Cal woke a little later the next morning. It would be the first day of his Senior year classes and he found himself looking forward to it a little. The day would start with history and bookkeeping prior to lunch, with the rest of his courses following after.

Or it should have if he'd not exited his shower to find a message informing him of a change in schedule. And by that, he meant half his classes had been canceled and replaced with a singular other. One that he looked to be late for.

What the hell was AMC? Somehow doubted the movie theatre company had also found its way to this world. He would find out soon enough as he threw his blazer and tie on. It was sloppily done but Alice had already left for her class so no one was around to complain.

He left the dorms by his preferred method of the balcony. In his haste, it hadn't clicked where exactly the class was held. As he traveled the vaguely familiar path, it dawned on him.

"Fuck" He audibly cursed as the face of the worn-down stadium stared at him.

He put good thought into just turning around and skipping it. However, that would only delay the inevitable and might even turn the situation worse. Better to rip off the bandaid.

He entered through the same entrance he had previously. The locker room seemed tidier than last time, although it wasn't much of an improvement. He walked through it and into the stadium proper. Sounds of steel clashing echoed.

Appearing from the small tunnel, he spotted several figures on the field.

The drunk and prick were no surprise, but there were two others. Both had been on the stage the day before. Only one of them posed a problem.

The two fighting noticed his arrival and stopped their spar. Watching him with interest.

Cal trudged forward.

"Hey!" Cal yelled towards Ferguson who was standing on the sidelines, previously watching the bout. "I think you may have been drunker than usual when you submitted your class registry because I didn't sign up for it."

He was being fairly aggressive. That seemed like the sort of style to work on Ferguson.

"Might have had a drink or two." The man replied, patting his gut. " No mistake though."

"Oh" The crown prince approached with that smile from where he had been fighting "Hello, I don't believe we've met?"

Cal knew they'd made him 'average' but he sincerely doubted he was that forgettable. Was this guy actually keeping it a secret this time? Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Cal ignored him either way and spoke to Ferguson.

"You already fucked me with the exempt status." He didn't really care about not having to take the standard combat class but the easy grade would have been nice. "What you're up to now?"

"Nah, I was doing my duty as a" Ferguson scratched his head with a puzzled expression "whatcha call it."

"Educator" The prince supplied

"Yeah, that." Ferguson nodded and swept a hand to the small gathering "You belong in this here class."

"On what basis."

Ferguson looked at him like he was the biggest idiot in the world.

"What happened during my practical was a mistake" Cal pleaded his case "so just let me take the classes I actually want to."

"It was a mistake. I saw that clearly enough." Ferguson stared at him, his eyes unusually focused. "What happens when you mistake against someone who can't take it? You're liable to take their head off. Can't have that can we."

Cal's retort died on his lips. That was…a solid point. He wasn't prepared for a logical argument from the man.

"Got to get you used to fighting people folk, you've been fighting too many beasties. Gives bad habits that."

Cal did his best to not give anything away as he wound up his augmentation while sizing the man up.

"What makes you think I've fought them?" his voice came out steady.

"I watched your fight didn't I?" Ferguson gave a laugh. "You treated the boy like beasty, it's one of the reasons he led you around so bad"

Had he?

Yes.

He generally treated man and beast the same. The former just has a lot more weak spots to exploit.

Cal recalled his 'backstory', a convenient excuse coming to the forefront of his mind.

"I didn't have much of a say in the matter." Slaying a beast or two while running sounded believable. "Wouldn't be here today if I did."

"Aye" Ferguson looked at him with some pity "nasty tradition that"

Cal didn't have a chance to question what the man was on about.

"I did not know house Ardere had fallen so." The problematic student approached, a serious expression on his face.

What type of poor luck did he have to encounter the one guy he'd just been told to avoid on the second day of the week?

"House Ardere's affairs are none of your concern." He recited one of the lines Claire had drilled into him.

"I suppose that is true. I forget myself at times. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Marcus Procellae Heir apparent to the dukedom." The blue-haired man announced without a change in expression, a small incline in his head accompanying it.

Cal regarded him, not sure what course of action to take. He settled on a response "Names Callum."

Short. Simple. Who could find fault in that?

Marcus did if the twitch of his lips was any indication.

"You know I'm feeling a little ignored over here" The prince approached, placing himself between the two.

Cal walked to the side in order to face Ferguson again.

"You know how augmentation works. I pushed myself hard in the practical. If I did that constantly I'm liable to kill myself."

