Chapter 5
The young instructor watched as the black-haired cadet made his way toward his assigned section, his gaze lingering.
That’s odd... I could’ve sworn I sensed a sudden spike in mana just now…
He followed the retreating figure with his eyes.
Could it have been from him…?
He quickly shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it.
That’s impossible. His mana affinity is clearly in B. It's nothing. I’m just too tired.’
Turning his attention to the next person, he called them forward, letting the strange moment slip from his mind.
Unbeknownst to him, a faint crack had begun to form at the base of the crystal device—barely visible, but definitely there.
I made my way toward my designated section, my mind still replaying the instructor’s words from earlier.
‘B rank… B rank… Holy shit, is this for real?’
I pinched my cheek, trying to keep my expression steady and hold back the urge to just burst out in joy. Honestly, I was bracing for the worst-case scenario—but I guess fate had other plans.
I finally arrived at Section Two. In front of me, a decent number of people were already waiting. Some chatted quietly with friends, while others kept to themselves, their faces tense with anticipation. None of them paid me any heed as I made my way toward a corner and sat down.
From where I was, I could also see the people gathered in Sections One and Three, just a few meters away.
I glanced up at the sky. The sun was dipping toward the horizon, casting a warm orange glow that bled across the clouds.
As the sky darkens, my thoughts wandered back to that strange “conversation” with the white-haired man in the endless field — the weight of his question still lingering in my mind.
“What do you truly see in this world we inhabit?”
‘...’
I ruffled my hair. I still don’t get what the hell he means by that? I swear I’m starting to lose it in these past few days. First with those dreams, and now this.
‘I should really tone down on reading these novels lately…’
Whatever, no point in overthinking it right now. I can’t wait to get home and tell my older sister that her super “cool” and “handsome” younger brother actually got accepted into the Academy.
Hm…I wonder what she’s doing right now. Probably still at work — she did mention she’d be working late for the next few days.
I glanced at the remaining people still waiting, now noticeably less compared to just a few hours ago. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of that blonde noble making his way up to the device.
A few seconds later, the sphere flared green, and the instructor motioned for him to head toward my section.
Oh, come on. Why does he have to be in the same group as me? I groaned inwardly.
Others in my section began to notice the blonde noble approaching as well, their whispers drifting through the air.
“Why does it have to be him?”
“Shh, don’t let him hear you.” One usher to her friend
“He’s just going to look down on us, like the rest of those insufferable nobles.”
The blonde noble finally reached our section, fixing them with a sharp glare.
“The hell are you looking at?”
They fell silent at once, their gazes darting away from him. Without a word, they all stepped aside as he walked past. I was genuinely surprised he didn’t escalate this further. I watched as he just walked over to the wall next to me and leaned against it.
He muttered beneath his breath “tch commoners, only thing they know is to gawk and gossip”
‘Heh, and nobles like you only know how to look down and sneer’
Just then, a group of well-dressed nobles approached from a distance, led by a tall, thin man with deep violet hair and a face covered in freckles.
‘Well this definitely doesn’t look good…’
He strolled up to the blonde noble with a smug grin, eyes glinting with malice.
“Well, well… if it isn’t Kaelon, my good friend. I see you’ve started mingling with commoners now.
The blonde-haired noble—now I knew his name—looked up and locked eyes with him.
“What do you want, Dorian?” he spat out coldly.
Dorian just smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he crossed his arms casually
“What? I’m just checking to see how you’re doing… considering your family situation.”
Kaelon’s face immediately darkened. He clenched his fists but said nothing.
Dorian laughed at Kaelon's reaction and reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder, a mocking grin playing on his lips.
“Now that your father has fallen ill and your family is already in decline, do you really think you're still one of us?”
His voice lowering into a venomous whisper.
“You don’t belong here. You’re trash—just like every other commoner gathered here.”
Kaelon’s jaw tightened, rage simmering beneath the surface, but he still held his tongue
Dorian’s eyes narrowed, as though a wicked idea had just struck him. Leaning in, his smirk twisted into something darker
“I remember…don't you have a younger sister? Why not hand her over so I can take care of her for you?”
The three nobles behind him snickered quietly finding the entire thing amusing
The air around them grew heavier. The onlookers, sensing the shift, began edging away, unwilling to be caught in the crossfire.
I watched it all unfold from the corner of my eye.
Wow, that is just pathetic. Going after his family? I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Kaelon, knowing that I too have a sister that I cared about.
That seemed to be the final straw — Kaelon’s fist slammed into the smug face that belonged to Dorian.
Dorian stumbled backward, clutching his face, clearly taken aback. Blood began to drip from his nose, staining the ground red.
“Y-you actually dare to hit me!” Dorian screamed, furious and stunned.
Without hesitation, he signaled to his three lackeys. They surged forward, immediately jumping on Kaelon. One of them kicked him hard, sending him crashing to the ground as they began to pummel him relentlessly.
The crowd watched nervously, but no one dared step in to stop the fight.
“S-should we call the instructor?” one whispered nervously.
“Who cares? Let nobles settle their own problems. It’s got nothing to do with us.”
“Matter of fact, let them kill each other for all I care.”
I watched the fight with a frown on my face
‘They really are shameless, jumping him, 4 on 1.
I let out a deep sigh before I slowly picked myself up and made my way toward the fight. While I just said I didn’t want to get involved in other people’s problems, seeing him getting beaten like that, I just can’t help myself.
Dorian was on top of Kaelon, pounding his face relentlessly, while Kaelon struggled to fight back with everything he had.
I stepped up from behind and grabbed one of Dorian’s arms. He spun around immediately, eyes blazing with surprise and anger as he faced me. I met his glare with a look of my own.
The crowd around us was clearly shocked—no one expected someone to actually step in and stop the fight. I even caught a few glances, as if they were silently telling me I was an idiot.
“Who the hell are you, you filthy commoner?” Dorian sneered, venom dripping from his words.
“No one of concern. Now, would you mind letting him go?” I said, tightening my grip on his arm.
Kaelon, battered and bruised on the floor, looked up at me in surprise.
“M-mind your own business… this is my fight…” he muttered, coughing between words.
‘Okay man, I’m trying to help you, stop with this strong man act.’
“You heard the man. Now go back to where you came from,” Dorian sneered, shaking my hand off.
“It seems at the very least, you’ve kept your noble pride, Kaelon.”
I locked eyes with Dorian, studying his smug face.
‘Man I want to punch this guy in that stupid face of his…you know what, too late to back out now anyways .’
“Hey! Do you hear me?! I sai—”
Before Dorian could finish, my fist connected cleanly with his face. I watched as his features slowly twisted from the impact. His body flying backward before tumbling onto the ground.
Everyone in the room gasped, mouths agape, but no one said a word. Even Kaelon stared at me as if I’d lost my mind.
I glanced down at my fist, still tingling from the sensation of the hit.
Oh yeah, that definitely felt good.
