"You. You will remain here"
The wind fluttered through the area while the sun shone brightly, reflecting off the creaking plate armor of the guards.
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Peace was evident in this academy, in contrast to the war-torn reality of this world.
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Nobody moved. The assistants froze and the lines of students broke their rhythm.
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Gasps filled the air. Such a situation was unexpected, even unprecedented.
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Leo didn't react, his expression unchanging as he looked at the crowd watching him.
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Nobody moved from the shock. The professor's bold words reverberated through them like a spark catching on fire.
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Vietra's hand tightened, and she hesitated as she stepped forward instinctively. "What do you mean by that? What's your reason?"
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The crowd recovered from their shock. The professor did not say anything. He looked at Vietra briefly before ignoring her.
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'What the hell am I doing?' Vietra's back was soaking wet. For her, a student who got here relying on pure luck, this was unimaginable.
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The thought of what would happen to her if the professor got agitated was horrible, but nonetheless, she didn't back down and stood up for her friend.
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The teachings of her master rang in her ears, giving her the courage she needed.
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One of the assistants, offended on behalf of his master, roughly pulled her back.
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"Return to your position and continue getting processed," he said, eyes full of unspoken words.
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Leo looked at her before telling her not to interfere.
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"Vietra. Enough. Don't involve yourself in this." Smiling gently, he stopped her.
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He appreciated Vietra attempting to help him, however, he didn't know what the situation was, and that could cause trouble for his friend.
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The professor began, "You will remain for additional verification for safety purposes." He spoke slowly and with ease, explaining the reason for stopping Leo.
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"Yes, I'll stay," Leo agreed, avoiding making trouble unnecessarily.
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At his words, the crowd burst into new whispers again.
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The crowd split in their reactions, coming to opposite reasons for the scene in front of them.
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A noble boy sneered, "Heh, even in the great Solarium Academy, they still treat him differently from others," whispering the words to the group around him in a mocking tone.
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Yet in a different part of the crowd, another reason was thought of.
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"I can't believe they actually are about to punish a noble student. They really don't care!" The commoner student was in shock. Normally, in the territory he was from and the entire world, nobles were treated as superior. Especially inside their own territory, they were treated like kings.
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Ignoring the accusing whispers, the professor raised his hands. "Come with me." The guards moved, flanking Leo.
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Leo wasn't restrained, but he wasn't free either.
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"...Lead the way, professor." Sighing, Leo grumbled as he prepared to follow the professor's lead.
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Vietra was shocked to see Leo agree so readily. It was a lot different from her normal image of him.
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The professor's eyebrows raised, and shock was visible on his face, as if he didn't expect Leo to agree.
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"Good, you're better than expected. Better than your brother, anyways." Mumbling the last part, he turned around and started walking.
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Students stared as he walked indifferently, their jaws hanging low.
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The crowd stepped aside as Leo passed through them.
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The sounds of the crowd faded as they got further away. The low whispers now went unheard.
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The crowd erupted into full conversations the moment the professor walked away.
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Leo noticed the guards tightening the formation around him, making him uncertain whether they were trying to defend him or cut off any chances of him escaping.
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'This is obviously not an arrest, but then why are they so wary? Do they know something?' Leo wondered, keeping his practiced poker face on without issue.
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As Leo followed the professor deeper into the academy, he noticed the interior changing.
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It went from stone and marble statues into a beautifully decorated area built using wood and fur carpets.
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The mana in the room was extremely dense and had a pure feel to it.
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It made Leo feel as if he was in the center of the academy.
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The guards had long since spread apart, leaving Leo with only the professor and one guard who stood near the door.
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The professor walked near a chimney to warm his hands before introducing himself.
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"I am Sterling, professor of magic." He introduced himself with a face vacant of emotion, like a machine.
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"I asked you to come with me because of a certain report we received from your escort professor."
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The words that Leo had been expecting finally came out.
