The Celestia Academy, with its towering spires and expansive grounds, had always been a place where the brightest minds of the kingdom gathered. As a prestigious institution that accepted only the elite, it was no surprise that many students lived on campus, housed in the grand dormitories. Lazros had been assigned to one of these dormitories, where he would share a room with another student—Gilberto Hilarion.
Gilberto came from the Hilarion family, a count lineage that had served the royal family for generations. The Hilarion family was renowned for their unwavering loyalty and impeccable service, with many of their members occupying prominent positions within the kingdom's government and military. Gilberto, at just 17 years old, had already shown great promise as a mage, though he was still only a 2nd-circle mage at the time.
Gilberto was the type of person who wore his confidence like a shield, always seeming perfectly at ease in any situation. When Lazros first met him, he seemed like the complete opposite of his quieter, more reserved nature. Gilberto had a warm smile and a natural charisma that made him easy to talk to.
"Lazros Silvershade , right?" Gilberto had greeted him with a friendly grin when they first met. "I've heard a little about you. Looks like you've made quite an impression already."
Lazros nodded politely but didn't feel the need to respond. He didn't want to be the center of attention, especially with the rumors already swirling around his duel with Cedric Wyncrest. But Gilberto's presence didn't seem to mind the rumors.
"Don't let the gossip get to you. People love to talk, especially when something unexpected happens," Gilberto said, settling into their shared room. "We'll get along just fine here. And if anyone gives you trouble, I've got your back."
Lazros smiled faintly, appreciating the gesture but still uncertain of how to navigate this new environment. He had never been good at making friends or fitting in. The academy was a different world compared to the Silvershade mansion, and Lazros couldn't help but feel out of place.
Meanwhile, across the academy, the news of Lazros's unexpected victory in the duel had quickly spread through the ranks. His brother, Lurian Silvershade , heard the rumors as well. Lurian, at 19 years old, was already in his third year at Celestia Academy and was one of the top students in his batch. He was a 3rd-circle mage, highly skilled in combining his magical abilities with martial arts, and his name carried weight within the academy.
Despite hearing the whispers about Lazros's performance in the duel, Lurian wasn't particularly interested. He knew that rumors often got blown out of proportion, and he had seen enough of them throughout his time in the academy to know better than to get caught up in idle chatter.
For Lurian, his focus was always the same: to finish his studies as the top student in his year, earning the praise of his family. The expectations placed upon him were heavy, but Lurian thrived under pressure. He was determined to live up to the Silvershade family name, and nothing—especially a rumor about his younger brother—was going to distract him from that goal.
As a 3rd-year student, Lurian had already achieved much during his time at Celestia Academy. He was respected by his peers and professors alike for his discipline and talent. His physical prowess combined with his magical abilities made him a formidable force, and many of his fellow students viewed him as a role model.
Yet, despite all his achievements, Lurian never sought out the limelight. He wasn't interested in gaining attention or making waves. His one true goal was to be the best, and in his mind, that would be enough.
When he heard the rumors about Lazros's duel, Lurian merely scoffed. "It's just a fluke," he muttered to himself as he continued his studies. "Lazros might have won, but I know better than to let rumors distract me from my path."
To Lurian, Lazros was still just the youngest, unproven member of the Silvershade family. Lurian had never truly paid attention to his younger brother's struggles or successes; after all, Lazros had always been considered the weak one in the family. But Lurian was content with his own path, focusing on his studies and training while maintaining the expectations of the Silvershade name.
Back in the dorm, Lazros continued to settle into his new life at Celestia Academy. Despite the uncertainty and the weight of his family's legacy hanging over him, he knew that this was just another part of his journey. He would continue to push forward, whether the academy's students recognized his true potential or not. The power inside him, locked away for so long, was now growing stronger with each passing day. But for now, he kept it hidden, just as he had done with his magic.
In the midst of all the rumors and expectations, Lazros was determined to carve his own path. And perhaps, in time, the world would see who he truly was.
As the days passed, Princess Lunaria couldn't help but grow more intrigued by Lazros. Despite the rumors that circulated about him—the whispers of him being the "useless son of the Duke"—there was something about him that didn't align with the stories she had heard.
At first, she had simply dismissed him as another member of the Silvershade family, someone who likely wasn't worth her attention. But after the duel with Cedric Wyncrest, she couldn't deny that there was something different about Lazros. The way he carried himself, the calm confidence in his demeanor, and how he had won the duel—barely breaking a sweat—made her question everything she had heard.
The princess had always prided herself on her ability to read people. And there was one thing that intrigued her the most about Lazros: his mystery. He was a quiet, reserved young man who seemed to live in the shadows of his family's expectations. And yet, in that duel, he had shown an ability that far exceeded what the rumors suggested. Could the stories of him being weak simply be a facade?
Lunaria, who had always been a top student and used to receiving attention for her beauty and intelligence, found herself increasingly drawn to Lazros. There was something magnetic about him, something that made her want to know him better. The rumors about him being the "useless son" of the Duke had now begun to feel more like an unfair judgment, an impression created by others who didn't understand him.
And so, she began to observe him more closely—how he interacted with others, the quiet confidence he exuded even in the face of adversity. It wasn't long before she realized that the rumors were nothing more than baseless chatter. Lazros was far more than they gave him credit for, and she couldn't help but wonder just how much more there was to him.
One afternoon, after another of her flawless speeches as the top student, Lunaria caught sight of Lazros walking across the academy grounds. His silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his piercing red eyes held a depth that few could fathom. She couldn't help but feel drawn to him, her curiosity growing with every passing moment.
