The grand hall shimmered with warm golden light, the high arched ceiling adorned with intricate magical sigils, casting soft hues over the elegantly dressed students
Laughter and music intertwined in celebration of the freshmen's successful first day.
The moment Austin stepped into the Grand Hall, conversations hushed.
Austin felt the shift immediately
Every eye turned toward him—not with curiosity, not with admiration, but with contempt.
Students who had once shown interest in him now averted their gazes, some sneering outright, others whispering behind their hands.
He ignored them and scanned the hall for Lucian. But he was nowhere to be seen.
"Looking for your loser companion, Saintling?"
The voice was taunting, dripping with arrogance.
Austin didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Aidan stood there, exuding smugness, his suit tailored to perfection.
The gold embroidery shimmered under the chandeliers.
Behind him, his usual lackeys smirked, eager for a show.
Austin kept his face neutral, having no interest in engaging.
But Aidan wasn't done.
"You know, it's funny," he continued, stepping closer. "People had such high hopes for you. But what are you, really? A fraud? A charity case? A mistake?"
Laughter rippled through the hall.
Austin felt Egbert's gaze on him.
His brother had been watching the scene from the sidelines, his fists clenched in restrained anger.
Austin shot him a disapproving look.
Egbert clenched his teeth.
Aidan grinned, misinterpreting Austin's silence as fear. "Not going to say anything? I thought you had more fight in you."
Then, without warning, Aidan's hand shot forward.
But his first couldn't even land as it was stopped by Austin's palm.
Austin barely moved.
Everyone saw it but refused to believe and internally wished for Aidan to do it again.
"Come on, Saintling," Aidan sneered, pushing him again. "Show us something. Or are you only good at fooling professors?"
Another shove. This time, the lackeys joined in. One yanked Austin's collar. Another nudged his shoulder.
Small, testing actions, like a pack gauging its prey.
They felt their fists touching flesh but upon closer inspection, Austin had no bruise.
From their perspective, Austin didn't react. He didn't move.
The whispers grew louder. Some watched with sick amusement, others with quiet unease.
A few individuals noticed what's really going on, they were mostly upperclassmen. Upon noticing his otherworldly reaction speed, they smirked.
Then, Aidan grabbed a fistful of Austin's suit—his father's suit.
Something in Austin snapped.
His hand shot up, gripping Aidan's wrist in an iron hold.
The sudden force made Aidan wince.
"Let go," Austin said, his voice dangerously low.
For a brief moment, Aidan hesitated. Then, anger twisted his features. He raised his other hand, ready to strike—
"Enough."
The commanding voice cut through the tension.
The Grand Hall doors swung open, and Professor Scharf strode in, his presence alone enough to halt the scene.
His sharp eyes swept over the students, landing on Aidan and his lackeys.
Aidan immediately released Austin and stepped back as he pridefully adjusted his suit, feigning innocence.
Austin adjusted his as well, his expression as calm as ever. But the fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed.
Professor Scharf sighed, rubbing his temple. "Take your seats. Now."
The hall slowly returned to order. But as Austin moved to his place, he could still feel the weight of everyone's gaze and their judgment.
It didn't matter, let them watch.
Egbert's fists clenched at his sides as he walk towards Austin, his frustration barely contained.
His sharp gaze bore into Austin, demanding an answer. "Why are you letting him walk all over you?" he snapped. "Why do you just stand there and take it?"
Austin exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "I was not."
"Both of us know what I'm talking about."
Austin sighed. "Because fighting him now would only make things worse," he said evenly. "He's looking for a reaction, and if I give him one, it'll escalate. I don't want that."
Egbert's brow twitched, his patience wearing thin. "So what? You're just going to let him treat you like this?" His voice rose, his anger boiling over. "When are you going to stop letting it slide, huh? When he finally does something you can't ignore? When something bad happens?"
Austin met his brother's fiery gaze, unshaken. "It's not about ignoring it," he said, his tone calm but firm. "It's about knowing when to act. If I confront him now without a real plan, I'm just playing into his hands."
Egbert's veins bulged as he took a step closer. "I can't take this anymore," he growled. "Watching you act like this—like it doesn't matter—when it does."
Austin looked at him.
"It matters for me 'cause I'm your f*cking brother. Do you get it?" Egbert's tone soften for a moment.
Austin blinked slowly, his fingers tightening at his sides. "I never said it doesn't matter. But if I make a move now, it won't be the right one. Just trust me on this."
Egbert let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "You better be right, Austin. Because I won't just stand by and watch if this goes too far."
Egbert said with crossed arms before sitting next to him.
The large doors of the Grand Hall swung open once more, revealing a group of professors entering in an orderly fashion. Among them was Professor Fuchs, his ever-present, unreadable smile in place.
Behind him, other faculty members followed, each carrying themselves with the dignity expected of Magian Academy's finest scholars.
Austin's gaze flickered toward the back of the group, where he spotted Professor Beaumont. The same professor who had supervised his duel against Aidan the day before.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, but Beaumont's expression remained neutral as he nodded towards Austin to greet him.
Austin nodded back.
Around the hall, the students had begun settling into their own routines.
Some were engaged in lively discussions about their class placements, excitedly comparing ranks and scores.
Others were already forming alliances, clustering in groups that would likely define the rest of their academic careers.
The upperclassmen, seated separately, observed the first-years with amusement, offering whispered commentary about the new generation.
Some of them, particularly the Archons, looked less interested in idle chatter and more focused on analyzing the freshmen for potential members that will be added to their Archeons next school year.
At the long banquet tables, food and refreshments had been served, though few seemed truly eager to eat.
The weight of competition and hierarchy loomed over them, heavier than any feast could lighten.
Then, the air shifted.
The hall fell into silence as the Headmistress entered.
She walked with effortless grace, her very presence commanding attention.
Dressed in elegant robes that shimmered subtly under the grand chandeliers, she moved to the center of the room, her gaze sweeping over the gathered students before landing at Austin for a few seconds, then to the Professors.
First, allow me to extend my gratitude," she began, her voice rich and resonant. "Each and every one of you has shown remarkable dedication, not only in the Class Placement Exams but also in the Staff Succession Ceremony. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed."
A murmur rippled through the hall.
The Headmistress smiled warmly. "This academy has always stood as a beacon for those who seek to master the Mystical Arts. And after witnessing your determination firsthand, I can say with confidence that the future of Magian Academy shines brightly."
She paused, letting her words settle.
Some students straightened, pride swelling in their chests.
Others, particularly those who had struggled, shifted uneasily.
Then, with a final nod, she said, "I am proud of all of you."
With that, she turned and exited the hall, her presence lingering even after she had disappeared beyond the grand doors.
Austin exhaled quietly.
He had no reason to stay any longer. The moment the Headmistress left, he took it as his cue to slip away as well.
Keeping his steps light, he made his way toward the exit, blending into the movement of students beginning to rise from their seats.
All he wanted now was to rest.
Suddenly, Austin sensed a strange fluctuation in the surrounding mana—unstable, erratic.
But before he could pinpoint its source, a sharp wind surged through the hall, splitting the grand doors wide open.