The academy square was still in chaos.
Students were shouting, arguing, and replaying the duel in their minds again and again.
"No way… no way that just happened."
"Elena Frost surrendered?"
"And Lucien didn't even look tired!"
The duel had lasted only a few minutes.
Yet the result felt unreal.
Lucien Blackwood—the student ranked ninety-seventh—had just defeated the academy's second-ranked freshman.
Even the instructors looked stunned.
Professor Roland stood silently for a moment before clearing his throat.
"The duel is finished. Everyone return to your classes."
But the students clearly had no intention of leaving immediately.
All eyes remained fixed on Lucien.
Lucien, however, looked completely unconcerned.
He brushed a small piece of ice off his sleeve as if the duel had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
Across the field, Elena Frost was watching him carefully.
Her expression had changed.
There was no anger.
No embarrassment.
Instead, there was curiosity.
"You're hiding something," she said calmly.
Lucien smiled slightly.
"Everyone hides something."
Elena studied him for another moment.
Then she nodded once.
"I'll find out eventually."
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
The crowd parted instinctively to let her pass.
Lucien watched her leave.
Interesting girl, he thought.
In the original novel, Elena had been cold toward almost everyone.
But she rarely showed curiosity.
The story was clearly drifting further away from its original path.
Nearby, Arthur Valerian finally approached.
The crowd immediately grew quiet again.
The top-ranked freshman stood in front of Lucien.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Arthur was studying him carefully.
Lucien met his gaze calmly.
Finally, Arthur smiled.
"That was impressive."
Lucien shrugged.
"Just lucky."
Arthur laughed.
"I don't believe in luck."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"You broke a third-tier spell with raw mana."
"That's not something luck can do."
Several nearby students looked shocked.
They hadn't realized how powerful Lucien's attack actually was.
Lucien remained relaxed.
"I guess I practiced a little."
Arthur looked like he wanted to ask more questions.
But before he could speak—
A new voice interrupted.
"Lucien Blackwood."
Everyone turned.
Professor Roland was standing there again.
But this time, he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood an elderly man wearing deep blue robes embroidered with silver runes.
The moment students saw him, they immediately straightened.
"Vice Headmaster!"
Even Arthur looked surprised.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
The old man slowly walked forward.
His sharp eyes examined Lucien from head to toe.
"So," he said calmly, "you are Lucien Blackwood."
Lucien nodded.
"That's me."
The vice headmaster's gaze was piercing.
For a moment, Lucien felt as if every secret in his mind was being inspected.
But his expression did not change.
After a few seconds, the old man chuckled.
"Interesting."
He turned to Professor Roland.
"You were right."
Roland nodded slightly.
Several students were now whispering nervously.
"Why is the vice headmaster here?"
"Did Lucien break some rule?"
But the old man's next words shocked everyone.
"Lucien Blackwood," he said, "you've attracted the academy's attention."
The entire square went silent.
Lucien blinked.
"That sounds dangerous."
The vice headmaster laughed.
"On the contrary."
"It's an opportunity."
He gestured toward the academy towers rising in the distance.
"There is a place in the academy reserved for students with exceptional potential."
Lucien already had a guess.
"The Arcane Tower?"
Several students gasped.
The Arcane Tower was legendary within the academy.
Only the most talented students were allowed to enter.
It contained ancient spellbooks, advanced training rooms, and magical artifacts.
Even many second-year students had never stepped inside.
The vice headmaster nodded.
"You will receive a temporary access permit."
The crowd erupted again.
"That's impossible!"
"He just joined the academy!"
Arthur's expression became serious.
Even Elena, who had not walked far away yet, stopped and turned back.
Lucien crossed his arms.
"Temporary?"
The old man smiled knowingly.
"If you prove yourself worthy, it will become permanent."
Lucien thought for a moment.
Training resources.
Ancient spellbooks.
Hidden knowledge.
All of it sounded extremely useful.
This might accelerate things.
But there was one problem.
In the original novel…
The Arcane Tower had only been introduced much later in the story.
And the first freshman allowed inside had been—
Arthur.
Lucien rubbed his chin.
The plot is definitely broken now.
The vice headmaster seemed amused by his reaction.
"Well?"
"Do you accept?"
Lucien looked around.
Every student was staring at him with envy.
Arthur was watching carefully.
Elena's eyes were shining with interest.
Lucien finally smiled.
"Of course."
The old man nodded.
"Good."
He handed Lucien a small silver badge engraved with ancient runes.
"This will grant you access to the tower."
Lucien took it.
The metal felt strangely warm in his hand.
As if it contained hidden power.
The vice headmaster turned to leave.
But before walking away, he paused.
"One more thing."
Lucien looked up.
The old man's eyes were suddenly serious.
"There are things inside the Arcane Tower that even the academy does not fully understand."
"Be careful what you awaken."
Then he left.
Professor Roland followed him silently.
The square remained quiet for several seconds.
Then the whispers exploded again.
Lucien stared at the silver badge.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
Arcane Tower…
This should be fun.
But somewhere in the distance—
High above the academy—
Inside the tallest tower—
A sealed magical artifact suddenly began glowing faintly.
As if it had sensed something.
Or someone.
And far below—
Lucien Blackwood had no idea that his arrival at the academy had already begun to awaken forces that had slept for centuries.