Xeris lay on his bed, holding a large pouch of Crescents. Next to him, three large black-and-gold–rimmed books were stacked.
Each was a copy of The Aris by Director Eldric – the most coveted textbook in the entire Institution.
How did Xeris have three of these? The answer was simple; he checked them out.
Xeris sneered inwardly as he recalled yesterday's events.
He had taken full advantage of the Institution's regulations, slipping neatly through every gap they allowed.
Physical fights weren't forbidden here. The only actual restriction was simple: no student could use Myr to inflict harm outside of officially sanctioned competitions.
Xeris had pressed the two students into returning their textbooks. He followed them to the library, handed back the books he no longer needed, and claimed the newly freed textbooks for himself.
Only an hour or so later, did he hear a knock on his door. When he opened it, three people stood before him.
All were students. Two of them had battered faces, tired expressions, and slumped shoulders.
The boy standing in the middle, however, was bright and had a glint of arrogance in his eyes.
Xeris stared with empty eyes for a moment before stepping out of his room and into the hall, closing his door.
He turned to walk away.
A smile formed on Kaelric's face as he spoke loudly,
"Xeris Vaeth huh! You really do like ignoring people, don't you?"
Xeris kept walking but turned his head back, smiling slightly, saying,
"Don't just stand there, walk with me."
The three were slightly surprised for a moment, but quickly Kaelric caught up to Xeris, putting his arm around his shoulder.
Kaelric leaned in, saying, "So, Xeris, you seem like a pretty interesting guy. How about you tell me about yourself?" He sneered.
Xeris laughed lightly, saying, "I'm a pretty boring person. When it comes to me, there is not much to talk about." he paused, "You, however, have it all figured out. What's it like having an Aris?"
Kaelric laughed, ignoring Xeris's question, "I pity guys like you, you know that? No real talent and no personality either." He moved his arm off of Xeris, looking at him. "How do you lack so much respect for your peers? Where did you grow such an inflated ego? If you were more like me, I might have understood, but you and I are complete opposites!"
There was a pause; both continued walking into the central part of the Institution.
"Heh, when you put it like that, it really does sound bad!" Xeris laughed, smiling awkwardly.
Kaelric was slightly surprised again. Was this really the same person who had ignored him the other day? Was he really the same person who supposedly extorted his friends?
Xeris looked at Kaelric and asked, "Hey, are you okay?"
Kaelric snapped out of his contemplation, "Yes, yes, I am fine."
Xeris nodded and continued walking, "So, Kaelric, tell me, what are your goals now that you have awoken your Aris?"
Kaelric pondered for a brief moment before answering, "I want to gain as much strength as possible."
"Why is that?" Xeris probed.
"Why?" Kaelric scoffed, "Who doesn't crave strength? If I want something, I should be able to take it. Having a body that doesn't allow for this is unappealing."
"Yes, yes, that makes sense," Xeris spoke, nodding his head in agreement.
Another moment of silence followed the two as they continued walking, entering the Day-aligned wing on the third floor.
Classes had finished for the day; the halls were quiet now, with only a handful of students and the occasional Instructor still around.
Kaelric's smile had faded a while ago. Xeris's question had led him into a state of reflection. He had initially planned to fight Xeris, taking revenge for his friends and to have some fun. However, he no longer felt like fighting.
His eyes shifted over towards Xeris again.
"Xeris, what are your goals? And what made you attack my friends?"
"What?" Xeris asked.
Kaelric's brows furrowed slightly before he repeated his question. "What are your goals? And why did you attack Bren and Jaro?"
Xeris stopped walking, "Huh?" He said plainly.
Kaelric had a dazed expression before a look of confusion set across his face.
"What don't you understand? Why are you not answering the question?" Kaelric had a look of annoyance.
"What question?" Xeris asked.
Kaelric momentarily had a dumbstruck expression before he aggressively slapped his two hands together, making a loud sound.
The few people who were around stopped what they were doing to look over at the two.
"So you just like messing with people, huh?!" Kaelric's voice had risen with his frustration. "You beat up my friends for some entertainment then?!"
Xeris's expression cooled, voice turning distant:
"You said you want strength so you can take what you desire. Yet here you are – unable to handle the smallest inconvenience."
He stepped half a pace back, giving Kaelric a faint, clinical glance.
"If something this trivial shakes you, the path you're dreaming of will swallow you whole. People who chase strength without discipline usually end up crushed by those who have it."
He looked forward again, as if Kaelric was no longer worth facing.
"Right now, you're exactly the kind of person who gets stepped on."
He chose the words carefully.
Not because they were true – but because they would land.
