Kaelen woke with a Jolt.
For a second he didn't recognize the ceiling above him. The faint hum of the academy's ventilation system, the soft glow of the crystal-lamps, the muffled chatter from the hallway, it all came back slowly, settling into place. He sat up, testing his body. The bruise across his ribs had faded, the sharp spikes of pain had dulled into a phantom ache that flickered whenever he breathed too deeply.
"At least, it's better than yesterday. She did say it would heal by morning, but i guess that jax guy hit was more defined." Kealen thought to himself.
He swung his legs off the bed and stood. His muscles protested, aching, a dull sourness, but they obeyed.
"Shit... I will be late for class!"
Kaelen rushed to have his bath and dressed as quick as he could. He didn't even have the time for his daily quest, not that he remembered with his mind filled with getting to class early.
When he stepped out into the corridor of the dorm, he felt it immediately: the air had shifted.
People noticed him, stares followed him. They were not the blank, uninterested glances he was used to, the kind that looked through him as if he were a pane of glass. These were focused intent.
A pair of first-years standing by the water dispenser looked up and abruptly stopped talking. Their eyes flicked over him with an unsettling mixture of curiosity and poorly hidden recognition. A group of upper-years coming down the stairs slowed, their steps syncing as their gazes settled on him; not curiousity, the measuring and assessing type.
And then, from farther down the hall, a sharper look. A cold one. A glare thrown like a knife from a tall second-year student leaning against the wall with his friends. Kaelen didn't know him, but the expression was clear enough; irritation, hostility, maybe even anger.
Kaelen noticed and could only assume if he was someone annoyed that a first-year had caused trouble. Or someone connected to Jax.
"They shouldn't recognize me, this is unnatural." Kaelen thought to himself."Just how fast does information travel in this academy?"
He contimued and walked past them, pretending not to notice the spike of tension.
The cafeteria wasn't any different. As he collected a tray and stood in line, whispers brushed against him like gnats.
"That's him."
"The one who fought Jax."
"He doesn't look that strong…"
"He must've gotten lucky."
No one said it loudly, but the glances said enough. Some curious. Some calculating, as if they were already planning where he fit into the academy's hierarchy. Some hostile, carrying the same irritation he'd seen in the hallway.
Kaelen lost his appetite to all the stares and glares. He had classes which he was already late. He didn't have the time or the stomach, to deal with the attention.
He left slightly irritated by the attention.
It followed him into his first lecture. Eyes darted to him when he entered. A few seats away, a girl he had partnered with for an assignment pretended not to stare, but she was bad at it. Across the room, one of the third-years who occasionally helped the instructor raised an eyebrow at him with a look that hovered between amusement and warning.
He wanted to be stronger, not some attracting attention machine. He was figuratively and literally visible. He felt naked.
...
[Kaelen Burn. Report to the Disciplinary Office. Room 2, Gamma sector. Immediately]
The notification chimed on his wristband at the end of his second class. A cold blue icon pulsed on the screen of his wristband.
His stomach dropped.
He made the walk with his heart pounding in his ears. The hallway leading to the Disciplinary Office was quiet, the walls lined with thin red talismans that flickered with suppressive energy. The door slid open automatically as he approached.
The Disciplinary Office was designed to be intimidatin;: high, vaulted ceilings that amplified sound, polished dark wood that absorbed the light, and an oppressive silence enforced by institutional power. Seated behind a vast empty desk was a year four student, reviewing a stack of reports on a crystal tablet, she was the kind who didn't need to raise her voice to make people behave. Her uniform was sharper than regulation required, dark navy with silver trim that marked her as a fourth-year adjudicator.
Her hair was pulled back into a tight knot high on her head, not a strand out of place. Her face had the lean, almost severe definition of someone who'd spent years training, cheeks slightly hollow, jaw sharp enough to suggest she didn't entertain nonsense in or out of the office. Her eyes were the striking part though: cool gray, the kind that swept over you like a scanner, noting posture, expression, and probably your last three poor life choices. Her expression was that of severe neutrality. Her insignia marked her as a prefect of discipline.
She didn't look up as Kaelen entered, merely gesturing with a stylus in her hand to a hard-backed chair placed before the desk.
Only after what seems to be eternity and her scribbling on the tablet did she speak."Kaelen Burn," her voice calm and clipped.
Kaelen jolted up at her call.
She lifted her gaze. Her eyes were cool, steady, administrative. No malice. No warmth.
"You were involved in an unsanctioned combat incident last night."
"Yes," he said quietly.
"You initiated it?"
"No." He replied.
