Eloria University was vast, filled with hundreds of students from across the continent. Most came from powerful families—clans known for elemental control, healing lines, or beast taming. Ronan was one of the few who came with nothing.
Or so they thought.
---
He kept a low profile. Attended lectures. Trained alone. Never drew attention.
But someone was watching.
Her name was *Lyra*.
A second-year student, sharp-eyed, top of the Combat Theory class. Known for her precision, calm nature, and ability to read people like books.
And something about Ronan didn't sit right with her.
He wasn't just *quiet*. He was *too controlled*. Too… aware.
---
One afternoon, during sparring exercises in the campus arena, Ronan was paired with a bulky fire-user named Kren. The match was supposed to be simple—first to land a clean hit.
Kren smirked, overconfident. "Hope you don't melt, no-talent."
The whistle blew.
Kren launched a wave of flame. Ronan stood still. At the last second, he pivoted slightly—and raised his hand.
A pulse exploded from his palm. *Silent. Sharp. Precise.*
Kren flew back 10 feet, his fire snuffed out mid-air.
The instructor blinked. "Beginner's luck?"
Lyra narrowed her eyes from the stands. That… was no beginner's move.
---
Later that evening, as Ronan walked back through the garden trail behind the library, the familiar system screen appeared:
> *Blast Push – Level 2*
> Recharge Time: 4.3 seconds
> Stability Bonus Applied
He smiled faintly.
But he wasn't alone.
"You hid that well," a voice said from the shadows.
Ronan turned. Lyra stepped out from behind a tree, arms crossed.
"I've seen a lot of students fake strength," she said. "But I've never seen someone hide it as cleanly as you just did."
Ronan stayed silent.
She studied him. "You're not just lucky. You're training. Hard."
"…And?"
"I want to know why."
Ronan looked her in the eyes. "Because I spent seventeen years with nothing. I'm not wasting this."
She didn't reply right away. Then: "Good answer."
Then she walked off.
---
For the first time since awakening the system, Ronan felt it:
He wasn't invisible anymore.
And not everyone would look away this time.
---