The faint, cold glow of morning light crept across the stone walls of Dorm Room 393. Ace was already awake — his body going through the motions of his usual routine: light stretching, controlled breathing, and a quiet test of his Arcane flow, feeling the residual hum of power thrumming faint beneath his skin.
It was familiar. Steady. A good start.
A knock echoed at the door, sharp and impatient.
Ace cracked it open to find Klaus standing there — hair slightly mussed, notebook under one arm, expression hovering between tired and faintly annoyed.
"Morning," Ace greeted casually.
Klaus stepped inside, giving him a once-over. "Where were you yesterday? You vanished all day."
Ace shrugged, smirk faint at the corners of his lips. "Was broke. Had to hustle."
Klaus exhaled, clearly not surprised but still exasperated. "I see… But you didn't forget the small thing called 'exam tomorrow,' right? Everyone's losing it. We just got here and the Academy's already throwing tests at us."
Ace tilted his head, considering for half a second. "Oh yeah… exam tomorrow."
Klaus stared, deadpan. "That's your reply? You're not nervous?"
Ace stretched, cracking his knuckles. His confidence, sharpened by late-night study and raw intellect, practically radiated off him. "Kinda… maybe."
Rolling his eyes, Klaus shoved his notes at him. "Here. Take the notes. But that's not why I came."
Ace raised a brow, intrigued.
"You wanna join a study group?" Klaus continued. "We're meeting soon at the Academy Library. Figured you could use some 'community bonding.'"
The idea caught Ace's interest. Study groups weren't his usual thing, but connections? Useful. Maybe even fun. "Sure. I'll get ready."
"Good. Get moving." Klaus turned for the hallway, already halfway down. "I'm waiting."
The library loomed, massive and hushed — ancient stone, endless shelves, floating runes tracing faint paths through the air.
In a quiet, tucked-away corner, seven students clustered around a circular table — commoners, from the look of plain uniforms and worn boots. Determined faces. Nervous energy.
Klaus waved Ace over. Brief introductions followed — names blending together — but the intent was clear: they were here to fight for their spot.
The group settled in, heads down, papers out.
Hours blurred — the only sounds were rustling parchment, quiet questions, and whispered calculations. Ace moved easily through the material, sharp mind slicing through complicated theory.
Occasionally, he explained things — breaking down elemental fusion, magical theory, the finer points of noble law — turning impossible concepts into something even the most anxious student could grasp.
The peace cracked when Theo Harnest strutted into view — smug as ever, eyes glittering with arrogance.
He wasn't here to study.
"Well, well, look at this," Theo sneered, stopping by their table. "A whole gathering of insects… and our favorite low-born mutt, Dragnell. How adorable."
The group stiffened — jaws clenched, gazes lowered — unwilling to provoke, but simmering with frustration.
Theo's smirk widened, dripping superiority. "What good is all this hard work? You'll all be plowing fields, scrubbing floors, maybe shining my boots — if you're lucky."
Soft chuckles rippled from nearby noble seats — their amusement sickly sweet, their eyes hungry for humiliation.
Ace didn't flinch. His expression blank, unreadable.
Theo mistook silence for submission. "Can't deny the truth, can you?" He chuckled, turning away, basking in his own self-importance.
He swaggered off, laughter trailing like smoke.
The table was silent — frustration heavy in the air.
Ace leaned forward, voice cool, eyes steady. "Don't mind him. Dogs bark — it's just noise."
A few quiet laughs cracked the tension. Shoulders eased. Focus returned.
Ace resumed helping — simplifying diagrams, reworking spell theory, answering questions with razor-sharp clarity.
Klaus returned with snacks, tossing a small bread roll his way. "Man, you should be a teacher."
Ace chuckled, faint edge in his grin. "I will be. Just… not in the traditional way."
The hours slipped by — heads down, minds working — determination replacing nerves.
When they finally packed up, grateful voices circled the table:
"Thanks, Ace. I actually get this now."
"You made it… make sense."
"Appreciate it — really."
It wasn't forced — it was real.
Klaus and Ace parted ways, goodbyes exchanged, quiet solidarity lingering.
Inside, Ace spotted Theron, hunched over his own books, immersed. As usual, silent understanding passed between them — no words needed.
Ace settled in, reviewing notes, theory, magical formulas — his Intelligence (S) turning the complicated into instinctive knowledge.
By midnight, exhaustion tugged at his limbs.
"Exam tomorrow," Ace muttered, smirk creeping across his face. "Gotta rest this little brain."
Sleep took him fast — steady, sharp, ready.
Ace Dragnell - Current Status
* Name: Ace Dragnell
* Noble Status: Low-Tier Noble
* Age: 16 (First Year Student)
* Strength: C+
* Agility: C+
* Endurance: B
* Intelligence: S
* Willpower: A
* Charisma: D
* Arcane Power: C+
* Abilities:
* Unique Ability: Molecular Disassembly & Regeneration (Rudimentary Control - Increased Mastery)
* Description: The innate power to disassemble one's body to a molecular or even atomic level and reassemble it at will. Can regenerate from a single cell or atom. Can reassemble specific body parts, which will possess the same inherent power as the main body. Ace can now successfully detach and reassemble his hand and foot with increased speed, control, and reduced mental strain.
* Elemental Affinities: Fire, Air, Lightning (Can now infuse Lightning into his foot for temporary speed/agility boost)
* Skills:
* Basic Self-Defense (C)
* Survival (Wilderness - from his manor's remote location) (D)
* Weapon Forging (B-) (Has successfully forged a custom katana)
* Knife Mastery (Beginner - infused with Fire/Lightning affinity as a conduit)
* Katana Mastery (Beginner - Can now infuse with Fire for up to 11 seconds. Further refinement needed.)
* Tutoring/Teaching (Beginner - Demonstrated aptitude for clear explanation)
* Gear:
* Custom Katana (B+ Grade - newly forged, infused with Fire for limited duration)
* Reputation: Increasingly recognized for sharp wit, defiance of high nobles, and extraordinary academic and legal talent, further cementing his reputation as a capable leader among his peers. Rivalry with Elara Flavosky deepens; has publicly humiliated Theo Harnest. Whispers of his unusual abilities and intelligence are spreading rapidly. Gained respect and gratitude from commoner students through tutoring.
* Silver Crowns: 364
* Dorm Room: 393