Outside the academy, there was a market near it that never really slept.
Even this late, stalls were still open beneath rows of glowing light panels. Vendors calling out prices, drones hovered lazily overhead, and students moved through in loose groups, spending credits they probably shouldn't have.
Felix walked through it all with his hands in his pockets, relaxed as ever.
He stopped at a stall selling protein bars, scanning the options. Blue wrapper. Sweet variant. Liam had been annoyingly specific.
"Two of those," Felix said, tapping the counter.
The vendor nodded and began packing them up.
'I wonder what the others are doing back at the dorm.' Felix thought.
Not long, the vendor handed over the bag. Felix paid without even glancing at the price.
"Thank you. Have a great evening," the vendor said.
Felix flashed a grin, "You too."
After getting Liam's snack, Felix began walking elsewhere. He remembered telling Beatrix and Liam that he'd be heading to the market to restock on supplies.
Little did they know, that part was a lie.
He just wanted to clear his head.
Get away from the academy for a bit.
Especially after the warnings. Not just him—Beatrix too. Subtle looks. Quiet comments. Things said just loud enough to hear during combat class.
'Who do these second-years think they are?' Felix thought, his hand clenching slightly.
'We're supposed to be preparing to protect planets from unknown beings… and people like them still exist. Picking on the weak like it actually matters.'
He walked aimlessly for a while before noticing them.
Five students stood near the edge of the market path. One of them laughed at something another said.
They were taller. Older.
Their uniforms were worn differently—looser, less regulated. Like rules didn't apply to them the same way. Second-years.
The tallest among them turned his head slightly, his eyes settling on Felix.
He smiled.
It wasn't casual, but it wasn't friendly either.
He stepped forward.
"Well," he said, stopping a few feet away. "Isn't it Felix Blaze, huh?"
Felix forced a casual grin. "Looks like I'm famous."
The boy smiled wider. "Of course you are. Anyway, I'm Sevrin, a second-year."
Felix raised an eyebrow. The moment he saw the group of students, he had a feeling that they were second-years.
"Interesting. I'm Felix Blaze," he said.
Sevrin's smile twitched. "We know."
Felix's eyes narrowed just a little. Then he let out a quiet laugh.
Footsteps followed.
The others moved closer, spreading out without really trying to hide it.
"Relax," one of them said, lifting a hand slightly. "We're just talking."
Felix shrugged. "Figured."
Felix didn't move.
He stayed where he was, hands relaxed at his sides, posture loose like this really was just a conversation. But his eyes stayed on Sevrin. Not the others. Just him.
"Talking usually starts with names," Felix said. "You already did that part. What's next?"
Sevrin chuckled softly. "Straight to the point. I like that."
One of the others stepped closer. Another leaned against a railing nearby, arms crossed, watching Felix like he was something interesting rather than threatening.
"We've been hearing things," Sevrin continued. "About first-years acting out of line."
Felix tilted his head. "Out of line how?"
"Winning fights they shouldn't," Sevrin said calmly. "Standing next to people they shouldn't. Drawing attention."
Felix let out a quiet breath through his nose. "If this is about rankings, I don't really care. You second-years already had your time to shine."
One of the guys behind Sevrin laughed. Not loudly. More like a warning.
Sevrin's smile didn't fade, but something in his eyes hardened.
"Careful," he said. "Confidence is fine. Ignorance isn't."
Felix met his gaze fully now. The grin he usually wore didn't come back.
"You came up to me," Felix said. "Not the other way around. If you've got something to say, say it."
For a moment, the market noise felt distant. Like the space around them had tightened without anyone noticing.
Sevrin leaned in slightly. Not close enough to touch. Close enough to be deliberate.
"You're strong," he said. "Stronger than most first-years. Original bloodline. Everyone knows that."
Felix didn't respond.
"But strength draws expectations," Sevrin went on. "And expectations turn into pressure. Especially when you start associating with people who can't keep up."
Felix's jaw tightened.
"Say their names," he said quietly.
Sevrin straightened, amused. "You already know who I mean."
Felix took a deep breath, trying to calm down his growing irritation. "So this is a warning."
"Yes," Sevrin replied. "A friendly one."
One of the others shifted again. Another checked the path behind Felix, casual but not subtle.
Felix finally smiled.
It wasn't his usual grin.
"That's funny," he said. "Because where I'm from, warnings usually come after someone tries something."
Sevrin laughed, genuinely this time. "Relax. We're not here to fight. Not today."
He took a step back, giving Felix space again.
"Just remember," Sevrin added, turning slightly as the group began to move away, "when second-years get involved… it's never just about you."
Felix watched them go, his hands slowly curling into fists.
Only when they were gone did he let the smile fade completely.
"…Tch," he muttered. "Figures."
He turned back toward the academy, the weight of the encounter settling in.
