As James stood amidst a group of students eager to introduce themselves, the air was filled with chatter and excitement. Many of the students looked up to James with admiration, seeing him as someone extraordinary after his incredible performance. Suddenly, the crowd parted slightly, and Lucas Hoffman strode confidently forward, his silver hair gleaming under the sunlight like a glacier's peak. His smug expression made it clear he wasn't here for idle pleasantries.
Lucas extended his hand in a cordial gesture. "James, isn't it? Congratulations on securing the top spot. Quite the achievement."
James shook his hand cautiously, offering a polite smile. "Thank you, Lucas. Your performance with the ice castle was amazing too. Defensive magic isn't something you see practiced often."
Lucas chuckled, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "True, but practicality has its place. And speaking of practicality, I was wondering if we could discuss something."
Without another word, Lucas raised his hand, showing five fingers pointed toward the sky. The gesture left James and the other students puzzled. James tilted his head in confusion and asked, "What does that mean?"
Lucas's smirk widened as he explained, "Five hundred thousand pesos. That's how much I'm offering for your dragon bone wand. What do you say?"
The crowd gasped collectively, the shock rippling through the students like a wave. Murmurs of disbelief filled the air.
"Did he just say five hundred thousand?" one student whispered, his eyes wide in astonishment.
"That's enough money to live in luxury for years!" another exclaimed, their voice tinged with envy.
Some students looked ready to faint, their faces pale as they tried to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the amount. A single glance at James revealed his own astonishment. His jaw hung slightly open, his mind racing. The offer was more than generous—it was utterly ridiculous.
James instinctively tightened his grip on the wand. He was about to extend it toward Lucas, his hands trembling slightly at the thought of the fortune being offered. However, just as his fingers moved, he stopped himself, pulling the wand back.
Lucas noticed this hesitation and smirked, his demeanor growing even more self-assured. "What's wrong, James? That's more money than most people see in a lifetime. Surely you'd be foolish to refuse."
James hesitated, his thoughts a whirlwind. Why is he offering so much? The wand is valuable, but not that valuable. It's worth maybe a hundred thousand at most. What's his real motive?
"I'm sorry," James finally said, his voice steady but filled with reluctance. "I don't think I can sell this wand. It's more than just an item to me—it's a symbol of my victory."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by the sentiment. "Oh, come on. Let's not pretend to be sentimental here. I'm offering you enough to set yourself up for life. And if it's the wand's worth you're worried about, let me assure you, I know it's worth only a hundred thousand. I just happen to want it. Badly enough to pay five times its value."
"Why?" James asked, his brow furrowed.
Lucas ran a hand through his silvery hair, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Because, buddy, I like being number one. If I can't earn it with skill, I'll buy it. Simple as that. Money isn't an issue for me. I could buy this academy if I felt like it. So why not the wand?"
James swallowed hard. The offer was still tempting, but something in him resisted. "Sorry, Lucas. I appreciate the offer, but I can't. This wand isn't just mine—it's something I want to gift to my mother. It's a token of my success and my promise to her."
Lucas stared at him for a moment, then gave a short laugh. "Not bad, James. I can respect that. Still, let me sweeten the deal. What if I doubled the offer? A million pesos."
The crowd erupted again, gasping louder than before.
James nearly staggered at the sheer amount. His mind screamed at him to take the money, but his heart resisted. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and shook his head. "No, not even for that. Some things are worth more than money."
Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, the smugness giving way to a flicker of genuine surprise. "You're an interesting one, James. Most people would've bent the moment they heard five hundred thousand, let alone a million. But I get it. You've got principles, or at least you're pretending to."
James gave a faint smile, masking his internal turmoil. "It's not about pretending. Some things just can't be bought."
Lucas tilted his head, smirking once more. "Fair enough. You've earned my respect, James. Let's see how long you can hold onto that wand—and those ideals. We'll be in the same class, after all. I'm sure we'll have plenty of chances to chat."
With that, Lucas turned and strode away, his presence as commanding as ever. James stood there, gripping his wand tightly, his heart pounding. The crowd was still buzzing with whispers about the unbelievable interaction they had just witnessed. Some envied James's resolve, while others thought he was a fool for refusing.
As the crowd dispersed, James exhaled deeply, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside him. One thing was certain—his time at the academy was going to be anything but ordinary.