A new morning had dawned, yet it bore no difference from the ones before… at least, not on the surface.
The sun rose over the Royal Academy as if mocking the place, its rays gleaming off the towering white walls—walls that stood as symbols of power and honor, the kind every student dreamed of crossing.
But today, amidst all this grandeur, one student's life was about to change forever.
Arian.
He stood in the academy courtyard, among a long line of students, all clad in their elegant uniforms… except him.
His eyes were weary, carrying the weight of someone who had seen far too much.
Whispers swirled around him like sharp winds:
– "Is that the one who failed the Integration Test?"
– "They said he summoned a rare spirit… just a spark of light!"
– "Even the Headmaster defended him? What a joke."
Each word cut into him like a blade, one after another. Yet he remained silent.
He no longer had the energy to respond.
All that remained inside him was a single, suffocating feeling: betrayal.
From afar, Master Eldar, the headmaster, stood on the stone steps, draped in a black robe embroidered with gold. His gray eyes observed the scene with a cold, unyielding gaze.
Yet, despite the calm on his face, tension lingered.
For the decision he was about to read aloud… was not his own.
He raised the parchment and spoke in a formal tone, though his words trembled:
> "By the recommendation of the Council of Houses, and after reviewing the results of the recent Integration Test, it has been decided to lower the rank of student Arian Valen and revoke all his academic and residential privileges.
The student is to be immediately relocated to Third-Class Housing—the Old Eastern District."
The silence that followed was heavier than any noise could be.
All eyes turned to Arian. Some sneered, some pitied… others were quietly delighted that the rival who threatened them had fallen.
Arian said nothing.
His fists clenched tightly, veins protruding, his chest rising and falling as if trying to contain something deep within.
Falco, standing beside him, whispered softly:
– "Keep your head high, Arian… don't let them see you broken."
But Arian either didn't hear, or he couldn't.
All he could perceive were the muffled laughs and words:
– "Those without strong spirits don't belong here."
– "Even his little spark of light is weaker than a candle flame!"
He moved slowly toward the gate, each step heavy as though carrying the weight of the world.
As he passed the headmaster, he raised his eyes and met his gaze.
A single look, filled with a thousand questions:
Why remain silent? Why didn't you protect me?
The headmaster closed his eyes, murmuring words meant only for him:
– "Forgive me, boy… justice does not always prevail."
---
Hours later, Arian stood before his new home.
The house he would live in from this day forward.
A desolate building, its walls cracked, its roof slanted, a light wind whistling through the gaps. Every corner of the place whispered a single word: Oblivion.
He entered slowly. Dust covered the floor, and the old furniture bore the weight of years without human touch.
When he placed his bag on the broken bed, he sank beside it, leaning against the wall.
A long silence filled the room.
"Why?" The word slipped out barely audible.
"I… I thought I could do it… that I could begin anew, carve a place for myself in this world…"
He placed his hand over his chest, where his small point of light—his spirit—resided.
It was still… silent… reflecting his own state.
He lifted his eyes to the dark ceiling, voice bitter:
– "Even you… silent?"
No reply came. Only the wind nudged an old curtain, and the dim light made the room feel colder… or perhaps quieter.
Falco entered a few minutes later, carrying a small wooden box with a few meager provisions.
– "Brought you something to eat.
The Headmaster tried to stop the decision, but the Houses pressed hard.
They say they fear students might follow your example if you weren't punished."
A short, bitter laugh escaped Arian:
– "They fear students will follow me? Follow… what? Failure?"
Falco sat on the rusty chair across from him:
– "You're not a failure. The world might just not be ready to see you yet.
But never let this define you, understand?"
Arian remained silent, eyes fixed on the window.
The sun set, shadows stretching across the room as though swallowing everything whole.
In the heart of that darkness, he whispered:
– "I won't let them end me.
Even if the whole world rejects me… I will make them see."
Falco smiled faintly, seeing the exhaustion in his friend's eyes, and the small flame that had begun to ignite within him.
Not anger… but a promise.
After a while, Falco left, leaving Arian alone in the house.
Night descended slowly, and the wind played a strange melody against the windowpane.
Arian sat on the floor, staring into the void.
Before closing his eyes, he noticed something small…
A tiny, faint point of light moving slowly above his hand.
He smiled, a sad, quiet smile:
– "Still here?"
The light didn't answer, yet it brightened for a moment, as if reassuring him.
As if saying: This is only the beginning, Arian.