"Lazros," she called out, her voice soft yet commanding.
Lazros turned, surprised to hear his name. It wasn't often that the princess would address him directly. "Yes, Your Highness?" he responded politely, his tone neutral.
"Are you really the 'useless son' they claim you are?" Lunaria asked, a playful but pointed smile on her lips. "Because from what I've seen, you seem anything but useless."
Lazros chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I'm just someone trying to keep a low profile, Your Highness. I don't mind the rumors."
Lunaria's smile widened, impressed by his nonchalance. "Well, if you're truly 'useless,' then I'm clearly missing something. But I'm curious—what makes you so determined to hide your true abilities?"
Lazros met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "It's better that way," he replied simply, not offering much more.
But in that brief exchange, Lunaria knew something had shifted. The rumors were nothing more than that—rumors. There was more to Lazros than anyone had given him credit for, and she was more than determined to uncover it.
The princess's attention toward Lazros grew in the following weeks, her curiosity turning into admiration. She began to notice the way he quietly excelled in his studies and the way he carried himself—he wasn't as "useless" as everyone had made him out to be. She saw him for what he truly was: someone holding back, biding his time.
As Lunaria's interest in Lazros grew, she began to question the validity of her own assumptions about him. The "useless son" label seemed to fit less and less the more she got to know him. In fact, she was starting to wonder if Lazros was playing a far more dangerous game than anyone realized.
And so, with every glance, every conversation, Lunaria's attraction to Lazros grew. What had once been a simple curiosity was quickly transforming into something far deeper. She had always been surrounded by admiration and attention, but with Lazros, it was different. There was an enigmatic quality about him that intrigued her, making her want to know him even more.
The princess knew that there was more to Lazros than met the eye—and she was determined to discover the truth behind the "useless son" of the Duke.
As time went by, Lazros and Gilberto Hilarion, his roommate at the academy, gradually became close friends. Gilberto, hailing from the noble Hilarion family, was someone who had grown up with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. His family had served the royal family for generations, and he carried that legacy with pride. However, unlike many of the other elite students at Celestia Academy, Gilberto wasn't one to judge people based on rumors or status. He had a straightforward, open personality that made him easy to approach and hard to dislike.
Lazros, on the other hand, had always kept to himself. The years of being overshadowed by his family's expectations had made him quiet and reserved. He never sought out attention, preferring to stay in the background and avoid confrontation. But Gilberto was different. He didn't treat Lazros like the "useless son" the rumors claimed he was. He saw Lazros for who he really was—a complex individual with untapped potential.
It started with small conversations. They would talk about their studies, their interests, and occasionally, the people they had met at the academy. Gilberto was one of the few who didn't see Lazros as just another member of the prestigious Silvershade family. He was genuinely curious about Lazros's thoughts and ambitions. Over time, their interactions became more frequent, and Lazros found himself enjoying the company of his roommate.
Gilberto was a simple person—honest and direct. He would often encourage Lazros to relax and not be so hard on himself. "The academy is full of people who want to be the best, but it's important to remember why we're here," Gilberto would say. "Don't let the pressure get to you. Focus on what matters."
Lazros, who had spent years pushing himself to meet his family's impossible expectations, found comfort in Gilberto's words. For the first time, he had someone who wasn't trying to force him into a mold. It was a relief to have a friend who didn't judge him based on his family's name or his past mistakes.
Gilberto, for his part, saw something in Lazros that others couldn't. He knew Lazros was hiding his true abilities, but he didn't press him about it. He understood that Lazros had his reasons for being cautious. Sometimes, the most talented people were the ones who didn't show off or seek validation from others.
Their friendship grew stronger as they shared more of their lives. Gilberto, being a second-circle mage, had a lot of experience in combat magic, and Lazros often sought his advice on improving his technique. In return, Lazros would share his insights into more theoretical magic, something that Gilberto found fascinating.
Through their time together, Gilberto came to respect Lazros not just for his abilities but for his quiet resilience. He admired Lazros's ability to maintain his composure in the face of adversity and his refusal to let the weight of his family's legacy define him.
One evening, after another exhausting day of classes and practice, the two of them sat in their dorm room, relaxing as they talked. Gilberto, who had been watching Lazros quietly for some time, finally spoke up.
"You know," he said thoughtfully, "I think you're going to be great, Lazros. The academy may not see it yet, but I do. You've got something special in you."
Lazros chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "I'm not so sure about that. I'm just trying to survive the year without causing any more problems."
Gilberto grinned, leaning back in his chair. "You're not like the other students here, Lazros. You're far more interesting. They're all obsessed with power and prestige, but you… you're different. You've got a quiet strength. I think that's what makes you stand out."
Lazros paused, his red eyes thoughtful as he glanced out of the window. "Maybe. But I don't want to stand out. I just want to live my life without drawing attention."
Gilberto nodded, understanding. "I get it. But don't hide who you are. You're stronger than you think."
Lazros smiled slightly, feeling a warmth in his chest at the sincerity in his friend's words. It was the first time in a long while that he felt truly seen—not for his family name or the expectations placed upon him, but for who he was as an individual.
From that moment on, their friendship became one of the few constants in Lazros's life. While the academy's politics and the pressure from his family weighed heavily on him, Gilberto remained a steady presence by his side. The two of them continued to support each other through their studies, their trials, and the complexities of life at Celestia Academy.