After a grueling yet exhilarating training session, I returned to my room with a sigh of relief. My body ached from head to toe, but my mind was still alight with the thrill of my earlier triumph.

As I collapsed onto my bed, a quiet knock at the door caught my attention. Dragging myself upright, I opened it to find one of the academy guards standing there, holding out an envelope with a polite nod.

"A message for you, Mr. Griffith," he said.

I thanked him with a small nod of my own and closed the door, curiosity piqued by this unexpected delivery. Who could be writing to me?

Once I was alone, I carefully unsealed the envelope. Inside was a handwritten letter, penned in an elegant, flowing script.

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the familiar handwriting. It was from my parents. They’d taken the time to write to me!

_"My dear Griffith,

It has already been three days since you left the village to join that prestigious academy. Your father and I can’t stop thinking about you and wondering how you’re doing.

We sincerely hope your transition has gone smoothly and that you’re settling into this new life. We know how much this opportunity means to you, and we are so proud to see you chasing your dream.

Your father has been telling everyone in the village about you. They’re all amazed by your exceptional talent and determination. Rest assured, you have the full support of our entire community.

We’re following your progress closely, and every bit of news we hear about your achievements fills us with joy. Keep working hard, dear Griffith. I’m certain your efforts will pay off.

Remember, no matter what happens, your father and I will always be here for you. Please don’t hesitate to write us often—we want to hear everything about your new life at the academy!

With all our love,

Your parents who think of you every day."_

When I finished reading, I stayed motionless for a long moment, clutching the letter tightly to my chest. A wave of affection and gratitude washed over me, leaving me breathless.

My parents… Even though I was far away now, they hadn’t forgotten me. They still cared, still supported me with all their hearts.

A lump formed in my throat, and it took everything I had to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Their kindness and unwavering support warmed me to the core.

I read their words again, letting the comfort and encouragement seep into my spirit. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew I could count on them.

With a deep breath, I carefully folded the letter and placed it in a drawer alongside other cherished keepsakes. Their words had lifted my spirits and reignited my determination to succeed.

Exhausted by both my emotions and the day’s efforts, I let myself fall back onto my bed, closing my eyes for a moment. A peaceful smile spread across my face.

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Even though we were miles apart, my parents were still with me in spirit. And that certainty filled me with a quiet, steady joy.

Slowly, I felt myself drifting into a deep, restorative sleep, cradled by the warmth of their love.

But deep in the night, I was jolted awake by an urgent need. Groaning in protest, I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled toward the shared restroom.

Just as I reached for the door, a strange sound caught my attention. Pausing, I strained to listen—a soft gurgling noise, followed by a long sigh of relief.

Curious, I pushed the door open slightly and peeked inside. In the dim light, I could make out the silhouette of someone leaning casually against the wall. Another student. From his posture, it was obvious what he was doing.

Clearing my throat to announce my presence, I startled him. He jerked upright, clearly caught off guard.

"Who’s there?" he snapped, his tone defensive.

"It’s me, Griffith," I replied calmly.

There was a pause, and then his voice rang out again, laced with irritation.

"Oh, it’s you. The so-called prodigy of the B+ rank."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his biting tone. "Well, good evening to you too. Sorry if I interrupted you."

"Interrupted? Yeah, that’s putting it lightly," he grumbled. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

"I came to use the restroom, same as you," I said evenly. "I didn’t mean to intrude."

He let out a derisive snort. "Yeah, well, let’s hope you’re not here to steal the spotlight again, huh?"

I frowned, confused by the hostility in his voice. "I’m not sure what you mean by that. I’ve no intention of—"

"Shut up!" he snapped, cutting me off. His voice was sharp, almost venomous. "I know exactly what you’re up to. The professors love you, don’t they? With your flashy performances, you make the rest of us look like nobodies!"

He stepped closer, his dark gaze boring into mine. "Listen, newbie. Stay out of my way if you don’t want trouble."

Taking a steadying breath, I met his glare without flinching. "I understand your frustration," I said carefully, "but your progress is your own. I’m just doing my best, like everyone else."

He narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed by my calm response. "Yeah? Well, keep your ‘best’ to yourself. Because I won’t let you overshadow me again."

I couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at my lips. "If that’s the case, I look forward to seeing what you’re capable of in the next training sessions."

His fists clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might take a swing at me. But instead, he let out a low growl and turned on his heel.

"We’ll see, prodigy. Just stay out of my way, or you’ll regret it."

With that, he stormed off, leaving me alone in the quiet of the night. Watching him go, I shook my head, a wry smile on my face.

It seemed this student had decided I was his rival, whether I liked it or not. But I had no intention of letting his hostility shake me.

Shrugging it off, I finally attended to my pressing need and made my way back to my room. As I lay in bed, my mind lingered on the strange encounter.

Why did he seem to hate me so much? Was it simple jealousy, or was there something deeper at play?

I didn’t have the answers, but one thing was clear: I wouldn’t let his animosity intimidate me. I’d come here to prove myself, and no one was going to stand in my way.

With that resolve firm in my heart, I let out a sigh and closed my eyes, staring at the vague outline of the ceiling. This academy had already proven to be full of challenges—both physical and emotional.

But I wasn’t about to falter. My parents’ unwavering support reminded me why I was here. They believed in me, and I wouldn’t let them down.

A determined smile curled my lips. No matter what lay ahead, I would keep pushing forward. For them. For myself. For my dream.