[: Daniel's POV :]

After one month in the academy, I admit that it was pretty fun spending my time learning about knowledge that the Academy teaches.

Even with all of that knowledge, I still love spending my time bickering with Fendrick and also Silvia.

Though Fendrick refused to admit, we pretty much grew closer. Maybe that's what you call a best friend.

Nevertheless, my time in the academy was enjoyable.

But today, on this particular, a strange incident happened.

"So what's the next lesson about?" I questioned as the three of us were having lunch together with Fendrick and Silvia.

"It's the same lesson we had previous day with Ms. Scarlett" Fendrick replied.

"Sigh, another lesson with her means another torture" Fendrick surrendered.

"Oh come on, it's notvthat hard you know if you focus on it" I replied.

"Not that hard? Says the prodigy who understood the assignment at a first glance" He rolled his eyes towards me.

"We-

Fendrick was about to add another insult, when all of the sudden, a group of students approached us.

And judging from their expression, they weren't that friendly.

There were five of them.

All wearing the same uniform, but their demeanor spoke louder than words, they were clearly not here for casual conversation.

The one in front had slicked-back crimson hair and eyes sharp enough to cut glass.

Mana shimmered faintly around him, a sign of practiced control.

The others followed behind him, forming a loose semicircle that cornered us near the fountain courtyard.

Fendrick's steps slowed immediately.

He froze with his jaw tensed.

That easygoing arrogance he always carried evaporated like mist in sunlight.

"Fendrick," I muttered, narrowing my eyes.

"You know them?"

He didn't answer right away.

The crimson-haired student smirked.

"So it really is you, Fendrick. Hiding behind a new friend now?"

His voice carried that sharp tone of mockery that nobles often used, calm, but poisonous. The kind meant to belittle while smiling.

Silvia's cheerful expression dropped instantly.

"What's this about?"

"Oh, nothing serious," the crimson-haired one said, feigning innocence.

"Just a friendly conversation. A reunion, you might say."

The way his friends snickered told me everything I needed to know.

Fendrick finally exhaled, expression unreadable.

"What do you want, Leon?"

Ah.

So he did know them.

Leon, the type of name that always came with either a noble crest or arrogance so thick you could carve it with a blade.

Leon smiled, folding his arms.

"Straight to the point, as always. You haven't changed one bit."

"Can't say the same for you," Fendrick said coldly.

"Now, now." Leon tilted his head mockingly.

"You've got quite the mouth for someone whose—" He stopped, eyes glinting with malice. "—sister works for me"

That earned a few laughs from his entourage.

The sound grated on my nerves.

"Did you forget where you belong? Or do I need to remind you what would happen if you disobeyed me?"

Fendrick didn't move, but I saw it, the faint tremor in his hands.

The flicker of anger, humiliation… maybe even guilt.

But he stayed silent.

I stepped forward slightly, placing myself beside him.

"You have business with him?"

Leon's eyes flicked toward me, measuring, judging.

"And you are…?"

"Daniel."

"Ah. A new dog, then?" His grin widened. "Careful. The one you're siding with isn't worth your time"

Silvia's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Watch your words."

Leon chuckled.

"Ah, Lady Silvia of the North. I'd heard you still mingle with the likes of him. Truly, a pity. A flower among weeds."

"Both of us are families of dukes, yet you Silvia lower yourself to a commoner like him"

"How disgraceful"

Her mana flared, faint but cold, like frost crawling along glass.

"You may be from the West noble faction, Leon, but that doesn't mean you can insult anyone you wish."

"Factions, titles, influence, it's all part of our world, isn't it?" Leon shrugged casually. "I'm simply reminding you of your place."

I was already losing patience.

"You seem to enjoy hearing yourself talk."

He blinked, feigning surprise, then laughed softly. "Oh? The new guy has a tongue. You're not from the common dorms, judging by that confidence."

"Doesn't matter where I'm from."

"Maybe not to you." His eyes gleamed. "But in this academy, it matters to everyone else."

He turned back to Fendrick. "After class, meet me at the same old place. Don't keep us waiting."

The words weren't a request, they were a command.

And from the look in his eyes, this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

Leon's group left soon after, their laughter trailing behind them like a bad smell.

Silvia's glare could've melted steel. "I swear, those arrogant bastards—!"

But I didn't listen to her next words.

My eyes were on Fendrick.

He hadn't moved since Leon left.

His shoulders were tight.

His fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

"…Fendrick," I said quietly.

He blinked, like he'd forgotten we were still there.

"…What?"

"You look like hell."

He snorted weakly, trying to play it off.

"That obvious?"

I nodded.

He sighed, running a hand through his messy brown hair.

"It's nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing."

"I said it's nothing, Daniel," he snapped.

Silence.

For a brief moment, our eyes met, and I saw it.

Pain.

Not anger. Not hatred. Just… pain.

He looked away first, muttering, "…Forget about it. Let's get to class."

The rest of the walk to our next classroom was suffocating.

