Weeks had passed since Kenta's entry into the Academy of Magic and Sword. His days were filled with intense training, mastering the use of both magic and swordsmanship. Word of his extraordinary entrance exam spread quickly, and soon enough, Kenta's name appeared at the top of the academy's student ranking board—a large stone slab near the gate entrance of the kingdom. It was updated weekly, listing the top students in various fields such as magic capacity, combat skills, and overall performance.
Kenta stood before the ranking board one morning, gazing at his name engraved at the very top. The sun gleamed off the stone, casting long shadows over the courtyard. Students bustled around him, their conversations filled with awe, jealousy, and whispered speculations about the new top student.
"Kenta Nakamura," one student murmured to another, "I heard he made the orb explode during the exam!"
"Yeah, but he's just a commoner. No noble background, no family name of significance."
Their voices blended with the general hum of the crowd, but Kenta remained focused on his goal. He didn't care about the attention. His path was clear—to become stronger and to continue mastering his newfound abilities. Nothing else mattered.
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Well, look who it is—our lucky peasant."
Kenta turned his head slightly, already recognizing the voice. Raiden, the noble he had defeated in their duel weeks ago, was standing to his side, his expression as smug as ever. Despite his defeat, Raiden still carried himself with the same arrogance, perhaps even more emboldened by the growing resentment toward Kenta's rapid rise to the top.
"I see you're still deluding yourself into thinking you belong here," Raiden sneered, crossing his arms over his chest. "You were lucky in that duel, that's all. Nothing but sheer luck."
Kenta's gaze met Raiden's, but he didn't engage. He had learned quickly that responding to such provocations was pointless. Instead, he shrugged and turned back toward the academy, ready to leave.
Raiden's smirk faltered. "Ignoring me, are you? Do you really think luck will keep you on top forever?"
But Kenta didn't answer. He walked away calmly, the whispers of the students following him as he left Raiden fuming in the courtyard.
As Kenta Nakamura made his way to his assigned classroom, his thoughts were focused on his training. He had been placed in Class A-1, a special class reserved for the academy's top students. It was a room known for producing future heroes, and being assigned there was an honor reserved only for the most talented.
Kenta arrived at the classroom door. The golden plaque above it read "A-1" in bold, gleaming letters. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately drawing the attention of the other students. The room was spacious, lined with high-arched windows that allowed sunlight to stream in, casting a warm glow over the marble floors and ornate wooden desks.
As Kenta entered, he noticed that all eyes were on him. Whispers filled the room as his fellow classmates stared in disbelief. It wasn't just because he was the top-ranked student—there was something else.
Kenta spotted an empty seat near the back and made his way toward it. However, as he approached, he realized why the others were so fixated on him. Sitting beside the empty seat was a girl—a beautiful young woman with long silver hair that shimmered like moonlight. Her posture was regal, her gaze calm and composed, yet there was a certain warmth in her expression.
As Kenta sat down, the murmurs in the room grew louder.
"Is he really sitting next to her?"
"Doesn't he know who she is?"
"How could someone like him—"
Kenta glanced at the girl, noticing the curious looks she was giving him. Not wanting to be rude, he smiled and greeted her.
"Hi," he said simply. "I'm Kenta Nakamura."
The girl's eyes softened, and to the shock of the entire class, she smiled back. "It's nice to meet you, Kenta. My name is Seraphine."
Kenta didn't recognize the name immediately, but the reactions of the other students were impossible to miss. Their jaws dropped, and their eyes widened in disbelief.
"The Princess!" someone hissed under their breath.
"Why is she talking to a commoner?" another muttered.
Kenta remained unaware of the significance of Seraphine's name, focusing instead on the friendly conversation. "Nice to meet you too, Seraphine. You're in Class A-1 as well?"
Seraphine nodded. "Yes, I am. It seems we'll be studying together." There was a softness in her voice, but her eyes gleamed with curiosity as if she found Kenta intriguing.
As their conversation continued, the door to the classroom opened again, and an older man in ornate robes entered. He carried an air of authority, and the room fell silent as he walked to the front of the class.
"Good morning, students," the professor announced, his voice calm but commanding. "Welcome to Class A-1, where only the best and brightest reside. You've all earned your places here, but make no mistake—this will be the most challenging period of your academic lives. Many of you will rise to greatness. Some may even become legends."
His eyes swept over the room, lingering for a moment on Kenta, who was still oblivious to the special attention. "Now, let's begin. Everyone, take your seats and prepare for today's lesson."
Kenta sat back, unaware that his seating arrangement and the friendly chat with the princess had already caused quite a stir. His focus was on learning and getting stronger—he had no idea just how much he had already altered the academy's dynamics.