As the afternoon sun shifted, its light grew harsher, filling the academy grounds with a heavy stillness. The birds had gone silent, replaced by the faint rasp of crickets. The trees no longer swayed; they stood still, as though waiting for something to break the calm.
Inside Apprentice Batch 2, the ritual of introductions continued. Laughter, chatter, and polite bows had filled the air—until one boy stood and spoke words that silenced everything.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Shaun Thunderhawk. I am a first- year disciple who can use lightning magic. And my dream … my dream is to defeat all three Supreme Mages and become the World's Strongest Magus."
"What!?"
A stunned silence fell. Then the room erupted. Across the room, the noble-born disciples clenched their fists, staring daggers at Shaun. Their voices rose in contempt, emboldened by the crowd.
"What did he say!? Defeat the Supreme Mages? Has he gone mad? He's even crazier than that girl…"
"A mere commoner dreaming of heaven? He should know his place."
"He'll shame the academy. Such arrogance!"
Murmurs spread like wildfire, and the atmosphere twisted against him. Only Natasha's lips curved in a knowing smile, as though she had expected this. At the teacher's desk, Maya's eyes gleamed with faint amusement. Beside her, Edward folded his arms in silence, watching closely. Saraswati frowned faintly, her hand tightening around her quill.
"What kind of nonsense is this?" Katherine's voice split through the noise. She rose to her feet, eyes sharp as blades. "Boy, do you even hear yourself? Do you understand the weight of what you babble?"
Shaun stiffened under her gaze, but bowed his head slightly. His voice trembled at first, then steadied.
Shaun stiffened then bowed slightly. "Yes, Lady Katherine. I know what I said. It is my dream… It may sound foolish… but it is my dream, and I will give everything I have to chase it."
Katherine's lips twisted into a thin, mocking smile. "Naïve child. Do you mistake fantasy for resolve? Dreams untethered to reality are but delusions."
She turned, addressing the whole class now, her tone loud and cutting.
"No matter how fiercely a sparrow flaps its wings, it will never soar as high as a phoenix. Remember this well—though all of you begin at the same line in this academy, only those with noble bloodlines and gifted talent can inscribe their names into history. The rest…" Her gaze fell on Shaun again. "…will shatter themselves against the sky they long for."
Her words fell heavy and a ripple of unease ran through the room. Around the room, the disciples of commoner families shrank in their seats, shame written across their faces. Their shoulders slumped, their eyes lowered.
Meanwhile, the nobles and aristocrats sat taller, pride swelling in their chests, their smirks sharpened by Katherine's words.
"Boy, perhaps you don't understand the weight of what you've just claimed. Yes, all disciples begin here at the same line, but their identities are not equal. A commoner remains a commoner, no matter how hard he struggles," With a tilt of her chin and a voice dripping with sarcasm, Katherine said.
She let her gaze sweep across the room, her words cutting deeper, leaving silence in its wake.
Shaun's fists trembled beneath, his chest tight with anger. Natasha's eyes narrowed, her glare sharp enough to cut steel. And among the other commoner disciples, quiet resentment began to simmer toward Katherine.
Lily leaned toward Sakura, whispering urgently, "This isn't right… He may be a commoner, but he's still a new disciple of Silver Heaven Academy. A teacher shouldn't belittle him in front of everyone like this. We should stop her before Lady Grandmaster Maya—"
But Sakura's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Don't worry, Lily. Maya won't let this pass. Those two… they've clashed for years. Watch closely. You're about to see a lioness silence an arrogant tongue."
And indeed—Maya's hand tightened around her desk, her eyes narrowing as Katherine's words lingered in the air. The Grandmaster rose slowly, her presence rolling over the classroom like the crackle before a storm. Maya had just begun to rise when another voice cut through the tension.
"Lady Katherine… you said a commoner will always remain a commoner, unable to rise above. But… wasn't the legendary Magus, Lord Shinrama Heavenstar and his father Lord Vikrama born as Commoners?" Shaun continued, bowing his head slightly in respect. His tone carried neither arrogance nor defiance, only a quiet resolve
All eyes turned to Shaun and gasps rippled across the commoner disciples. Slowly, Maya sat back down, her eyes gleaming with interest.
Katherine's brow arched, rage flickering in her gaze. "Despicable… Boy, How dare you compare yourself to a legend like Lord Shinrama?"
Shaun did not falter. His voice stayed calm, almost gentle.
"Forgive me, Lady Katherine. I mean no disrespect. But we all know that, though they were born Commoners, they rose to such pinnacle by sheer effort, not privilege. And not just them—every noble house, every family that now calls itself aristocrat or royal… once stood as Commoners. They earned their names through will and struggle. Then, why can't we do the same?"
At Shaun's words, he turned his gaze briefly toward Katherine, then to Maya. Maya answered with nothing but a faint, knowing smile and a subtle nod—an unspoken approval. Katherine's eyes burned.
