Elias turned slowly, his fingers flexing inside his newly upgraded gauntlet as he studied the group of nobles watching him. There were four of them, all dressed in finely tailored dueling uniforms embroidered with house crests. The leader, a tall young man with dark blue hair and piercing silver eyes, stepped forward with a smirk that practically dripped arrogance.
Lira muttered under her breath. "Oh, great. Here comes trouble."
Elias sighed. "I was hoping for at least one day before the nobility started showing up."
The noble in front stopped a few feet away, tilting his head. "Elias Graham, the Summoned One. I was curious about you."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"
The noble placed a hand on his chest in mock politeness. "Darian Velcroft, heir to House Velcroft. I'm sure you've heard the name."
Lira tensed slightly beside Elias, but he just shrugged. "Not really."
Darian's smirk twitched, but he quickly recovered. "You've made quite the impression, Graham. Beating Leo was one thing, but now you're working on that?" He nodded toward the gauntlet. "I have to admit, it's impressive. Crude, but impressive."
Elias rolled his shoulders. "Glad to hear it. If you came all this way just to compliment me, I appreciate it."
Darian chuckled. "Oh, I didn't come here just to talk. I came to give you a warning."
Lira sighed. "Here we go."
Darian's smirk vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "You don't understand how this world works, Graham. Power belongs to those who are born with it. Magic is not just a tool—it is the foundation of everything. And yet, you come along with your little machine and think you can rewrite centuries of tradition?"
Elias met his gaze without flinching. "Seems like tradition could use an upgrade."
The nobles behind Darian shifted uncomfortably, but their leader remained still. His silver eyes gleamed with something unreadable. "You think this is a game. It isn't. The noble houses control this Academy for a reason. We decide who rises and who fades into obscurity." He leaned forward slightly. "And we don't like disruptions."
Elias tilted his head. "Let me guess. This is the part where you tell me to stop before I make too many enemies."
Darian smirked again. "Oh, no. It's already too late for that."
Lira stiffened beside Elias. "Elias, I really don't like where this is going."
Darian took a step back, motioning to one of his companions. The noble beside him, a red-haired girl with emerald-green eyes, raised her hand and conjured a floating sigil. Magic crackled in the air, forming an elegant dueling circle around them.
Darian stretched his arms. "You want to prove your little contraption belongs in our world? Then show me. Right here. Right now."
Elias exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "You nobles really love your dramatic challenges, don't you?"
Darian's smirk widened. "You have no idea."
The glowing sigils pulsed, signaling the duel's beginning.
Elias raised his gauntlet.
Time to see just how far his upgrades could take him.