The day after the duel, the atmosphere at Altheon Royal Academy had completely shifted.
Caelum had arrived as a nobody—a fallen noble, a shadow of his former self.
But now?
People whispered his name.
"Did you hear? Drayton crushed Gareth Evernall!"
"I heard he barely even tried!"
"How did he get so strong? Was he always like this?"
Caelum ignored the murmurs as he strolled through the Academy halls. His uniform was crisp, his posture relaxed, yet every step he took carried a weight that hadn't been there before.
The System window flickered in his vision.
> **[Academy Influence: +20]**
> **[Notable Figures have taken an interest in you.]**
> **[Your reputation is shifting from "Disgraced Noble" to "Rising Star."]**
A smirk tugged at Caelum's lips. **Good.**
But not everyone was pleased with this development.
As he turned a corner, a group of noble students eyed him with a mixture of wariness and resentment.
"Drayton," one sneered. "Enjoying the attention?"
Caelum glanced at him—a third-year noble with no real significance. Not worth his time.
He walked past without a word.
The noble's face twisted in frustration. "You think you're important now?"
Caelum stopped. Slowly, he turned his head, his golden eyes sharp and cold.
The noble swallowed hard.
He felt it.
The difference between them.
Without another word, Caelum continued walking, leaving behind a stunned silence.
---
Later that day, Caelum found himself in an unexpected meeting.
Princess Seraphina had summoned him to one of the Academy's private gardens—a secluded place where only the most influential nobles could gather.
She was waiting for him, seated gracefully on an ornate bench beneath a flowering cherry tree. Her silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her piercing blue eyes studied him with intrigue.
"You've been causing quite the stir, Lord Drayton," she said as he approached.
Caelum gave a polite bow. "That wasn't my intention, Your Highness."
A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Perhaps not, but it's the result nonetheless."
She gestured for him to sit, and he obliged.
Seraphina leaned forward slightly. "I have a proposition for you, Caelum."
Hearing her use his name so familiarly was surprising, but he didn't let it show.
"Go on," he said.
She smiled. "I want to recruit you."
Caelum raised a brow. "Recruit me? For what?"
"You're strong, intelligent, and clearly more capable than most of the nobles here. I believe you could be a valuable ally."
Her words were carefully chosen, but Caelum wasn't naïve.
This wasn't just about strength. It was about power. Influence. Control.
"And what do I gain from this… alliance?" he asked.
Seraphina's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Protection. Resources. My personal favor."
Now that was interesting.
Seraphina was not just a princess. She was a contender for the throne. Aligning with her would put Caelum in a very powerful position.
But it would also make him a target.
Caelum leaned back slightly, meeting her gaze. "I appreciate the offer, Your Highness. But I'm not one to be easily swayed."
Seraphina tilted her head. "Then what would convince you?"
He smirked. "You'll have to find out."
Her eyes gleamed. "A challenge, then? Very well. I look forward to winning you over, Caelum."
He had a feeling she would enjoy the chase.
---
That evening, Caelum returned to his dormitory, only to find someone waiting for him again.
Evelyn Evernall.
This time, she wasn't composed.
Her emerald eyes were stormy, her breath uneven.
"Why are you avoiding me?" she asked, voice trembling.
Caelum exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Evelyn, we have nothing to discuss."
"Don't say that!" she snapped, stepping closer. "You—You act like I'm a stranger!"
His expression darkened. She had betrayed him. She had watched as his family fell, had abandoned him when he needed her most.
And now, she wanted to act as if nothing had happened?
"Isn't that what you wanted?" he said coldly. "You made your choice, Evelyn."
She flinched. "I—" Her hands clenched into fists. "I thought I was making the right decision. I thought—"
She stopped herself, shaking her head. "No. It doesn't matter. I—I'm here now, and I just—"
She reached for him, but Caelum stepped back.
Evelyn's heart clenched.
Her entire life, she had been the one in control. The noble lady. The untouchable fiancée.
But now?
She felt something she had never felt before.
Powerless.
"Caelum," she whispered. "Tell me what to do."
He stared at her, unreadable.
"Nothing," he said. "There's nothing you can do."
Then, without another glance, he stepped inside his room and closed the door.
Leaving Evelyn standing there, alone.
And for the first time in her life…
She felt like she was losing him.
---
As Caelum sat on his bed, the System flickered again.
> **[New System Update]**
> **- Influence Growth: Evelyn's obsession has deepened.**
> **- Seraphina's interest has increased.**
> **- New Quest Available: [The Dance of Power]**
Caelum let out a slow breath.
Things were moving quickly.
He had made waves in the Academy. Gained attention from the most powerful figures. And Evelyn—his former fiancée—was unraveling before his eyes.
The game had begun.
And Caelum would make sure he came out on top.
---