After their first class, Arin, Troy, and Sylvia decided to explore the academy. The excitement of a new place, the lingering buzz from their classroom stunt, and the sheer scale of the Academy of Magica made it impossible to just sit still.
"So," Troy said, rubbing his stomach with mock solemnity, "we have to go to the Red Blossom. I heard it's the best restaurant in the entire academy. Their meat pies are apparently illegal in two kingdoms because they're too addictive."
"You've been here for two hours," Arin said, raising an eyebrow. "How do you know all this already?"
"I asked the receptionist. Her name's Laina. She gave me the full food tour rundown."
"Of course you did," Sylvia said with a grin.
As they exited the lecture hall, a figure stepped into their path.
He had striking blue hair, perfectly combed back, and an elegant uniform tailored to noble standards. His presence was calm, but commanding—like someone used to being in control of every room he entered.
"Hey," the man said, smiling warmly. "I'm Bert Ravenheart. Just wanted to say—what you did to Fen in class? That was hilarious."
Arin blinked. This guy was definitely a noble. Why was he talking to them?
Before Arin could voice his confusion, Bert added quickly, "Don't worry. I know what you're thinking. Not all nobles are insufferable." He gave a sheepish shrug. "I just hate bullies."
Arin chuckled. "That guy had it coming."
Just then, the air shifted—tainted by a presence far less welcome.
Fen Maymert strutted toward them, eyes blazing with fury and pride still unshaken. He stopped beside Bert, giving Arin a sideways glance filled with disdain.
"You hanging out with these gutter rats now, Bert?" Fen sneered. "Didn't expect the Ravenhearts to stoop so low."
Arin smiled lazily. "At least we don't have scorched hair in... private areas."
Bert immediately snorted, trying to contain his laughter.
Fen's face twisted in rage. Without warning, he summoned a thick wooden branch laced with mana and hurled it directly at Arin. It was too fast, too close.
Arin barely had time to raise a small iron shield. It shattered on impact, and the force of the strike sent him flying into a nearby wall. His head smacked against stone, and blood started dripping from his nose.
"Arin!" Sylvia rushed over, kneeling beside him.
Bert's smile vanished as he crouched to help.
Troy, however, was past the point of words.
Muscles bulged as he activated his earth affinity. Stones surged to his fists, forming jagged gauntlets of reinforced rock.
"You. Bastard," Troy growled. "You don't get to touch him and walk away."
Fen stumbled backward, unprepared for the explosion of rage and power from someone he had dismissed as a commoner.
Arin looked up and was worried that Troy will bring greater trouble by pummeling a noble's face in. This is not the first time he has acted like this. It was normal for Arin to get bullied due to his sarcastic nature and the clownish attitude to make fun of everything. But Troy was always there to back him up. That was his greatest confidence.
As Troy's stone-crushed fist roared toward Fen's face, a sudden blur interrupted the blow. A sword's hilt slammed into Troy's arm, redirecting the attack. Troy was extremely surprised that his blow was blocked, as it was really difficult to even track his fist at such a close distance.
A man now stood between them.
Draped in crimson, with flame-touched hair and blazing red eyes, his very presence raised the temperature in the air. His blade remained sheathed—but the power thrumming off him was unmistakable. Troy couldn't recognize him, as he couldn't recognize any nobles, he couldn't care less as he wasn't buff enough to fit his criteria, although he was intrigued to how he blocked his blow.
"No fighting on academy grounds," he said, voice calm but firm. "You do know that, right?"
Troy's eyes narrowed. "He hit my friend first."
"Then file a complaint with the disciplinary branch," the red-haired man replied, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Rules are rules."
Before Troy could fire back, Arin wiped the blood from his face and stood. He knew better to not bring more trouble than they already have.
"Let it go," Arin muttered. "I'm used to this." recalling all the misfortune that he met in his past life.
Fen and his crew wore smug grins, triumphant for now.
Sylvia shot them a glare of disgust as she helped Arin walk. She wanted to spit on all of them but held herself back.
As they passed, Bert turned back and gave Caspian a cold smile.
"Tell your lapdog to watch his tricks, Caspian," he said smoothly. "I'm not as forgiving as my friends."
Arin noticed the remark. It was surprising to him that Bert was already calling them friends and was defending him. He also noticed Sylvie glaring at them too even though she knew she made more enemies. He was impressed and happy that he got new friends, that too so fast.
Caspian said nothing, simply sheathing his sword again.
But Fen couldn't resist one last jab. "It's pathetic, you know. A Ravenheart wasting time with worms. It's a disgrace to your hou—"
Bert flipped him off with a casual middle finger and walked away without a word.
"I really wish we'd smashed his face in," Troy grumbled.
"I don't have the strength to back it up yet," Arin said quietly. "But once I do, I'll burn that smug smile off him."
"Yeah!" Sylvia chirped in the most innocent tone imaginable. "Burn his ass, break his legs, hang him upside down in a river and coat him with honey so ants eat his face!"
The three of them turned to her slowly, expressions frozen.
"…Noted," Troy said carefully.
Everyone silently vowed never to get on Sylvia's bad side.