The morning sun spilled over the Academy grounds, casting long shadows across the cobblestone paths. Ken Xeno walked calmly toward the main training area, his cloak brushing lightly against the stone floor. His permanent smile was in place, unchanging, giving him an air of serene confidence.
Behind him, Taron and Elyas struggled to keep up, still overwhelmed by the events of the past few days.
"You… you don't even sweat," Taron whispered, glancing at Ken's composed expression.
Ken tilted his head slightly, still smiling. "Why should I? Observation and patience matter more than rushing."
---
The main training grounds were alive with students practicing duels, casting spells, and showing off their abilities. Ken moved through them effortlessly, cataloging movements, mana control, and strategies with precision.
It didn't take long before he began to draw subtle attention. Some students whispered as he passed, noting his calm demeanor. Others stared, curious about the youngest Xeno walking among them like he belonged entirely.
Kaelen Draven, the silver-haired upperclassman Ken had observed before, noticed him immediately. His piercing blue eyes followed Ken as he approached the edge of the training field.
"Hmph… he's everywhere," Kaelen muttered to himself. "And calm. Unnervingly calm."
Ken noticed the glance but said nothing. He simply smiled, his usual serene expression never faltering.
---
Ken settled on a quiet spot near the edge of the field. He knelt slightly and activated his system discreetly.
Observation mode: advanced.
Mana swirled lightly around his fingers, barely noticeable, as he subtly enhanced the ambient flow of magic around him. Small adjustments, minor manipulations of elemental threads, all perfectly contained.
Interesting, he thought, smiling softly. The stronger students are all predictable if you pay attention to their mana signatures.
From his vantage point, Ken observed a sparring match between two top-tier students. One wielded wind and lightning; the other controlled fire and earth. Their duel was fierce, chaotic, and powerful. Most of the students watching gasped at each collision of spells.
Ken tilted his head slightly, his system running quietly. He calculated the trajectory of attacks, the timing of mana bursts, and even potential weaknesses in both students' defenses. Yet, he didn't intervene. Not yet.
This is enough for today, he thought. Learning is more valuable than showing off.
---
After the match ended, Kaelen walked over to Ken. "You're calm… too calm," he said, his tone curious rather than hostile. "Most students would be excited or intimidated by what they just saw."
Ken smiled gently, tilting his head. "Calm allows me to see clearly. That's all."
Kaelen studied him, clearly intrigued. "You're not ordinary, are you?"
Ken only nodded, smiling softly. "Not yet, anyway. I'm still learning."
Something in Kaelen's eyes shifted—curiosity, maybe a hint of respect, and a touch of challenge. Ken noted it quietly in his mind.
Interesting, he thought. Another person worth observing.
---
By the afternoon, whispers of Ken's presence had spread across the Academy. Students speculated quietly about the youngest Xeno who never seemed flustered, never seemed tired, and always smiled. Some wanted to test him; others just wanted to observe.
Ken didn't notice the attention—or perhaps he did, but he didn't care. He walked back to his dormitory calmly, Taron and Elyas trailing behind, exhausted from keeping pace with him.
"Do you ever… stop noticing everything?" Elyas asked, frustrated but impressed.
Ken smiled, unshaken. "Noticing is different from reacting. Reacting comes later, when necessary."
That night, as the Academy's lights glowed softly across the courtyard, Ken sat by the window, gazing at the stars. His system quietly cataloged the day's events, storing data on the top-tier students, their strategies, and even subtle behavioral patterns.
So many players in this world, he thought, smiling softly. And I'm just beginning to see the game.
Somewhere in the far reaches of his mind, the faint echo of the novel lingered: "I will come back again."
Ken didn't know what it meant. And he didn't care.
My path is my own, he thought. And I intend to walk it calmly, smiling, and ready for whatever comes next.