The classroom incident left a lingering tension in the air, even after the day had officially ended. When Alex and his friends stepped out into the wide corridors of the academy, they couldn't help but feel the burning stares of the Varlen group on their backs. The four older boys, each from well-known families, wore expressions that dripped with pride and disdain, as though simply sharing the same class with commoners like Alex's group was beneath them.
Alex noticed it first, glancing casually over his shoulder. The Varlen boys weren't doing anything—just leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching. But the look in their eyes spoke enough.
"They don't like us answering questions in class," Toren muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets as they turned down the corridor. "Can't stand anyone else shining, I guess."
"They're just jealous," Joren said with a grin, though his tone had an edge. "Let them stew. The day will come when we'll settle this."
Silsa adjusted the strap of the book bag slung over his shoulder. His calm, thoughtful gaze lingered on the Varlen group before he looked away. "Jealousy's only one part of it. Their families put them here with the expectation they'd dominate. Seeing us outshine them, even slightly, dents that pride. They won't leave us alone."
Alex said nothing. He just tightened his grip on the books pressed against his chest. He could already sense what Silsa was pointing at—the beginnings of a rivalry that wasn't going to fade.
Back in the Dorm
That evening, the four returned to their dormitory. The shared room was quiet except for the muffled sounds of other students in the hallways. Alex dropped onto his bed, sighing as he stared up at the ceiling.
"We need to talk," Silsa said, breaking the silence. He pulled a chair closer to the table in the center of the room and sat down, his sharp eyes glinting. "If we want to stay in the top twenty, we can't just rely on what we're doing now."
Joren plopped onto his bed, bouncing once. "We're already in the top twenty. How much harder can it be?"
"Much harder," Silsa replied immediately. "The top twenty isn't just about today—it's about staying consistent. Students from influential families have training, resources, and connections. If we don't push ourselves, we'll get overtaken the moment they get serious."
Toren leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "So, what do you suggest?"
"Simple," Silsa said. "We sharpen our strengths."
That caught Alex's attention. He sat up, curious.
"Alex," Silsa continued, turning to him. "You've got this curiosity, this drive to learn even without being Awakened. The library and the combat grounds—that's where you'll thrive. Knowledge and fundamentals. You can use both to balance your weakness."
Alex blinked, then grinned sheepishly. "So, I'm the nerd and the guy who gets punched a lot?"
Toren laughed. "Pretty much."
Silsa smirked faintly but didn't argue. Instead, he looked at the twins. "Toren, Joren—you're natural fighters. You should stick to the combat club, push your limits physically. That's where you'll rise."
"Works for me," Toren said with a shrug.
"And me," Joren added. "I'm already itching to fight someone new."
"And me?" Silsa asked rhetorically, tapping the side of his head. "I'll keep refining strategy and tactics. Someone has to think ahead while you three charge in."
The group laughed, though Alex couldn't help but feel inspired by Silsa's clarity. For the first time since arriving at the academy, their paths seemed to be taking shape.
Alex's Choice
The next day, Alex made his way to the ancient library. The towering doors loomed above him, etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the afternoon light. Just stepping inside made his chest tighten with excitement.
The library was nothing like he imagined. Shelves stretched endlessly, filled with books bound in materials he didn't recognize. Some glimmered with enchantments, while others looked older than kingdoms themselves. He wandered the aisles, running his fingers across spines, until he finally pulled out a book on dungeon cartography.
"Ruins," he whispered to himself. "Secrets buried for centuries…"
Hours passed in what felt like minutes. Alex devoured page after page—histories of ancient awakeners, maps of lost ruins, theories about dungeon emergence. Even though he had no special powers, the knowledge alone thrilled him. It was like glimpsing into a hidden world few truly understood.
Later, when he visited the combat grounds, the contrast was striking. The clash of wooden swords echoed in the air, and students practiced maneuvers under the watchful eyes of instructors. Alex joined in, sparring clumsily at first, but gradually sharpening his basics. His arms ached, but there was a stubborn fire in him—an unwillingness to back down.
---
Toren & Joren's Arena
Meanwhile, Toren and Joren immersed themselves fully in the combat club. The twins were relentless, sparring against one another until their clothes clung with sweat. They experimented with techniques, trying to outmatch each other blow for blow.
"You're too slow!" Joren taunted after landing a strike.
"Slow? You wish!" Toren shot back, lunging with renewed energy.
Their rivalry was as much with each other as with anyone else, and it only pushed them further. Other students began noticing their intensity, whispering about the fiery pair who fought like they had something to prove.
---
Silsa's Mind Games
Silsa, on the other hand, was often seen in the strategy and tactics club. He sat at long tables with maps spread out before him, arranging pieces like a commander planning a war. Sometimes, he engaged in simulations against other members, calmly dismantling their plans with clever traps.
"You think brute force solves everything," he told one challenger, moving a piece that sealed his victory. "But a blade is useless if it's led into an ambush."
He didn't shout or gloat. He didn't need to. His quiet confidence spoke louder than arrogance ever could.
A Bond Growing Stronger
In their free time back in the dorm, the four shared their experiences.
"Found a book about ruins today," Alex said excitedly one evening. "It said some dungeons actually grow when not cleared fast enough."
"Sounds terrifying," Joren said, stretching his sore arms.
"Sounds like fun," Toren corrected, smirking.
Silsa rolled his eyes. "You two will end up getting yourselves killed if you keep thinking like that."
The room filled with laughter. Despite their differences, their bond was slowly deepening. Each day they became less like strangers thrown together by chance, and more like a team
Yet, beneath the laughter and the sense of growth, Alex couldn't shake a thought. The Varlen group's eyes had burned into him that day in the classroom. They weren't going to let this rivalry die quietly.
As he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling again, Alex whispered to himself, "If they come at us… we'll be ready."
And for the first time, he truly believed it.