An Invitation Delivered

Class that morning was held in the eastern wing, in a long, vaulted hall lit with blue glass windows that filtered sunlight into streams of pale sapphire. The glyph etched blackboards hummed faintly with static. Students shuffled in by twos and threes, their chatter quiet but ever present, like insects beneath stone.

Wade slid into a seat at the rear, with Rae beside him and Juno already half asleep to his right. A floating sphere hovered at the front of the room, pulsing softly with professor Elmond's voice, he hadn't arrived yet, but his lecture had.

"...Rune threading is the basis of elemental shaping. Wind, for instance, follows arc patterns—open, layered, and recursive. Fire prefers jagged structure and closed loops. Understanding how they weave lets you manipulate the behavior of magic…"

Rae whispered, "If this class gets any more boring, I'm going to start pulling sparks of lightning from the air."

Wade leaned over slightly. "Boring you say and yet you just got here, Just wait until he starts drawing diagrams with sparks. That's the best part."

The orb continued, but Wade felt the shift before it happened—subtle, like a stone dropped into water beneath a layer of dust.

A gust of wind—controlled, deliberate—swept down the aisle toward him. Wade turned, eyes narrowing.

A silver envelope fluttered through the air.

It stopped midair before him, turning once, slowly, almost dramatically.

Rae blinked. "Uh… is that for you?"

The envelope hovered for a beat longer before gently lowering into Wade's open hand. It bore no seal. No signature. Just his name, etched in red script that shimmered briefly.

WADE THERON

Juno leaned in, suspicious. "That is not from the faculty."

Wade didn't reply. He broke the seal with a thumb.

The paper inside was crisp, the writing perfectly aligned—aristocratic penmanship.

To the Wade Theron,

Your recent performance has drawn interest.

Making people believe commoners can be as good as Nobility,

Let us correct that narrative and determine whether that performance of yours at the arena reflects substance.

i challenge you to a Duel.

Dawn tomorrow.

Old Spell Arena. No instructors.

Bring your strongest magic.

—Lucien

Wade's eyes narrowed.

Rae peeked over his shoulder. "Is that an unsanctioned duel invitation?"

"Sure looks like it," Juno muttered. "Only a noble would use calligraphy to throw hands and insult commoners."

Wade folded the letter carefully and tucked it into his pocket.

Rae tilted her head. "Are you going?"

"Of course he's going," Juno answered for him. "He's got that look."

Wade didn't speak.

Because in his mind, the system was already reacting.

[New Quest Triggered – Proving Ground]

Objective: Win the Unofficial Duel

Reward: Skill Upgrade – Elemental Pulse Upgrade

Penalty for Failure: Status Debuff (Weakened State: 3 days)

"Penalty?" Wade murmured.

[Note: This is a high-stakes encounter. Choose wisely.]

Wade exhaled slowly. "It's not even official, and you're threatening me?"

[Correct.]

Rae whispered again. "You do realize this is bait, right? Lucien's probably had this planned since yesterday."

"That's the part that makes it worth it," Wade said.

Juno gave him a stare. "You know... there's something wrong with you."

"Greatness usually starts there," Wade replied with a grin.

The rest of the class passed in a haze. Even as Professor Elmond finally walked in—carrying a ball of condensed flame in one hand and trailing ink runes behind him—Wade barely registered the lecture.

His mind was already at the Old Spell Arena.

He couldn't stop thinking about it.

He knew Lucien wouldn't make it simple.

He wouldn't want a duel, he'd want to embarass him and send a message.

But he'd had enough of that from the village, he wouldn't let it repeat itself here.

When the class ended, Wade rose, letter still tucked in his pocket. Rae bumped his shoulder with hers.

"You better not die tomorrow. You're the only interesting person I've met here."

Juno added, "If you die, I call dibs on your side of the room."

Wade gave Juno a sinister look. "Touch my stuff and I'll haunt you."

As they stepped out into the light, the castle bells began to toll.

Once. Twice. Three times.

Sunset was nearing.

And with it, the first true fight.

The evening air outside the class hall was crisp, scented faintly with lavender from the academy's enchanted gardens. Golden sunlight angled through the spires, casting long shadows across the flagstone paths. Students scattered in every direction, toward dorms, libraries and mess halls—but Wade's pace was much slower, more deliberate.

Juno and Rae flanked him like mismatched guards—one too casual, the other too chaotic.

"Did you know the Old Spell Arena is off the charts?" Rae said suddenly, twirling a finger through the air like she was winding a spell thread. "It was used during the Second Arcanum War. They say half the enchantments there are still alive."

"Alive how?" Wade asked.

She grinned. "Like… sentient. Angry. Hungry for magic."

"Sounds like superstition," Juno muttered.

"Totally isn't."

Wade looked down at his chest, his thoughts drifting.

His body remembered the flare of blue fire, the sensation of power shifting in his core—it felt untamed. Lucien had power too, but his magic was refined, trained under noble tutors since childhood.

Wade's had come from instinct. Rage. The need to protect.

Could instinct stand against years of training?

[System Information: Initiate Meditation Protocol – Elemental Sync Enhancement Available]

Time Required: 1 hour

Effect: Fire/Wind Compatibility +8%, Minor Mana Recovery

"Later," Wade whispered.

[Logged.]

Rae gave him a sharp look. "You okay?"

He nodded once. "Just focused."

They split paths outside the dorm courtyard. Rae headed to the east wing, her fingers still twitching with residual lightning. Juno paused beside Wade at the base of the stairs.

"If he's planning something underhanded," Juno said, "don't try to fight fair."

"I wasn't planning to."

Juno nodded. "Good."

Wade stepped into the dorm, walked past the bustling common area, and entered his room.

The silver envelope sat on the desk, glowing faintly under the moonlight streaming in.

He sat on his desk and read it again.

And let the silence settle around him.

The air felt heavier already.

As if the academy itself knew Something was about to happen.