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He circled Leo, examining his body. His eyes focused on every muscle, evaluating them.
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He paused before starting the question.
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"...That form. How were you able to use it?" Sterling asked.
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Leo hesitated, wondering if he should answer, before sighing internally and giving up.
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"My instructors taught me. By using the fire element in my mana, I can coat my entire body in mana and set it on fire," Leo answered honestly.
⠀
"The power of the flames varies based on how much mana I infuse. The more I infuse, the stronger the flames and the more abilities I get," Leo continued explaining without stopping.
⠀
Remembering the times when he first lost control, he felt as if the flames were still charring his body. It was a phantom pain he was trying tirelessly to lose.
⠀
"...If I use every last drop of mana, I can heal my injuries even in a near-death state. However, that leaves me at risk of losing control and becoming a walking flame." Leo took a breath, signaling the end of his explanation.
⠀
'I don't want to become a weapon. Not in this life. Never again.' The thought surfaced, his hatred for his first life still burning brightly as the things he was forced to do came to mind.
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A flicker of concern and opportunism appeared on Sterling's face, immediately vanishing as if it was never there.
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Subtly releasing his mana pressure, Sterling asked, "...And just how long can you maintain that form?" He asked as he rubbed his chin, already thinking.
⠀
Leo didn't hide the truth. If there was anything he hated most, it was people hiding their strength.
⠀
"I can maintain it for one minute, maybe more. Any longer and I risk my mana core exploding." As he was answering, Leo felt the consequences again.
⠀
He felt lightheaded. His fingers twitched and trembled, but he hid it successfully.
⠀
'Damn! When I can rest, I'm going to sleep all day.' Making up his mind to rest, Leo didn't change his expression.
⠀
He hid it from Sterling's eyes.
⠀
Sterling was unassuming. After listening to Leo's explanation, he began speaking.
⠀
Making eye contact, Sterling cautiously spoke the words in his heart.
⠀
"Does the Rosenhart family know about this ability of yours?" he asked carefully, knowing that offending the Rosenhart Grand Duchy would never be in his best interests.
⠀
Leo almost chuckled, barely holding himself back. 'Is he actually trying to blackmail me?'
⠀
'Or is he trying to contain me and use my talents?' Leo thought deeply about Sterling's weird probing questions.
⠀
He thought before carefully answering the ambiguous question. "Uh... yes. My father knows. After all, how could I train without him knowing?"
⠀
Sterling looked relieved for the first time at the thought of not immediately attempting anything. The figure of William emerged in his mind, reminding him of old wounds.
⠀
He stared in silence, then for the first time spoke with a little life.
⠀
"Oh! Good. Would there be any complications with the information about your form spreading?" He asked, inquiring about the stance of the Duchy on Leo's power spreading.
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"While I don't mind the information spreading, any unnecessary actions at this time would be looked upon unfavorably," Leo told him clearly.
⠀
He didn't mind if people knew about it, because it would have to be used in front of others at some point.
⠀
But if they tried to punish or hurt him, he would use the resources available to him without hesitation.
⠀
"Well then, the exam results will be announced tomorrow. For now, you will be housed separately inside the academy," Sterling informed Leo.
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"Yes, thank you for informing me." Leo smiled gratefully and thanked him.
⠀
"It seems like the headmaster is calling for me. I'll go now. Oh, and you can sit here if you want. Somebody will come later and take you to your housing."
⠀
After finishing their talk, Sterling turned around. The guard opened the door for him.
⠀
They both exited the room, leaving Leo alone with his thoughts in the massive room.
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Silence pressed in, filling the formerly lively room. The mana in the air reacted faintly to Leo as it directly entered his body.
⠀
'Why would they just leave me alone? Even if the headmaster called, he could have just told me to leave. Unless this is just another test of theirs.' Leo didn't know, but he felt a formation in the room that faintly dulled his instincts.
⠀
Leo sat without resting, unaware that his honesty here would present some trouble for him later on.