Adrian’s chest tightened as Ms. Greythorne’s words landed like stones in his gut. He cast one last look at Curties, who wore a smug grin. Of course, he gets off scot-free. Typical.

  “Move,” Ms. Greythorne commanded. She gestured sharply toward the path back to the academy. Adrian swallowed his protests and followed, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

  The path felt as if it stretched endlessly as the air between them was thick with tension. Only the dry rustle of leaves stirred by the wind and the gravel crunching beneath their boots dared to break the quiet. Adrian kept his gaze fixed on the ground, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Here we go again.

  “What were you thinking, Adrian? Do you enjoy making my job harder?” Ms. Greythorne asked.

  Adrian pressed his lips into a thin line. “He was bullying another student, and he was also the one who provoked me. In either case, I couldn't let things stand."

  She stopped abruptly, the suddenness of her movement forcing him to halt just short of colliding with her. When she turned, her sharp eyes pinned him in place. “And you thought throwing fire around like some reckless street brawler was the answer?”

  Adrian’s jaw tightened further. “I tried to avoid the fight, but he wouldn’t back down.”

  “And you couldn’t walk away? That would have taken far more strength than indulging him.”

  Adrian dropped his gaze to the ground, the gravel blurring under the heat of his frustration. Easy for her to say. Anger burned beneath his skin, mingling with a sense of helplessness that twisted in his chest. She’s probably afraid to deal with the consequences of actually punishing students that misbehave in the academy.

  The rest of the walk passed in brittle silence. Adrian just kept to himself for the most part, knowing that saying too much could prove to be disadvantageous for him. And before long, both he and Ms. Greythorne arrived in front of the Principal's Office again.

  Ms. Greythorne knocked once,before pushing the door open without waiting for a reply. Inside, Principal Myrael Faesbane sat at her desk, her crimson lips curved into a faint smile, one devoid of warmth, as her piercing gaze lifted from the stack of papers in front of her.

  “Well, this is becoming quite the habit, isn’t it?” Hpale fingers steepled in front of her as she leaned forward slightly, her presence filling the room like an approaching storm.

  “Principal Faesbane,” Ms. Greythorne said with a formal tone, “I caught Adrian engaged in an unsanctioned duel with Curties near the eastern clearing.”

  Myrael’s brows lifted slightly, though her expression remained calm. “Adrian, you do have a knack for finding trouble, don’t you?”

  Adrian stood rigid, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. “I just did what I believed was right."

  Myrael's smile didn’t waver, though there was a flicker of impatience in her eyes. “Ms. Greythorne, I’ll take it from here."

  Ms. Greythorne hesitated, her gaze darting to Adrian, who kept his eyes fixed on the floor. She exhaled sharply, the tension in her stance palpable. “As you wish, Principal Faesbane. But I expect this matter to be handled appropriately.”

  “Rest assured, I’ll ensure Adrian gets exactly what he needs.”

  Ms. Greythorne cast Adrian one final, cutting glance, her gaze heavy with a mix of frustration and warning. Without another word, she spun on her heel before striding out of the office. The door soon closed behind her with a muted click.

  The stillness wrapped around him, thick and stifling, broken only by the faint rustle of paper as Myrael shifted her focus back to him. Her presence filled the room like smoke, impossible to ignore.

  “Sit,” she said, gesturing toward the chair across from her desk.

  Adrian hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward and lowering himself into the chair. “Am I in trouble?”

  Myrael’s crimson lips curved into a sly, knowing smile, her sharp eyes glinting with an energy that set his nerves on edge. “Oh, Adrian, you’re already in trouble. That much is clear. The question is, how much more trouble are you willing to get into?”

  A sigh slipped from his lips, heavy with frustration. “I just want to live a normal academy life, but it seems such a possibility is far-fetched at this point."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “A normal life? You of all people should know that’s impossible.”

  “That’s only because almost everyone here is hell-bent on making my life harder, Curties and people like him, they’re always looking for a reason to pick a fight.”

  “Of course they are. This academy is filled with students born into privilege, heirs to power, wealth, and influence. They’ve been groomed to see themselves as untouchable, as superior to anyone they deem beneath them.”

  "Heh, you're not wrong about that."

