Chapter 12: The Weight of Quiet Things

**

Lucien Drex was asleep during a student panic.

Not metaphorically. Literally asleep — on a levitating mattress drifting six feet above the courtyard pond, snoring gently while surrounded by ducks.

"Why is he up there?" asked a confused Year One.

"Because reality has stopped trying," said Renn, who was now immune to asking questions.

---

**The Pale Sigil Announcement**

Mid-morning, the Academy's spell-projectors flared across all towers.

A robed figure in a black-silver mask appeared — voice smooth, polite, and very punchable.

> "The Pale Sigil invites all elite students to the **Selective Trial of Proficiency**. A magical challenge for those who dare to claim influence over the next Arcane Cycle."

> "Only those with exceptional rank manipulation and sigil mastery will succeed."

> "Entry is optional… for now."

Renn gulped. "Lucien, they're baiting you."

Lucien, drifting by overhead, rolled over. "I'm bait-resistant. Like a suspicious fish."

---

**Renn Panics. Lucien Plans.**

"I'm going to die," Renn said.

"Not today," Lucien muttered, dropping a glowing envelope into Renn's lap.

"What's this?"

"Your invitation."

"My WHAT?"

"I entered you into the trial."

"LuciEN!"

Lucien sipped from a cup. "Relax. I built a projection sigil on your robe. You'll be channeling *D. Drexius*."

"Who is D. Drexius?"

"My fake cousin. He's an enchanter. From... somewhere suspicious."

"Are you trying to get me expelled or sacrificed?"

"Yes."

Renn screamed.

---

**The Trial Begins**

An amphitheater lined with shifting glyph tiles. Illusions, traps, and magical constructs everywhere.

Renn stumbled in, wearing a robe two sizes too big with sigils blinking wildly. A nameplate read: *D. Drexius – Classified Lineage*.

"Begin!" barked the official.

Caelum, watching from the shadows, raised an eyebrow.

Lucien, watching from a snack cart, munched popcorn. "I love improv."

Renn immediately tripped over a fire glyph. The trap… reversed. The opponent's wand exploded.

Lucien whispered, "Oh. That one *wasn't* intentional."

Another duelist cast a binding spell.

Renn screamed. The sigil on his robe flashed pink.

Suddenly three rabbits with swords appeared and attacked the duelist.

Lucien: "Okay, that one was me."

The crowd gasped.

"Who IS this D. Drexius?" one whispered.

"A tactical genius," said another.

"He made bunnies fight."

"A legend."

Caelum facepalmed.

---

**Final Round – Caelum Joins**

Unexpectedly, Caelum entered the field.

Lucien blinked. "Wait. *You* joined?"

Caelum didn't answer. Just nodded at Renn. Then cast a slow-time field.

Renn screamed as everything around him slowed — except the tea that floated up and gently splashed onto his head.

Lucien laughed so hard he spilled his popcorn.

But then… the sigils responded. Renn's robe, embedded with Lucien's trap-weave, activated a reflection pulse.

Caelum paused.

He was about to hit *Lucien's trap network*. He stepped back.

And whispered, "You saw it."

Lucien tilted his head. "I did."

They both smiled.

---

**Aftermath – Everyone Is Confused**

Renn was declared the "Wildcard Entry Winner."

Students erupted with theories:

* D. Drexius is a secret heir.

* He's a time-warped version of Lucien.

* He's Martin.

Lucien took Renn aside.

"Good job not dying."

"I want therapy."

"I'll sigil you a hug coupon."

Caelum arrived silently.

"You let them win," he said.

Lucien smirked. "No. I let you *see* who I want them to notice."

Caelum stared. "And what about you?"

Lucien looked out the window.

"I'm just the guy cracking jokes in the background."

"You're lying."

Lucien didn't deny it.

---

**Elsewhere – Pale Sigil Headquarters**

The envoy slammed a report onto the table.

"Drex. Drexius. Same trap signature. Same sigil rhythm. One is covering for the other."

Another agent asked, "So who's the real threat?"

The masked figure stared at two photos:

Lucien Drex, yawning.

Caelum Virell, silent.

"We prepared for Drex," they said. "But it might be **Virell** we should fear."

---

**Closing Scene – The Truth Unfolds**

Lucien and Caelum stand atop the clock tower.

Lucien: "They bought it."

Caelum: "They always do."

Lucien: "You're the real Hidden Ranker, Cael. But no one looks at you if I act like a lunatic."

Caelum: "And you're not worried?"

Lucien yawned. "Nope. Because if they come for me… you'll erase time itself to keep me lazy."

Caelum smirked.

Lucien grinned. "Also, I rigged the bunnies to explode next time."

Caelum sighed. "I need new friends."

Fade to black.