Ferguson fished in his pockets and produced a bag. He grabbed a handful of whatever was inside and shoved them into his mouth. His finger flicked and something shot out towards Cal.

Already prepared, he could see it was a seed of some type. He didn't make any moves, letting the seed impact his forehead. He stumbled back, satisfied he failed the stupid test. His body abruptly twisted to the side and a jagged spike of earth narrowly missed impaling him.

Sonofabitch!

"If you can spin up to that level in a second you're not in any danger of hurting yourself. Quit whining."

He swapped tactics, eyeing the flask on the man's waist.

"Tell me how many bottles and what type of alcohol I need to get to change your mind."

The man looked conflicted for a moment before shaking his head.

"Nah, too dangerous to let you loose on the rest of them. These ones can take it."

That earned a range of reactions. The prince's smile grew. The duke heir's head tilted slightly. And the final, unnamed student who had been fighting when he first arrived crossed his arms with a stern expression.

Cal had his own reaction that Ferguson noticed.

"Hmm, there's those eyes again. If you want a piece of me you're welcome to try. Won't end well for you, promise you that."

Must not murder the teacher. Murder bad.

Sometimes.

He looked at the others present.

Based on their order yesterday, that would make Marcus rank two and the stern black-haired man rank three.

This was going to be a headache. Ignoring the fact that he was supposed to not interact with Marcus, he was also meant to be playing it low-key. Being a part of this group seemed the exact opposite of that.

The worst of it was, from Ferguson's perspective it was the responsible action. Cal could admit some of his temper getting the best of him during that fight but if he had actually lost it, there wouldn't BE a prince.

On the bright side, there was no hilariously inadequate attempt to arrest him or evacuation sirens going off so his cover was intact.

"There's no reason to have such a glum look on your face." The prince walked up, his arm looking to invade Cal's personal space. "I'm sure we'll all get along famously"

Cal eyed the limb "Touch me and lose the hand" he declared with as much venom he could muster.

A blade was leveled in his direction, it wasn't from the prince.

"I'll ask you once to not threaten my liege." the third rank addressed him and Cal felt the man was hoping he'd contest that.

"Don't mind Benny too much" Rolland chuckled at his subordinate's ill intent. "He takes his future job very seriously."

"We've done enough blabbering. Go grab your weapon. I left it over there" Ferguson pointed.

Cal complied with some resignation. It took some trial and error to find it in the makeshift locker room. Once he did get it, he returned to the field. To find everyone waiting for his arrival.

"I'll be your opponent." Benny said with a solemn tone. Cal could detect a sense of superiority in it. "Try not to disappoint"

Cal looked to Ferguson and put out a hand.

"I'm not sharing" Ferguson clutched his bag closer and ate some more seeds.

"Aren't you supposed to give out those shield things?" They hadn't used them in the practical but no one was expecting it to go the way it did.

"Those things? Don't trust them. Besides you're not babies. We'll do it like I was brought up. Which means wailing on each other until I say so. Now get to your starting point."

Cal shrugged and absolved himself of any responsibility for what came next.

He twirled his spear while getting into position. His initial thought would be to thoroughly get his ass kicked. With further reflection, he could allow himself some leeway. Ferguson and Rolland had seen some of his strength and the former had shown he was willing to pull it out of him. If he visibly looked to hold back he was liable to get more earth spikes thrown his way.

He dug into his memory, gauging how much power he'd been using before that punch.

With his limit put in place, that didn't change the fact that he had no idea how to use this stupid spear. The spear Benny's eyes were honed in on…

There was no way that trick would work twice. Right?

"I'll allow you the first move" Benny stood twenty meters away from him. His weapons were a pair of daggers? No, they were too small for those. They resembled oversized knives more than anything else. He held them by his side, angled Cal's direction."You may not get another"

That was the idea.

Flames flickered to life at the end of his spear. Cal made a show of holding his free hand out. A circle appeared in front of it. Cal didn't like using them, they were mainly training wheels and anyone learned enough could predict your next move.

Which was what he was counting on as he carefully layered magic into what should have been a standard fireball. It was one of the most basic fire manifestations out there, Alice had used hundreds of the more advanced homing versions against him. He wasn't taking it to the extreme as was his usual method but there was more packed in there than one might expect.

He'd wager it would be far less head-turning than a brat half his height pulling off a life-like illusion in a fight.

His attack launched, speeding toward the dual knife wielder who moved out of the way.

The man had a cautious look on his face. He seemed to be taking this seriously, despite his provocations.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Cal flipped the mental switch and the magic he was still connected to expanded.

