The following morning, Lassim had spent the night at the Rohese estate again, a sanctuary for the night away from the potential storm of attention his duel may have ignited.
The tranquility of the pre-dawn morning belied the turmoil within him as he prepared to return to the academy, the echoes of last night's victory and the burden it brought weighing heavily on his shoulders. He had discussed with his Grandmother and apparently Edric was fine. He could only hope that his cousin would calm down and they could develop a better relationship in the future.
The early morning journey did little to calm his nerves.
Shopkeepers had began the daily ritual of opening their stores, the clatter of shutters and the sweep of brooms in the quiet streets. Couriers, the lifelines of the bustling metropolis, darted through the alleys and avenues, their bags bulging with parcels and missives bound for destinations unknown before the day began.
Amidst this orchestrated symphony of morning routines, Lassim made his way through the awakening city, his mind a tumult of thoughts and emotions. The solitude of his path was punctuated by the discreet yet unmistakable murmurs of recognition from those early risers who crossed his path.
"There he is, the Storm Bringer" whispered a pair of couriers, pausing in their frenetic dash to cast surreptitious glances at Lassim. Their voices, low and filled with a mix of awe and curiosity, joined the chorus of whispers that seemed to follow him like a shadow.
A shopkeeper, arranging the day's wares in the soft glow of dawn, paused to watch Lassim pass by. "Did you hear about the duel at the Rohese estate?" she mused to her neighbor, setting out the last of her goods with deliberate care. "They say he summoned a storm to defeat his opponent. Imagine that!"
Her neighbor, a burly man setting up his own stall, nodded thoughtfully. "I did hear something about that. The Rohese family has always been powerful, but to think that young man has such control to bring forth a storm..."
Trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy, Lassim quickened his pace, hoping against hope that the stories of last night's events wouldn't spiral beyond his control.
Yet, even as he quickened his pace, seeking the anonymity of the academy grounds, the whispers continued to weave their way through the city's early morning tapestry. The events of the previous night had not remained within the secluded walls of the Rohese estate. Instead, they had spread like wildfire, igniting the imaginations and conversations of all who heard.
As he stepped onto the academy grounds, the shift in the atmosphere was palpable. The entrance courtyard, usually indifferent to his presence, now felt charged with an undercurrent of curiosity and awe. Eyes followed his every move, whispers spread like wildfire, and Lassim found himself the center of an attention he had neither sought nor desired.
Defeating Edric, a student on the cusp of graduation and well-regarded, had elevated Lassim's status overnight. Rumors of not only his dual elemental affinity but also the dramatic victory over a support-type spirit warrior had ignited the imaginations of his peers that hadn't been there to see it firsthand. Many students, connected by blood or friendship to the noble elite who had witnessed the duel, shared secondhand accounts, each retelling embellishing the tale further.
Caught in the torrent of stares and whispered speculations, he felt a deepening sense of isolation. The admiration felt misplaced, a heavy mantle for someone who had merely acted in the heat of the moment, driven by anger and a desire to protect his honor.
It was under these circumstances that Lustria and Sirium found him. Their approach, normally a source of comfort, now filled Lassim with apprehension. How would he explain the violence of his reaction toward his own cousin; the depth of his rage? Would they understand his reluctance to be lionized for what he saw as his failure to maintain control of the situation?
"Lassim," Lustria began, her voice tinged with both concern and pride, "everyone's talking about what happened last night. They're calling you the Storm Bringer now. That's... incredible. Also, when were you planning to tell us you've advanced so quickly?" Lustria gave him a side-eye stare with her last question.
Sirium nodded, his expression a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Yeah, defeating Edric with such a display of power? I'm sure it's slightly exaggerated but we've seen your initial dual against Lustria. I can only imagine what your power is like recently since you have been exempt from the duals during lessons lately. Now I have a good idea why that was. There definitely must be some truth to what was shared about last night if your power level is what everyone is saying it is. You've set the city abuzz, my friend."
Lassim managed a weak smile, feeling the weight of their expectations. "I... I don't know what to say," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It wasn't my intention to hurt Edric so severely. My grandmother says he's fine now and healing well, but I let my anger get the best of me, and now, this." He gestured helplessly to the surrounding whispers and stares.
The unease in his voice drew his friends closer, their expressions softening. "Lassim," Sirium said firmly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "You stood up for yourself. Yes, things escalated, but you showed everyone your strength and your heart. That's something to be proud of, not embarrassed."
Lustria nodded in agreement. "And besides, it's not just about the fight. It's about you embracing who you are, and defending yourself. I also heard you turned down that... girl's hand as well." A slight blush crept on her face as she turned slightly away as she spoke, hiding her face. "People are always going to talk anyways."
Their words, did offer a glimmer of solace and helped console him. Perhaps, in time, he would come to see the duel not as a moment of loss of control, but as a step towards mastering his own power.
For now, with Lustria and Sirium by his side, he felt a semblance of normalcy return. They were his anchor in the swirling seas of acclaim and expectation, reminding him that beneath the title and rumors, he remained Lassim, a student still learning, still growing.
They then walked together toward the battle class, Lassim took a deep breath, bracing himself for the lesson ahead. The stares and whispers continued, but with his friends at his side, they seemed less daunting.
As Lassim settled into the familiar yet now strangely foreign surroundings of the battle class, waiting for Master Kale to arrive, the chatter and curious glances from his peers felt like an oppressive cloak, heavy.
Before any drills could begin, Master Kale, accompanied by the Vice-Headmaster, whose striking presence commanded immediate attention, entered the room. The Vice-Headmaster, her stunning beauty and formidable prowess, caught the eye of every student present. Yet, it was Lassim they approached directly, signaling the gravity of the matter at hand.
"Lassim," Master Kale began, his tone more solemn than usual, "You know we tried to hide it leading up until now, but your remarkable display last evening has brought to light a talent that far exceeds the norm for our first-year students. Your mastery at Spirit Incubation 5 is unheard of at this stage, as you well know."
The Vice-Headmaster, her gaze both assessing and encouraging, added, "Now that the cat is out of the bag, your abilities present us with a unique challenge, but also an opportunity. We must find a way to nurture your talent without isolating you from your peers or placing them at risk."
Before Lassim could voice his concerns or aspirations, the Vice-Headmaster continued, "To this end, we have decided that your training needs surpass what the regular curriculum offers. The Headmaster himself has expressed a particular interest in overseeing your development."
The mention of the Headmaster's direct involvement sent a ripple of surprise through Lassim and the rest of the class listening in. The Headmaster was a figure shrouded in mystique, renowned for his prowess and rarely seen by the student body, let alone involved in the individual training of a student.
"He wishes to meet with you immediately," she revealed, her words underscoring the seriousness and rarity of the opportunity. "The Headmaster believes that under his guidance, you can achieve a level of mastery that will not only benefit you personally but also elevate the prestige of our academy."
Lassim, taken aback by the swift turn of events, could only nod in acknowledgment. The thought of being mentored by the Headmaster himself was exhilarating.
"Thank you, Master Kale, Vice-Headmaster. I'm honored and ready to learn under the Headmaster's guidance," he managed, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions.
Master Kale offered a rare smile, evidently pleased with Lassim's response. "Go along with the Vice-Headmaster." He gestured to her from his side.
As the Vice-Headmaster turned to leave, her elegant figure drawing the admiring glances of the students. Lassim also felt the eyes of his peers on him, a mixture of awe, envy, and curiosity. He was about to meet the Headmaster, to be taken under the wing of the most powerful elemental master in the academy and one of the top powerhouses of the entire Veridian continent.