A Cripple?

Aurelius walked forward, tapping his cane firmly against the ground, enough to produce significant vibrations. The accident hadn't brought only suffering; it had granted him a strange, yet invaluable ability. He could sense the vibrations in the air, the subtle tremors from the movement of people, objects, and the environment around him, helping him navigate his world. However, his footsteps alone didn't generate large enough vibrations to fully guide him.

He could amplify his senses by channeling mana, increasing the intensity of the vibrations he felt, but his mana reserves were pitifully small. His mana barely more than that of a well-fed child, his mana diminished after years of near-starvation. To make matters worse, he was completely inept at using other forms of magic. It was a cruel twist, knowing he could wield a power that barely sufficed and couldn't tap into the broader magic that others wielded with ease.

It had taken Aurelius years to adjust to the vibrations. The aftermath of the accident had been brutal—constant, splitting migraines plagued him for years as his body struggled to adapt to his newfound sensitivity. Even now, he could still feel the occasional dull throb at the back of his skull when the world around him was too loud, too chaotic.

As he continued down the path, his cane tapping rhythmically against the stone, he felt a cluster of heartbeats ahead—a large gathering, their movements erratic with excitement. He assumed they were looking at the class placements and dorm assignments. Steeling himself, he made his way toward the crowd and tapped someone on the shoulder.

"My name is Aurelius. Would you mind telling me what class group I'm in?" His tone was even, unconcerned. He wasn't worried about offending a noble—commoners were required to arrive earlier than them, meaning most of the students here were from similar backgrounds.

The person turned around with a startled gasp before letting out an awkward chuckle. "Oh, uh... sure, that won't be a problem..." The girl scanned the list, her eyes darting until they settled near the top. "Class A—wait, that's the noble class! What track are you in to have gotten into Class A with, um... your situation?"

Aurelius adjusted the strands of hair tucked inside his mask and spoke plainly. "Swordsmanship, believe it or not. And you don't have to tiptoe around it—I'm well aware that I'm blind."

The girl let out another awkward chuckle, shifting uncomfortably on her feet. "Right... well, that's impressive! I mean, getting into Class A and all. Not that I doubted you! Just, you know... surprising!"

She laughed again, the sound forced, before quickly glancing around. "Anyway! I should go find my dorm. A lot to unpack and all that. Uh, good luck with your classes, Aurelius!"

Before he could respond, she spun on her heel and hurried off, her footsteps fading into the crowd. Aurelius tilted his head slightly, amused by her hasty retreat. He had grown used to reactions like that—hesitation, curiosity, and the inevitable awkwardness. People never quite knew how to talk to him. 

Aurelius shook his head with a small sigh before turning to the crowd once more. He tapped his cane against the ground, then spoke calmly, "Could someone guide me to the dorm office? I'd like to get settled in and rest."

A moment of silence followed Aurelius' request before a voice piped up from the crowd.

"Hey, I can take you there!"

Aurelius turned his head slightly toward the voice. It belonged to a young man, his tone light and easygoing. The sound of approaching footsteps followed, and soon the stranger was walking beside him.

"Name's Felix," the boy introduced himself. "Figured I'd help out a fellow commoner, seeing as we're already outnumbered." He chuckled. "You're Aurelius, right? The guy who got into Class A?"

"That's right," Aurelius replied, tapping his cane along the path. "Swordsmanship track."

Felix let out a low whistle. "No kidding? You must be damn good. The nobles must be thrilled about that." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "Not every day they have to share their fancy class with us lowborns."

Aurelius smirked slightly. "I'm sure they'll get over it."

Felix laughed. "Oh, I like you already."

As they walked, Felix casually described their surroundings—tall stone buildings, banners bearing the academy's crest, and the mix of students bustling about.

"Not gonna lie, this place is huge. Easy to get lost if you're not careful," Felix remarked. "Guessing you've got your own way of figuring things out, though?"

Aurelius nodded. "I use vibrations to navigate. It took years to get used to, but it works."

Felix hummed in interest. "That's pretty impressive. You must have a hell of a work ethic."

Aurelius simply shrugged. "I didn't have a choice."

Felix didn't press the subject, instead leading them up a short flight of stairs. "Alright, here we are—dorm office. The staff inside should have your key and room assignment."

Aurelius inclined his head. "Thanks, Felix."

"No problem," Felix replied with a grin. "See you around, Class A." With that, he clapped Aurelius on the shoulder and strolled off, leaving him to handle his dorm arrangements.

Aurelius stepped into the dorm office, the faint scent of parchment and ink filling the air. The soft rustling of papers and the occasional clink of keys told him the staff were busy organizing student housing. He tapped his cane against the floor, sending out subtle vibrations to get a sense of the room's layout. A desk stood a few paces ahead, and he approached with steady steps.

"Name?" a woman's voice asked.

"Aurelius," he replied.

There was a brief pause, followed by the sound of paper being flipped through. "Ah, here you are. Class A, correct?"

"That's right."

"You'll be in Dormitory Hall Four, Room Twelve." He heard the jingling of keys before something small and metallic was placed on the counter in front of him. "Here's your key. Do you need someone to guide you there?"

The staff member hesitated for a moment before stepping around the desk. "Why don't I walk you there just in case? It's easy to get turned around on the first day."

Aurelius considered declining but decided against it. It wasn't like he needed to prove anything just yet. "Alright, lead the way."

The woman walked at a steady pace, her footsteps light but distinct enough for him to follow alongside her. "So, Class A, huh? That's impressive," she said as they moved through the hallways. "Especially for a first-year commoner."

"I suppose," Aurelius replied evenly. "Not like I had much of a choice."

The woman hummed thoughtfully. "Well, at least you found your path. Most students spend years figuring that out."

Aurelius simply nodded, his fingers tightening around his cane as he tapped his way forward. He could already sense the growing quiet around them—the dorm halls must not have been as packed as the entrance hall.

Eventually, they reached a door, and the woman stopped. "Here we are. Room Twelve."

Aurelius reached out, running his fingers over the metal numbers affixed to the door before slotting the key into the lock and turning it. The door clicked open smoothly.

"Will you be needing help getting here every day?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Aurelius shook his head. "No. I remember everywhere I go. Once is enough."

The woman chuckled softly. "Alright, if you say so. Just don't be too proud to ask if you ever do need help."

"I won't," Aurelius said, stepping into his room. "Thanks for the escort."

"Anytime," she replied before turning and walking away.

Aurelius shut the door behind him, exhaling slowly. His journey at the academy had only just begun, but he already had the feeling that things wouldn't be simple.