Benny's eyes widened in surprise as the 'simple' manifestation erupted outwards in a manner larger than predicted.

Cal rushed forward, entering the active explosion. He spotted Benny, unharmed. That was fine, that attack was never meant to cause any damage.

Cal thrust the spear forward and Benny acted on instinct, disarming Cal in a single exchange.

Also fine.

He'd let go of the stupid thing to grab something else.

His grip tightened around the man's wrist and he watched as the other knife careened towards him.

Too slow.

Benny's body was lifted in the air and swung down with a dull thump. Cal didn't let up, swinging him in an arc above himself and down into the earth again.

And then again.

And again.

Again…

It was remarkably difficult to concentrate when you were used like a drumstick at a metal concert.

Like with being stabbed, Cal had also learned that from experience. Now it was Benny's turn.

He could admit to being a little impressed that the shell hadn't cracked yet. Good for him.

A shadow, Cal's shadow, rose behind him. It didn't get a chance to do anything as Benny's form was used to bludgeon the thing. Cal would award points for sneakiness and then detract them all for using it on the wrong person.

Several times the man's free knife arm tried to stab at him. Every attempt failed as Cal rudely interrupted him.

Cal felt another presence and he swung his 'weapon' towards it, finding Ferguson in his path. He let Benny go, his limp form being caught for a moment before being dropped by the laughing man.

"Hahaha, I've been in my fair share of scrapes but that's one I've not seen yet. I almost forgot to save the poor lad"

Cal looked to the 'lad', who unsteadily got on his hands and knees; promptly hurling.

Understandable.

The fight had been the equivalent of an off-the-rails roller coaster for him, the nausea resulting from it lasting longer than mere seconds the ride took.

Cal had gambled that between the speed he'd used in his practical exam and his opponent's fixation on silly things like weapons, he might just eke out a win. One without pushing the boundaries of plausible further than he already had.

The other audience members approached.

"That was certainly" Marcus searched for the words "one method of fighting"

Rolland walked towards his subordinate, gently patting him on the back as the man recovered.

"Don't let it get to you Benny" The prince chuckled a bit. "He got me too."

Benny hurled again.

"Is that so?" Marcus couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice "I thought you two unacquainted."

"I held my tongue, seeing if he'd inflict what I endured on someone else" He shook his head while holding a hand to his face "I watched the dropped weapon and then missed the hand that held it. I felt quite the fool." Rolland pointed at the discarded spear "I have to ask, do you actually know how to wield that?"

"He doesn't." Ferguson answered for him. "That much is obvious"

Marcus ran his fingers on his weapon, a trident.

"To use a focus as a red herring, it's a risky move"

"He's right" Ferguson retrieved the spear for him, tossing it over "You seem to like your hands, why not use a pair of gauntlets instead of this thing"

Cal caught it. The reason was simply he didn't need one.

Focus were great in that they were able to purge the foreign influence from ambient magic, letting their users last far longer in fights than they otherwise would. In that sense, he already carried the greatest focus in the world.

He still had to pretend he needed one, and gauntlets would work better than a spear. Too bad the Ardere's storehouse was fresh out.

"Don't have any"

"Truly? Does House Ader-"

"Ardere's affairs are none of your concern" Cal cut off Marcus whose lips pressed together in a thin line. Cal thought he might retort but he simply nodded, accepting the rebuke.

There were a few dry coughs and his victim got up on shaky legs, supported by Rolland.

"I accept my defeat." He pushed away and stood on his own, addressing Cal "My name is Benjamin, no last name of note."

His demeanor had shifted, no longer holding that condescension.

Was this what they meant about guys becoming friends after beating each other up? Cal had never experienced it.

"I acknowledge your strength. However, do not believe your victory is assured in our next bout."

Next bout? Well, this class was small so that was inevitable. He didn't fancy his chances either if he were forced to use the stick to fight.

"Sure thing bud." Cal gave him a thumbs up. He could do more than burn bridges.

"If you wish" Benjamin wasn't finished. "I am willing to enter this as an official duel in recompense for my behavior."

"Don't do that." Cal was quick to shoot down that idea.

Alice would have his head if she found out he dueled with her say so.

"Most would jump at the opportunity to bolster their record. Trying to hide your ability then?" Rolland mused and then looked between Cal and the dukedom's heir. "well isn't this a predicament."

He must be aware of the two house's relationship or lack thereof now.

Marcus shifted his sight to the side, a frown on his face.

"As its been stated. Their affairs are their own."

