Eren digested everything the Headmaster had said, wondering if he would awaken his Verse and become stronger within a year. Then, a sudden realization struck—Charlotte would come looking for him in a week.
Would she really come in just a week? Eren doubted it. Perhaps in a month. But judging by how the Headmaster had looked at him before, someone would definitely check on him within a week. I have to get stronger.
But how? That was the real problem. Eren found himself in a predicament—he had no idea how to become stronger.
While he was lost in thought, another instructor stepped onto the podium and began speaking.
"Welcome, everyone. I am your Dean, Xelthorian Astralis, and I will be in charge of the new Awakened students. First of all, you should already know this—you are expected to obey the rules. Those who break them will not be tolerated.
Your studies will be divided into two parts: every morning, you will attend general theoretical lessons. After lunch, you will focus on training based on your Awakening and Innate Flame. Those with common flames will be placed into separate factions.
New factions will be formed for those with unique Innate Flames. To keep everyone motivated, the top 100 students from each faction will be rewarded with resources for faster improvement. So, I suggest you all work hard on mastering your Verse."
A commotion erupted among the students as they discussed the factions. Suddenly, a loud roar from the podium silenced the crowd, making everyone stiffen.
"Listen carefully. What I am about to say is very important—you must take it to heart."
"If anyone thinks, I didn't awaken a strong Verse or I wasn't born with a powerful Innate Fire, you are mistaken. There is no such thing as a weak Verse or a weak Innate Fire. Every Verse is unique, and every flame has its own potential. The only thing that determines strength is effort. The only difference between a great Verse and a weak one is how much work you put into mastering it." The Dean's voice echoed throughout the hall.
"If you don't know how to train or where to start, there are plenty of instructors available to guide you." He gestured towards the instructors seated on the podium.
"If an instructor is unavailable, your seniors will help you. You will also be joining factions created by senior students to train and grow stronger together."
Another commotion broke out at the revelation that even senior students had formed factions to train together.
"You will have classes four days a week," the Dean continued. "The remaining three days will be given to you for training—putting into practice what you have learned. I believe you will work hard and grow strong enough to protect the kingdom."
As the Dean finished his speech, the students began discussing everything they had just heard. Eren and his friends joined in.
"Eren, where have you been? And why were you with the prince of the kingdom?" Anne asked with a worried look.
"Yeah, why did the instructors stop you and that fat guy? Did they ask about you leaving the tent? You should avoid collaborating with that guy," Anto said, chewing on something.
Eren pondered for a moment before answering, "The instructors just gave us a warning for breaking the rules."
"What about the prince? Where did you meet him?" Leo asked, his face full of curiosity.
"We're staying in the same dorm room. I met him just before coming here," Eren explained, glancing at Anne beside him.
Everyone was dumbfounded. Why would a prince stay in a normal dormitory, where students from villages were placed? And of all people, how did Eren end up as his roommate?
While they were still processing Eren's unexpected revelation, Charlotte stepped onto the podium. She seemed to be looking directly at where Eren was sitting.
"You will remain in the academy for one month," Charlotte announced. "No one will be allowed to leave during this period. After a month, once you've adapted to the training and gained better control over your Innate Flame, you will be permitted to leave the academy.
Once outside, you will observe how your seniors assist in handling real-world challenges.
If your senior allows it, you may even participate in the missions they undertake—but only with the approval of your House Mentor instructor."
"Training is a crucial part of getting stronger," she continued. "Every week, there will be duels. For the first month, participation will be voluntary, and students may nominate themselves. However, after the first month, participation in duels will become mandatory."
"Other than duels, fighting without permission is strictly forbidden. If you are caught, you will be severely punished. Treat your fellow Awakeners as equals and grow stronger together," Charlotte said with a stern face.
After finishing her speech, Charlotte returned to her seat and began discussing something with the Headmaster while occasionally glancing at Eren's location. Eren felt an ominous pressure settling over him—it was not a good feeling.
Then, a series of events unfolded that made his body go numb, stiff, electrified—he even felt like he might pee his pants.
"I demand a duel with you!" A loud, angry voice rang out, coming from about two meters away.
Eren didn't even bother looking up. From the context, it was clear that this had nothing to do with him. After all, who would challenge him to a duel on the first day? But the situation begged to differ.
"You! The puny guy who isn't even wearing an academy uniform! I'm talking to you!" The voice grew louder.
The speaker was a tall, handsome boy with sharp facial features. His expression twisted in irritation when he realized Eren wasn't giving him any attention.
Eren wasn't sure what to do. As far as he could recall, he was the only one not wearing an academy uniform. Which meant… someone was definitely talking to him. But instead of acknowledging it, Eren focused on another figure—a young man standing at the podium, someone who looked too young to be an instructor.
"Greetings, fellow Awakeners. My name is Berthold Feuerschlag. I will be your 'Voice of the Flames,' which means I will be responsible for addressing your needs. If you require anything, you may approach me at any time," the student with a bright, confident face announced.
"So, he's the Student Representative? He's handsome," some girls whispered, giggling amongst themselves.
