Originally uploaded Jan 18, 2023

Lucas Wykes Pov

My mother was a elf slave, chosen by my father to carry his child in order to further that offspring's capabilities.

It wasn't ethical in the least, but is a common enough occurrence in certain noble houses that nobody really bats an eye. And in return I was gifted with talents and raw strength that rivaled expert mages multiple times my age.

Everywhere I went I knew I was better than everyone there. If not yet, then eventually, with enough time I would grow to eclipse them. I was born as a natural genius.

But that is not how my father saw it. In his eyes I was just a failed attempt at recreating his greatest accomplishment.

My older brother, Bairon Wykes.

He was a pure-blooded human, yet his mana control and talents far surpassed my own. My father believed he was the key to push our family status even higher, but when the King of Sapin chose him to be his lance, it dealt a great blow.

While my father objected to that idea, my elder brother had other plans. While our father was a powerful man, both as a mage and as a noble, he couldn't do much against the king and his preexisting lance. Hence, he relented in the end, giving away Bairon in fear of being wiped out or being labeled as a traitor.

Soon his rage fell onto me. Desperate to makeup for the lose of his most promising tool he turned to me.

In turn I grew to be a hateful person, full or rage. Wanting to prove myself to the outside world. That was all I had left, the validation of my pitiful existence. That proud, pompous noble brat was all just a facade I kept up to in order to feel something, after what my family did to me.

Putting me through rigorous training with multiple tutors. I went through hell, all to try to force me to surpass my brother.

I've always proven that I was more of a genius than everyone else. But... genius as I am, I've never been praised once. As for the reason, it was always the same cold words that came out of my instructor's and father's mouth.

"Bairon Wykes was much better than you.

Arthur Pov

Meeting back up with Elijah after the entrance ceremony we were making our way through the school. Following the crowd without any real thought or reason.

"I feel like I become significantly less attractive when I'm next to you." Elijah sighed with his shoulders hunched.

"Relax, I have no plans being in a relationship of any kind for now." I try to hand wave it off but Elijah persists.

"That is what they all say! And you are the assistant director! The odds are just stacked against me." Elijah wailed.

Suddenly a large explosion startled Elijah as well as the other students walking nearby. After a quick exchange of glances, we shot off.

"I don't see how a shortie like you can even hope to be a proper augmenter. Why don't you stick to your caves and just make weapons for us instead."

"What did you just say? Who do you think you are!"

Even this time there are dumbass students making a fuse, a second-year student picking on a freshman no less.

"This could become dangerous." Elijah looked around where some of the students had deliberately walked around the two of them. Elijah had waited for me so we were some of the last to leave the auditorium. So that could minimize the damage if they were some.

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But I couldn't let that happen, I was assistant director after all. Even though that title held very little value to me.

Stepping towards the young boy I put my hands on the second-year students shoulder.

He violently ripped my hands away as he turned to face me. I had expected him to back off when he saw who it was but he only seemed to get more furious.

"Oh? It's Mister hotshot over here coming to educate me. We all know that your family just pulled some strings for you to be here!" He yelled in my face as Sylvie, still perched atop my head covered her ears.

Placing my hand on his shoulder again I apply just a bit more pressure this time. Instantly he folded like a piece of paper, planting his face onto the marble ground.

'Oops, that might have been a bit too much.'

He quickly got up, wiping to blood that was dripping down from his broken nose. It seemed I might have broken more than his nose, as he was visibly fuming with pure rage.

"How dare you! I am the eldest son of-" Before he could finish a female voice rang out.

"That's enough." The voice wasn't loud, but it held authority. We all turned to see who it was. A girl with a slightly different uniform was marching towards us with the first-year student council members just behind her.

The boy's face turned white, judging by how he seemed to know her I guess she was a second-year.

"What do you think you were doing to a freshman?" She took a step forward, her eyes boring down on the student, who seemed to shrink before our very eyes.

"I-I simply wanted to scare the boy, I never planned to stop before-"

He couldn't finish his sentence before she got tired of listening to his excuse and dismissed him with a simply wave.

She then turned towards me, as her long navy hair fluttered with her motion.

There was more than anger or annoyance in those crimson eyes. A hint of wonder, caution, but most importantly underlying all of it was a sense of curiosity.

'What are they playing at? Was this her plan or his? Nevertheless it would be rude to not accept when they delivered such a good tool right in front of my door.'

The second-year student then slightly bowed her head as a sigh of greeting and respect. I might be a year younger but at this school, as assistant director I was above her.

"Greetings Assistant Director Arthur. I am Caera Denoir, a second-year member of the student council."

***

Stretching my limbs as I sat on large luxurious couch in Cynthia's office I stared up at the ceiling. A large beautiful chandelier hung from it, with several light emitting artifacts that help illuminate the large room.

"Never took you as one to flaunt wealth." I said flatly as I continued staring up at the ceiling.

"I do need to uphold my image somewhat." Cynthia helplessly said as she sat across from me on an identical couch.

"But never mind that, you look like you could use a break." She added, noting my condition.

"I need a vacation, that's what I need. Never thought assistant director stuff would be so draining." I replied as I hung my head low. I would rather spend a month fighting mana beasts nonstop than deal with these students.

"It's hard to imagine you were that little monster child I met several years ago.I also heard you don't get along to well with a certain fire mage?" Cynthia chuckled at my state.

"I'll deal with that boy when the time comes, but I was merely just humbling the child." I replied with a with of venom.

"To call a member of the Wykes household just a boy. Please don't do anything that will make more paperwork Arthur." She replied half-jokingly.

"Not to mention, embarrassing an instructor and having him dismissed from the academy entirely! I'm beginning to regret making you assistant director. You've been causing a bit of upset." She said with a sigh.

"Anyway, why are you here Arthur, I doubt it's just to have a friendly chat. You only see me when you need something." Her eyes narrowed as if trying to peer into my soul.

"Oh come on. I can't meet a fellow director for some banter?" I asked back as I put up a friendly face.

Cynthia continued to stare at me for a while before I relented.

"What do you know about Caera?"

"The second-year? She's from a standard noble house, though she was accepted on her own merits and not her family's." She replied as she went to her desk drawer trying to dig up something.

Soon she returned with a folder in her hand as she placed it down on the low table between us. Opening the folder, it was pretty standard stuff. Her name, her parents, comments from her instructors, general stats and info.

"My my Arthur, don't tell me the elf princess wasn't enough for you?" She coyly asked with the ends of her mouth forming a wide smile.

'This old hag.' I thought as I placed to file down.

"You know that this isn't what I want. I asking if you know her true identity." From the tone I used Cynthia could figure out this was a serious matter.

She seemed puzzled at first as I could see the gears in her head turning.

"You and I both know there are Alacryian spies littering this continent. Did you think you would be the only one they would send to merge into our society?"

"Are you saying-" Before she could finish a firm knock interrupted us.