As the last bell rang through the academy halls, the day's lectures finally came to an end.

Students spilled out of classrooms in groups, some chatting animatedly, others dragging their feet in exhaustion.

Among them, Amon walked alongside Seraphina, Eliana, and Marcus, their footsteps echoing softly through the corridor bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun.

The tall glass windows on one side of the hall reflected the fading light, casting long shadows across the polished floor. The air felt calm, peaceful. The kind of quiet that came after a long day of lessons and mana practice.

Eliana stretched her arms lazily and let out a soft sigh. "Finally, classes are over. My head's going to explode if I hear the word 'mana circulation' one more time."

Amon chuckled. "Yeah, I almost dozed off during the last lecture. Professor nearly threw a chalk at me again."

Seraphina shot him a look. "That's because you were actually sleeping, Amon."

He rubbed the back of his neck with an innocent grin. "Eh, details."

Marcus, walking slightly ahead, scoffed. "You should be ashamed of admitting that, commoner. Some of us actually pay attention." His tone was filled with pride.

Amon smiled lazily. "And some of us actually like living stress-free."

That earned a small giggle from Eliana, which only made Marcus frown harder.

As they continued walking down the hall, the group passed by the wide archway leading toward the infirmary wing.

The faint scent of herbs drifted from the corridor, familiar and strangely comforting.

Amon glanced that way and smiled. "I'll head there for a bit. Need to meet Professor Adelia."

Eliana raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes. "Oh? Meeting Professor Adelia again? Don't tell me you're going there to flirt with her."

Amon's grin widened instantly. "And if I am?" he said shamelessly. "She's beautiful, kind, and she actually smiles at me, unlike certain elves who keep teasing me all day."

Eliana gasped dramatically, her pointed ears twitching. "W-What?! You!"

Seraphina sighed softly, trying to hide a smile, while Marcus's expression twisted into visible annoyance.

"Unbelievable," Marcus muttered, glaring at Amon. "A mere commoner, speaking that way about a professor. Have you no shame?"

Amon turned to him with an easy shrug. "Shame doesn't heal injuries, Marcus. Flirting does."

Eliana burst out laughing, clutching her stomach, while even Seraphina had to cover her mouth to hide a small chuckle.

Marcus, however, looked about ready to explode. "You're insufferable."

Amon just winked and began walking toward the infirmary corridor. "I'll take that as a compliment. See you guys later."

Eliana called out, still smiling. "Don't get caught, lover boy!"

He waved a hand over his shoulder without looking back. "No promises!"

"Really, Amon!... you shouldn't do that," Marcus yelled from behind.

"You should focus on training, commoner. You are too weak," he said with a young master type of grin on his face.

Amon stopped walking and turned toward Marcus.

"Hey. I am at least getting stronger. But you... you are still behind Seraphina and Arnold. Not forgetting how Arnold is now at second place, hehehe~" Amon laughed mockingly.

That comment. It snapped Marcus. It totally hit his nerves.

"You! You think I am weak? Then let's have a spar and see if you have gotten any stronger or not?" Marcus asked for a battle. A spar. With none other than Amon. He was angry. He wanted to beat that smug guy.

Both Seraphina and Eliana looked at Marcus with surprise. They hadn't thought he would actually challenge Amon.

Because they knew what the outcome would be.

Amon thought deeply.

'Spar with this bastard... hm... that doesn't sound bad. It might be good to fight with him. It will help me get stronger, and it's not like Marcus is Mana Initiate rank. Though I will lose... I think I can hold for some time.'

Amon smiled widely.

"Oh, that doesn't sound bad~... Alright. Let's have a spar."

This time Seraphina and Eliana gazed at Amon with utter shock. He was Amon. He actually accepted the fight. The same boy who was running and yelling for help when seeing a monster illusion.

Even Marcus was shocked. He challenged Amon in the heat of the moment, knowing that this commoner would refuse.

Seraphina was going to intervene, to stop Amon from doing it. But before she could say anything,

"But... why should I fight you?" Amon asked with an amused smile.

"You are clearly stronger than me... so you will win, Marcus... I think... I need something in return if you want to spar with me." Amon demanded something in return for fighting Marcus, very shamelessly.

Marcus was taken aback again. But then his lips curved into a cruel smile. Yes, this was the time. This time he could show this boy what Marcus really was.

"Alright... what do you want?" Marcus asked.

"Amon, I don't think it's right for-" Seraphina tried to stop Amon.

But he didn't let her complete the sentence.

"I want 1000 gold coins for this battle." His voice was serious and calm.

Though the playful smile didn't leave his face.

"This guy is for real," Eliana couldn't help but mutter.

Marcus scoffed. "That's it... it won't be a problem. I will give you a thousand gold coins."

"Heheh, good! Good!" Amon clapped his hands.

"Then it's done. Now let's find a referee... no, a professor who will watch over us," Amon said with a thoughtful expression.

"Referee? For a spar?" A melodic, warm voice tickled Amon's ears.

'That voice—' Amon turned and saw his favorite professor. Professor Adelia.

"What is going on? I heard some noise. Thought students were arguing... but it seems you were actually going to have a spar, huh?" Her eyes fell on Amon and then Marcus.

"Yes, Professor Adelia. You are on time. Please be referee for our match. Also, Marcus has agreed to pay me one thousand gold coins for fighting him. It's a deal," Amon said hurriedly with excitement.

Seraphina and Eliana looked at each other and sighed together.

It seemed they couldn't stop Amon anymore.

Marcus cleared his throat and politely said to Adelia, "Professor Adelia, as Amon said, I will be giving him gold coins for having a spar with me. Please look after us."

Adelia studied them and sighed.

"I don't have work... so I will watch over. Also, I am the best at healing someone in this academy. So you don't have to worry about injuries."

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