Chapter 14: Struggle

Lucian stood in the dimly lit hallway of the academy, his body still aching from the brutal combat test. The pain from his wounds was a constant reminder of the fight he had just endured. His chest felt tight with disappointment, but there was no time for self-pity. He had passed the test, but it was only the beginning of his trials.

He looked around at the students who had been placed in the Standard Class. Their faces were a mix of relief and frustration. Some were barely able to stand, while others exchanged looks of mild surprise. But there was one thing Lucian knew for sure—this was not going to be easy.

His heart sank when he heard laughter from behind him.

"Look who made it into the Standard Class, the son of a concubine. Just barely scraping through," a voice sneered.

Lucian turned to see a group of students from the Caldwell family, a prestigious noble house, standing nearby. The leader of the group, a tall, arrogant young man with sharp features, smirked at him. His name was Jared Caldwell, and Lucian had heard about him before—one of the more influential students at the academy.

"Don't worry, Ashford," Jared mocked. "The Standard Class is a good place for someone like you. It's where all the weaklings go."

Lucian clenched his fists, but he didn't respond. He had no intention of wasting his breath on them. After all, Jared and his gang were from a rival family, one that had long been in competition with the Ashfords. They had always been seen as the top dogs, and there was no way they'd let someone like Lucian stand in their way.

"Isn't it a bit too much for someone with a non-pure bloodline to be in the same academy as us?" Jared continued, his tone dripping with condescension. "You'll only drag down the reputation of the Ashford name. Just like your father."

Lucian's jaw tightened, and his heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the bitter sting of his brother's harsh words in Jared's mocking tone. Kangobain, his father, had never been accepted by the higher noble families. His presence in the Ashford family was always seen as a stain—a mark Lucian would forever carry. But Lucian was determined not to let these insults define him.

He took a deep breath and turned away, walking toward the Standard Class entrance. He could hear the snickers behind him, but he refused to be dragged down by their petty comments.

The room was filled with students, most of them still catching their breath from the test. The Standard Class was a place where those who weren't strong enough to excel in the higher classes were placed. It was a place for those like Lucian, who had potential but needed more time to develop their skills.

Lucian found a seat in the middle of the room, his mind still racing from the fight. He wasn't the weakest in the class—there were others who looked far worse off than him—but he knew that he wasn't where he needed to be. This was just the first hurdle, and there were many more to come.

As he sat, a girl with long, dark hair walked up to him. She looked at him with a mix of curiosity and sympathy, her eyes softening as she spoke.

"You're Lucian Ashford, right?" she asked. "I saw your fight in the arena. You were amazing… considering your condition."

Lucian looked up at her, surprised. She was beautiful, with an air of quiet confidence about her. He hadn't seen her around before.

"I'm Amara," she continued, sitting down beside him. "I didn't expect someone like you to be placed in the Standard Class. I thought for sure you'd end up in Elite. But…" she trailed off, her eyes flicking toward the other students who had just entered.

Lucian looked at her, still confused.

"You've got something about you," Amara said, her voice quieter now. "It's not just about strength. You've got the heart of a true fighter. But…" she hesitated, "you've got a lot of enemies now."

Lucian's brow furrowed. He was used to enemies, especially from the rival families. But what Amara said next caught him off guard.

"Jared Caldwell is the least of your problems. There's Theo from the Vanguard family, and Seraphina from the Hawke family. Those two are a lot more dangerous. And they'll make your life here hell if you don't watch out."

Lucian's eyes narrowed. He had already been warned about Jared, but he didn't realize the scope of the rivalry.

"These families control the best resources, the best teachers, and they have their eyes on the academy's top spots. You, Lucian, don't have that luxury. But don't worry—I've got your back," Amara said with a small, reassuring smile.

Lucian glanced at her, unsure of what to make of her sudden offer. Why would she help him? He had no allies here, and the whole academy was a battleground. But for now, her words were a small comfort in a world that seemed set on crushing him.

"Thanks," Lucian muttered, though doubt still lingered in his chest.

As the class began, the instructor entered—a tall, intimidating man with piercing eyes. He gave a sharp nod, acknowledging the students, before launching into a speech about the importance of building strength, honing skills, and maintaining discipline.

"You are all here for one reason," he said. "To survive. Those who can't keep up will fall behind. And there's no room for weakness in this academy."

Lucian's stomach churned. He could already feel the weight of his struggle pressing down on him. His lack of experience would put him at a disadvantage in the upcoming assignments.

The instructor gave each student a series of practical tasks to complete, from physical drills to mental exercises designed to test endurance, combat tactics, and mana usage. Lucian was struggling from the start. His mana reserves were low, and his experience was virtually nonexistent compared to the others.

As he failed to keep up with the exercises, he overheard students whispering.

"That's Lucian Ashford, right? He's a joke. Barely passed the test."

"I heard his brother hates him. What kind of family is that?"

The whispers were constant. It felt like every eye in the room was on him, waiting for him to fail.

But despite all the mockery, Lucian refused to break. He would survive. He would prove them wrong, even if he had to claw his way to the top.

The next day, during a group exercise, Lucian found himself paired with Seraphina Hawke—one of the most talented students in the academy. Her family was known for their control over wind and lightning, making them one of the most powerful forces in the region.

Seraphina looked down at Lucian as they were assigned their tasks. She had platinum blonde hair and cold, calculating blue eyes. Her presence alone seemed to freeze the air around her.

"I don't know what's worse, being stuck in the Standard Class with you or knowing that I have to work with a failure like you," she said, her voice sharp and disdainful.

Lucian didn't respond. He could feel the tension rising between them as they started the exercise. But the pressure was mounting. He wasn't just fighting for survival in the academy. He was fighting to prove that he belonged here—that he wasn't a failure, no matter how much the world tried to make him feel like one.

And this was just the beginning. The real challenges were yet to come.