SCHOOL ARC
After arriving at the academy gates, Jimmy and Adam joined the crowd of students gathering in the grand hall. At the center stood the headmaster a tall man with long white hair and a flowing beard, draped in black robes. In one hand, he carried a polished wooden staff that radiated quiet power.
He raised his staff, and silence fell.
"Welcome, students, to Avalon Academy," the headmaster announced, his deep voice echoing through the hall. "I hope you enjoy your time here, and I expect you all to behave. Within these walls you will learn not only magic, but strength so that one day, you may stand proud like the hero who once defeated Prime."
The students erupted into applause. Jimmy clapped as well, though his expression was unreadable.
After the ceremony, the crowd spilled into the cafeteria. Long tables were packed with excited students eating, laughing, and shouting. Jimmy and Adam sat together with their trays.
"So," Adam asked, biting into a roll of bread, "what do you think of the place so far?"
Jimmy shrugged. "Big. Loud. Probably not bad."
Adam smirked. "Not bad? This is one of the best schools in the kingdom of Avalon."
"Okay," Jimmy said simply, sipping his drink.
Math Class
The bell rang, and students hurried through the corridors. Jimmy and Adam found their way to Classroom 129 for their first period: mathematics.
The moment they opened the door, chaos greeted them. Students were throwing paper across the room, shouting insults, and two boys were literally fistfighting in the center of the class.
Jimmy blinked. "You sure this is the right room?"
Before Adam could answer, the teacher—a woman with glasses, wearing a blue shirt and carrying a wizard's rod—spotted them. "Ah, Adam, Jimmy. Take your seats."
Jimmy hesitated. "This really is Classroom 129?"
"Yes," the teacher replied calmly, as if the madness around her were normal.
Adam gestured at the brawling students. "Then why is someone screaming about honor while sitting on another kid's chest and punching him in the face?"
A boy with bright red hair and a furious expression turned toward Adam. "You got a problem with me?"
Adam quickly raised his hands. "Nope. Not at all."
The two boys slid into their seats, choosing to stay quiet. The lesson dragged on for one hour and twenty minutes until the bell finally rang, dismissing the class.
But trouble wasn't over.
At the lockers, the same red-haired boy cornered Adam, slamming him against the metal. "I hate people who try to stand tall. Especially filthy half-breeds like elves. Humans are the superior race—so pay up."
Jimmy's hand shot forward, gripping the boy's wrist. "Hands off."
The red-haired boy sneered. "Who do you think you are, touching me?"
Jimmy's eyes hardened. "Who do you think you are, touching my best friend?"
A grin spread across the bully's face. "Fine. Battle class. You and me." He shoved away and stalked off with his friends, leaving tension in the air.
Jimmy extended a hand to Adam, pulling him up. "You okay?"
Adam brushed himself off. "Yeah. But now you're going to have to fight that red-haired bastard."
Jimmy smirked. "I've battled worse."
History Class
Their next stop was History. The classroom was quieter, filled with books and scrolls stacked high along the walls. The teacher, Professor Fedrick, adjusted his spectacles as he addressed the class.
"Today," he began, "we will be studying the Hero who defeated Prime one thousand years ago. His identity remains hidden to this day, but his deeds shaped our world."
He instructed the class to open to page 145. "We'll begin with the Emergence Day, which occurred in the year 100X—one thousand years before Prime's final defeat in 10XX."
A student raised his hand. "But Professor, we all know about the Great War already."
Fedrick shook his head. "No, you do not. Prime did not die in the First Great War. He was only defeated during the Second."
Another student frowned. "Why is that important?"
The professor smiled knowingly. "Because understanding the past may guide your future. If you wish to become heroes yourselves, then learning the truth is where it begins.
The history lesson dragged on for nearly an hour and twenty minutes. Students scribbled notes while Professor Fedrick spoke passionately about the year 100X, the beginnings of the First Great War, and the rise of Prime.
At last, the bell rang.
"It's lunchtime," Adam sighed with relief, packing away his books.
Jimmy nodded. "Finally." Together, they headed for the cafeteria.
Lunch
Jimmy sat with a steaming bowl of spicy ramen, while Adam ate a plate of bread, vegetables, and roasted meat. Perched on Adam's shoulder, his chinchila happily nibbled on its own tiny serving, whiskers twitching.
But peace never lasted long.
The red-haired bully from earlier swaggered into the cafeteria with his group of friends. He slammed his hand down on Jimmy's table, sneering.
"Battle class is next," the boy said, his voice full of arrogance. "Don't hold back, or you'll regret it."
His friends laughed and jeered behind him.
Jimmy calmly lifted his chopsticks, his eyes narrowing. "Hold back? If I go all out, you'll be destroyed before you even realize what hit you."
