The next day, the academy's large hall buzzed with murmurs as first and second- year students gathered for a general assembly. The third years were absent as always, perched in the peak of the academy building, shrouded In mystery, never descending to mingle with the others. A mixture of anticipation and curiosity flooded the hall.
Damian made his way through the hall, keeping to his edges, and paused briefly near Abby who was already at the hall.
" I see you're fully recovered"
"Oh, Damian, hey".
"How do you feel"
"Well"
"That's good to hear," Damian said as he saw her green orb glowing brightly
'i guess my theory was correct '
" I wonder why they summoned the whole first and second years" he said noticing how unusually quiet Abby was
"Yeah me too" Abby said but seem to want to say something to him but don't know how to word it "Damian.... Yesterday..." She began, her voice low, hesitant.
She opened her mouth but before she could let out a complete sentences, a military man dressed in all black uniform with gold stamps all over his chest area stepped forward, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Students, listen attentively for this important announcement"
A hush fell over the assembly. The tension in the room rising with every second.
The announcement came swiftly. "Clark Vahlrex, Luke Lannister, Duke Lannister will all be expelled due to failure in the special test hosted in the first year's class-B"
Gasps spread through the crowd. Whispers became murmurs, murmurs because outright chatter. For many, this was shocking -- expulsion so soon, a noble getting expelled, the first years class - C and D were especially surprised because they knew absolutely nothing about the special test, the second years were somewhat upset that they were also summoned, this was a first year issue and they should be training at this moment.
Some of the nobles in Damians class were very happy not only nobles but a lot of commoners too, Ren especially, he lingered somewhere in the assembly, quiet and satisfied with the chaos that had befallen Clark.
Damian allowed a faint smirk to ghost across his face, subtle enough for most to miss but sharp enough to reach Clark. The nobles face drained of colour as he stares at Damian in the mist of the crowd, eyes narrowing info slits of pure rage. His pride, already fragile, shattered under public scrutiny.
Even Damian's sharp observation could not have predicted that Clark would actually get expelled, he was actually surprised his dad would allow this. But Clark's parents power was useless in the face of the noble dragons.
Abby's family had learned immediately of what happened and what Clark did to their daughter, they immediately demanded he face the consequences. Even Levi's family and the other nobles present on the day Damian had exposed Clark in class heard of Clark's lost and supported the punishment, ensuring Clark could not escape the consequences. Damian was unaware of the intricate web of influence that had orchestrated this outcome.
Clark's jaw tightened, humiliation burned hotter than any injury he had suffered during combat. He could not believe the depth of his disgrace, he had tarnished not only his name but that of his family, his rage grew as he stared at damian's, lingering faint smirk.
In that moment, Clark's mind hardened. Every ounce of anger and hatred he had habored towards Damian crystalized into a single, unwavering thought.
"I will kill you"
The academy continued, oblivious to the silent duel of intent brewing between the two first years. Damian's calm composure remained intact, while Clark seethed in quiet fury, plotting and viewing vegence.
"Enough!" The man dressed in military uniform shouted "That being said, all second year student will undergo a special dungeon mission in the next 5 days. You're all dismissed"
Damian gazed at the officer but for some reason he couldn't see any orb around him, not on his head nor his chest.
"Well he got what he deserves" Abby said grabbing damians attention
"Uhmm yeah, definitely"
"Damian.... What happened at that dungeon yesterday" she finally spoke her mind "it...it was like you were using multiple affinities."
"What makes you say so"
"I saw you teleport behind Clark"
" My shadows makes me move really fast you kn..."
"Your shadow?, I'm sure they don't make you move faster than the eyes can see... Infact you didn't even move, I know what I saw, you just appeared behind Clark and that huge mirror that appeared right in front of me, that was also you"
"How can you be sure, maybe some else came to hel..."
"When an affinity is activated it's possible to sense it from the Nexus, I could sense different affinities from your Nexus, the shadow affinity was not what I sensed at that moment "
"I guess you haven't fully recovered, those hits from yesterday's fight is probably messing with your head" he said dismissively
"Damian, you can tell me anything. Please. I want to know, I saw what you did yesterday clearly.."
"It's nothing you need to understand " he said turning to leave
" It doesn't make sense Damian. You can't just leave it like this"
"I said it's nothing you need to understand " he said again, voice still soft but walking away this time
"Where are you from? What are you even? What family do you belong to?" She suddenly started asking questions which made him pause for a moment.
"Abby, that doesn't concern you. Let's just go to the training ground"
"If you don't tell me, I'll figure it out myself"
He turned towards her, cold and still, a dangerous edge settling into his eyes. "This does not concern you. Leave things as they are and don't go digging where you shouldn't"
Abby frowned, taken back by his sharp tone. She did expect him to snap at her. "I'll do it anyways" she muttered "I'll find out everything about you and your family if I have to, until I understand what I saw"
His expression hardened. The faint smile vanished, replaced by the mask of the boy who rarely let anyone see through him.
"I'm warning you"
"Are you threatening me?, is that supposed to scare me" Abby said but he said nothing. "I stood by yourside when Clark was about to beat you up, I took the hit for you and this is how you repay your friend , with threats and secrets?"
"Firstly, I never asked for your help and secondly we're not friends. We're just partners remember"
Abby was silent 'just partners' this clearly hurt her. " I should have never stood up for someone like you, you're just ungrateful" she said as she stormed off in annoyance.
Damian, felt a bit of sadness but didn't dwell on her departure. His attention shifted to the now materialized blue orb on everyone's chest that he could suddenly see
'This again?'