That morning, Kael set out for school the same way as always—running at an easy pace, occasionally bursting into speed by channeling a thin stream of arkanum through every muscle, joint, and bone.
He kept the flow light and flexible, maintaining control with precision.
As usual, he left earlier than most students, greeted a few farmers along the way, and went straight to the restroom before class to wash off the sweat.
Everything about his morning routine went perfectly.
He took his seat, calm and quiet, his gaze fixed out the window.
He retraced the events of the previous evening and early morning, a habit of self-checking to see if he'd forgotten anything.
After a few minutes, he came to two conclusions:
First, he still hadn't managed to open the envelope his mother left behind.
Second, he still hadn't thanked Lina for her effort—bringing him breakfast before dawn every single day.
The classroom slowly filled with noise, but Kael didn't seem to notice. Occasionally, his eyes followed each student entering the room, observing the smallest details of their movements.
For him, observation was also a kind of training.
Watching how people moved, predicting their habits, guessing their next actions, reading emotion through posture—these were exercises in awareness.
Such perception required continuous arkanum control. Without it, noticing fine details would be impossible.
He directed the flow through his blood vessels, to his eyes, ears, and other senses, finally feeding it to his brain.
Processes like these were what allowed the people of Arka to wield magic, manipulate objects, and control their technology.
"Tap, tap, tap…"
A familiar rhythm of footsteps entered his sharpened hearing.
"Morning, Kael," Ruby greeted, hanging his bag from the side hook of the desk.
Kael smiled slightly but didn't reply.
"Your smile looks different today. Did something happen?" Ruby asked.
"Nothing much. Just celebrating a small success," Kael answered.
He was referring to his correct guess about whose footsteps had approached.
"Hey, did you manage to open the envelope yet?" Ruby whispered, leaning closer to Kael's ear and glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
"Hm? Not yet," Kael replied, a bit surprised.
"Then what kind of success are you talking about?" Ruby pressed.
"Ah, just something small. Don't worry about it," Kael said with a faint grin.
Their light conversation was interrupted by a voice calling from across the room.
"Hey, Kaael!"
Kael looked up. "Hm? What is it?"
It was Setnov, clearing his throat awkwardly before speaking again.
"Did you bring my bike to school?"
"No."
Kael's answer was short, delivered with a blank expression.
Setnov looked around, checking if anyone was watching. Satisfied no one cared, he muttered under his breath, "I'm doomed…"
Kael just stared at him quietly.
"Ah, sorry! I wasn't cursing you! Just my situation," Setnov clarified quickly.
"What happened to you, Sett?" Ruby asked suddenly.
"What happened to me?" Setnov snapped, irritated, then sighed. "Forget it."
He turned to leave.
"You can just pick it up yourself," Kael said, eyes still on him. "Why should I deliver something that's not my responsibility?"
"Heh… So I can take it myself?" Setnov asked hesitantly.
"Do as you like," Kael replied flatly.
["Damn it. If he didn't train with a sword, I'd have knocked him out already."]
Setnov forced a stiff smile and walked off.
Ruby watched him go. "What's wrong with him?"
"Come by my house if you want to find out," Kael said.
That made Ruby pause. Curiosity flickered in his eyes. Setnov had always shown a quiet dislike for Kael—but never beyond the occasional glare or complaint. Now, he seemed oddly subdued.
---
In the hallway, near the windows, a small crowd had gathered.
At the center stood a short boy with a round face, telling a story with dramatic hand gestures and wild expressions.
"And then he walked toward me, holding a sword, bloodlust in his eyes—like a lion stalking its prey!"
It was Rocky, animated as ever.
"Come on, Rocky. Isn't that a bit much?" one student laughed.
"I swear! Ask Setnov if you don't believe me," Rocky said proudly.
He was spreading a rumor—twisting yesterday's event into a tale of Kael the "psychopath," a dangerous boy best avoided.
"Hey! Move it, you're blocking the hall!"
A loud voice cut through the chatter.