The red-haired boy's smirk faltered. "Don't get cocky."
Adam's chinchila suddenly growled, tiny teeth bared at the bully.
The boy flinched back with a scowl. "Tch. Pathetic pet." With that, he and his gang walked away, laughter echoing across the room.
Adam stroked the chinchila's fur, calming it. "Easy. He's just being a jerk. Jimmy will handle him in battle class."
Jimmy smirked. "Oh, I will. And I'll humiliate him, too." He slurped his ramen, then pointed his chopsticks at Adam. "Eat up. You'll need your strength. Even if the demons have been dormant, there are still other threats out there."
Adam nodded. "You're right." He dug back into his food, while Jimmy finished his meal with quiet confidence.
Suddenly, the school's microphone crackled to life.
"Would students Jimmy and Adam please report to the headmaster's office."
Adam frowned. "What now? Did that red-haired idiot report us?"
Jimmy shrugged. "Maybe. Let's find out."
They quickly finished their food and left for the office.
Headmaster's Office
The heavy wooden doors creaked open as Jimmy and Adam stepped inside. The headmaster, long white beard flowing, gestured for them to sit.
"Ah, Jimmy, Adam. Please—have a seat."
Adam's nerves showed as he sat down, his chinchila curled around his neck. "D-Did we do something wrong?"
The headmaster shook his head. "No. But there's something you need to know."
Both boys leaned forward.
"The red-haired boy," the headmaster continued, "is a noble. And, Jimmy, you will be facing him in battle class. If you win—and I expect you will—be ready. Nobles will twist the truth. They'll spread lies, paint themselves as victims, and do anything to protect their pride."
Jimmy's gaze was steady. "So what should I do?"
The headmaster tapped his staff on the ground. "Fight. Win. And make sure his arrogance disappears for good. Nothing humbles a spoiled noble faster than being crushed by someone they consider beneath them."
Jimmy gave a small nod. "Understood."
Adam glanced at him nervously. "Guess there's no backing out now."
Jimmy smirked. "I wouldn't want to anyway."
AT BATTLE CLASS
The battlefield was an open stone arena, surrounded by high walls where students gathered to watch. The teacher, a scarred veteran with a stern gaze, stood at the center. His heavy armor bore marks of countless wars, and the sword at his side clanged as he moved.
"Alright, class," he barked, voice echoing. "Today, we have a challenge. Noble August von Scraner has called out Jimmy. Both of you enter the arena."
A murmur swept through the crowd. Jimmy stepped forward calmly, scarf fluttering behind him. Across from him, August strode in proudly, red hair blazing like fire beneath the sun.
The teacher raised his hand. "I want a fair fight. No foul play. Begin!"
The Fight
August wasted no time. He summoned a surge of water magic, waves crashing around the arena. With a twist of his hand, he shaped the water into a swamp-like mire, trapping Jimmy's legs.
"Got you!" August smirked.
Jimmy gritted his teeth, then snapped his fingers. His own energy pulsed, dispelling the watery trap in a burst of heat. In the same motion, he lunged forward and drove his fist into August's stomach.
"Ungh—!" August staggered, dropping to one knee.
Jimmy loomed over him. "Had enough already?"
But August roared in anger, conjuring water once more. His arm transformed into a swirling water fist, which slammed toward Jimmy. Jimmy raised his own arm, blocking the strike, but the sheer force ripped part of his shirt.
"You're not bad," Jimmy admitted. Then fire flared in his palm, magic surging. "But try blocking this."
He unleashed a stream of flames, the heat searing across the arena. August countered with walls of water, the two elements colliding violently.
Steam and dust engulfed the arena. Students shielded their eyes as the explosion rattled the ground.
When the smoke finally cleared, August was sprawled on the floor, defeated. His red hair fanned out across the stone, glistening with sweat.
The crowd gasped not at the defeat, but at the revelation.
August's form shifted as her robes, torn by the battle, slipped away. What had been assumed to be a boy was now unmistakably a girl her figure revealed beneath the shredded garments.
Silence.
Jimmy blinked. Adam blinked. The students and teachers all froze, mouths agape.
August's face flushed crimson. "W-Why are you all staring like that?!" She glanced down, realizing too late that her uniform had been burned away in the clash. She let out a shriek, fumbling to cover herself.
The arena erupted into chaos students shouting, teachers rushing to throw her a cloak.
Jimmy scratched the back of his head, muttering awkwardly, "Well… that was unexpected."
Adam leaned closer, wide eyed. "Jimmy… you just humiliated a noble and found out he's actually a she."
Jimmy sighed. "Figures my day couldn't just be simple."