's skyline a warm orange, and flying transport pods hummed overhead.
"You sure about the competition?" Jay asked again.
"Yeah," Arlen said simply.
Jay grinned. "Then I'll be there, too. Not to win — just to make sure I can say I lost to someone famous."
Arlen chuckled. "Appreciate the confidence."
They walked a little further before Jay added, "You know… you don't act like someone with that much power."
Arlen raised an eyebrow. "How should I act?"
"Arrogant. Showy. The usual way top ranks behave."
"That's not me," Arlen said quietly, looking up at the orange-tinted clouds. "I didn't ask for this power."
Jay nodded. "Maybe not. But if you've got it… make it yours."
---
That night, Arlen lay on his bed, staring at the soft glow of the mark on his wrist.
It had been calm all day — silent, almost asleep.
He wondered if it would stay that way.
He doubted it.
> "System," he murmured, "the competition… will it trigger anything?"
> "Uncertain," the voice replied. "But your power reacts strongly under stress. It may awaken further."
He exhaled slowly. "Figures."
> "Do you wish to proceed anyway?"
"Yeah," he said, eyes narrowing. "Let's see what happens."
---