The announcement of the exam results sent shockwaves through the academy like a thunderclap on a clear day.
Top Student: Jon Snow (Saji)
Second Place: Rio
It was more than just names on a parchment—it was a declaration. The so-called "commoners" had outshined nobles who had trained their whole lives with the best resources the kingdom could offer.
Murmurs erupted among the students.
> "How did they beat us?"
"That bastard… I heard he doesn't even know how to write properly!"
"Rio must've cheated, there's no way someone like him placed second!"
Alphonse clenched the paper until his knuckles turned white, veins pulsing on his forehead. Behind him, Princess Christina stood silent, her royal pride wounded, while Roanna bit her lip in frustration.
Alphonse turned and stormed off, his pride injured beyond repair. "I won't be humiliated by some street rats," he muttered under his breath.
---
Later That Day – Training Grounds
Saji stood in the training yard, shirtless, sweat glistening on his body as he moved through an intricate sword form with mechanical precision. Each swing was crisp, controlled, deadly. Every motion was a display of power refined through countless hours of silent training.
Rio was nearby, practicing his stance corrections as he tried to find the perfect rhythm to his movements.
Suddenly, footsteps approached.
"You think you're something special, huh?" Alphonse spat, stepping into the training area with a sword in hand and several students in tow.
Saji didn't even pause. "Not really," he said calmly, finishing his form and returning his sword to its scabbard.
Alphonse stepped closer. "You think this is some game? You humiliated the nobles. You humiliated me!"
Saji's eyes slowly turned toward him, cold and emotionless. "I didn't take the exam to humiliate you. I took it to pass."
"You got lucky," Roanna interjected, her voice icy. "You and that other brat—Rio—you two are just experiments in charity."
Princess Christina remained quiet, watching Saji and Rio with unreadable eyes.
Alphonse raised his sword and pointed it at Saji's chest. "I challenge you to a duel. Right now."
Saji didn't even blink. "And if I refuse?"
"You'll be branded a coward."
A tense silence fell across the courtyard. Students gathered, sensing the weight of what was about to happen.
Rio stepped forward. "Saji—"
But Saji raised a hand to stop him.
"Fine. Let's settle this."
---
Duel Grounds – A Few Minutes Later
A circle was drawn. Instructors were alerted and stood nearby, reluctantly allowing the duel—noble politics demanded it. Celia arrived late and immediately tried to intervene, but it was too late. The duel was sanctioned.
Alphonse stood tall, arrogance in every breath. Saji stood calm, barely gripping the wooden sword they handed him.
"Begin!" the instructor shouted.
Alphonse lunged first, aiming a vicious slash at Saji's chest. But in the blink of an eye, Saji vanished from sight.
The crowd gasped.
Alphonse looked around, confused—until a shadow appeared behind him.
Thwack!
Saji's wooden sword struck the back of Alphonse's legs, dropping him to his knees. Before Alphonse could react, Saji's blade stopped inches from his throat.
The crowd was dead silent.
"I win," Saji said simply, stepping back.
Alphonse trembled. "Y-you…!"
"Don't challenge someone just to protect your pride," Saji added coldly. "Train harder."
Celia watched with a mixture of awe and horror.
Rio chuckled softly. "That's Saji for you…"
---
Later That Evening – Research Lab
Celia looked at Saji and Rio, both seated calmly while reading.
"You know you've stirred up a storm, right?" she said.
"I didn't do anything but take an exam and win a duel," Saji replied bluntly.
"You're drawing attention—dangerous attention."
"I'm used to it," he muttered.
Rio looked thoughtful. "Do you think they'll retaliate?"
"They won't forget this humiliation," Celia said gravely. "Especially Alphonse. His family's influence runs deep."
Saji stood up, his gaze intense. "Then let them come. I didn't reincarnate into this world to be stepped on."
---
Somewhere in the Noble Quarters
Alphonse sat in his private quarters, bandaged and brooding. Roanna stood at the window, arms folded.
"We can't beat him like this," she said.
"I know," Alphonse replied. "But we can find his weakness."
Christina sat quietly on a velvet chair. "Then we strike from the shadows."
The three shared a glance, a silent pact forming.