Silvia tried to start a few light-hearted topics, but even she could tell his mood had sunk deep.

Fendrick wasn't the type to stay silent.

Normally, he'd be throwing sarcastic remarks at every chance, but now?

Nothing.

He just walked ahead, shoulders stiff, like he was holding the world on his back.

I wanted to say something, anything.

Hut what could I say?

We weren't close enough for me to pry into his past… and yet, watching him like this didn't sit right.

Something about Leon's words struck deeper than simple bullying.

And that is, his sister works for him.

By the time we arrived, the professor hadn't come in yet.

The rest of the students were chatting as usual, cheerful, carefree.

Fendrick slumped into his seat by the window, staring blankly outside.

I sat beside him.

"Still thinking about it?" I asked quietly.

"…Wouldn't you?"

"Depends."

He gave a bitter laugh. "Of course you'd say that."

For a few minutes, silence hung between us.

"You're not fine," I said quietly.

"You can lie to everyone else, but not me. Who are they?"

Fendrick hesitated, then exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging as if the air itself had betrayed him.

"They're from the Vortigern household," he said, his tone low.

"Their master, Leon, is the Duke's son. My… family used to serve under them."

I frowned. "Used to?"

He nodded.

"Yeah. My parents were servants in their manor, loyal to the end"

"But after they died, it was just me and my sister, Freya. She's twenty-five now. Works as a maid… still serving them."

I stayed silent, letting him continue.

"At first, I thought it'd be fine. She wanted to work there, said it was the only way we'd survive"

"But Leon!" His words broke.

His fist trembled again, and his voice cracked with quiet rage.

"Leon once told me that if I ever disobeyed or talked back to him again… he'd 'do something' to her."

The image he painted was vile, and my blood ran cold.

"That bastard…" I muttered, my hand curling unconsciously.

He laughed bitterly.

"You see now why I can't just ignore them?"

"Every time they call for me, I have to go. Otherwise—"

His voice trailed off, replaced by the sound of his uneven breathing.

I didn't speak for a moment.

My mind raced, piecing together the fragments of his story.

The arrogance in Leon's tone, the fear in Fendrick's eyes, it all made sense now.

Fendrick wasn't just dealing with a bully.

He was trapped in a chain of servitude bound by fear and blood.

"I didn't know," I finally said softly.

He scoffed.

"Of course you didn't. How could you? You're a noble, maybe not like him, but still one"

"You wouldn't understand what it's like being born under someone else's boot."

His words were the truth but he wouldn't know that I wasn't a noble like Leon.

"Then let me ask," I said after a pause. "What happens if you don't go today?"

He glanced at me, conflicted. "He'll punish my sister." Fendrick ended his words there.

Though he didn't wish to explain it further, it felt like a pressure had been lifted off from his shoulders.

Even as the class went on, Fendrick's mind was clearly elsewhere.

He stared out the window, tapping his finger on the desk.

Whenever the teacher asked questions, he answered automaticall, his tone dull, robotic.

Silvia glanced between us several times. I could tell she wanted to ask if he needs help, but the look I gave her stopped her.

This wasn't the time.

After knowing Fendrick, I knew that he wasn't the type that would ask help for someone.

And for his grudge towards Noble, there was no way he would accept help from us if we ask directly.

And for some reason… I felt something tight inside my chest.

Not anger, but an odd sense of protectiveness.

This guy annoyed me half the time, but still, he didn't deserve to be cornered by his past.

As the final bell rang, students packed their belongings and left for the day.

The hallways buzzed with noise, laughter, footsteps, idle chatter.

But for us, everything felt muted.

Fendrick stood up, stretching his arms, forcing a grin.

"Well. Guess I've got a date."

Silvia frowned. "You don't have to do this."

"I do."

"Then at least let us—"

"No," he interrupted firmly.

"If you two come, they'll think I brought backup. I can handle it."

"You sure?" I asked.

He smirked. "You sound like you care."

"Don't make me regret it."

He chuckled softly. "Wouldn't dream of it."

With that, he left, hands in his pockets, shoulders straight, pretending to be calm.

But I saw the slight tremor in his right hand.

Silvia sighed deeply once he was gone.

"Why can't Fendrick just open up to us and ask for our help?"

"Because," I said quietly, "he wouldn't want to risk any chances of his only family, his sisterz being the consequences of his actions"

She nodded, as if understanding more than she should. "He's stubborn."

"That's what you'll have if you have to survive on your own"

"That's true." Silvia said.

I looked toward the window again. The sun was setting, painting the courtyard in hues of crimson and amber.

The rest of the students slowly left the classrooms, unaware of the small storm brewing outside.

"Should we go after him?" she asked finally.

"…We'll give him a bit more time," I said.

And yet, even as I said that, part of me knew, if things went bad, I'd intervene.

I didn't care about the Academy's rules or noble politics.

He was my roommate and not even Mika can stop me.

And not even, my friend, whether he liked it or not.

And I wouldn't let him get crushed under the weight of a past he couldn't escape.

It seems like I need to make a visit.

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