A few days passed, and the rhythm of the academy settled into place. Each student dove into their elemental training, focusing on absorbing mana from the atmosphere in order to advance toward Level 2. For Class A, expectations were sky-high—after all, this class held the supposed future of humanity.
Aiden spent hours in meditation, his body slowly adapting to the mana influx. In terms of absorption, he held his own—matching even the 4-star talents around him. But when it came to elemental control, the difference between a 3-star and a 4-star was stark. Even at Level 1, the finesse and precision with which 4-star talents manipulated their elements were leagues above.
It was most evident when watching Nolan wield fire. The flames danced at his fingertips with a fluid grace, responding to his will like an extension of his body. Emilia, too, had fire, but with her 3-star core, her control wasn't quite at Nolan's level—even though she still outperformed most.
Then there were Arthur and Emilia, who progressed fastest toward Level 2. It wasn't surprising. Dual affinities combined with 4-star potential made them monsters in their own right. Every session, Arthur's command over wood—through the synergy of his water and earth elements—became more refined. Cecilia's wind carved trails through the sky like blades. Even Momoshi, with her poisonous touch, made anyone think twice before sparring with her.
Aiden, on the other hand, had become an anomaly.
While the academy still believed his Chaos core was dormant—a conclusion that wasn't entirely wrong—what left people puzzled was his lightning control. It wasn't just strong. It was practiced. Precise. It felt like he had been wielding it for years, even though he had only awakened days ago. Students and instructors alike whispered about it. Some attributed it to rare 3-star elemental synergy. Others believed it was just luck.
But deep down, most of them assumed he'd be left behind eventually. Without a 4-star affinity, he wouldn't keep up. His Chaos affinity wasn't responding, after all, and the only reason he was even in Class A was the sheer rarity of his elements.
He wasn't the only one with two 3-star affinities. The top three students of Class B had them too—but none had the rare or mythical elements like lightning or chaos. That's what kept them out of Class A… and they hated it.
Especially Reggie—Class B Rank 1.
Jealous and resentful, Reggie had started spreading rumors and stirring trouble. Along with his gang, he began harassing Aiden—minor provocations at first. A shove in the hallway. Snide comments. Laughs when Aiden trained alone. Aiden ignored it all.
Until they involved Emilia.
The moment one of them made an offhand joke about her—about why she was always hanging around "a fake like Aiden"—the storm within him shifted. His restraint snapped.
He didn't say anything that day. But the fire in his eyes returned.
At the academy, mock battles were a daily affair. But the pairings were determined by the instructors—based on how close students were to each other in level. Because of the secrecy surrounding Aiden's Resonant Fracturing, most still believed he was in early Level 1. That meant he was never paired with anyone notable.
Arthur was paired with Emilia.
Nolan with Cecilia.
Momoshi with Roland.
When the mock battle session began, the Level 5 instructor called out names—but Aiden raised his hand.
"Professor Julius," he said. "Requesting a match."
Julius, raising a brow, looked up from his tablet. "With whom?"
"Reggie."
The room went still.
Gasps echoed from Class B's section. Reggie, lounging casually, stood up with a smug grin.
"Finally," he said loudly, cracking his knuckles. "I thought you'd never grow a spine."
He stepped onto the dueling platform, already confident. After all, Reggie possessed dual affinities—metal and water. His metal was a rare element, and both were 3-star cores. His control over them was honed through years of training. To most, this wasn't even a question.
And yet, Aiden's expression remained calm. He walked onto the platform, coat slung over one shoulder, lightning faintly sparking around his steps. Julius allowed the duel with a curious expression.
The moment the match began, Reggie struck first—launching metallic spikes forward at blinding speed. Water tendrils wrapped around them midair, sharpening the edges. It was a clever combo.
But Aiden didn't even flinch.
He weaved between the spikes, his movements clean, calculated. A step forward—sidestep—lean—duck—slide. The projectiles passed him like air.
Reggie snarled and summoned a wall of metal from the ground to block Aiden's path.
Big mistake.
Aiden's body flickered. Purple lightning coiled down his arms as he burst forward. The metal wall cracked—not from a punch—but from the sheer force of mana-laced pressure. Aiden didn't touch it. He passed through the side, disappearing for a second.
And reappearing behind Reggie.
A low hum—then crackle.
*CRASH!*
Lightning exploded as a knee smashed into Reggie's ribs, sending him flying across the platform. The arena's shock dampeners flared to life as Reggie skidded and tumbled.
Silence.
Reggie groaned, tried to stand, but Aiden was already above him, boot pressing lightly against his chest.
"If you're going to challenge someone," Aiden said quietly, his voice cold, "make sure they're weaker than you."
A pulse of lightning surged out—not enough to injure, but enough to burn Reggie's pride.
Julius finally stepped in, calling the fight. Reggie was carried off the field by two stunned assistants. Class A stared in stunned silence.
Even Julius was speechless for a moment. "Well… That settles that."
Aiden didn't even smirk. He simply walked off the field, mana still flickering around him, and joined Emilia at the side. She looked at him with wide eyes—half worry, half awe.
"You really didn't hold back," she whispered.
"I did," he replied softly.
And that was true.
This wasn't about ego. This was a message.
He had a goal—protect those he loved. And if anyone dared insult them, he'd crush them underfoot. Reggie wasn't just a loudmouth. He was a test. And Aiden made sure no one would mistake him for weak again.
And yet, despite the whispers and shock spreading through both classes… Aiden sat down, calm as ever.
Because this wasn't even close to what he was capable of.
Not yet.