Helios Imperial Academy.

It was often described as a city of its own, built just on the outskirts of Chatenham City. By the time they arrived, six hours by train and another two by carriage, the sky had already begun to darken.

The academy wasn’t just a place of learning. It was where the Prism Kingdom trained its military mages. Discipline, combat, and control, everything here was meant to produce something useful to the kingdom. If it didn’t, it was discarded.

They were shown to their quarters without much explanation.

Leomaris had expected something modest.

What he got was... disappointing.

The mirror in his room was rusted along the edges, barely reflecting properly. A gas pipe ran along the wall, making an uneven hissing sound that didn’t stop. The tower light flickered every few seconds, as though it couldn’t decide whether to work or not.

He stood there for a moment, taking it in.

A week ago, he had been surrounded by polished floors, quiet servants, and meals that arrived before he even asked. It had been excessive, but it had still affected him more than he expected.

Now this felt deliberate. Almost like an insult.

"...So this is how they start," he muttered.

Raine’s room was no better, though she seemed entirely unfazed. If anything, she had expected worse. She tested the mattress with a firm press and gave a small nod, as though confirming a suspicion. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"It won’t collapse. That’s enough."

Her bed looked like it had survived several owners before her. The fabric was worn thin, the stuffing uneven, and threads hanging loose in different places. It had taken on a strange mix of colours over time.

Hazel and Ren had it worse. Servants always did.

If the masters were given neglect, the servants were given whatever remained after that. Their quarters weren’t just poor, they were barely maintained.

That night settled something for Leomaris. He had already been thinking about what he needed to do here.

Now he was certain.

⸻

The entrance process consisted of four examinations. After that came the grimoire selection for those without one, and finally the contract ritual.

Leomaris didn’t care much for the last two. He already had his grimoire. Compatibility wasn’t a concern.

The exams were what mattered.

The top twenty would be placed into First Class, which came with privileges that made everything easier, better resources, better treatment, and fewer unnecessary obstacles.

But Leomaris wasn’t aiming for twenty. He needed the top five. Become a calamity.

Anything less wouldn’t solve his situation. His name still carried problems, Lucius was still a threat, and staying in conditions like this would only make things worse.

If he wanted control over anything here, he needed to place himself where he couldn’t be ignored.

⸻

The next morning, he dressed carefully.

Not extravagantly, this wasn’t the place for it, but neatly enough that it couldn’t be mistaken for carelessness.

With his butler beside him, he made his way to the administrative lounge for the first test: the interview.

As soon as he reached the entrance, someone blocked his path.

A leg stretched across the doorway, placed there casually but not by accident.

Leomaris’s eyes lifted.

The boy leaning against the wall looked relaxed, almost bored, but there was intention behind it.

Someone else stood beside him, watching with interest.

"...You’re Runerth, aren’t you? The lout?" the boy said, tilting his head slightly. "I expected more."

His friend let out a quiet laugh.

The boy continued, as if he were just making an observation.

"Your family name still gets mentioned sometimes. It’s strange, considering how things turned out for you."

He didn’t move his leg.

"If I were you, I’d keep things quiet. It’s easier that way."

Behind him, Hazel leaned in slightly.

"What should I do, young master?" she asked under her breath.

Leomaris didn’t react immediately.

His gaze stayed on the boy in front of him, taking in his posture, his tone, the way he carried himself. If anything, the fact that his reputation as a ruffian had gotten him this far was surprising enough. More reason to score perfectly on the exams.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Then he leaned slightly towards Hazel.

"Nothing for now," he said quietly. "We may have use for them later."

Hazel gave a small nod.

"Are you ignoring me?" the boy asked, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice.

Leomaris looked at him properly this time.

Not with anger, not even with annoyance, just attention.

"I heard you," he replied. "I was deciding whether it was worth responding to."

That earned him a slight frown.

"I have an interview shortly," Leomaris continued, his tone even. "And two more examinations after that. I’d rather not waste time before they begin."

The boy’s expression tightened.

Leomaris stepped forward slightly, enough to make the situation clear without forcing it.

"If you still feel the need to repeat yourself," he added, "you can do so later."

There was a pause, followed by a stretching silence. Leomaris watched with an uncomfortable smile. Then, suddenly, the boy’s leg moved, not reluctantly, but not with confidence either.

Leomaris walked past him without looking back.

As he entered the hall, his expression settled again. He had seen this type before.

Those cliché characters. Always arrogant, always cocky. Even Arcane Mercenary, a novel with a far more gory and psychological edge, had them littered throughout the early Chapters.

Leomaris had no intention of being that person, though. No unnecessary fights, no engaging in their mundaneness.

Those below first and second class were always pawns, used by higher ranks to build their reputations. Looking at how pitiful the young man appeared, Leomaris was certain fifth class was the highest he’d ever reach.

He exhaled quietly as he adjusted his sleeve.

’Even a pawn can strike a king. Every chess piece is valuable, in my opinion. It would be a waste to make an enemy of someone who could one day put their life on the line for me.’

But by letting them act exactly as they wanted until it worked in his favour. He had a father to impress after all.

A staff member in a white gown, every bit the scientist, and dark hair pulled into a high tight ponytail, approached him before long. "It’s time for your interview, Cadet. Leomaris."