Alaric's mind raced as he left the testing hall, his thoughts a whirlwind of questions, uncertainties, and the sudden weight of his new reality. The God-tier revelation had left a mark on everyone present, and he knew that his life at the academy would never be the same. But even as his name echoed in whispers throughout the halls, something inside him urged caution. Power, as he had learned over the years, was both a blessing and a curse.
As he walked through the grand corridors of the academy, his steps echoing off the marble floors, he felt the eyes of his fellow students on him. Some looked on with awe, others with envy, but there was a tangible unease in the air, as if the whole world had just shifted in his direction.
"Alaric, wait up!"
The voice broke him from his thoughts, and he turned to see Liliana approaching. Her usual icy demeanor was softened, replaced by a look of genuine concern.
"You okay?" she asked, her brow furrowed. "You've been quiet ever since the test. I would've thought you'd be celebrating by now."
Alaric gave her a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Celebrating? I'm not sure there's anything to celebrate yet. This... this power isn't something you just flaunt around. The council's reaction, the shock... It's all a little overwhelming."
Liliana studied him for a moment, then nodded, her expression serious. "I get it. It's not just the power that makes you a target—it's the way people see you now. You're not just some student anymore, Alaric. You're... you're a symbol. A walking legend." She paused, as if weighing her next words carefully. "But I know you. You're not someone who seeks attention. So if you're worried about the kind of eyes on you now, I get that. But don't shut yourself off. People are already looking to you for leadership."
Alaric sighed, rubbing his temple as if the weight of her words had physically landed on his shoulders. "I don't know how to lead. I don't even know if I should. This power, this divine energy... it's not something I asked for."
"Maybe not," she said softly. "But that doesn't change the fact that you have it. And you can either let it consume you, or you can use it to do something greater."
They walked together for a few more moments, the sounds of the academy buzzing around them, but Alaric's mind remained elsewhere. What Liliana said echoed in his ears: a walking legend. Could it be true? Was he truly destined for something greater? Or was the divine energy inside him merely a curse waiting to unravel his life?
As they neared the academy's central courtyard, the landscape opened up before them—a sprawling garden with fountains, statues, and towering trees. The academy's most powerful students often took their breaks here, and Alaric spotted a familiar face.
Serena Valefor, his other close friend, stood by a fountain, her back turned to them. Her bright, ever-optimistic personality was like a sunbeam in the academy, and despite her cheerful nature, she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to combat skills.
"Alaric!" Serena greeted them with her usual bright smile. "Well, well, looks like someone's got the whole academy buzzing! I swear I can feel the excitement in the air from a mile away!"
She gave him a playful shove, her eyes sparkling with mischief. But Alaric could tell that beneath the carefree attitude, there was a genuine curiosity about how he was handling everything.
"It's... a bit overwhelming, to be honest," Alaric admitted. "I never asked for this kind of attention."
Serena grinned. "Oh, come on. You definitely didn't expect this, but don't act like you're not loving the extra attention!" She paused, her expression softening as she studied him. "But seriously, if anyone can handle it, it's you. You've got this air about you, Alaric. It's... different. People are going to start expecting a lot from you."
He couldn't help but chuckle at her lightheartedness, though he still felt the weight of Serena's words.
"It's not just the attention that bothers me," Alaric said, his voice low. "It's what's coming with it. The council, the fact that everyone is looking to me now... It feels like something's brewing beneath the surface, and I don't know if I'm ready for it."
Liliana's gaze hardened. "If something's coming, we'll deal with it. Together."
Serena nodded. "You've got me, too. Don't forget that. I may not have the same powers you do, but I'll fight by your side whenever the need arises."
Alaric glanced between the two of them, and for the first time since the test, he felt a spark of reassurance. He wasn't alone in this. There were people who cared about him, people who would stand by him no matter what.
"Thanks," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll keep that in mind."
Just as the conversation seemed to settle, a shadow loomed over them. Alaric's senses, honed over the years, picked up on the presence before he even turned around. He could feel the tension in the air, the familiar energy of a person whose ambitions were as sharp as a blade. It was Darius Crowe—the nobleman who had become his rival ever since the test revealed Alaric's potential.
Darius approached with his usual cocky smile, his perfectly tailored robes swishing with every step. His sharp, piercing eyes locked onto Alaric, and there was no mistaking the challenge in them.
"Well, well," Darius said, his voice smooth like velvet, though there was a hardness to it that Alaric couldn't ignore. "Alaric Solis, the God-tier prodigy. How does it feel to have everyone in the academy whispering about you behind your back?"
Alaric didn't flinch. He had learned early on that Darius thrived on confrontation. He wasn't going to let the other boy get under his skin.
"I'm not interested in your games, Darius," Alaric replied, his voice steady. "But if you're here to prove something, I suggest you save it for the next tournament. I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to settle this."
Darius smirked. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure to show you that the crown prince isn't the only one with real power in this academy."
The tension between them crackled, but before it could escalate further, Liliana stepped forward, her eyes cold.
"Darius, you're just jealous because you know you'll never reach Alaric's level," she said sharply. "If you really want to test your strength, you know where to find him. But don't waste his time with petty insults."
Serena stepped in as well, her voice light, but her expression serious. "Darius, you know, you should really stop trying to challenge people who've already surpassed you. It's just embarrassing at this point."
Darius glared at both of them, his fists clenching, but after a long, tense moment, he turned on his heel and stormed off. His footsteps echoed through the courtyard as he disappeared into the distance, but Alaric could feel the lingering threat in the air.
"That guy's going to be a problem," Serena muttered, crossing her arms. "One of these days, he's going to try something."
"We'll be ready for him," Alaric said, his voice calm but resolute.
As the three of them continued walking through the courtyard, Alaric couldn't help but feel the weight of what was to come. Darius was just the beginning. There were more challenges ahead—more rivals, more enemies, and more mysteries to unravel. But for the first time in a long while, Alaric felt ready. The path ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing for sure—he wasn't going to face it alone.