Grand Arcanum Academy –
The halls of Grand Arcanum Academy were bustling with activity as students moved toward their first class of the day. Conversations filled the air—discussions about upcoming exams, combat training, and, of course, the ever-present power struggles between noble factions.
Leon Valerius walked with confidence, his golden hair catching the morning light as he strode through the academy corridors. He wasn't just another student—he was a rising force.
His recent breakthrough to D- Rank had solidified his growing reputation, but more importantly—his ties to the royal family and the churches of the gods made him untouchable in many ways.
His own family, House Valerius, had fallen from grace years ago, but Leon?
He was proving that he didn't need a noble house to rise.
And the nobles of the academy?
They knew it.
As Leon made his way toward the lecture hall, a small group of well-dressed noble students subtly moved toward him.
Their leader, Edward Von Harrenhall, was a third son of a wealthy noble, his sharp brown eyes carrying an almost calculated friendliness as he walked beside Leon with a well-practiced smile.
"Leon," Edward said smoothly, "it's good to see you again. That sparring match against Rael? Truly impressive."
Leon didn't slow his pace, but he acknowledged the words with a half-smirk. "Thanks."
Another noble, Richard Greystone, chimed in.
"The way you moved—your swordplay was refined. Almost divine, I'd say."
Leon resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Flattery.
They were trying to secure his favor.
It was always the same.
Before his awakening, many of these same nobles had either looked down on him or ignored him completely. But now?
Now, they wanted to be seen with him.
And Leon?
He enjoyed it.
He wasn't blind to their true intentions. They weren't his friends—they were opportunists.
But that didn't mean he couldn't use them the same way they wanted to use him.
After all, alliances—no matter how shallow—were a weapon.
****
Edward continued, his tone casual but calculated.
"With your growing strength, I imagine the royal family is quite pleased with your progress."
Another noble, Lucas Everlin, spoke up. "And the Churches, of course. Ares, Zeus… they must see you as a champion in the making."
Leon let them talk, letting them say what they wanted.
They weren't wrong.
He knew that the royal family, despite his family's downfall, was keeping a close eye on him. And the gods themselves had already sent him messages of approval.
Leon smirked slightly, enjoying the subtle power shift.
Before, he had been the son of a fallen noble house, struggling to reclaim his status.
Now?
Now, the nobles were coming to him.
And he was more than happy to let them grovel.
Leon reached the lecture hall earlier than usual, stepping inside while most students were still in the courtyard.
He had expected silence.
Instead—
He heard voices.
Not just any voices.
Raised voices.
And then—a quiet, shaking one.
****
Near the front of the lecture hall, a small group of minor noble students had surrounded a single girl.
Serena Vale.
The Saintess Candidate, chosen by the Goddess Lumina herself.
A commoner born without noble blood, yet granted divine favor.
She stood with her back against the desk, her hands clenched tightly around the edge of her robes, her head lowered slightly.
Across from her, three noble students stood sneering, their arrogance suffocating.
One of them—a boy —leaned closer.
"You shouldn't be here, Vale," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "The academy is for the elite, not some street-born priestess playing at being important."
Serena didn't respond, her fingers tightening on her robes.
Another noble girl scoffed. "She probably thinks that just because she has divine favor, she's our equal."
The third, a rat-faced noble, chuckled. "Maybe we should remind her where she stands."
Leon narrowed his eyes.
He knew how the academy worked.
Bullying like this wasn't uncommon—especially when it came to nobles trying to assert dominance over those they deemed 'lesser'.
But something about this—
About the way Serena stood still, barely reacting, as if she had already resigned herself to this treatment—
It annoyed him.
The three nobles were too caught up in their mockery to notice Leon until he spoke.
"I suggest you walk away."
The sharpness in his tone froze the room.
The nobles stiffened, turning around slowly—only to see Leon Valerius, golden eyes cold, arms crossed.
One of them—the Aurelius noble—swallowed nervously.
"L-Leon?"
Leon took a step forward, his aura pressing down on them.
They weren't afraid of him because of his family.
They were afraid of him because of who he was now.
Because he could destroy them if he wanted to.
The rat-faced noble tried to recover. "We were just—"
"Leave."
Leon's voice was final.
There was no room for discussion.
The three hesitated—then, without another word, they turned and hurried out of the lecture hall, their arrogance shattered.
The room was silent again.
Serena remained still, not looking at him.
Leon turned toward her.
She was still gripping her robes, her hands slightly trembling.
"…You alright?" he asked, his voice softer.
Serena exhaled, finally lifting her gaze to meet his.
Her blue eyes were calm, but beneath them, there was something else.
Something wary.
"Why did you interfere?" she asked quietly.
Leon raised an eyebrow. "You wanted me to just stand there and let them keep talking?"
She hesitated. Then—
"This isn't your problem," she said, looking away. "And now you've made yourself a target."
Leon chuckled, shaking his head.
"Serena," he said simply, "I don't care."
She stared at him.
"They were nobodies," Leon continued. "They couldn't touch me even if they tried."
She sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"You don't understand," she murmured. "It's not just them. Some of the senior nobles… they don't like me being here."
Leon narrowed his eyes.
"The seniors?"
She didn't answer.
But she didn't have to.
Leon knew exactly what that meant.
Serena Vale wasn't just bullied by arrogant first-years.
She had enemies among the older noble factions.
And they weren't the type to just use words.
Leon leaned against a desk, studying her carefully.
"…And you're planning to just take it?"
Serena's lips pressed into a thin line.
She didn't respond.
Leon sighed, shaking his head.
"Tch. You're too soft."
She glanced at him. "That's not your problem."
Leon smirked. "Maybe."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"…Thank you," she murmured, barely audible.
Leon pretended not to hear it.
Instead, he simply shrugged.
"Next time," he said, "if you're going to take it, at least fight back a little."
(To Be Continued…)