Cal didn't know what to make of him. Alice had a bone to pick, but he'd not acted antagonistic towards him.

There was nothing for it. Either he keeps his word or he doesn't. Neither outcome would be the end of the world, despite one making life simpler.

—

Having already fought, none of the others wanted to spar without him at his alleged best. Cal had laughed at that, even if he was the only one in on the joke. Come to think of it, that Spirit could be peeping. It might have found it funny as well.

He should find time to visit the thing later. It must have had all kinds of stories, being alive for millennia and surviving the Fall.

The Fall, the history class he was meant to attend before Ferguson hijacked his schedule, would have touched on it. Given his grades in the written exam, he wondered if the theories for its cause were marked correct or if the Empire had other ideas.

He'd essentially written that it happened because the gods couldn't keep it in their pants, just more appropriately worded. It was difficult to believe that a base instinct like that could result in the collapse of a civilization, a survival rate of one in twenty, and the Waste being the scar it was.

He thought back on human history from his old word. Okay, maybe not that unbelievable.

Speaking to the Spirit about it was more appealing than finding out through the library where he'd have to dig through hundreds of books for an answer. It could lie to him but he'd still get a good story out of it.

Now that he wasn't in a rush, Cal noted the change in campus. It was more alive, having doubled the amount of students thrown on the grounds. Students more sure of themselves. Cal didn't like it, the sleepier campus was more his speed.

Done with his class, it was already midday. He'd been meant to eat lunch with Alice but sent her a text canceling it. He wasn't keen on telling her about his schedule change.

He threw away any thoughts of eating at the central dining hall after seeing the crowds. He ate in some out-of-the-way place near his next class.

It was nothing to write home about.

His first real, he wasn't counting whatever happened this morning, class from the Senior years proved to be a pleasant change of pace. The class size was small at ten students. Cal would have thought an intro to economics would have a bigger turnout. If that bothered the teacher it didn't show. She was young and had that bit of over-eagerness that was infectious to students.

By the end, even the most bored-looking in the class had been diligently paying attention. It was the sort of teacher he'd expected from the Academy's reputation. It set him up optimistically for his next class, his singular class dealing with practical magic.

Err.

Technically he now had that with Ferguson, but that was just hitting things.

Any positive thoughts died swiftly, as he entered the classroom. He recognized the two other occupants. The girl from the library, Mia, sat in a chair to the side of the teacher's desk. Reading a book in her lap as always.

At the desk itself, lay, and yes lay. Because he had his head down and was snoring, was the green-haired man who'd proctored his written exam.

For the second time today, Cal considered abandoning a class.

For the second time, he decided against it.

He was getting a damn magic class.

Cal glanced at the rest of the room, finding a place in the middle row and at the corner. He grimaced as he sat. Did this guy take the dust with him from the last place?

Cal manifested some wind, blowing some of it away.

"Huh" The nominal professor picked his head up and glanced at the broken clock on the wall. "I guess it's time" He gave out another yawn. "Mia, please" as soon as the words left him his head was once again against the desk, snoring away.

Cal's eye did not twitch at the display. Even if he felt his sanity slipping. The short exchange was enough for Mia, who closed her book and stood. She grabbed a slip of paper and a book from where the teacher now slept and walked over. Past all the other empty places.

"Syllabus" She placed the paper in front of him followed by the book. "Textbook

She turned around, returning to her seat.

"Hold up" Cal called out. "Anyone else coming?"

Her response did not come until she had been re-seated with the book in its normal place.

"No."

"Are you saying I'm the only one taking this class?"

"Yes."

"Isn't there a minimum class size?"

"Yes."

"Is it more than one?"

"Yes."

"So this class is canceled."

"No."

That didn't make much sense to him but she didn't look to be ready to elaborate any time soon.

Cal picked up the syllabus, hoping for better answers. He read the day one entry.

Introductions and icebreakers

Did he write this himself? The man hadn't even said his name.

This might be a dud.

Cal packed his belongings and rose. Pausing before he left.

"Since no actual teaching is going on, I'm heading out."

"Okay" Mia responded, clearly not upset at his declaration.

It was all sorts of disappointing.

At least more free time wouldn't go amiss. He took the long route back, prolonging his return to the dorms while also avoiding the traffic on the more heavily used paths.

A child blocked his way.

"Calum Ardere" The voice was low in pitch, sounding artificial "I challenge you to a duel."

Two thoughts crossed his mind.

First, how did the third prince know his name?

Second, what the hell was wrong with this family?