Dawn arrived with a gray light filtering through the dirty window of the miserable room. Kael woke up with a bitter taste in his mouth and the distinct feeling that the bed had drained more energy than it had given him. His heavy eyes wandered across the stained ceiling before he let out a sigh and forced himself up, his muscles protesting with every movement.
"First full day as the Academy's official failure. Can't wait for the show," he muttered, his voice dry as he slipped on his worn-out shoes.
With one last glance at the deplorable room, he pushed the door open, its hinges groaning once again in protest. The dormitory hallway was empty except for the echo of his own footsteps. But as Kael stepped into the main building of the Academy, he was met with an entirely different scene.
The hallway was teeming with teenagers, all around sixteen years old, brimming with energy and excitement. Some were practicing basic magic, small flames dancing on their fingertips or globes of water hovering midair. Others carried stacks of books while chatting animatedly. The more confident groups showcased elaborate spells, creating glowing shapes or levitating small objects.
Kael stopped for a moment, taking in the sight before him. The contrast to his own situation was almost laughable. These kids radiated talent, magic flowing effortlessly from their bodies as if it were second nature.
As he walked down the corridor, he felt the stares turn toward him. Not the kind of attention that came from admiration, but curiosity, disdain, and, in some cases, outright mockery. He could hear the low murmurs as he passed.
"There he goes..."
"Isn't that the guy who lost his magic core?"
"Why is he still here?"
Kael didn't need to look to know they were talking about him. He kept walking, his eyes fixed ahead, his expression neutral. But something burned inside him — a mix of shame, frustration, and determination that he could barely define.
When he was almost at the end of the hallway, someone — or rather, *someone* — stepped into his path.
A boy with short red hair, sharp eyes, and an arrogant smirk that Kael recognized immediately. The memory hit him like a slap, a fragment from the life of the *old* Kael.
Adrian Flameheart.
The name echoed in his mind like the toll of a bell. This guy was the embodiment of a cliché bully. Always with something cruel to say, always ready to push others down, especially those in a weaker position. And the old Kael... he had been Adrian's favorite target.
"Well, well, well..." Adrian said, stepping forward, his smirk widening like that of a predator. "If it isn't our dear Kael Redgrave. I thought you'd have crawled into some hole by now. Or better yet, gotten yourself expelled."
The murmurs around them grew louder. Some students stopped pretending not to watch, openly turning toward the scene.
Kael stopped in his tracks. His body reacted instinctively, his shoulders tensing as if bracing for a blow. Memories flooded his mind like a torrent: being shoved against lockers, mocked for his weak magic, or watching as his belongings were scattered across the floor by Adrian's hand.
But... that wasn't him.
Kael raised his eyes, and for a moment, his thoughts cleared.
"This body might remember him," Kael thought. "But I'm not that Kael. Not anymore."
Adrian walked toward him, his expression dripping with confidence. "So, what's your plan today? Gonna show us your amazing magic... oh, wait. You don't have anything left, do you?"
A few bursts of laughter echoed around them.
Kael took a deep breath, his fists clenched at his sides. He didn't know exactly what he would do, but one thing was certain: he wasn't backing down.
Adrian stopped directly in front of him, leaning in close to stare him down. "What's the matter, Redgrave? Gonna cry? Or are you just going to stand there, like always, hoping someone feels sorry for you?"
And then, something unexpected happened.
Kael tilted his head slightly, locking eyes with Adrian. A slow, almost imperceptible smile crept onto his lips.
"You talk too much, Flameheart."
The words were low, but they cut like a blade. Adrian blinked, startled, as if he wasn't sure he'd heard correctly.
"What?"
"You heard me." Kael took a step forward, closing the gap between them. His smile widened, but his eyes were cold. "I think it's funny how someone like you spends so much time worrying about me. Are you that scared of me?"
The corridor fell silent. The laughter died, replaced by nervous murmurs. Adrian seemed frozen for a moment, as though Kael's words had struck a nerve he didn't expect.
"Scared? Of you?" Adrian laughed, but the sound was forced, like he was trying to regain control of the situation. "Don't make me laugh, Redgrave."
Kael stepped even closer, now only inches away. He didn't know where this sudden surge of confidence was coming from, but it burned in his chest like a fire he'd never felt before.
"If you're not scared, then why don't you walk away? Why do you need an audience to prove you're superior? Or is it because, deep down, you know that without all these people watching, you're nothing?"
Adrian said nothing, his eyes narrowing as he struggled to process what was happening.
Kael gave him one last smile and brushed past him without another word. The silence in the hallway was almost tangible. He could feel the stares burning into his back, but he didn't care.
"That was..." someone whispered.
"Unexpected," another finished.
When Kael rounded the corner and was out of sight, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart was pounding like a drum, and his hands were shaking.
"What the hell was that?" he muttered to himself, a nervous smile breaking across his face. "Well... maybe I could get used to this."
Kael walked down the hallway, the stares still following him like shadows, but he ignored them all. The brief interaction with Adrian Flameheart had left a strange taste in his mouth, a mix of adrenaline and uncertainty. "That was unexpected, even for me," he thought, but he didn't allow himself to dwell on it too much. The day was just beginning, and he knew worse things could happen.
Crossing the campus, he reached the building where the classrooms were located. It was an imposing structure, with carved stone arches and tall, dark wooden doors. Students were walking in groups, carrying grimoires and wands, some still practicing simple spells as they went. The contrast between Kael and the others was stark. He had no grimoire, no wand, not even a detectable magical aura.
"Come on, Kael," he muttered to himself. "Just another day to survive."
With a push on the heavy wooden door, Kael entered the classroom assigned for his next lesson. The space was spacious, with tall windows that let sunlight illuminate the room. In the center, a large magical circle was drawn on the floor, surrounded by benches arranged in an amphitheater style. Some students were already seated, chatting with each other or reviewing their notes.
But what immediately caught Kael's attention was the figure standing at the front of the room.
Violet Vein...
The woman he'd verbally sparred with the day before was there, clearly in a position of authority. She wore a short jacket that exposed her toned abdomen, and her violet eyes glowed with an intensity that seemed to pierce anyone who dared to cross her path. Her white hair was tied into a messy ponytail, and her muscular arms hung relaxed at her sides, but Kael knew she could strike in the blink of an eye.
"Great," Kael thought, rolling his eyes internally. "As if the universe couldn't make things worse."