The moment I stepped through the academy gates, I felt it.
Of course, it was not physically, and not like a spell or killing intent either.
Just… eyes.
Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds.
After revealing my power in front of that many people during the tournament, there was no going back to blending in. The comfortable anonymity I'd wrapped around myself for the past four years? Gone. Torn clean off. And now, as I walked across the stone path toward the main building, every student I passed seemed to pause mid-conversation just to look at me.
It wasn't normal staring either.
Not the "oh, that's him" kind.
Not even the "wow, that was impressive" kind.
This was heavier.
It was the kind of stare people give when they realize the quiet guy they've known for years might actually be something dangerous. Something unpredictable. Curiosity was there, sure—but underneath it was wariness. Caution. Like I'd suddenly grown fangs and they were just noticing.
