Taking another look at my schedule, I left the room. The corridors already had a few students milling about, most of them chatting or showing off practice spells to each other. I walked around the academy for a while, doing my best to ignore the occasional whispers about my unranked status.
I had some time before my class, but was completely unsure of what there was to be done at the academy.
I should ask Lina when I get the chance.
I ended up going to the main courtyard, looking up at the spire with a conflicted look on my face.
What am I doing here?
I thought I had the answer to it, but really it was harder than I expected. Blending in, being seen as weak, I did not like that.
I didn't want to be humiliated. Not again.
I battled my own thoughts, my mind racing trying to find a way to resolve this, but there was none. Exposure was too risky, I knew that ever since I got in.
Is this the life I want to live?
Hiding forever? Being seen as weak? Was this my final objective?
Eventually, I made my way to advanced magic combat, dreading what could happen there.
The need to hide and my pride battling inside me, and this time, my pride was winning.
The class was in a courtyard similar to the one used for advanced swordsmanship, but way bigger. It had magical constructs, training dummies covered in protective wards, and a ton of equipment I couldn't even begin to identify.
Then I looked forward and my heart nearly stopped.
Not only was Professor Emberheart an S-rank—Aurora and Aurelius were both in this class.
This is bad.
And it wasn't just them. It felt like half the academy had shown up. A sea of uniforms in every color imaginable packed the courtyard.
Were all these students really good enough for advanced magical combat? Even the D-ranks? That couldn't be right...
Even the D-ranks? No way
As I entered, Aurora’s eyes rested on me for a moment, the same puzzled look from yesterday. Though this time, the prince did not follow.
"This is absolutely ridiculous, Mary! Without your sword, you're essentially helpless!" His voice rang out across the courtyard, dripping with that natural princely authority that made people stop and listen.
She had removed her academy uniform jacket and stood in just her protective training gear. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight, practical knot, and her posture was ramrod straight—almost military. Despite the prince looming over her, her expression remained perfectly composed.
"I understand Your Highness's concerns completely," she said, her voice was so carefully controlled it was almost mechanical. "However, I simply wished to explore whether my abilities might extend beyond their current limitations. I hope you can forgive my presumption."
My mind was taken back to yesterday’s conversation. Challenging the prince was not an option.
"You will accomplish nothing but humiliation," he continued, though his attention was already wandering. His gaze found me, and a smile—not a pleasant one—formed on his face. "We shall continue this discussion later."
He turned fully toward me, his golden eyes gleaming with something between amusement and disdain.
"So you believe yourself deserving of this class?" he asked, casual superiority dripping from every word.
I stood there for a moment, trying to process what he'd said.
Should I be casual? Humble? Apologetic?
I should act like I’m clueless, like a D-rank or worse
“If I’m here, it means I must be.”
- THAT WAS NOT WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SAY.
"Oh?" The prince's eyebrows rose, genuine surprise flickering across his face. "Then perhaps we should test that assumption?"
His hand moved toward his spear—a beautiful weapon that seemed to shimmer with an inner light, made of some metal I'd never seen before.
It’s over.
I prepared myself for the worst, my body tense, my mind racing through ways to escape this situation. My fingers twitched, ready to move, ready to use that—
Suddenly, a deep voice resonated through the yard.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Let us begin.”
Professor Emberheart said it simply, stepping into the courtyard without sparing a glance at me or the prince.
As he entered, the previously chilly morning air warmed to a comfortable temperature.
He was a tall man with dark red hair that caught the morning light. He wasn't old, but his expression carried the weight of experience. Serious, but not intimidating.
"Professor," the prince said smoothly, his expression morphing into one of warm diplomacy. "I see your class remains as popular as it was last year."
Professor Emberheart placed the stack of papers he was carrying on a small bench. "Everyone who wishes to learn is welcome to try," he said simply, as if commenting on the weather.
The tension in the courtyard eased slightly.
"For those who are new," he continued, removing his coat and placing it on the bench, "let me clarify a few things."
He turned to face us fully, his gaze sweeping across the assembled students.
"Yes, I am an S-rank mage. No, that does not make me a better teacher than anyone else." His voice was matter-of-fact, almost monotonous—clearly a speech he'd given many times before.
"Do not expect this class to magically raise your rank. Do not expect good performance here to earn you special favor with me. Do not expect personal mentorship, guidance on your examinations, or letters of recommendation."
He picked up his papers again.
"I am here to teach you advanced magical combat. Nothing more, nothing less."
A few students shifted uncomfortably. I actually found it refreshing.
