Nothing had changed.
And that was what made it the strangest.
The sky was still blue.
Classes were still boring.
Students were still noisy.
And Xavier L'Amour—
was still sitting in the very back seat.
As if—
the crystal had not shattered yesterday.
As if—
he was still nobody.
But now—
everyone knew—
that was a lie.
---
No one sat near him.
Not because of rules.
But because of choice.
The seat to his left was empty.
The seat to his right was empty.
The row in front of him—
empty.
A circle of silence.
Like a forbidden zone.
Some students glanced at him.
Then quickly looked away.
As if afraid—
to be seen looking at him.
Xavier rested his chin on his hand.
"…Did I turn into a disease or something."
he muttered.
He smiled faintly.
But his eyes—
did not smile.
---
The classroom door opened.
The instructor entered.
Magister Orion Halcyon.
A tall man.
Long black hair tied back.
Golden eyes.
A high-level Light Arcanum user.
Normally—
he was calm.
Today—
he looked at Xavier.
A little longer.
Only one second.
But enough.
"…Let's continue the lesson."
he said.
As if nothing had happened.
But everyone—
felt it.
---
Today's lesson:
Arcanum Manifestation Theory.
Ironic.
Orion wrote on the board:
> Arcanum is a reflection of the soul.
It is the shape of will.
It is identity.
He paused.
Then added:
> And identity—cannot be empty.
Silence.
Some students—
glanced at Xavier.
Orion continued.
"…If someone has no Arcanum, there are only two possibilities."
He raised two fingers.
"First—his soul is too weak to manifest an identity."
Some students nodded.
That was the common theory.
"And second—"
He stopped.
The room felt heavier.
"…his identity cannot be understood by the world."
Total silence.
Xavier did not move.
But for the first time—
he felt—
those words—
were aimed at him.
---
After class ended—
Xavier stood up.
Ready to leave.
"Xavier L'Amour."
Orion's voice.
Calm.
Not loud.
But impossible to ignore.
"…Yeah?"
Orion looked at him.
Deeply.
"…Archmagus Valerian is calling for you."
Several students stiffened.
Being summoned by an Archmagus—
was not a small matter.
Even geniuses like Seraphine—
had never been summoned directly.
Xavier pointed at himself.
"…Me?"
Orion did not answer.
He didn't need to.
---
The Observatory Tower.
The highest place.
The quietest place.
Xavier stood before the large door.
"…Can I run away?"
No answer.
He exhaled.
Then—
entered.
---
The room was vast.
Filled with ancient artifacts.
Old books.
And at the center—
Archmagus Valerian Noctis.
His back to Xavier.
Looking at the sky.
Without turning around—
he spoke.
"Are you afraid?"
Direct.
No preface.
Xavier thought for a moment.
"…Yeah."
Honest.
Valerian nodded slowly.
"Good."
He turned around.
His old eyes—
sharp.
"But not for the reason you think."
Silence.
Valerian walked closer.
Slowly.
Each step—
felt heavy.
"…Do you know what Arcanum is?"
he asked.
Xavier shrugged.
"Power."
Valerian shook his head.
"…No."
He stopped.
Right in front of Xavier.
"…Arcanum is proof that the world acknowledges your existence."
Silence.
"…And the world—"
He looked straight into Xavier's eyes.
"…cannot read yours."
Those words—
felt like a verdict.
---
Xavier didn't know how to respond.
For the first time—
he had no joke.
No mask.
Only—
silence.
Valerian kept staring at him.
Then—
asked:
"…How many times have you almost died?"
Xavier froze.
"…What?"
Valerian did not avert his gaze.
"…And survived."
Silence.
Xavier did not answer.
But that—
was already enough.
---
Valerian turned away.
"You may leave."
Just like that.
Xavier blinked.
"…That's it?"
"…For now."
Xavier didn't move.
"…Am I dangerous?"
Silence.
Valerian did not answer immediately.
Then—
"…Not yet."
That—
was more frightening than "yes."
---
Xavier left the room.
His heart felt heavy.
His mind was full.
And for the first time—
he asked himself:
What am I, really?
---
Inside the room—
Valerian was no longer alone.
Caelum Argentis stood in the shadows.
"…Are you sure?"
he asked.
Valerian closed his eyes.
"…No."
He opened them again.
"…And that is the problem."
Silence.
"…If that is true…"
Valerian whispered.
"…Then this world will change."
---
And below—
Xavier L'Amour walked alone.
Not knowing—
that his existence—
had already begun—
to disturb the foundation of reality.