"I hope we end up in the same class," another girl added.
"What are you girls even talking about? There are plenty of good-looking guys here. Why are you drooling over that guy?" an average-looking male student muttered with irritation.
"Shut up, Klaus! He's not just handsome—he became the Student Representative. His Verse must be unique, or else the prince would have taken that position," another girl shot back.
While the students continued their discussion, a loud voice suddenly erupted from the side of the seating area.
"Voice of the Flames! I would like to duel this guy sitting over there!" the voice cried out. "That coward isn't even answering or showing any respect to a fellow student!"
The auditorium fell into pin-drop silence. Every eye turned to see where the voice had come from, wondering who would be foolish enough to demand a duel on orientation day.
"Hey! What are you talking about? He doesn't even know you! Why are you challenging him to a duel? Are you out of your mind?" Klara voiced out, looking bewildered.
"We are fellow Awakeners at the prestigious Eternal Flame Academy," the boy declared. "That gives me the right to challenge another student to a duel."
Then, as if embarrassed, he shifted his gaze toward Anne, his face slightly flushed.
On the podium, the Headmaster and Charlotte whispered among themselves, while Berthold hesitated for a moment before walking over to discuss something with Charlotte.
Meanwhile, Eren kept his head down, too reluctant to look at the guy calling him out. Why is everything bad happening to me? He replayed the events after leaving his village, wondering if he had unknowingly offended someone.
As far as he remembered, the only people he had interacted with were Jorlen and his dormmates.
While Eren was lost in thought, others in the crowd began murmuring.
"What's going on? Why is that towering guy asking for a duel with that fragile-looking one?"
"Fellow Awakener, at least stand up and face your opponent! Don't cower!"
"What are you talking about? Look at that guy—do you really think he can beat someone that big? He should just stay seated and avoid getting injured."
"Cowering is a bad sign for an Awakening Soldier. You have to face your opponent head-on!"
Suddenly, the Student Representative's voice echoed through the auditorium.
"Fellow Awakener from Amberwood Village, please stand up."
As Eren wrestled with his thoughts, trying to make a final decision, Anne, seated beside him, attempted to rise. Just as she was about to stand, a cold hand grasped her wrist, pulling her back down. She turned to see Eren looking into her eyes.
"It's okay. I'll do it myself," he said.
Despite Anne and his friends calling his name, urging him not to stand, Eren slowly rose to his feet. He faced the Student Representative without saying a word.
"What a truly memorable day this is!" Berthold announced, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "To witness two Awakeners eager to duel on the very first day of the welcome ceremony—this shows just how motivated our new students are! And that is fantastic news."
The crowd murmured with excitement.
"However," Berthold continued, "we cannot arrange a duel so suddenly. After discussing with the instructors, we have decided that one week from today, this historic first duel between two first-year Awakeners will be held in the dueling arena."
A wave of celebration erupted among the students as they discussed the unexpected event. Meanwhile, Anne and the others watched Eren anxiously as he stood there, his head lowered.
"Do either of you have anything to say?" Berthold asked, looking between Eren and his challenger. "As the first duelists of this year, on this memorable day?"
The other student immediately stepped forward, his voice filled with confidence.
"I am very happy to be part of the first duel this year," he declared.
The moment he finished speaking, silence fell over the auditorium. All eyes turned to Eren, waiting for his response.
Then, in the middle of the quiet hall, a voice rang out—cold, indifferent, devoid of emotion.
And in that moment, everyone in the auditorium realized they were facing something terrifying. A presence so alien, so detached, that it felt as if their very lives no longer belonged to them.
"I don't know who this person is or why he has called me to a duel," Eren began. "To my knowledge, I have not offended anyone. The only two individuals I have spoken to since arriving here, I am certain, bear no grudge against me. And yet, someone has seen fit to call me out—not after the ceremony, not in private, but in the middle of it, while the instructors were still speaking. He could have waited until the ceremony ended and confronted me then, asked me what supposed offense I had committed. Instead, he chose to interrupt everything to arrange a duel."
Eren exhaled softly before continuing.
"I have not even looked at the person who challenged me, and I do not intend to. But I will accept his duel. However, I have one question for him—what have I done to anger him so much that he had to challenge me here and now?"
His voice grew colder, sharper, as he spoke his final words.
"I avoided the duel when he first called for it. But since he insists… I will not show mercy. If he fails to kill me in the duel next week, I will make sure his head hangs from my dorm room door."
Silence.
Eren finished speaking and turned away, walking out of the auditorium without once looking at the challenger behind him. The hall remained eerily quiet, an oppressive tension hanging in the air.
Only after Eren had disappeared did the students let out a collective sigh, as if releasing a breath they hadn't realized they were holding.
Anne and her friends exchanged wary glances, their expressions filled with caution.
As for the boy who had demanded the duel—he sat frozen in his seat, his face pale. And then, much to the horror of those nearby, a dark stain spread across his pants.
The Student Representative stood there just as stunned, his expression dazed, unable to form a response.
From the podium, the Headmaster leaned slightly toward Charlotte and whispered something into her ear.