The days that followed Jae's stunning victory in the class tournament felt like stepping into another world entirely.
He had always known the academy was a place of hierarchy and whispers, where status and power were everything. Before, he'd been invisible to most and mocked by others.
But after holding his own in front of the entire class, after standing tall even when no one expected him to, things had shifted in a way he hadn't anticipated.
Sure, the haters were still there. Some people would always scoff at him, convinced his win was just luck. But now, for the first time, there were more voices standing beside him than against him.
Students waved at him as he passed, calling out his name from across the courtyards. He caught nods from upperclassmen and smiles from those who had once ignored him completely. Some of the younger students even seemed to look up to him like he was someone worth admiring.
It felt strange, almost surreal, but also satisfying.