  “And you, my dear child, challenge that just by existing.”

  A faint chuckle slipped from his lips despite himself. “Unfortunately, such is the case."

  Myrael’s eyes gleamed with something unreadable, her fingers tapping lightly against the desk. “Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to endure it passively.”

  Adrian tilted his head. “What are you getting at?”

  “I could give you authority. The kind that would make your time here more... meaningful.”

  “Authority? What does that mean, exactly?”

  Myrael’s smile returned, but this time it held a sharper edge. “I’m proposing that you join the disciplinary committee. It operates under the student council and wields significant influence within the academy.”

  Adrian’s stomach sank. “The disciplinary committee? You mean the group that gets everyone to follow the rules? The same group that people are likely to resent?”

  “Yes,” she said simply.

  He ran a hand through his hair, frustration simmering beneath the surface. “And you think putting me in a position like that is a good idea? Won’t that just make people hate me more?”

  “Perhaps, but it will also give you the tools to stand your ground. With authority comes respect, or at the very least, hesitation. People like Curties won’t be so quick to cross you if they know you have the power to make their lives... inconvenient.”

  Adrian hesitated, his mind racing. Could this really help? Or will it just paint a bigger target on my back?

  “And before you decide,” Myrael added, “remember this: leadership isn’t about making everyone like you. It’s about holding your own, making choices, and shaping the environment around you. If you want a normal life, Adrian, you’ll have to fight for it in a place like this.”

  Adrian stared at the polished surface of the desk, his thoughts churning. Will I just make things worse for myself? But then again, it's not like laying low is really an option for me.

  He clenched his fists, inhaling deeply. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

  Myrael’s lips curled into a wide, amused smile, and a soft laugh escaped her. “Not so fast.”

  Adrian blinked, his confidence wavering. “What do you mean, ‘not so fast’? Are you going to retract the offer already?”

  “Oh, no, Adrian, I have no intention of taking back my offer. But I do intend to test you.”

  “Test me? Haven’t you been watching me all this time?"

  “And here I thought humility was one of your virtues,” Myrael said, tilting her head slightly. “No, Adrian, I want to see for myself. I’m curious.”

  “Curious about what, exactly?”

  She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk and lacing her fingers together. “About what a boy who managed to hold his own against a professor is really capable of.”

  Adrian stiffened. Of course she’d bring that up. “That wasn’t some grand display of skill, Professor Damien was just overconfident."

  “And yet, you did make it out. Do you think many students here could say the same in your position?”

  Her words carried an unsettling truth, and Adrian felt his jaw tighten. “So, what’s this test, then? Are you going to throw me into another fight?”

  Myrael chuckled, her voice low and almost conspiratorial. “Patience, Adrian. The specifics don’t matter right now. What matters is whether you’re ready to prove yourself.”

  He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re awfully vague for someone who claims to want answers.”

  “Am I? Or are you just uncomfortable with the idea of being under scrutiny?”

  “Maybe I am. But I don’t see how this test is going to prove anything you don’t already know.”

  “Listen, it’s not about proving something to me, Adrian. It’s about proving it to yourself. Authority isn’t just handed out freely, it’s earned. And if you want to walk through this academy with your head held high, you’ll have to show me first that you can handle the weight of it.”

  Her words struck a chord, and Adrian found himself unable to look away from her piercing gaze. On one hand, I could still refuse her. On the other hand, being on the disciplinary committee would be an interesting experience at the very least.

  Adrian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. I’ll do your test, whatever it is.”

  Myrael’s smile returned, this time softer but no less calculating. “Good. I was hoping you’d say that.”

  "But first, what happens if I fail?”

  “Then we’ll go back to the status quo. You’ll keep struggling, and Curties will keep pushing you around.”

  “And if I pass?”

  “Then you’ll walk out of here with more than just authority. You’ll walk out of here with control.”

  Control. The word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Adrian nodded slowly, determination solidifying in his chest. This is my chance to change things, to stop being the one everyone pushes around.

  “Alright,” he said firmly, meeting her gaze. “When do we start?”

  Her smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. “Tomorrow. Rest up, Adrian. You’ll need your strength. And don't worry about the matter with Curties, I'll handle it… for now."