The academy bell rang, echoing across the yard like a warhorn. Today wasn't practice. Today was the first official academy exam—dueling and mana control combined.
And of course, my luck dictated that Kaelen was my examiner.
I shuffled into the exam hall, wooden sword in hand, robes slightly wrinkled, hair definitely messy.
Perfect. Totally professional. Totally inconspicuous.
The instructor's booming voice filled the hall. "Students, today you will duel randomly assigned opponents while managing mana. Success earns points for your family and recognition. Failure… is highly memorable."
I gulped. Memorable is one word for it. Absolutely disastrous is another.
I looked at my opponent—some Veyr student who looked like he could lift a small house. My knees shook. I bowed… and immediately tripped slightly. Professionalism intact.
Kaelen strolled past, smirking. "Ashcroft, try not to embarrass your family… or me."
"Yes, sir," I said, wobbling dramatically. "Totally confident. Very prepared."
The duel began. My opponent lunged with precision. I panicked, swinging my wooden sword in all directions. Somehow, by a mixture of instinct and luck, I deflected a strike.
Yes. Totally on purpose. Absolutely clumsy.
From the sidelines, Syria laughed hysterically. "I love the floor inspector style! Keep flopping like that!"
Selene tilted her head, observing quietly. Charlotte's glare pierced my soul.
By the second round, I was sweating, staggered, and probably smelled like defeat. Yet each accidental dodge and ridiculous flip somehow kept me alive.
Invisible genius in disguise. Perfect camouflage.
Kaelen stepped closer, watching my "flailing" sword. His brow furrowed. "Interesting, Ashcroft… you're hiding something."
I wobbled dramatically, pretending to collapse. "Oh, no… just exhaustion, sir. Weak… very weak…"
Syria clapped. "Best weakling ever! Totally winning by failing!"
Selene's gaze lingered on me a moment longer. Charlotte… still calculating death probabilities silently.
By the end of the exam, I had survived. Barely. Covered in dirt, slightly bruised, and still wobbling like a newborn foal. But my hidden skill had subtly shined, enough to make Kaelen pause and the princesses intrigued.
I bowed to the instructors and royalty, staggered dramatically, and muttered, "Yes… survived. Totally intentional. All part of the plan."
Step one: survive academy exams. Step two: remain unnoticed genius. Step three: keep everyone guessing. Progress: 100%.
And as I stumbled out of the hall, I couldn't help but grin faintly. Tomorrow… they'll start noticing me just a little. And I'll still be hilariously clumsy. Perfect combination.