The days passed with unrelenting rhythm.
Training in the Platinum Class was merciless — not because of cruelty, but because of expectation.
Sparring sessions, theory lectures, and elemental refinement drills filled their hours. When they weren't fighting, they were recovering. When they weren't recovering, they were studying.
And still, that wasn't enough for some.
Caelum continued his private routines, never missing a beat. He didn't speak unless spoken to. He didn't linger after drills. But his presence grew heavier each day — not from words, but from consistency.
Others noticed.
Not just within the Platinum Class… but outside it.
____
Silver Class Courtyard, Fifth Bell
A group of students stood in hushed conversation beneath a manablossom tree, its petals faintly glowing under the afternoon light.
"He's the one who broke the resonance crystal during the trials," one whispered. "They say he crushed Gareth Velmoor in one move."
"Gareth? But he won the eastern league circuit last year."
"Exactly."
"Ohhh a platinum potential for sure."
"It's not just him," another cut in, voice low. "Selene Rhiannon. Zephyr Arkwyn. Draven. That girl with the poison eyes—Elandra. They're all there. It's like the Empire stuffed every royal and monster into one room."
A long pause.
"Still," someone muttered, almost defiantly, "talent or not, they're still first-years. They bleed like anyone else."
____
The next morning, during rune application class, Instructor Lira addressed the Platinum Class in her usual dry tone.
"You'll all be participating in the upcoming Interclass Observation Week."
Caelum blinked.
Right... that was a thing.
He is so focused in training that he barely remembered this small event. A formal event where lower classes got to watch the Platinum Class in action. Half morale boost, half academy propaganda.
"It's not a tournament," Lira added, glancing around. "But you'll be sparring in front of Bronze, Silver, and Gold Class observers. The point is to show what elite growth looks like—and to motivate the rest."
Someone in the back scoffed.
Zephyr Arkwyn didn't bother hiding his irritation.
"Motivation? Sounds more like flexing."
Lira gave him a thin, amused smile. "Everything's flexing when nobles are involved."
Then, her gaze drifted to Caelum—sharp, assessing.
"Some of you may find yourselves challenged," Lira continued. "It's allowed. Encouraged, even. Within reason."
That stirred a few murmurs.
Iryss tilted her head. "Wait… they're allowed to duel us openly?"
"Supervised challenges only," Lira replied. "One per student. And you're not allowed to decline—unless you're injured or have an approved excuse. Dismissal for cowardice is rare... but it's happened."
That shut everyone up.
No one in the Platinum Class was foolish enough to risk expulsion—especially not over something that could be avoided.
Caelum said nothing, but his thoughts moved quietly.
So the lower classes want to test us.
Well.. It doesn't matter.
He didn't mind the attention.
But it felt too early in the term for noise like this.
Too early for distractions.
...
Later that afternoon, while walking the upper garden path between lecture halls, Caelum heard footsteps approaching from behind — quick, confident.
He didn't turn until the voice called out.
"Caelum Virellian?"
A girl stood behind him, dressed in a high-collared black-and-gray Gold Class uniform. Short silver hair framed sharp amber eyes, and her posture screamed noble discipline.
"You're the one who floored Gareth in one move."
He studied her for a moment. Her aura wasn't hidden — she was already a low D-Tier, solid for her class as she is their representative. Her gaze was calm, but firm.
Caelum didn't nod. He didn't respond at all.
She continued anyway.
"I'm Reina Solvane. Gold Class representative. I'm challenging you during Observation Week."
No flare. No arrogance. Just formality.
Caelum tilted his head slightly. "Why?"
"I know I wasn't born with your kind of potential… but I'll still find a way to stand beside you."
Silence stretched for a beat.
Then Caelum gave a simple answer.
"Fine."
He walked past her, not sparing another glance.
Reina blinked once, then exhaled. Not the reaction she expected — but not disappointing either.
He's unreadable.
...
Back at Argent Hall, Selene glanced up from her mirror runes as Caelum walked back in.
She didn't say anything.
But she noticed.
Did someone challenged him already?
She hadn't been watching — not really — but her instincts always picked up details. Movements. Shifts in mana. The way people carried themselves.
Caelum Virellian didn't move like most students.
She looked back down.
Whatever.
Then she went back to training.
....
That night, Caelum sat alone in his room again. Back straight. Eyes closed. Mana and aura flowing in steady rhythm.
The challenge didn't bother him. Not really. But it gave him a deadline.
A reason to push a little faster.
His breaths slowed. Focus deepened.
Still too rough. I need cleaner control... a better flow.
The Primal Resonance stirred quietly inside him. Still heavy, but no longer overwhelming. It was starting to settle—like it was learning with him.
He wasn't in a rush to stand out. Not yet.
But when that duel came, he wasn't going to hold back either.
He didn't care about making a name for himself.
But if they were going to test the Platinum Class...
Then they'd see for themselves why it's not just a title.