Rise to Stardom

I open my eyes, my body unable to move. I look around and see that I was in an unfamiliar place. I check my body and see a funky smelling bandage wrapped around my chest. I tried to sit up on the bed but the pain from my wounds and broken bones stopped me.

"Ugh." I let out a small groan as I tried. "Where am I?"

A man entered the room and saw that I was conscious. He wore a simple white robe and had a young looking face for his age despite the grown beard he had. He went to my bedside and checked my vitals.

"You shouldn't try to move. You're currently in the academy's infirmary and I'm the healer. You've been out for three days and your body just started repairing your broken bones." He said.

"Thank you for taking care of me… May I know what your name is, sir?" I asked.

"My name is Darius Chambers. I've been appointed to hasten your healing process, since I'm a light element user." He replied.

He put his hands over me and my body began to glow in a white light. I was enshrouded by a warm feeling when my body began to glow. I feel the broken bones start to get back into place but it didn't hurt, instead it felt comfortable.

"Wow. You're amazing. I can feel the bones moving back to place but there's no pain at all. Is this how light magic works?" I asked as I looked at him.

He didn't reply and instead he had his eyes closed focusing on the magic he was casting, beads of cold sweat starting to form on his forehead. I realized that and stopped disturbing him.

"Yeah, this is how light magic works. Though the focus needed gets higher for more serious injuries. For the best light mages in the kingdom, they can even regrow limbs but it takes almost all of their mana to achieve it." He said when he finished healing me.

I sat up on the bed and felt little to no pain.

"Don't rush it. You just got healed and your body is still adjusting to the rapid changes in your body." He warned.

"I feel fine, though." I got up from the bed and gave Darius a solemn bow.

"Oh right, before I forget. The Duke said that you should meet him when you are able to, and seeing that you seem fine, you should head to his office." He added.

"Yes, sir. I will head there right away." I said as I walked to exit the room. I felt a hand land on my shoulder and stop me from behind.

"You should probably wear some clothes first." He said.

I looked down on my body and realized that I was naked from the waist up. My upper body was exposed with only the bandage hiding the chest wound, now forming into a scar.

I look at him, embarrassed. "Um, sir Darius, do you have a spare robe by chance? I don't want to walk outside and to the dorm while my whole upper body is exposed for the world to see." I pleaded.

"Hahahaha, luckily, I always have a spare one here in the infirmary." He headed towards one of the drawers in the room, took out the spare robe and handed it to me.

"Thank you, sir Darius." I took the robe and wore it. "I'll return it as soon as possible!"

I headed outside of the infirmary and went my way towards the Duke's office. I reached the door of the office and knocked.

"Come in." Duke Lawrence's voice sounded out from inside.

I opened the door and walked in. I saw Instructor Brandon and Katie standing next to the Duke as I entered.

"Look, the hero has finally arrived!" Katie's voice screamed as she saw me enter.

Brandon nodded at the sight of me being well as the Duke started to get up from his seat. Duke Lawrence walked towards me, stopped right in front and placed both of his hands on my shoulders.

He stared me in the eyes and a wide smile started to form on his face.

"You did well, John Colton! Very well! The Wolf King slayer!" He said as he started laughing loudly his hands slightly shaking me.

"Thank you, Your Grace. But it wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't already injured by Instructor Brandon and Katie." I replied.

"Courageous and humble as well! I will be telling the King of your deeds that day. Maybe he'll give you a personal reward for your achievements!" Duke said with a big smile on his face.

'The King?! Is this my rise to stardom in the academy?' I thought to myself. "T-T-Thank Y-You, Y-Your G-G-Grace." I start to stutter at the thought.

"Hahahaha! Don't be nervous. The King is highly generous, especially to young heroes such as yourself." He tried to comfort me. "Now that you're feeling better, you have a choice whether to take a break from class or you can go there now. Although, you need to wear something more… proper." Duke Lawrence said as he checked the current outfit I was wearing.

I was wearing the robe I borrowed but only realized that the pants I had were slightly torn on different spots and seemed very dirty. My chest was slightly exposed since I had no shirt underneath but the bandages helped cover most of it.

"Yes, Your Grace. I will be heading to class after I have changed into more proper clothing." I gave a solemn bow.

"Alright, I just wanted to see the young man that had sacrificed himself for the sake of his team and eventually killed the monster that most students won't be able to handle. I won't keep you any longer."

He looked towards Brandon and Katie. "You guys, escort him to his dorm and make sure that he doesn't reach into any more unnecessary incidents. Everyone has heard of his feats and although he will have many admirers from now, the number of those that will get jealous won't be any lower." He added.

"Yes, Your Grace." They replied in unison.

We headed out of the office and Instructor Brandon and Katie walked beside me. As we were walking down the stairs and the hallways, multiple students came to look and started whispering among themselves.

"That's the guy right? The one that killed the Wolf King?" Some students whispered.

"It was injured, I bet I could've killed it." Someone added.

Katie looked at me. "Look, you're so popular already. Don't let it get to your head though, there's always someone stronger. Remember that!"

