Who knew that I would spend my first day in a teacher's office?! Certainely not me.

When the Class-A Scholar crashed above me, he even grabs me by the face and slams me down the floor. What am I a cusion?

"What is going on here?!" A teacher came, he sports flaming red hair and menacing green eyes, the same color as acid. His suit is tailored into a pitch black color that screams 'No funny business'.

"Oh crap it's a professor!"

"Mr. Alencon, Mr. Mckenna! To my office now!! You too B-Class!" He pointed at me.

The three of us were led to his office, he was Professor Kriswen Blackwell, the Special Fitness Instructor. He handles the necessary exercises needed for efficient mobility, as well as duelling and practical use of abilities.

Amidst the silence of the room, I sneezed violently. The other Class B student snickered while the Class A gave me a disapproved look that screams 'peasant'.

"Fighting in the first day and not even after the Morning Greetings and the Welcome Feast. Who struck first?"

"I did." The Class-B student said. "But only because he provoked me."

"And you even have this... scrawny lackey to hold him down?" Professor McKenna looked at me like it was unbelievable too.

"I just arrived when he was sent flying-"

"I believe I wasn't asking you yet. So please be quiet and wait for your turn." He said and I clamped my mouth.

'Endure it Marc...'

"Now, Mr. McKenna. Your side of the story."

"I just commented on how did he, a Class-B student , came to be a Scholar Student? And out of nowhere, he attacked me."

'Did... Did he just lie in front of a Professor?!'

A nifty perk of being a telepath. I could hear their thoughts loud and clear. Especially the lies.

"I see... And you?" He turned to me but waves his hand. "Nevermind..."

'The fuck?' I almost shouted but I held it in.

"Now then for my verdict. You three will engage in an all out brawl as your first practical assesment later."

'Wait what?! What about my side?!' I screamed internally.

"So you're sanctioning a formal duel against him?" McKenna smirked.

"Yes I am. And, you will be participating as well. You are an accomplice." Professor Blackwell told me. "What is your name again?"

"I'm-"

"On second thought... I don't care."

'Can I choke you with telekinesis sir? Just once?' I slapped myself when I thought that. Then I sneezed again.

"You two, leave. I need to have a word with this sneezing child." Alencon and McKenna left us alone. When the door closed, the Professor lets out a deep sigh.

"That was exhausting and its not even third period..." He complained for a solid 3 minutes and I sneezed again. Am I dying from this cold? He looked at me with a surprised look like he just realized I was there. Thanks teach.

"Oh right... sorry for snapping at you a while back. I needed to talk to you in private because of... VIP reasons."

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

VIP reasons? Ahh... right, both of them came from high prominent families.

"It's fine sir... though I could've wished you gave me a heads up." I said.

"Sorry, but I couldn't risk you nor my position, not when... The pact is in effect."

"What is in effect?" I asked then I remembered, a warning back when I was still living in the orphanage.

Dad pulled me and Elios inside when we applied for Lupus Alma, and Mom was there too. They disclosed to us of what is happening outside.

"You two are about to enter the strongest school in all of Deus Alma so you have every reason to know. The reason why Lupus Alma still retains the title of strongest is, the Student Council implemented a contract where not even the headmaster can interfere." Dad said.

"A contract?" Elios pondered.

"What is it about?" I asked.

"It's basically a conditional contract, if the current council still reigns supreme in the Crown Contest, All noble children will be immune from punishment." Mom sighs. "To think my Alma mater will be this far gone..."

"Wait... any punishment? That would give them too much power." Elios complained.

"I know... But Elios, you are also immune. Just know that you shouldn't enjoy it." Dad warned.

"Wait, what do you mean I'm the only one, what about Big red?" Elios asked with concern.

"Well... to their eyes, illegitimates and orphans are one and the same. So if they find out Marc is your adopted brother, he'll be met with harsh criticism and backlash. They will use him to target you."

"That's a stupid mindset." I blurted out. "But why are you telling us?"

"Just in case. If things go awry... Then I'm afraid not even the teachers can help you."

So that's what mom and dad meant. This contract... It's a pain in the ass for common folk like me. Because in the eyes of the public, adopted is another word for illigitimate.

"That's fine sir... You were just doing your job. But I'm telling you, I'm just coll-ACHOO!"

"That's enough... I know you were just there, but McKenna is adamant in not letting you off either. He, like most nobles and elites, hate the fact that there are Class-B below Scholars sullying the environment." Profesor Blackwell said with an agitated tone. "You sure you don't want to transfer to another place?"

"I know what I'm doing sir. Besides, my little brother is here, I need to shield him from them." I said, I made it my mission to protect Elios from the hard assed elitists.

"I see... Anyways, I didn't catch your name."

"Marc Callahan Noan. That's my name sir."

"Ahh, you're the eldest Noan. Well then, sorry for being rude, but. Welcome again to Lupus Alma, hope you can survive."

"I'm still forced to participate in that fight, aren't I?" I asked.

"I'm afraid so... You just have to say you forfeit. But knowing Argent McKenna, he won't let you. Your chances of survival is to make sure you say that you are forfeiting the fight."

"I'll do what I can." Forfeiting the fight, simple enough.

Once I left the office, someone grabs me from the shoulder and drags me to a secluded corner.

She had teal eyes, lighter than Conners, and her hair, was light gray almost silver. Then I look at her uniform, light brown. An A-Class. But the way she radiates her presence was stifling, like she really had the power to break my world in a single sentence.

"Hi! Sorry for shoving you. But I really need to talk to you." She said.

Huh?! What?! WHO IS THIS?

"Judging by your bewildered look I'm guessing this is not your average way of being greeted, but I'm pressed for time. What did you do to invoke Argent McKenna's anger?"

Okay this is getting stale...

"I. Am. Just. COLLATERAL!" I explained in duress.

"No need to shout." She raised her hands and she fixed my necktie and armband. "You're late. The adviser sent me to get you."

"Do you have a name so I could thank you?" I asked.

And she just laughed. "That's adorable shortstuff. But sorry, my name's not important here Marc Callahan Noan."

I froze. Why does she know my name?

"H-how-" She stopped me by pushing her index finger up my lips to my nose.

"Hush. You and I are not the same. Come on shorty. You'll get a demerit if you're late even further." She said and drags me toward the room.

My mind was going blank. How on earth am I going to live off the spotlight now? A Scheduled bout, a mysterious girl knows my name, and now... This?

'Hey kid... Guess who?'

It's shadow-like hands wrapped around me again, I could feel it smile behind my ear as it whispers its words.

It's my anxiety... And I could already feel my ability leaking out like water from a crack. This will not bode well.

So this... Is what it means to be in uncharted territory.