The sun hung high over the Magic Academy, casting a warm glow across the training grounds. Ken Xeno strolled in casually, his permanent smile firmly in place. Today was the first session with the academy's top-tier students—the ones older, faster, and stronger than anyone he had encountered so far.
Taron and Elyas trailed behind, clearly nervous. "Are you… sure we should go near them?" Elyas whispered.
Ken tilted his head, black eyes calm. "Relax. Observing them is part of learning. We're not here to compete yet."
The top-tier students were practicing midair elemental duels. Fireballs collided with ice spears, and lightning arcs danced dangerously close to floating platforms. The sight would make most newcomers tremble—but not Ken.
He walked forward, analyzing each student's movements, noting the precision, mana flow, and even subtle habits like hand gestures and stance shifts.
Interesting, he thought. Their techniques are solid, but predictable if you know what to look for.
A tall boy with silver hair and piercing blue eyes turned his attention to Ken. "You're the youngest Xeno, right?" he asked, voice carrying both curiosity and challenge.
Ken's smile didn't waver. "Yes. And you are?"
"I'm Kaelen Draven. These are my friends." Several other students waved halfheartedly. Kaelen's gaze lingered on Ken, clearly sizing him up.
"You seem… calm," Kaelen said, almost as if he couldn't place the feeling Ken gave off. "Most first-years would be shaking."
Ken tilted his head slightly, smiling politely. "Calm is useful. It helps you see more clearly."
Kaelen raised an eyebrow, unconsciously intrigued. Most students at this stage were flashy or aggressive. Ken was neither. He simply was, and that made him unsettling.
---
A duel demonstration was announced by the instructor: a free-form match where students could show off their skills, but under observation. Kaelen smirked and gestured toward Ken. "Why don't you join? Let's see what you've got, first-year."
Ken's smile remained steady. "I'm happy to watch for now," he said lightly, though inside, his system quietly analyzed Kaelen's aura and potential combat patterns.
The duel began. Fire, wind, and lightning intertwined midair as Kaelen and his friends exchanged attacks. Ken observed everything: timing, distance, mana consumption. Every minor flaw was cataloged.
When a stray attack flew toward him—probably to intimidate—Ken casually raised a hand. The mana around him shifted subtly. The attack slowed midair, almost imperceptibly, and dropped harmlessly to the ground. No one noticed; it looked like simple timing.
Kaelen paused mid-attack, frowning slightly. Huh… how did he do that?
Ken only smiled. I'm not here to fight yet, he thought. Just learning.
---
After the demonstration, the instructor gathered the students. "Observing is as important as practicing. You saw today how small changes can determine the outcome of a duel. Remember that."
Ken nodded politely, smiling. His system had stored every duel, every minor fluctuation of mana, and even Kaelen's tendencies. He could recreate or counter them anytime—but he had no intention of showing it. Not yet.
As students left the grounds, Kaelen fell into step beside Ken, curiosity lingering in his piercing eyes. "You're… unusual, Xeno. Calm, polite… yet I can tell you're not ordinary."
Ken tilted his head slightly, smiling. "Thank you. That's kind of you to notice. I'm still learning, though."
Kaelen didn't respond immediately, simply studying him. For the first time, he seemed unsure—something rare for someone so confident.
Ken walked on, unfazed. His system whispered silently, cataloging Kaelen's potential and weaknesses. His smile never faltered.
Another interesting student, he thought. I'll enjoy watching him grow.
---
By the time Ken returned to the dormitory, Taron and Elyas were exhaling in relief. "Whew… that was… intense," Taron said.
Ken chuckled softly, the smile unchanging. "It's always better to observe first. There's nothing to rush."
As the sun set behind the Academy towers, Ken stood by the window, gazing at the training grounds below. Students continued practicing, dueling, and showing off their abilities.
This world is full of possibilities, he thought. And I intend to explore every one of them.
Somewhere deep in his mind, the faint echo of the protagonist's words lingered: "I will come back again."
Ken didn't understand it yet. And for now, it didn't matter.
He was calm. He was smiling. And he was ready for everything this Academy—and this story—had to offer.