"Hiding the weakness of your kind behind holy legends? Yes, Lord Vikrama and Lord Shinrama rose to greatness—but they were rare exceptions in the hundreds of years of Silver Heaven Region's history," Her voice dripped venom, her composure slipping.
Shaun listened quietly, then bowed his head slightly before replying. His tone remained humble, yet his words cut sharp.
"Lady Katherine, but… did you not contradict yourself just now? You say no commoner can rise, yet in the same breath you admit that Lord Vikrama and Lord Shinrama did exactly that."
A murmur ran through the class. The commoners straightened in their seats again, hope rekindled. Shaun continued, his voice steady.
"Those legends proved something simple—that it does not matter if one is noble or common. If a person believes in their own strength and takes each step forward, their potential is infinite. The path may be hard, but not impossible."
"Smart-mouthed brat. Do you think your clever phrasing changes reality?" she spat. "You only see the shining peak of Lord Vikrama and Lord Shinrama, but not the countless corpses beneath their path. For every one who rises, thousands break and fall. Becoming a legend is not just difficult—it is nearly impossible," Katherine's eyes swept Shaun up and down, her expression laced with disdain.
"Thunderhawk, is it? A pitiful bloodline. At best, you might crawl to Scholar Rank. Even your own kin would overlook you. No gift, no lineage—nothing but arrogance and insolence. Filthy commoner!" Her voice grew sharper, dripping venom.
Her words stung like a whip, and Shaun's composure wavered. His fists clenched tight, his chest rising with restrained anger. Yet when he spoke, his voice carried no malice—only steady resolve.
"Lady Katherine, a teacher should guide, not belittle. I believe—no, I know—that many commoners will rise to achievements beyond imagination. If you crush disciples' confidence instead of nurturing it, you fail the very duty you stand for."
A ripple swept the class. Katherine's body quivered with fury, her pride wounded by a boy's defiance.
"Silence!" she roared. "How dare you discredit your teacher! Who do you think you are, boy? Success does not fall into the laps of the lowborn—it is earned through heritage, through lineage! You should be grateful we nobles and royals even allow your kind within these walls! Know your place and apologize this instant!" Her voice rose, shrill with wrath.
The nobles erupted, emboldened by Katherine's rage. One by one, they rose from their seats, voices joining in a thunderous wave.
"Commoner, how dare you insult the Supreme Mages! You're not even an ant before their greatness!"
"Instead of gratitude, you spit on the nobility who gave you this chance! Your very existence is a stain. You crawl in the dirt—yet dream of the sky?"
"Apologize now, or leave this academy forever!"
The classroom shook with their condemnation, a tide of voices pressing down on Shaun. Commoner-born disciples shrank lower in their seats, shame and fear clouding their eyes, while the nobles swelled with pride, their chests puffed, their glares sharp as blades. The teachers exchanged uneasy glances.
"Why should he apologize? He's done nothing wrong," a sharp voice cut through the noise. Heads turned. Natasha Ikazuchi had risen, her glare fixed on the sneering nobles.
"He only dreams of surpassing them. What crime is there in ambition? I've known Shaun since childhood. He never gives up on what he sets his heart on. One day, he will defeat them and will become the World's Strongest Magus," She crossed her arms close to her chest, her voice unwavering.
Gasps rippled across the class. Katherine's laugh dripped with scorn.
"Foolish girl. You defend him only because he's your childhood friend. This low-born commoner will never achieve such things. And you—an Ikazuchi Aristocrat—openly admitting affection for a peasant? Disgraceful. Have your parents taught you nothing of shame?"
"Lady Katherine, you may insult me if you wish, but I won't allow you to trample my best friend. Shaun isn't speaking nonsense—I believe in him. One day, he will silence every arrogant mouth like yours with his strength," Natasha's gaze sharpened, but her tone rang clear.
"And yes—I am proud of my feelings for him. Even if my parents, or the entire world, stand against us… I will never leave his side," Her voice rose, fierce as lightning.
Shaun's eyes stung, his chest swelling with warmth. Natasha's words echoed the dream he had seen that very morning, a promise made real.
"You insolent child! How dare you speak to me in this tone? Has no one taught you respect for your elders?" Katherine's face twisted, her voice trembling with fury.
"My parents taught me to respect my elders, yes. But they also taught me something you seem to have forgotten—that respect must be mutual. Nobles, commoners, young or old… all are deserving of it," Natasha's reply was calm, but her words cut like a blade.
"—SILENCE!!!" Maya's voice cracked like thunder, shaking the very air.
The classroom went dead silent. The Grandmaster had risen at last, her eyes blazing, her presence swallowing the chaos whole. Maya's voice cracked through the air like thunder.
The room froze. Even Katherine faltered under the weight of the Grandmaster's anger. Maya's gaze swept over the class—first to Katherine, then to Natasha.
"Enough! What is happening here? Is this a classroom… or a battlefield?"