Before she could respond, the door behind him slid open again.
Jax entered.
Kaelen's spine stiffened. Jax looked worse than he had expected. He had faint bruises that shadowed his jaw and cheek, and his posture carried a simmering anger that the room's suppressive talismans barely held in check.
"I was sure i couldn't scratch him. How did he get those bruises?" Kaelen furrowed his brows at the thought. He didn't see him after their fight but he was sure he didn't commit that damage.
He scowled at Kaelen, his expression was dark and venomous. If the officer weren't sitting there, Kaelen was certain the older boy would've lunged.
"Jax Hanlay," the officer said, tone identical to before. "Stand beside him."
Kaelen shifted, giving Jax a bit of distance, though not nearly enough for comfort.
She continued. "We've reviewed the reports and, eyewitness accounts from the scene."
Kaelen swallowed.
"You are both here regarding unsanctioned combat in a non-sparring zone, specifically the Grand Hall. This is a severe infraction of the academy rules." she said.
"Mr. Hanlay," she continued, "your use of visible force in a public, social space, nonetheless on a defenseless younger student is a breach of Section 7, regardless of the initial provocation. Your actions were reckless and disproportionate."
Jax remained silent, his jaw grinding under her gaze.
"Mr. Burn," she then addressed Kaelen, her gaze sharpening. "While the context of your intervention was noted as a form of defensive protection of a null-class student... engaging in physical violence is nonetheless an infraction of rules.You are required to disengage and report to a higher authority."
"Jax initiated aggression. Kaelen responded defensively. The Academy acknowledges the distinction, but the rule is clear. Any form of fight outside authorized environments is forbidden."
"Both of you will receive a formal first warning. This warning is permanently logged on your academic records. Let me be explicit; Any further unsanctioned incident... whether be it provocation, retaliation, or conflict, will result in severe disciplinary penalties, up to and including loss of privileges or immediate suspension from practical courses."
"..."
"..."
The tension was thick.
Kaelen felt a cold spike of fear shoot up his spine.
The officer turned her attention to Jax.
"Since you are a third-year student, you are expected to demonstrate better discipline. Consider this your last leniency. Do not appear in this office again."
Jax was grinding his teeth in pure anger, veins almost popping, but he no choice but to suppress his anger. He gave the smallest nod.
Her gaze shifted to Kaelen.
"And you. You showed restraint in your response, but you did participate in the escalation. Do not do it again."
"Yes," Kaelen said. "Understood."
She waved a hand toward the door. "Both of you are dismissed."
"May i ask question?" Kaelen said, not playing to leave. Jax starred at him, slowing down to listen to him.
"You may." She said.
"It was brought to my awareness that this third year senior is going around and targeting scholarship, and null class students for their lunch credit provided to them by the school funding system. May i ask why you aren't taking acti—"
"I never collected credits from any student. This—"
"That has not been brought to our attention, but we will be sure to be observant." She replied, cutting Jax off.
"You're going to believe him?"
"No, but we will be observant." She stated once more. "If what Mr.Kaelen says is true, you will face consequences and if it's false, he will face discipline for tainting a students reputation with false, unjust accusation. Now, you're both dismissed."
"I challenge you to an official duel." Jax said turning to Kaelen.
"Wh—"
"This is uncalled for, Jax. Challenging a first-year to a formal duel is an abuse of the system, not a use of it."
"What code states that students of different years or ranks can't challenge each other?" Jax lashed out, cutting her off.
"The code doesn't forbid it," she replied, her voice like ice. "It merely marks you as a bully who can't handle a setback without throwing a tantrum."
"Don't be an hypocrite miss Serene, you non-chalantly challenged your senior and one who as a relationship with you at that. You only got your position because of that."
"You will NEVER speak to a disciplinary officer in such manner," she replied coldly.
The room suddenly became toxicated with raw aether seeping out of Serene's body making it hard to breathe. Both kaelen and Jax were forced to kneel under the pressure of Serene's aura.
<-5HP>
"Fuck," Kaelen could only growl under the sheer force pressing down on him. He had being confused and marked as a side character since Jax challenged him. He didn't even know there was something called an official challenge in the academy and now they put him in the middle. Jax was a third year student, he knows more than he a first year would know.
<-5HP>
<-5HP>
[You're being intoxicated with an external energy]
<-5HP>
[You're being intoxicated with an external energy]
His health point was draining crazily fast, it hasn't even being a minute. He had to work fast.
"Miss Serene," Kaelen screamed, but he didn't getting any reply. She was only increasing the force, she was barely present with them, lost in her anger.
