Chapter — The Calm After the Rank-Up (Absolutely Not Calm)
Lucien learned another important rule of the Imperial Academy:
Ranking up peacefully only meant the chaos was delayed.
The common lounge was unusually lively.
Lucien sat on a couch, legs stretched out, sipping warm mana tea like a retired war veteran.
Across from him—
Elarion Sylvaeris was staring.
Not subtly.
Not politely.
Just… staring.
Lucien noticed. Smiled. Didn't stop sipping.
"…Do I have something on my face?" he asked.
Elarion blinked. "No."
She leaned closer.
"You feel… wider."
Lucien choked.
"WIDER?"
Seraphine, seated upside-down on the armrest like a bat, tilted her head.
"Your presence expanded. Like someone moved furniture inside your soul."
Lucien wiped his mouth. "I ranked up, not renovated."
KAEL ENTERS — VIOLENCE IMMINENT
The door slammed open.
Kael walked in, eyes locked on Lucien.
The room temperature rose slightly.
Lucien sighed. "I'm guessing you felt it."
"I did," Kael said, cracking his neck. "Fight me."
Elarion immediately stood between them.
"No."
Kael scowled. "Just one exchange."
Lucien raised a finger. "Counter-offer. Zero exchanges. I like my bones where they are."
Kael stared harder.
"…Coward."
Lucien grinned. "Strategist."
Seraphine smirked. "Coward strategist."
Lucien gasped. "Et tu, vampire?"
BRON'S VERY IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION
Bron walked in carrying a crate.
He stopped.
Looked at Lucien.
Sniffed.
"You're stronger."
Lucien nodded. "C Rank."
Bron grunted. "Good."
Then—
He handed Lucien a hammer.
Lucien blinked. "Why?"
"So you don't forget your roots."
"…I'm human."
Bron nodded solemnly. "Exactly."
No one questioned it.
ELARION'S SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
Elarion circled Lucien slowly.
"You ranked up without releasing your ice affinity."
Lucien froze. "…I don't know what you're talking about."
Seraphine leaned in. "Your mana smelled wrong."
Lucien stared at her.
"…Mana smells?"
She smiled sweetly. "To me."
Lucien leaned back. "Okay, new rule. No one sniffs me."
THE BLUE FLAME INCIDENT (MINOR)
Kael crossed his arms. "You used fire."
Lucien's smile froze.
"…What fire?"
Kael pointed. "That one."
A tiny flicker of blue flame hovered above Lucien's fingertip.
Dead silence.
Elarion's eyes widened. "That's not normal."
Bron squinted. "That's hot."
Seraphine's pupils narrowed. "That's interesting."
Lucien panicked.
He waved his hand wildly.
The flame vanished.
"That was—uh—alchemy residue."
Kael stared.
"…From ranking up?"
"Yes."
Everyone stared harder.
Lucien nodded confidently.
"No further questions."
ELARION & SERAPHINE VS LUCIEN
Elarion folded her arms. "You're hiding something."
Lucien smiled brightly. "I hide lots of things."
Seraphine leaned closer, whispering.
"You hid your ice. Now you hide fire. Next you'll tell me you're normal."
Lucien laughed. "That would be the biggest lie yet."
FRIENDSHIP MOMENT (RUINED IMMEDIATELY)
Elarion smiled softly. "Still… I'm glad you're safe."
Seraphine nodded. "Yes. It would be annoying if you died."
Lucien placed a hand on his chest. "Touched. Deeply."
Kael scoffed. "Don't get sentimental."
Lucien looked at him. "You sensed me first."
Kael turned away. "…So what."
Lucien grinned wider.
ENDING CHAOS
A notice crystal suddenly lit up.
ACADEMY ANNOUNCEMENT:
C-Rank Dungeon Access Granted.
Teams encouraged.
Hidden floors may exist.
Everyone slowly turned to Lucien.
Lucien blinked.
"…Why are you all looking at me?"
Seraphine smiled dangerously.
"Because trouble follows you."
Elarion nodded. "And hidden floors."
Kael cracked his knuckles. "Dungeon."
Bron picked up his hammer. "Loot."
Lucien sighed, standing up.
"Great. I rank up once and now I'm a quest marker."
He paused.
Then grinned.
"…Alright. Party up."