The New Day.

Six years had passed since the battle that changed Varek Solin's life. In that time, the world had shifted, yet remained eerily the same. The wars between humans and demons had seemingly ceased, leaving behind a fragile peace. His father, though now fifty-five, was still strong and respected, while his mother, at fifty-four, remained the steady presence in their home.

Through relentless training, Varek had learned to suppress the presence of the Shadow Vault within him. He had hidden its existence, burying its power deep inside himself, never allowing it to surface. Yet, in quiet moments, he could still feel it—a whisper in his soul, a weight in his chest.

Today, however, was not a day for old worries. Today was the beginning of something new.

Varek awoke to the familiar warmth of his small home. Stretching his arms, he inhaled deeply before stepping out of his room. "Good morning!" he greeted, a rare excitement lacing his voice.

His mother turned from the kitchen, smiling as she set a plate down. "Good morning, dear. Come eat before you leave."

His father, already seated, looked up with a smirk. "Excited for your first day?"

Varek nodded as he sat down. "Yeah. It's different now, right? I finally get to study at Silver School. I know it's not the highest rank, but... it's still something."

His father chuckled. "You earned it, son. Doesn't matter what anyone else says."

After finishing his meal, Varek grabbed his bag and stood. "Alright, I'm heading out!" His mother gave him a quick hug, and his father patted his shoulder.

"Do your best, Varek."

With those words, he left.

---

Silver School was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Towering buildings, polished marble floors, and well-dressed students filled the halls. He had always known this place was for the wealthier, but being here made the difference feel even larger.

Still, he couldn't deny the excitement bubbling inside him. This was his chance.

Entering the classroom, he scanned the seats and made his way to the front, but before he could sit down—

"Don't sit here. That seat's taken."

A student sneered at him, their tone dripping with disdain. The others around them snickered, their gazes cold and unwelcoming.

Varek sighed and made his way to the back. It didn't matter. He was used to this.

Moments later, the teacher arrived, beginning the lecture on mana flow and its influence on a person's strength over time. Varek listened carefully, absorbing every detail—until he felt it.

A shift.

A whisper in his mind, a familiar but unsettling sensation. His focus wavered as he thought about the Shadow Vault, the immense power buried within him. He had suppressed it for years, but it never truly left him. What if, one day, it refused to stay hidden?

"Varek Solin."

He blinked, snapping back to reality. The teacher's gaze was fixed on him. "Since you seem so lost in thought, perhaps you can answer the question. What did I just explain?"

Varek hesitated for only a second before responding, his voice clear and precise. "You were explaining how mana adapts to the user's body over time, strengthening natural abilities while also altering the physical and spiritual connection."

A brief silence followed.

Then, the teacher nodded. "Correct."

No one clapped. No one acknowledged his answer. Only silent stares of disapproval.

Varek clenched his jaw but said nothing. He had expected this.

Suddenly, the door swung open. A student entered—his uniform crisp, his presence demanding attention.

The teacher sighed. "Ah, Kieran, you've decided to join us."

The class immediately shifted, straightening their posture. Kieran. A Silver-ranked student. The son of a high-ranking Silver noble.

His sharp eyes scanned the room before landing on Varek.

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Didn't expect to see a Bronze sitting in a Silver School. Did you get lost?"

The room erupted in hushed laughter, mocking whispers filling the air.

Varek clenched his fists under the desk but didn't react. He had fought demons. He had survived pain far worse than this. This was nothing.

The teacher, clearly used to Kieran's antics, sighed. "Enough. Take your seat."

Kieran scoffed but obeyed. As the lesson continued, Varek exhaled slowly, forcing himself to focus.

He had a goal. He wouldn't let petty insults distract him.

But deep inside, he couldn't help but wonder—

Would there ever be a day when people saw him as more than a Bronze?

---

Varek walked through the hallway, taking in the grandeur of the Silver School. The polished floors reflected the sunlight streaming through tall windows, and the intricate designs on the walls made it clear this was a place meant for the wealthy. Despite knowing he didn't belong among the richest, he couldn't help but feel amazed by it all.

As he admired the school, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder. He turned, only to see Keiran—the highest-ranking Silver student—standing beside him with a smirk.

"Pretty nice place, huh?" Keiran said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Everything here is top-class. The best education, the best training, the best students."

Varek stayed silent, already expecting where this was going.

Keiran chuckled, leaning in slightly. "You? You don't belong here. You're poor and unworthy of stepping into a place like this. You should've stayed where you came from."