Back inside the dorm, Liam was still inside the bathroom taking a shower, while Beatrix was now teaching Raze.
She cleared a small space between the beds with her foot.
"Stand there," she said.
Raze followed her order. "So… what exactly are we doing?" he asked.
"Footwork," Beatrix replied. "Everything else comes after."
She pointed at the floor. "Take one step forward."
Raze did exactly that.
"Once you improve your footwork significantly," Beatrix continued, "that's when I'll start teaching you more advanced things."
Raze nodded as Beatrix began demonstrating her stance and movement.
He tried his best to mimic her footwork. For a moment, he thought he had copied it perfectly.
"You didn't," Beatrix said.
Raze blinked.
"Your legs are too wide," she continued, eyes scanning him. "And your center is too high."
She shifted out of her stance and stepped forward, adjusting his footing with quick, precise movements.
"Relax," she said. "You're too tense."
Raze loosened his body slightly, making it easier for her to reposition him. Once she was done, Beatrix stepped back and returned to her stance.
"Now we'll do a light sparring session," she said. "Control the output of your strength."
Before Raze could respond, a system notification appeared in front of him.
[A strong opponent has been detected!]
[Defeat the student known as Beatrix Emberfall – Level 7+]
[Reward: 10 Instant Level Ups and 3 New Skills]
Raze's eyes widened.
For a split second, his mind raced. Ten instant levels. Three new skills. He could tell immediately—this quest was insane.
Then reality hit him just as fast.
'There's no way,' Raze thought. 'Beating her right now is impossible.'
Beatrix noticed his sudden focus and mistook it for readiness.
She moved.
Fast.
She feinted a punch toward the left side of Raze's face.
Raze reacted at the last second, raising his arm to block but her fist stopped short, hovering just inches away.
"You're reacting too slow," Beatrix said. "And you're moving purely on instinct."
She stepped back. "Again."
This time, Raze tried to advance first.
He never reached her.
Beatrix was already gone in a blur of movement.
She was already behind him.
Raze barely had time to register the faint trail of flames before she turned and lightly kicked the back of his leg.
His knee buckled.
Raze dropped, catching himself with his hands just before his body hit the floor.
He stayed on the floor for a moment, palms pressed against the floor.
Beatrix didn't move to help him up.
"That kick wasn't about power," she said. "You lost because you didn't feel where I was."
Raze pushed himself up, brushing his hands against his pants. "I didn't even see you move."
"That's the point."
She stepped back into place, but this time she didn't raise her hands.
"When someone's faster than you," Beatrix continued, "your eyes stop being useful. You have to read their intent, their weight shift and their breath."
Raze nodded slowly, replaying the moment in his head.
Before Beatrix could continue, the bathroom door slid open.
Steam drifted out as Liam stepped into the dorm, towel draped around his neck, hair damp and sticking up in every direction.
He froze when he saw Raze standing a little off-balance and Beatrix squared up in front of him.
"…Did I miss something?" Liam asked carefully.
Beatrix glanced at him. "Training."
Liam looked at Raze. "Why do you look like you just got folded?"
Raze sighed. "Because I did."
Liam winced. "Yeah… that tracks."
Beatrix exhaled quietly and lowered her stance. "That's enough for now. We can continue this later."
Raze nodded, though his legs still felt a little weak.
Before Liam could say anything else, the dorm door unlocked.
A familiar figure stepped inside, a bag hanging from one hand. He closed the door behind him and locked it.
"I have arrived," Felix announced, grinning.
He opened the bag and tossed something toward Liam.
Liam reacted instantly and clumsily caught the two sweet protein bars. His eyes lit up.
"You actually got them," Liam said.
"Told you I would," Felix replied, chuckling at Liam's reaction.
Beatrix didn't smile.
"Felix," she said calmly, her eyes narrowing slightly, "didn't you say you were also restocking on some supplies?"
Felix scratched the back of his head, his grin shifting into something more thoughtful.
"I didn't really find anything interesting," he said. "Most of the stuff was out of stock. Crazy amount of people at the market though."
He shrugged lightly, trying to play it off.
Raze didn't say anything.
Beatrix held his gaze for a second longer than necessary.
Then she looked away.
"Mm," she said softly, as if she accepted it. "Markets get like that."
Felix's grin stayed in place, but his shoulders eased a fraction.
Liam was already tearing open the wrapper. "Worth it," he said through a mouthful. "These things are impossible to find."
Felix laughed. "See? Essential supplies."
Raze leaned back against his bed, watching the exchange from the side.
Felix was smiling. Liam was already halfway through his snack. Beatrix had turned away, her expression unreadable.
Everything looked normal.
But somewhere deep inside the academy, Raze had the uncomfortable feeling that decisions were already being made decisions that had nothing to do with what the students wanted.