Kaelric stayed silent for a moment before starting to walk toward Xeris. As he walked, his pace quickened, and White Rank 1 aura permeated from his body.
Xeris glanced at the classroom door beside him and shifted two steps away – just before Kaelric shoved him hard, sending him stumbling back into it.
A few students in the hall gasped, but none stepped forward.
Xeris remained expressionless as he caught a glimpse of the classroom. The Instructor who had proctored his exam was still inside.
Xeris slammed his hand against the door with a sharp crack, using the impact to push himself upright. After getting to his feet, he began to walk away.
"You spoke as if you knew strength, but you know nothing!" Kaelric shouted, "Where the hell do you think you're going?!"
Now it should be about right. Xeris thought, quickly turning on his feet. Kaelric had started his attack, aiming a kick straight towards Xeris.
I was right. Xeris saw in the corner of his eye that the Instructor had come to the door to see what was happening.
Xeris defended the kick, stepping backward.
"OH! So you can do something after all–" Kaelric had just finished speaking when he coughed out a mouthful of blood.
Xeris had struck him hard in the stomach. Dropping him to his knees.
Kaelric's White aura faded drastically as he stared at his bloodied hands. He glanced up to see a foot arcing through the air before it struck his face.
Kaelric fell over, catching himself with his hands. While trying to steady himself, he felt a foot press against the back of his neck.
"You're weak," Xeris spoke in a low tone. He pressed down once more then turned to leave again.
Pride surged inside Kaelric's heart. He was not resigned to this; he refused to be treated like a dog by someone inferior to him.
"I'm going to kill you!" He shouted, standing to his feet. His Rank 1 aura surged, as a Myr appeared in his hand.
Xeris's gaze focused.
"Little Sun Myr!" Kaelric shouted, shooting a ray of sunlight towards Xeris.
As this unfolded, the Instructor who had been watching stepped forward, a Myr flaring to life around her as a protective veil formed in front of Xeris.
But Xeris slipped out from behind her shielding instinctively, still trying to avoid Kaelric's earlier attack. His movement carried him directly to the edge of the light, and a stray ray scorched across his right shoulder.
The Instructor's gaze was wide with shock before she jumped forward, restraining Kaelric.
Xeris sat up, holding his shoulder. His gaze was indifferent, but he was satisfied on the inside.
That went surprisingly smoothly. He thought.
Xeris had not moved by accident. The corridor, the timing, the distance from the Instructor's door – each choice had already been made before Kaelric ever raised his voice. This was due to the policy he read in the rule book.
Students who attack using Myr in unsanctioned environments will receive a punishment; on top of this, compensation will be provided to the victim of the assault.
Now he lay here on his bed, his gains proof of his progress.
Xeris did not hold any animosity towards Kaelric or the other two boys. They were simply the most efficient method Xeris had to raise his income.
Xeris had around 340 Crescents before this. That amount came from the weekly 50 Crescent payments he received from the girls, minus what he spent on Fenric's training and his usual living costs.
Now his total had risen to 740 Crescents.
Kaelric had been issued a 500 Crescent fine for attacking a student with a Myr. Naturally, he didn't have that amount on hand, so the Institution covered the remainder – placing Kaelric in temporary debt. His allowance would be reduced until the full sum was repaid.
On top of that, Xeris had made additional deals with several students to loan out the two textbooks he'd acquired. Bren was among them. The other student involved wanted nothing more to do with Xeris and refused any agreement.
That was only natural.
Who would willingly pay to borrow something that had been taken from them in the first place?
So, why had Bren agreed to this deal?
Bren was usually brash and fairly ordinary, but the situation Xeris had pulled him into had forced him into a rare moment of reflection. He had already accepted the loss of the textbook – but he also knew he couldn't afford to be without it.
Over and over, he asked himself, "What kind of person is Xeris Vaeth?"
And each time, the same answer surfaced: "The kind who takes the most."
The thought made him shudder.
So when it came time to discuss a price, Bren didn't bargain. He knew instinctively it would only make things worse. Instead, he accepted the first number Xeris offered without hesitation.
He wasn't wrong to think haggling would end badly.
But his guess was still off.
The price Xeris gave him was already the increased one.
Xeris's ability to read people was frightening. From the moment he saw Bren's posture and expression when Kaelric first arrived at his door, Xeris had already decided to raise the cost.
My funds have grown enough. It's time to step beyond this cage and see what the people outside Halcyon have to offer.
A faint smile touched his lips as he looked out the window. Beyond the Institution's walls, the distant rooftops of the town broke along the horizon.
Xeris rose from his bed, gathering a generous portion of Crescents. Then, without hesitation, he turned to leave.