The gates of Lunaris Academy felt familiar under Sam's feet as he walked alongside Masha, Sara, and Alan. After everything they had been through, it was almost surreal to be returning to something as mundane as school life. But there was a certain comfort in the normalcy, even if Sam knew that normal for him would never be the same again.
As they passed through the gates, Sam noticed the usual whispers and excited glances. Students who had once seen him as just another classmate now looked at him with awe. It wasn't new; ever since the tournament, Sam had grown accustomed to the attention. He had learned to navigate the crowds, the requests for selfies, and the constant buzz of admiration that followed him wherever he went.
This time, he greeted the familiar rush of students with a calm smile, acknowledging their enthusiasm without being overwhelmed by it. He exchanged casual waves and brief nods, making his way through the throng of admirers with practiced ease.
"Sam! Over here!" A group of girls called out, waving excitedly.
He gave them a friendly wave but continued walking. His priority now was to get to class and focus on what lay ahead, especially the upcoming exams.
Sara, walking beside him, noticed the way he handled the attention and couldn't help but feel a pang of pride. He had grown so much, not just in strength but in confidence. Still, she kept a close eye on the girls who got a little too eager, ready to step in if needed.
"You've gotten good at this," Alan commented with a smirk. "Handling your fan club, I mean."
Sam chuckled, shrugging. "You get used to it after a while. It's just part of life now."
Masha, always the observer, added, "It's impressive how you manage to stay so grounded with all this attention. Most people would let it go to their heads."
Sam smiled at his friends, appreciating their support. "I just try to remember why I'm doing this. The fame is nice, but it's not what matters. What matters is being strong enough to protect the people I care about."
As they entered the main hallway, students parted to let them through, some offering congratulatory comments, others just staring in awe. Sam kept his pace steady, his expression calm, but there was a certain ease to his movements that spoke volumes about how far he had come.
When they reached their classroom, the atmosphere was electric. His classmates greeted him with applause, but this time, Sam took it in stride, smiling and giving them a thumbs up.
"Thanks, guys," he said, his tone warm but measured. "It's good to be back."
Sara rolled her eyes playfully as she took her seat. "I swear, if I see one more banner with your face on it, I'm going to start charging for autographs."
Raven, who was already at her desk, shot Sara a teasing look. "Jealous much? Just admit it, Sara—you're the president of the unofficial Sam fan club."
Sara scoffed, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Hardly. I just know how to keep things under control."
Sam shook his head, amused by their banter. Just then, a girl from another class appeared at the door, holding a letter. She blushed furiously as she approached Sam, clearly nervous.
"S-Sam, could I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sam gave her a gentle smile, ready to respond, but Sara was quicker. "Sorry, but Sam's got a lot on his plate right now," she said, stepping in smoothly. "Maybe later."
The girl looked disappointed but nodded, backing away with a shy smile. Sam wasn't surprised by Sara's intervention—it was practically a routine by now.
"You didn't have to do that, you know," Sam said softly as Sara returned to her seat.
Sara shrugged nonchalantly. "Just making sure you don't get overwhelmed."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and casual interactions. Sam noticed how his classmates were more respectful, even the teachers seemed to hold him in higher regard. It wasn't just about the tournament anymore—Sam had proven himself as a leader, and that reputation followed him everywhere.
By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Sam was feeling the weight of the attention but not in an overwhelming way. It was something he had learned to manage, to compartmentalize. Fame was just another aspect of his life, and like everything else, he approached it with the same calm determination.
Back in his dorm room, Sam found himself surrounded by letters and packages once again. Alan whistled as he walked in, taking in the sight of the fan mail. "Man, you're like a rock star."
Sam laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Yeah, it's a bit much sometimes, but it's all part of the deal."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Raven entered, holding a basket of cookies. "Thought you could use a treat after a long day of being the most popular guy at school."
Sam smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, Raven."
Before he could take the basket, Sara appeared, her usual protective self. "Oh, cookies! We should share these with everyone," she said, taking the basket from Raven.
Raven frowned slightly but didn't push it. "Sure, sharing is caring, right?"
Sam watched the exchange with a bemused expression, knowing full well that this was just another day in his now very complicated life. He had grown used to the dynamics, the rivalry, and the attention, but that didn't make it any less interesting.
As the evening settled in, Sam couldn't help but think about the exams coming up. He had always held back in his studies, not wanting to draw too much attention to his academic skills, but now… now he was ready to show what he was truly capable of.
Because being famous wasn't just about winning tournaments or getting fan mail. It was about being the best version of himself, in every aspect of his life. And that was something he was more than ready to embrace.