"Even the most powerful minds need time to breathe."
_ _ _ _ _
After the first round of classes, a well-earned break was given to the students. A few hours before their afternoon lessons, students were free to relax, socialize, or prepare for the challenges ahead. It wasn't much, but in Academia Noctis, it was enough to catch your breath before the pressure ramped up again.
Lucian found himself sitting on one of the stone benches in the central courtyard, a wide expanse of green space where students of all houses gathered. The atmosphere was lighter than it had been in the classrooms, with a few scattered groups engaged in casual conversations, others with books in hand, while some students simply sat in silence, taking in the serenity that the academy offered.
Lucian leaned back, feeling the weight of the morning's intense classes lift slightly. He didn't have any pressing assignments to tackle yet, but the constant sense of urgency still lingered. He couldn't afford to fall behind—not when the competition was so fierce. He closed his eyes briefly, allowing himself to enjoy the brief moment of peace.
A sudden voice broke the silence.
"Lucian Vale, right?"
Lucian opened his eyes to find Kael Ardyn walking up to him, the ever-confident and slightly mischievous fire-haired student from House B. Kael had that air of someone who never seemed to take anything too seriously.
"You look like you could use some company," Kael said, flashing a grin as he sat beside Lucian without waiting for an invitation.
"I don't mind a break," Lucian replied, sitting up slightly. "How's the day treating you?"
Kael shrugged. "Same old, same old. Classes are easy enough to breeze through, but I can already tell the next few weeks are going to be a different beast altogether. The competition here isn't just about talent—it's about who you can outwit. Can't say I'm surprised, though."
Lucian nodded thoughtfully. "It's not just the classes that will challenge us. It's everything else—the politics, the secret agendas, the games we'll have to play just to stay ahead."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Already thinking about all that? Well, that's the spirit of Academia Noctis for you. It's not about being the best on paper—it's about who can maneuver in the shadows."
Before Lucian could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Well, well. Looks like you two found each other," Nyra said, walking up with her usual calm demeanor. She gave Kael a brief nod before sitting on the bench opposite Lucian. "I was just on my way to grab a drink, but I saw you here and thought I'd join."
Lucian didn't say anything but gave her a small smile. "You seem to be everywhere these days."
Nyra grinned. "Just keeping an eye on things. You never know what's happening around here."
Kael laughed, the sound light and easy. "She's always looking for a chance to uncover the secrets that are hidden around this place. If you're not careful, Lucian, you'll get caught up in one of her schemes."
Nyra rolled her eyes. "Not every conversation needs to be a scheme, Kael. Some of us just enjoy a good conversation." She turned to Lucian. "So, how are you finding the place so far? Other than the pressure, I mean."
Lucian leaned back on the bench, his fingers tapping lightly on his leg as he thought. "It's... overwhelming, to be honest. But it's exactly what I expected. A place where the stakes are high and everything seems to revolve around proving yourself."
"You'll get used to it," Kael said with a smirk. "Just don't let anyone get under your skin. You'll make plenty of enemies here. Trust me."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Enemies, huh? I thought we were all supposed to be on the same team."
"Not everyone thinks that way," Nyra replied. "There are a lot of people here who would do anything to climb higher in the ranks. And that means stepping on whoever gets in their way."
Lucian glanced at her, intrigued by her matter-of-fact tone. "And you're not worried about that?"
Nyra gave him a sharp look. "I've been here long enough to know that survival means playing the game. I don't take it personally. But you? You've got a lot of potential. Just don't let them use it against you."
Before Lucian could respond, a bell rang, signaling the end of break time.
"Well, that's our cue," Kael said, standing up. "Let's head back to class. The real fun starts after this."
As the trio made their way back to the main building, Lucian felt a mix of anticipation and wariness. The conversations had given him a clearer picture of how ruthless Academia Noctis could be. There was no room for mistakes here. Every move had to be calculated, and every person had their own agenda.
But for now, Lucian would take it one step at a time. He wasn't here to just survive. He was here to win.
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