Bones and Nannan kept a casual distance behind the students from Wilton Academy. They didn't want to make it obvious they were following them, especially not here, where eyes were everywhere. If anyone noticed or pointed it out, it could spark an entirely different rumor.

One that neither of them wanted.

It could give people the idea that the top students of Central Academy actually saw Wilton Academy as some kind of rival.

And that couldn't be further from the truth.

They didn't view the Wilton students as equals. They weren't watching them out of fear or concern. No, it was curiosity, annoyance, even. Bones and Nannan simply wanted to remind everyone, especially these overconfident newcomers, why Central Academy was the top-tier institution.

They followed them through the fairground paths, passing other booths and attractions, until they saw the Wilton students enter one of the lecture halls for a presentation. Bones and Nannan exchanged a look.

There was no point in going in there. It wasn't the kind of place where they could prove superiority. A lecture was just words and theory.

So, instead, they decided to wait outside near the event's entrance. While they loitered casually, trying not to look too obvious, three more figures approached.

"What are the two lovebirds doing just standing outside one of the venues for?" a familiar voice called out mockingly. "Shouldn't you guys be off training or getting some rest before the next round?"

Bones instantly recognized the voice.

He turned and saw three other students, each one dressed in the same uniform as them. But these weren't just any Central Academy students.

These were top students. The elite of the elite.

And at the center of them stood a spiky-haired blonde with a small scar above his eyebrow, Kayzel.

He stood out for multiple reasons. First and foremost, because many believed him to be the strongest student at Central Academy. Not officially, of course. There were no rankings, not for students at their level.

The academy itself actively discouraged high-tier students from fighting one another.

There were two reasons for this.

The first was simple: raw power. The top students were so strong, many of them could rival the professors, some were even believed to be stronger. Their unique affinities and rare traits made them incredibly dangerous.

If two of them were to fight seriously, the staff had no reliable way to stop it.

Even with advanced healing magic, some attacks left behind effects, lingering, dangerous side effects that even the best healers struggled to remove.

The second reason? Secrecy.

Many of the most powerful students had been instructed by their families or guilds to keep their abilities hidden. Some hadn't even revealed their true affinities or unique traits to anyone. Even professors pretended not to know.

But everyone still had their assumptions. Based on what had been seen, glimpses in sparring, rumors passed between students, most believed Kayzel sat firmly at the top.

He was rarely seen without his two close companions: Rupert, a light-skinned boy with short, orange hair, freckles, and a round face; and Ponzo, shorter and stockier, with sharp, glaring eyes that seemed to constantly size up everyone he met.

Kayzel wasn't just known for his strength.

He was feared.

A notorious bully, Kayzel frequently targeted students far weaker than him, using his power to humiliate or dominate them. His position in the academy protected him, teachers and professors turned a blind eye. It was no secret. Everyone knew.

There were even cases of students who simply… disappeared. Ones who stopped attending entirely after Kayzel chose them as his target. And even their parents had been powerless to intervene.

Kayzel's connections ran deep, so deep that few dared question him.

And then there was the scar. With access to elite healers, he could've removed it easily. But he hadn't. He kept it like a symbol. A mystery.

No one knew what caused it. But everyone knew it had meaning. And whatever that meaning was, it wasn't good.

Now, seeing him here in person, Bones kept his tone neutral.

"Kayzel," he said with a nod. "Not much. But maybe something you'll find interesting. We came across a few Wilton Academy students earlier."

He paused briefly, careful about how much to say.

He didn't want to mention what Nannan had gone through. That wasn't something he was willing to admit in front of Kayzel, especially not if there was a chance Kayzel would laugh at them for it.

"We saw a few of them acting pretty cocky at one of the stalls," Bones continued. "Trying to show off in front of our academy's students. Thought we'd stick around and wait for them to join another event, see if we can show them the gap in power."

He left it there.

If Kayzel was interested, that was enough.

And sure enough, Kayzel tilted his head, his smirk widening.

"Oh?" he said. "That does sound interesting. Maybe I'll hang around for a bit. See what happens."

Exactly what Bones was hoping for.

Kayzel had a reputation, one beyond bullying. He loved humiliating people, especially those who thought they were something special. And once he got involved, Bones and Nannan wouldn't even have to lift a finger. The job would do itself.

They waited together, watching the venue entrance until, eventually, the Wilton students reemerged and continued walking through the fair. Bones, Nannan, Kayzel, Rupert, and Ponzo quietly followed at a distance.

Finally, the Wilton group stopped near another attraction. It was one of the larger stalls, and the setup was interesting enough to draw attention.

Moze leaned in, eyes gleaming.

"Oh, this looks interesting," he said.

On a raised platform was a large rectangular slab of metal at the center. Two students stood on opposite ends of the slab inside glowing magical circles. Their auras were already active.

The rules were simple: use magic to push the metal slab toward the opposing side. It didn't have to reach the very edge, just far enough that it would trigger the win marker, which would light up and declare the victors.

A contest of raw magical control and force.

"Oh! Two of us should totally try this out!" Moze added enthusiastically.

He wasn't quiet about it either.

The nearby students, Central Academy and others, overheard.

And that was when things started to get interesting.

****

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