CHAPTER II: FIRST DAY, FIRST ENEMY
Upon arriving at the Academy, Martis already sensed that things wouldn't go smoothly.
Being antisocial, he expected to be bombarded with friendship requests — but he didn't expect a surprise attack.
A young boy, fist clenched, rushed toward Martis, who had no idea why he was being attacked.
Just as the punch was about to land, another boy intervened, grabbed Martis, and pulled him out of the way. The blow missed by an inch, but when it struck the ground, it created a massive crater, and the shockwave made the earth tremble in front of the Academy, raising a cloud of dust.
The boy who had just saved Martis looked at him and asked:
« You okay, buddy? »
He looked exactly like the other one — only his hairstyle was different.
« Yeah, thanks. »
The boy turned toward the other and shouted:
« Hey, Leonard! What's your problem? Why are you attacking? »
Leonard stood up in the dust, glaring at him with dark, furious eyes.
« It's not my fault, big brother, » he said, pointing at Martis. « It's because of that piece of trash that our royal family always comes in second everywhere we go. I can't accept that. »
Martis sighed, thinking to himself:
« Ah, first day, first enemy, first assassination attempt. What a great life I've got. »
Leonard stepped forward, his aura radiating something both divine and disturbingly dark.
« Well then, brother, I'd ask you to let me handle this nicely, without interfering. »
« Oh, really? Then you'll have to kill me first. It concerns me too — I'm part of the royal family, after all, » he said, releasing an equally divine aura.
The whole Academy froze, eyes wide open at this unprecedented scene. Among the Academy's most powerful students, two were about to clash — and beside them stood another, from a family known to possess the strongest warrior in the kingdom.
Martis looked at them with disinterest and simply continued walking toward the building.
« I wanted to stay low-profile, but that's clearly ruined. I'll just pretend I'm not here and walk inside, » he thought.
Just as the two brothers were about to start fighting, a cold voice echoed behind them.
A woman in a long black robe, with violet hair and silver eyes glowing behind her glasses, appeared to stop them.
« Hey! Cut it out right now! Unless you want to be punished. It's the first day of the Academy, and you're already fighting? »
The two immediately stopped and bowed in unison.
« Forgive us, Madam Headmistress! »
« Can I know the reason for all this chaos? »
Leonard was about to explain, but his brother spoke first.
« Sorry, Madam Headmistress, we were just arguing, nothing serious. »
The Headmistress gave them a stern look.
« Fine. Make sure it doesn't happen again! »
« Yes, Madam Headmistress. »
She turned around and entered the building, muttering under her breath:
« Damn noble brats… If it weren't for the billions of gold coins I earn and the fame that comes with it, I'd have resigned ages ago. »
Leonard glanced at his brother before walking away. His brother sighed in relief, then turned to speak with Martis — only to realize he was already gone.
Meanwhile, Martis had already left the Administrative Office, where he'd dropped off his documents and received his schedule.
« Alright, according to what the elf said, my locker's number seventeen, my class is down the third hallway to the left, and apparently, I'm the only new student here. »
« They'll ring the first bell soon, I should probably go put my things away. »
As he walked down the hallway, he noticed that everyone's eyes were still glued to him — because of the royal family's insignia on his shoulder. It made him uncomfortable.
« If I just look down and pretend they're not here, maybe they'll leave me alone. »
But what followed proved that was wishful thinking.
Three girls walked toward him, and as one of them brushed his shoulder, she let out a little squeal.
« Iiih, I touched him! »
At that moment, Martis realized that in this school, his presence was treated like that of a divine being — but for him, it was the worst thing imaginable.
When he reached his locker, he saw a girl at the next one — number eighteen — quietly putting her books away. Her face was swollen and exhausted, as if she'd been crying all day.
« What's her problem? » he thought.
A group of boys came walking down the corridor. One of them was holding a glass bottle filled with water. When he spotted the girl, he smirked and threw it at her head. The bottle shattered, splashing water all over her.
« We don't want you here, you filthy demon! »
They all burst into laughter and walked away.
For the first time in his life, Martis felt something like sorrow. He had never witnessed such cruelty — he'd always been detached from the rest of the world.
He wanted to speak to the girl, but when she caught sight of the royal insignia on his arm, she panicked and ran off.
Martis stood there, confused.
« Just when I try to be social, they run away! Great, thanks for that. »
He closed his locker and headed toward his classroom.
When he arrived, all the students were already seated. Many of them offered him a seat beside them, but Martis spotted an empty desk at the very back.
« Heaven. »
As he walked toward it, he noticed the twin brothers sitting in the first row. Leolio, the elder and calmer one, had his hair tied back in a ponytail, while Leonard, the impulsive one, wore his loose.
When Leonard saw Martis, he immediately stood up, ready to fight again, but his brother stopped him cold.
« If you cause trouble here, Father will hear about it — and you know you don't want that. »
Leonard froze, glaring at Martis. Leolio turned and gave Martis a big smile.
« Crazy, much? » Martis thought, walking past them to his seat.
A second later, the magic instructor entered, and all the students stood instantly.
He looked strict — wearing a black coat, his long green hair flowing, and his dark gaze sending chills through the room.
Silence.
« Good morning, students, » he said in a cold voice.
« Good morning, sir, » the class replied in a tense unison.
The professor scanned the room as if searching for someone.
« I was informed there's a new student this year. Where is he? »
The moment he said that, every head turned toward Martis.
The teacher's sharp gaze pierced through him — and even from where he stood, Martis could sense the aura of a true mage. This man was no ordinary teacher.
He pointed a finger at Martis.
« You. Stand up. »