The tall, arched gates of Dorothrel Magic Academy's Eastern Dormitory loomed like a castle wall, its metallic vines and crest of the academy shimmering in the morning light. The dormitory itself was a beautiful structure — marble walls, enchanted glass windows, and floating lanterns that adjusted to the mood of the surroundings.
But Arin wasn't distracted by the elegance.
He was watching the people.
A long line of first-year students trailed into the courtyard. Staff in white robes directed them to check-in desks, handing over room slips and identity tags infused with mana. Students murmured around him—some in awe, others sizing up the competition.
Then came the laughter.
Cruel. Loud. Mocking.
Arin's sharp eyes turned toward the left side of the courtyard, near the fountain engraved with mythical beasts.
A group of finely dressed boys and girls — clearly nobles — stood in a semicircle around a thin, trembling boy with torn shoes and a patched robe. His ID tag slipped from his shaking hand and fell into the shallow water of the fountain.
"Did you drop something, commoner?" sneered a tall blonde youth, twirling a silver wand in his fingers. "Go ahead. Fish it out. Should feel natural to someone like you."
The other nobles chuckled.
The poor boy hesitated, clearly humiliated. His lips trembled, and he took a step toward the water.
Another noble girl, dressed in velvet and jewels, laughed.
"Careful, the fountain might freeze. You're already making the air filthy."
Arin felt something burn in his chest, but he held it down.
He walked forward, not making a scene, stopping just short of the group. His face was unreadable, calm.
He bent down, picked up the ID tag from the water, and gently placed it in the trembling boy's hand.
"You dropped this," he said, offering a small nod.
The nobles' laughter stopped.
The blonde sneered.
"And who are you supposed to be? His savior?"
Arin turned his gaze slowly toward him, his amber eyes unreadable.
"No," he replied quietly. "Just someone who doesn't find amusement in trash behavior."
Gasps echoed around the courtyard.
The blonde noble's expression twisted.
"You dare—?"
Before he could draw his wand, a voice thundered across the air, laced with mana that silenced the entire yard.
"Enough."
The staff had stepped in. A female instructor with a staff carved in runes approached, her glare enough to freeze the nobles.
"All of you," she barked, "Inside. Now. We do not tolerate such antics during entrance week. This is an institution of discipline, not a theater."
The nobles stepped back, scowling, but obedient.
The poor boy gave Arin a trembling thank-you and disappeared into the crowd.
Arin walked away without another word.
Inside the dormitory, the halls were split. Luxurious rooms with golden tags for elite students. Shared dorms with plain doors for everyone else.
Arin found his — Room 17C. A narrow space with two beds, a wooden table, and a small bookshelf. A cracked mirror hung above the wash basin. Nothing fancy.
He sat on the bed and let out a breath.
He wasn't surprised.
He had seen this all his life — the powerful stepping on the weak.
But this time, things were different.
This time, he could fight back… even if he had to pretend he couldn't.
As he unpacked his bag, placing the World of Body and Mind book on the shelf, he whispered to himself:
"Not yet."
"But one day."
"They'll remember this room. They'll remember my name."