Drake Vadis.
He surveyed the crowd like a king stepping into his court.
"Wow," Drake drawled, shaking his head. "Is this year's freshman class really this pathetic?"
Silence.
Then, whispers.
"That's Drake Vadis… the number one student from the Fire Elemental Department on the main campus!"
"Why is he here?"
"What does he mean, pathetic?"
Drake's smirk widened. "Two hundred people, completely wiped out by a single guy from some backwater town?" he sneered. "Seriously? That's gotta be some kind of record."
Laughter echoed from the other seven standing behind him.
The mockery was palpable.
Then, Drake turned toward Professor Xavier, his expression shifting into something resembling respect—or at least something close to it.
"Professor," Drake greeted, his tone smooth. "I heard there's a particular freshman this year—a personal disciple of yours. I'd like to request a friendly spar."