Natasha bit her lip, then spoke despite the tremor in her chest.
"But Lady Grandmaster, Lady Katherine insulted Shaun. She has no right to belittle him like that!"
"Lady Natasha, mind your words. Whatever the situation, you are addressing your teacher. Respect must be upheld. Restrain your emotions and offer her an apology," Maya's eyes narrowed.
The room went still. Shaun and Katherine alike were taken aback—none had expected Maya to demand that. Natasha hesitated, her pride warring with her loyalty. But when Shaun caught her gaze and gave a small, reassuring smile, she drew in a breath and bowed.
"…Forgive me, Lady Katherine. I meant no disrespect. Forgive me as well, Lady Grandmaster, for disturbing the class."
"Well said. To admit fault when your heart burns with anger takes courage. You've shown wisdom beyond your years," Maya's expression softened.
"Hmph. As I told you—never forget your place before your elders, especially before Nobles. If you had remembered that sooner, you would not have been humiliated into apologizing," Katherine smirked, her voice dripping with mockery.
Her smugness was cut short by Maya's voice, sharp as a blade.
"And perhaps you should also show some understanding, Lady Katherine. You are the one who stirred this quarrel. Would it not be proper to apologize as well—this time, to the boy?"
Katherine's eyes widened. "What? To him? Impossible! That commoner dared to slander the Supreme Mages and question the order of Nobility. Insolence must be punished, not pardoned."
"Punishment is not yours to decree. That authority rests with the Grandmaster—and that is me," Maya's gaze hardened. Her voice rolled like iron.
"And Shaun has committed no crime. He merely declared his dream. To challenge the Supreme Mages is not disrespect—it is ambition. Should we not encourage ambition in those who dare to dream?"
Her words struck the room silent. Even the nobles who had been sneering moments ago now shifted uneasily.
"This academy is not a playground for arrogance," Maya continued. "Here, all are disciples—noble or commoner alike. Our duty as teachers is not to trample their hearts, but to guide them. If we plant seeds of hatred, do you expect unity to grow? No. Only discord."
"Remember this well. A teacher must raise disciples, not break them," Her eyes locked onto Katherine's, unwavering.
Maya's words struck like arrows. For the noble-born disciples, each line was a sting to their pride, as though needles pierced their flesh. Yet for the commoner-born, the same words felt like balm upon fresh wounds, lifting their heads with renewed strength.
"Equal to us? How amusing. Lady Grandmaster, it seems age has wearied your mind. Ants will never stand beside elephants. They exist only to be trampled," Katherine's lips curled into a bitter smile. Her voice dripped with scorn.
"History itself proves it. How many commoners have entered this academy, only to slink away before their four years were done? They lack the bloodline, the endurance, the right to reach true greatness. Training them is nothing more than pouring water into sand."
Maya's eyes narrowed, but her voice remained calm, edged with steel.
"Yet even in mud, a lotus blooms. As Lord Gabriel once said, 'talent blossoms where none expect it.' I will place my trust in these disciples, noble or commoner. Hard work, resolve, and belief can achieve what arrogance cannot."
"And as for this boy… if he grows strong enough, I have no doubt even the Supreme Mages will meet his challenge," She let her gaze rest firmly on Shaun.
"This boy? A challenge for the Supreme Mages? Truly, you amuse me, Lady Maya. Reality is merciless—dreams are made to be broken. I will wager this: the boy will falter and leave in disgrace, as so many of his kind before him. His family will drown in shame, remembered only as fools who dared to dream," Katherine let out a sharp laugh, her tone biting.
Maya's composure finally cracked. She rose from her seat, her voice thundering through the chamber.
"Katherine! Enough! You have crossed the line. One more word, and I will forget my place as Grandmaster. Do not test my restraint."
Katherine's eyes gleamed with arrogance as she slammed her palm against the desk.
"Oh, is that so? Perhaps you've forgotten your place, Maya. I stand above all Nobles—I am of the Royal line. We Royals are untouchable in strength. Should I remind you of that lesson myself?"
Maya's lips curved into a sly smile. Her own hand struck the table with a resounding crack, matching Katherine's challenge.
"Untouchable? Funny. I recall a certain Royal who suffered more than one humiliating defeat at the hands of a mere Noble—Noelle, wasn't it? Careful, Katherine, or history might repeat itself. Only this time, it will be me standing in her place."
The two women locked eyes, the air between them crackling like a storm about to break. Their glares clashed like blades, sharp enough to silence the room.
The atmosphere grew heavier with each passing heartbeat. Disciples shrank back in their seats, teachers exchanged uneasy glances. One wrong word, one wrong move, and the classroom could turn into a battlefield.
But before the storm could break, a sudden chill swept the room. Frost crept across the desks, and in the blink of an eye, a thick sheet of ice sealed Maya and Katherine's hands where they pressed upon the table, locking them in place.
"That's enough," the words were calm, weathered, yet heavier than iron.
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