Pride Meets Power

The academy was changing again.

With the return of the senior students, the atmosphere had shifted. There was an undeniable divide between the first-years and the upperclassmen. The academy was no longer just a place of study, it was a hierarchy, and those at the top made the rules.

For Ved, none of this mattered. He kept to his routine, ignored unnecessary interactions, and avoided pointless conflicts.

But not everyone could afford to do the same except him and the Dreadwalker girl. While Ved at least went to class, the Dreadwalker girl was noticeably absent, acting like she didn't even care. And strangely, the upperclassmen hadn't made a move against her yet. Perhaps it was because they were both from the five elite families.

The dwarves on the other hand, weren't so lucky, they didn't get the same treatment, the issue had spread through the academy like wildfire.

They hadn't attended a single class since the academy started. Not Magic Theory, not Combat Training, not even the mandatory lectures.

At first, many students assumed they were just skipping, but as the days passed, it became obvious they weren't merely avoiding lessons. They were making a statement.

The dwarves had always been known for their pride, but this? This was arrogance.

Rumors spread, each more exaggerated than the last.

"They think they don't need to follow academy rules."

"The academy welcomed them as a gesture of goodwill between races, but they don't see anyone here as their equal."

"Apparently, one of them laughed when one of the academy staff tried to speak to him. Just turned and walked away like the guy was invisible!"

It was no longer just a curiosity, it had become an insult to the academy and to the human race.

And with the seniors back, there would be consequences.

Ved had no interest in the matter.

But as he made his way to the dining hall that evening, it was impossible to ignore the tension in the air.

Conversations had shifted. It wasn't just whispers now. The senior students were involved.

A few first-years had gathered in a small group, their voices hushed but urgent.

"I heard the student council is finally going to do something."

"Yeah. About time. Those dwarves have been acting like they own the place."

"I wouldn't want to be in their shoes when the seniors are done with them…"

Ved walked past without stopping, but his sharp ears caught every word.

The student council.

It was a unique system, unlike what most academies had.

The staff and professors rarely interfered with student matters. Their job was to teach, not babysit.

Disputes? Faction rivalries? Even conflicts that could turn violent?

Everything was settled by the student council.

And if the rumors were true… the council was about to step in.

By the end of the week, the tension had reached its peak.

The student council had begun taking action.

Since the academy followed a strict hands-off policy from staff and instructors, conflicts between students were almost entirely handled by the student council and its affiliated factions. With the dwarves openly disregarding academy protocol, it was only a matter of time before the council moved.

Ved observed it all from the sidelines.

The first sign of trouble appeared in the courtyard. A group of third-year students, wearing insignias of their respective factions,stood near the dorm building gate, their expressions sharp with determination. Their target? They were after Prince Thorain Steelheart, who as the second-ranked student, lived in the same building as Ved, just on a higher floor.

Ved, passing through the courtyard on his way to the training grounds, didn't change course but caught sight of the confrontation as he walked.

"Prince Thorain Steelheart!" One of the third-years called out, his voice carrying across the yard. "You've been ignoring the academy's rules for an entire week. Do you think you're above them?"

There was no immediate response. The air hung still with expectation.

Then, the doors swung open.

Thorain Steelheart emerged first, his brown beard short and neatly groomed, his solid frame wrapped in a reinforced smithing coat. His expression was unreadable, but the dismissive glance he cast toward the students said enough.

He didn't consider them worth his time.

Behind him, Balin Stoneheart followed, his brawny form towering even over some of the students. His steel-gray eyes carried a weight of indifference, as if the entire situation was beneath him.

Last was Orin Hammerfist. Unlike the other two, Orin's stance was tense, his ashen-blond hair slightly unkempt, his fingers twitching at his sides. Unlike his companions, Orin wasn't ignoring the situation—he looked nervous.

Ved stopped walking.

He wasn't interested in engaging, but he wasn't going to miss what happened next.

One of the third-years stepped forward, arms crossed. "You might be royalty in the dwarven kingdom, but here? You're just students, like the rest of us. The academy has rules, and you don't get to ignore them."

Thorain exhaled through his nose, as if the conversation bored him. "And?"

The third-year scowled. "And you'll attend classes like the rest of the students, or face consequences."

Thorain glanced at Balin, then at Orin, before shrugging. "Do what you want. We don't answer to you."

The words sent a ripple through the third year students.

Ved watched with mild interest. The reaction was expected, the dwarves were testing how far they could push the academy's self-governed system. If no one stopped them now, they'd continue as they pleased.

But the senior students weren't going to let that happen.

"If that's how you want to play it," one of them said, "then we'll do things the proper way."

He turned to his fellow students, a silent understanding passing between them. "Let's go."

The group turned and left the courtyard, leaving the dwarves standing alone.

The dwarves didn't expect that. They had probably anticipated a more direct confrontation. Perhaps shooting, threats, even a physical altercation and they were prepared to face that kind of challenge.

Ved could already see how this would unfold. The student council weren't stupid, they didn't act immediately, there are many ways to make examples out of troublemakers, and Thorain had just walked straight into their sights.

He was a little disappointed, he had no interest in the fight itself, but Ved was curious about one thing — just how strong were these dwarves? And how do they fight?

For now, he would simply observe, how the student council would handle them.