"Yes, Instructor Katie!" I replied

They walked me straight to the dorm and waited for me to change my clothes. Once I was ready, they escorted me to class as well and bid farewell. As I opened the door to the classroom, Hannah, Luna, Julius and Daniel stood up. Everyone also turned to look at me as well.

They looked at me shocked, no voice coming out from their mouths and sat down realizing that they were the only ones standing.

"John, take a seat. I'm glad to see that you're okay." Miss Sasha's voice ended the silence.

I sat down on my seat next to Hannah and Luna and listened to class. Nothing changed except for the slight glances and whispers I could see and hear from my fellow classmates. 'I guess being popular is both a good and bad thing.' I thought.

Classes ended and we headed out to have lunch. Hannah, Luna, Julius and Daniel joined us. Before we were able to get to the cafeteria, Julius stopped me.

"Thank you for what you did for me back then. But this doesn't mean I've given up on Luna." Julius said to me with a serious look in his eyes.

"I understand, Lord Julius. Although, I don't understand why you would bring out Luna." I replied, trying to act as if I had no idea what he meant when it came to Luna.

"Just remember my words, John. I won't let you have her." He added as he started walking ahead of me.

'Sigh, I don't know why he sees me as such a big threat. Me and Luna are just childhood friends after all.' I thought to myself and followed them into the cafeteria.

We ate our lunch and headed towards the training grounds. I was told by both Instructor Brandon and Katie to sit the class out for the meantime since I was still recuperating from my injuries. During the whole day, I catch Luna stealing glances my way and promptly looking away when I would look back.

The day ended and as we were preparing to go back to our dorms, Luna stopped me. She stayed silent until everyone else was out of sight and we were left alone, the sun beginning to set.

She walked towards me, her head looking down and her face covered by her long hair. Next thing I knew was her arms wrapped tightly around me and I can feel my chest starting to feel damp.

"You idiot! You dummy! Why would you risk your life for us!" She said crying as she buried her face into my chest. She stayed that way for a while and I just let her cry.

I put my hand on her head. "I'm sorry. I'm fine, there's no need to worry. Okay?"

She didn't let go of me for a while and continued hugging me tight. Her face is still buried into my chest. I stood there waiting for her to feel better and for her to let go.

A couple minutes passed by and she finally let go. She looked up to face me and her eyes were red, shining with the residual tears. "Next time, I'll get stronger so you don't have to shoulder the burden alone." She said in a soft voice.

"What was that?" I couldn't hear her since she talked so softly.

"It's nothing. John… Thank you… If it weren't for you, I don't know what would've happened to all of us." She said as she smiled at me the orange glow from the sun setting made her face even more beautiful.

I feel my heart begin to beat faster. 'Calm down, me… You guys are just friends!' I reminded myself. "I know you'd do the same for me, Luna." I replied.

Her face began to turn red and she looked away. "Don't say stuff like that!" She retorted.

"Hahaha, alright alright. Come let's go back, it's getting late." I said as I took her hand and walked her towards her dorm building. "I'll see you tomorrow" I bid her farewell and headed towards my room.

Daniel was waiting for me and immediately hugged me when I entered the room. We spent most of the night talking as he asked me what happened during the expedition. I told him the events and how I was able to defeat the Wolf King.

As we lay in our beds, preparing to go to sleep. Daniel's voice sounded out. "You're my first friend here, John… So don't you go dying on me yet." He said as he turned away from me.

"Don't worry, I won't." I replied as I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

The next morning came and me and Daniel went out of our dormitory building. We see a group forming at the front of the dorm for the higher nobles. We headed there to see what was doing and saw Hannah on the floor crying, her hands on her face.

"Hannah! What's wrong?" I call out as I walk towards her, making my way through the crowd as Daniel follows behind me.

"John? John!" She looked up at me and jumped towards me grabbing my clothes. "It's Luna… She's gone!" She cried out.

"What do you mean gone? Where did she go? Tell me what happened." I asked her as I grabbed her by her shoulders and slightly shook her trying to get her back to her senses.

"I was going to her room to pick her up so we could go to class together, as always… But… W-W-When I got there, her room was open and… and… There was blood everywhere… The bodies of her maids and the heads... " She started breathing heavily as she tried to recollect what happened.

"It's okay, Hannah. Just breathe and tell me what happened." I tried to comfort her.

Hannah steadied her breathing. "The bodies and the heads were all over the floor. So much blood… and Luna wasn't anywhere to be seen…" She added.

I froze and looked at her. I felt the tears start to stream down my face. Everything turned black and the memory of the body and the head in the carriage started to resurface. However, instead of the body and the head being that of the bandit I killed, it was Luna's. My legs go weak and I drop to the floor.

[Indomitable will] skill activated.

My vision goes back to normal and I look at Hannah. "Luna?! Luna's body! Did you see it?! Was it there?!" I asked Hannah, not noticing that I was starting to scream.

"No! I didn't see it… But there was just so much blood…" Hannah replied.

"It's not there…" I start to feel a bit of relief. "If it's not there, then maybe she's still alive. I'll find her, Hannah." I said as I grabbed her and pulled her closer to my chest, hugging her.

"O-O-Okay… Thank you…" Hannah said as she cried.