Rocky turned, startled. "Eh… Siro? You're back? Are you feeling better?" he asked, forcing a laugh.
Siro frowned. "You don't sound happy that I am."
"N-no! That's not what I meant. Sorry!" Rocky waved his hands nervously and quickly told everyone to get back to class.
The crowd dispersed, and Siro followed them inside.
---
"So," Siro said as he sat down near the back. "Sounds like you've had an interesting week while I was gone."
"Nothing special," Kael replied simply.
"I heard something out there—something about you using a sword… and—oh yeah—being a psychopath?" Siro chuckled.
Kael stayed quiet, though he now understood what Siro was referring to: the incident with Setnov and Rocky.
Even so, he didn't comment.
"You free after class?" Siro asked.
"Not really. Just the usual routine."
"Good. I'll come by," Siro said, turning back toward his seat.
"Huh? What for?"
"My gut says something interesting might happen," Siro replied without looking back.
---
The school day unfolded normally. Bells rang to signal lessons, breaks, and changes between classes.
Students chattered, played, and laughed. Setnov even found time to scold Rocky for what happened the day before.
Each bell came and went until the long final chime signaled the end of the day.
Outside, students streamed out, riding their bicycles home—everyone except Kael.
"Where's Kael?" Siro asked at the bike racks.
"No idea. Probably went home already," Ruby answered.
"Why didn't you go with him?"
"Huh? Why would I? We live in different directions."
"Ah. I see." Siro began walking his bike out of the lot. "But you know where he lives, right? You're close to him."
Ruby flushed slightly at that—being called "close" to Kael felt unexpectedly flattering.
"Y-yeah, of course."
"Then show me the way," Siro said, hopping on his bike and pedaling ahead.
"Hey, wait! Why are you going to his place?" Ruby shouted.
"Just to hang out!"
"Then why are you leading if you don't know the way?" he called again.
"Oh—yeah, right! Hahaha!" Siro slowed down, laughing at himself.
"So why are you helping me?" he asked once Ruby caught up.
"It's nothing. I just remembered Kael told me to stop by," Ruby said proudly.
"Oh, then thanks," Siro said casually.
"For what?"
"Well… not many kids hang out with me," he admitted with a grin. "Guess my face looks too rough."
Ruby didn't respond, but he knew he was one of those kids who'd kept his distance before.
"Don't worry," Siro added with a laugh. "I'm used to it. When I saw Kael, it felt like looking at a different version of myself—but for other reasons."
Ruby smiled faintly, the awkwardness fading a little.
"So, what was Kael like before school started?" Siro asked.
"Ah—he's the type who's… well…"
Ruby began describing Kael in his own words—his odd habits, sharp mind, relentless training, and how their families were connected.
Their conversation filled the road. The quiet rural path, surrounded by green fields, felt alive with stories about Kael—some true, some exaggerated, but all spoken with admiration.
"There, that's his house," Ruby said, pointing to the lone building at the end of the asphalt road.
"I didn't even know there was a house out here," Siro said.
"Well, you've only been on the island for two years. Makes sense."
"Or maybe no one ever invited me anywhere," Siro joked with a grin.
Ruby laughed. "Hang in there, friend."
But his laughter stopped when Siro pointed toward the house.
"Wait—if Kael lives alone, then who's that?"
In the yard stood an adult man beside an energy motorbike.
Ruby squinted. "Hold on… that looks like Setnov's father."
"They know Kael?" Siro asked.
"Not that I've ever heard. I didn't even know they'd met."
They slowed their pace, watching from a distance.
"Maybe it's about yesterday," Ruby guessed.
"The story Rocky told?" Siro asked.
"Yeah. I'm not sure, though. I did ask Kael earlier, but he just told me to come by if I wanted to know."
"So that's what you meant when you said you were invited?" Siro confirmed.
"Exactly."
"Then let's hurry. If that man's here because of yesterday, Kael might be in trouble."
Siro pressed on the pedals, his bike speeding up.
Ruby followed close behind.
---
To be continued...