The office smelled like old ink and dusty papers – a smell that told you this was where the hard decisions got made. You could just feel it hanging in the air. If you looked close, some faint, glowing runes snaked across the dark wood walls, like they were sharing old secrets. It was as if they were keeping Abraham's magic from exploding out.
Behind the desk sat Principal Luewon Rodger. He could shut down a riot just by showing up. His silver hair fell around his shoulders, giving him a look of intelligence mixed with barely contained anger. Behind his transplant glasses, sharp violet eyes seemed to burn with intensity releasing bare amount of mana flow, without any measurement Abraham ca say that if he fight principle right now, he'll be defeated before he knows.
"Do you even understand what you've done?" His voice struck the air like a spell of restraint.
Abraham stood before him, shoulders squared but eyes calm — unreadable, as if nothing could pierce his veil of indifference.
"I neutralized the threat," he said flatly.
"You obliterated it!" Luewon's tone rose, slamming his hand upon the desk. "Half the Horizon Forest has turned into a mana-dead wasteland. And now, the council's breathing down my neck — demanding why a first-year student fought like a calamity beast!"
Abraham didn't flinch. "Would you rather I'd died instead?"
Luewon leaned back, studying him. There was no arrogance in Abraham's words, just cold truth. That, perhaps, was what disturbed him more.
"Listen carefully," he continued, voice sharp again. "From this moment onward — if you use your power in any fight without the need for self-defense, you will be restricted from this academy. Permanently. No debates. No appeals."
Abraham's lower face clenched. "Are you telling me I cannot even defend myself, even if someone attack me"
"You can defend. But not dominate."
The room fell quiet. The only sound was the faint hum of the mana seals embedded in the ceiling. Abraham finally nodded once, curt and composed. "Fine."
"Good." Luewon reached into his drawer and pulled out a small corrugated box, pushing it across the desk. "Take this. It's from Jennifer Valence."
Abraham blinked. "Jennifer?"
"She asked that you attend her father's banquet tonight," Luewon said with a knowing smirk. "She seemed… rather insistent."
"…A party, huh?" Abraham muttered under his breath, taking the box.
***
As Abraham went through the halls, there were quiet sounds all around him – whispers that showed people were in awe, jealous, and scared. Now he is open most of upper class will know what happened in forest.
Now for the first lecture of the day, He's sitting in the back of classroom, after teacher take present he carefully opened the box that Jennifer send for him . Inside the box was a set of fancy royal fabric clothes that looked classy and commanding, surely a high noble outfit: a dark green overcoat with fancy layer over it made of crimson gold, a gray block pinstripe suit, and antique gold chains that shining in his eyes the chains set across a vest, with two pocket watches adding weight on the main cloth. There was also a letter folded neatly with the cloth the handwriting on the letter possibly Jennifer writing.
Please come wearing that.
— Jennifer
Abraham paused for brief moment then let out a sigh, reading the words before him he understand that Jennifer wants him to go wear it so she can introduce him to her royal friend, "You really want to make me a clown, huh"
Later that night, the moon was a glowed over night sky radiating the dark in it's sliver light. A royal carriage waited outside the academy. It was black with gold designs and pulled by four white horses. The Valence family symbol on it to, a sign of their money and influence, glowed softly on the carriage door.
Abraham approached, dressed in the gift. The moonlight illuminated the fabric, lending him a noble air. The shinny Gold chains subtly shimmered against his dark block suit. His gloves were without stain cover his hand, and his posture was firm and steady. Giving him a total stunning look.
Even he knew he looked too much — too striking, too magnetic. But Jennifer request was one that make him rethink what to wear, for her letter he couldn't quite articulate.
When he entered the carriage, he was met by the surprised looks, his eyes met three pairs of astonished gazes..
On a single side three girls sat, each of them dressed in luxurious and gorgeous outfits. Among them — Maria.
Maria was wearing a elegant silk gown, like the dim glow from moonlight, displaying fine needlework that elegantly glimmered under the illumination. A azure ribbon ringed her waist, and silver threads had been interlaced into her braided red crimson hair, which cascaded down the curve of her shoulder. She looked ethereal — fragile yet radiant.
Beside her sat two other noble girls in elegant dresses, whispering in surprise at Abraham's arrival.
Across from them sat Joel, relaxed yet dressed far too fashionably for someone who claimed to hate attention. His long overcoat shimmered faintly with embedded mana threads.
Abraham sat beside him, adjusting his cuff. "You guys also invited?"
Joel grinned. "Of course. You think you're the only one worthy of noble dinners?"
Then, after a quick glance, Joel's smirk widened. "But damn, bro — you look way too fancy. When did you have time to buy that?"
Abraham smirked back. "Didn't buy it. It's a gift from Jennifer."
The words hit like a spark in a dry forest.
Maria's faint blush turned crimson, her expression freezing halfway between shock and pout. She glanced away sharply, her jaw tight, while the two other girls couldn't peel their eyes from Abraham — their hearts practically thudding through the silk of their dresses.
Joel, noticing the tension, chuckled under his breath. "Oh boy, this night's going to be interesting."
The carriage rolled through the noble district, past marble fountains and lanterns that floated midair like drifting souls. Then, the mansion came into view — and even Abraham's expression flickered.
House Valence's Palace.
It loomed over the horizon like a monument of moonlight and majesty. Towers carved from white crystal, walls adorned with living vines that glowed faintly with enchanted pollen, waterfalls cascading from elevated terraces into serene pools below. The air shimmered with protective runes — the mark of a house whose wealth was equaled only by its power.
As they entered the grand gates, the world seemed to transform into another realm.
Inside, the palace was a heaven designed by gold and starlight. Chandeliers of ether light hung from the ceiling, casting various colorful shades across marble floors. Musicians played upon floating instruments. The scent of wine, roses, and mana silk perfumed the air.
Nobles gathered in clusters — each dressed in impossible finery, jewels like constellations, laughter like ritual music.
Abraham stepped in with quiet composure. Yet as soon as he crossed the threshold, dozens of eyes turned toward him. Whispers fluttered through the hall like startled birds.
"Isn't that the boy from the forest incident?"
"He's even more handsome in person…"
"That aura— is he really just a first-year?"
Maria glanced at him from the side, her earlier sulk dissolving into something softer — pride she didn't want to admit.
Abraham ignored the murmurs. His gaze lifted toward the grand staircase — where a figure in radiant silver descended slowly, each step echoing like a chime.
Jennifer Valence.
Her eyes found his — a faint, knowing smile gracing her lips.
And as the golden lights reflected in her gaze, Abraham realized one thing —
this night would not be ordinary.