"Now then," he said, consulting his list, "I need to individually assess all first-year students to determine your current combat level. I'll be assigning sparring partners."
He began calling out names, pairing students together. I watched as people moved to their designated areas, some confident, others nervous.
Eventually, he reached my name.
"Kai..." He paused, looking at the paper as if something was written incorrectly. Then his eyes lifted to find me. "You're... unranked?"
The prince, sensing an opportunity, stepped forward. "Professor, if I may make a suggestion?" His tone was the picture of helpful courtesy. "Perhaps you could pair him with Lady Mary? I'm certain she would provide an... appropriate challenge for his level."
He glanced at Mary with a meaningful look. "After all, without a blade in her hand, she may as well serve as a training dummy."
Several students gasped quietly. Mary's expression didn't change, but I saw her jaw tighten almost imperceptibly.
Professor Emberheart's eyes narrowed slightly at the comment, but he didn't rise to the bait.
"Since you're unranked, Kai, I cannot accurately gauge who to pair you with," he said, turning back to me. Then, with a small sigh, he gestured toward Mary. "Very well. You're with her."
Great. Now I'm relegated to fighting some girl who apparently can't even use magic properly.
I made my way toward Mary, already feeling the weight of humiliation settling on my shoulders.
She greeted me with a small bow, her smile polite and genuine. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Please do not hold back on my account."
You don’t know what you’re asking
I returned the greeting awkwardly, but my attention kept drifting to the prince. He was watching us with barely concealed satisfaction. If I lost this match, I might as well leave the academy and go live in some remote village.
My mind raced, trying to find a way out of this situation. The logical part of me said to just take the loss, keep my head down, and continue studying magic in private.
But it was useless. My pride had already made the decision, and my fingers were already moving.
After what felt like an eternity of watching other students spar—some impressive, most mediocre—it was finally our turn.
I walked forward, taking my position across from Mary. Her expression remained perfectly neutral, though I noticed she'd settled into a combat stance that seemed far too polished for someone the prince had dismissed so casually.
Wait.
I could feel multiple eyes on me. The prince's satisfied smirk. Aurora's quiet, curious gaze. Professor Emberheart's analytical attention.
A small voice in my head tried to warn me that something was off, but I pushed it aside. The prince had called her a training dummy without a sword. She had to be weak—a C-rank at best, probably lower.
I tried to keep from smiling. The plan was already set. This fight was over before it began, even if no one else knew it yet.
"Begin," Professor Emberheart announced.
Mary shifted her weight, and I saw her lips begin to move—
My hands moved first. The spell activated in an instant.
The next second, Mary was on the ground, incapacitated.
For about five seconds, the entire courtyard was silent.
I turned around, a satisfied smile starting to form on my face—
Then I saw their expressions, and the smile died.
Professor Emberheart's eyebrows had climbed nearly to his hairline, his usual composed mask completely shattered by genuine shock.
Aurora looked like she'd just witnessed someone walk through a wall. Her mouth was actually open, which I didn't think was physically possible for someone so composed.
And the Prince. Aurelius was staring at me with an expression that mixed rage, disbelief, and something that looked almost like... offense? As if I'd personally insulted his entire bloodline.
The rest of the students weren't much better. Some looked confused. Others looked at me like I was a dead man walking.
One girl whispered loudly enough for me to hear: "Did he just... incapacitate Lady Mary? In one second?"
Lady Mary?
Wait. WAIT.
This can’t be good.
"How did you accomplish that?" Professor Emberheart was the first to speak, his question carrying the weight of a command.
"Uh..." My mind went blank. "I was just... faster than her? I guess?"
That was apparently the wrong thing to say, because several people's expressions shifted from shocked to suspicious.
Professor Emberheart seemed to consider me for a moment, deciding what his next steps would be.
"Everyone, dismissed," Professor Emberheart said firmly, his voice cutting through the rising tension.
Then his eyes fixed on me, and I felt a chill despite the warm air.
"Kai. Stay. We need to have a word."
The other students began filing out, many of them casting looks back at me—some curious, some pitying. Mary had recovered enough to stand, and she bowed politely to both me and the professor before leaving, her expression still perfectly neutral.
Finally, it was just me and Professor Emberheart in the empty courtyard.
"So," Professor Emberheart said, his tone deceptively mild as he crossed his arms, "would you like to explain how an 'unranked' student just incapacitated one of the academy's top three A-rank combat mages in under two seconds?"
Top three A-rank?
So much for not drawing attention
Or would you rather I describe the events that are not that relevant to the main story, but end up with way more content in the long run?