<-5HP>
"She has completely lost it. Jax... is an... idiot. I have... to do some–thing." He coated himself with aether hoping it would work in slowing down or stopping the external aether. And to his surprise, his quick thinking helped.
[Aether Manipulation Lv.2]
<-30 A.E>
[External energy has been slowed]
<-3HP>
[You're being intoxicated with an external energy]
"That only slowed it?" He groaned. "Miss SERENE." Kaelen growled at the top of his lungs and it worked.
[You are no longer being intoxicated]
Kaelen could only breathe heavily, sweats were running down his body in buckets
[Health Regeneration Lv.1: Regenerates Health poin an heals the body. Does not regenerate lost limbs.
[Aether Regeneration: Regenerates aether energy <12 A.E. per minute out of combat (0.2 A.E./sec), 5 A.E. per minute in combat (0.083 A.E./sec).>]
His passive skills kicked in immediately.
"I am sorry for losing my composure," she said as she finally calmed down, cleaning her uniform like nothing just happened.
When Kaelen managed to look to the side st Jax, he could only thank his heavens. Jax had it harder, it was directed at him afterall, he was currently stunned.
"She did this much damage just by releasing aether?" Kaelen thought to himself.
Jax finally managed to get up and snap out of his stunned situation. " Yo–aaaghh... You won't interfere with the challenge anymore, would you?"
"Is he crazy, she did that much damage with just aether alone. She didn't even use her ability. Why are you taunting her dude!" Kaelen was in his thought when Serene replied—
"I won't interfere only if the boy accepts of his own volition." She said firmly.
"Then i will do the honor," Jax replied with a light grin as he turned to Kaelen. "I Jax Hanlay of year three at the Guardian Advance level and a sentinel holder of emerald challenge you, Kealen Burn of year one to an official fight."
"I decli—"
[Side Quest Assigned: Victory to the beholder. Accept and win the fight]
Reward: +2700XP | +15 Stat Points | Upgrade Two skill levels of your choice.
Penalty: -2 System Level | -50 Stat Points.
"..."
"Why did he pause, he is not going to accept it right?" Serene thought observing Kaelen.
Kaelen's breath paused. 2700 XP? That was more than two levels. And two skill upgrade of choice... It was an insane offer. The penalty was brutal, but the reward... The reward might appear moderate but it was great.
"....What are the conditions, Jax?" Kaelen asked, his voice steadier than he felt.
"He is not really going to accept it, is he?" Serene thought.
Jax replied with a larger grin. "Last man standing, of course. The loser grants a wish of the winner."
"I am gaining more than you in this, how do you benefit?"
"Ohh, look at this punk, do you think you have a chance at winning ?" Jax asked.
"It's your choice, i accept." Kaelen replied with a dismissive gesture.
"Ho–Hold on! You should think more about this Kaelen," Serene interrupted.
"You said, you won't interfere, miss Serene," Jax replied, irritated.
"Thanks for your concern, i am sure miss Serene. That'smy choice" Kealen replied.
"The boy has made his choice, miss Serene." Jax said with a much wider grin. "He is very gullible, hehe. I will have fun humiliating him." Jax thought.
"Well, i did try to stop him," Serene could only sigh as she thought." I Serene Val bare witness to Jax Hanlay of year three and Kaelen Burn of year one."
"The fight will hold next week's weekend and will take place at any hall we see free." Jax said extending his hand forward like he is about to bump fist with Kaelen.
"What are you doing?" Kaelen asked observing him.
Serene answered. "It's an official fight, it has to be recorded. The wristband you are wearing will record that."
"Why is he extending his fist then?"
"Do you not know?" Serene asked, but Kaelen only blinked at her question and Jax was laughing inwardly.
Serene pinched the bridge of her nose. "For someone who just accepted a death wish, you're remarkably unprepared. It's a formal record. He officially challenged you to a fight, his wristband acknowledged that. And you accepted it, your wristband acknowledged that. Now, all that's left for you is to get the band close to each other .Your wristbands sync upon contact. The other students gets informed, just fist bump him."
Kaelen proceeded to fist bump Jax who was to still holding out his fist and containing his laughter.
[Ping]
[You have accepted an official challenge from Jax Hanlay, sentinel holder of emerald. Time: 3pm. Location: undecided.]
The academy was really advanced, being this creative.
"I wish you both luck. You're dismissed." Serene said with a light smile.
Jax moved first, brushing past Kaelen deliberately close. His shoulder clipped Kaelen's, a whisper of threat.
Kaelen stepped out second, doing his best not to flinch as the door closed behind him.