Varek clenched his fists but forced himself to stay calm. He had heard things like this before. It wasn't new. Instead of responding, he simply turned away and continued walking, leaving Keiran standing there, still smirking. He wasn't going to let words shake him—not when he had come this far.

Varek walked through the school gates, his bag slung over his shoulder. The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows across the path leading home. He exhaled, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly now that school was over. Though the stares and whispers had been expected, he couldn't help but feel drained. He reminded himself—this was just another battle, one he had to endure.

As he turned a corner, his steps faltered. Standing in front of him, smirking, was Keiran.

The highest-ranking silver student.

Keiran's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his posture relaxed yet undeniably predatory. "Going home already?" he asked mockingly, tilting his head. "I thought you'd be eager to stay, prove yourself. Or maybe you realized you don't belong?"

Varek felt the familiar tension creep into his body. His grip tightened on the strap of his bag, but he forced himself to remain calm. He had dealt with worse. Demons—creatures of darkness and death—had stood before him, and he had survived. Keiran was nothing compared to them.

Keiran's smirk widened, and in a single motion, he drew his sword, the blade gleaming under the fading light. "You're lucky to be here, Bronze. But luck runs out. How about a little test?"

Varek's pulse quickened. He had avoided unnecessary fights since entering school, keeping his head down, but Keiran wasn't going to let him walk away. He weighed his options. Running would only invite more humiliation. Fighting… it was dangerous, but he wasn't weak.

He dropped his bag to the ground and stepped forward. "Fine," he said, his voice steady. "Let's see what you've got."

Keiran's eyes flickered with amusement. "That's the spirit."

Without warning, Keiran lunged. His sword sliced through the air, fast—too fast for an ordinary student. Varek barely dodged, his reflexes sharpened from years of training. He slid back, analyzing Keiran's stance. He was skilled, but reckless, overconfident.

Varek clenched his fists. He couldn't use the Shadow Vault here. Not in front of him. But that didn't mean he was defenseless.

Keiran attacked again, thrusting his sword forward. Varek sidestepped at the last second and, with a swift movement, struck Keiran's wrist. The sword wavered, but Keiran quickly adjusted, swinging it toward Varek's side.

Varek raised his arm in defense, catching the flat of the blade against his forearm. Pain shot through him, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward. He twisted, delivering a sharp kick to Keiran's ribs.

Keiran stumbled back, eyes darkening. "Not bad," he admitted. "But you're still beneath me."

He rushed forward again, this time faster. Varek barely had time to react before Keiran's blade was at his throat. He froze, his breath shallow.

Keiran chuckled. "See? You don't belong."

Varek met his gaze, unflinching. "You're wrong."

Before Keiran could respond, a voice echoed through the courtyard.

"Enough!"

A teacher stepped forward, eyes sharp as they took in the scene. Keiran clicked his tongue and withdrew his blade, stepping back with an air of indifference.

Varek exhaled slowly, muscles still tense.

"Both of you, to the office. Now."

Varek picked up his bag, following behind, knowing this was only the beginning.

---

The next day, Varek sat in the back of the classroom, resting his arms on the desk. His body ached slightly from yesterday's encounter, but he kept his expression calm. As he settled in, he noticed Keiran at the front, smirking at him.

"Morning, Varek," Keiran greeted, his tone unnervingly friendly. The way he spoke felt off, as if he were enjoying some private joke at Varek's expense.

Varek simply nodded, unwilling to give Keiran any reaction. However, Keiran had no intention of letting him go unnoticed. He suddenly raised his voice, crafting a joke loud enough for the whole class to hear.

"Hey everyone, did you hear? Our dear Varek here probably got lost on his way to a Bronze school! Maybe he thought this was charity day!" Keiran sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

The class erupted in laughter. Some students covered their mouths, pretending to stifle their amusement, while others didn't bother hiding it at all. The humiliation was sharp, but Varek kept his face impassive, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

Before Keiran could continue, the teacher slammed a hand against the desk, silencing the room instantly.

"Enough!" the teacher snapped, her voice filled with authority. "Keiran, if you want to joke around, do it outside my classroom. Varek, ignore him. Focus on your studies."

Keiran only shrugged, still grinning as he sat down. The laughter faded, but the damage was done. Varek clenched his fists under the desk, exhaling slowly. He wouldn't let this get to him.

Not when he had bigger things to worry about.