Boom!
I got hit and slammed into the wall so hard that it left a mark.
The pain was so intense I couldn't stand up. Blood dripped from my mouth. It was clear—the strike was brutally powerful. My vision blurred. I was on the verge of passing out.
But the worst part? I wasn't the only one.
With great difficulty, I turned my head and saw other students in the same miserable condition. One guy looked even worse than me. Wait—no, my left hand felt broken. Maybe I had it worse.
Just another regular day, huh?
All I could do was head to the medical room and beg a Healer to fix my hand. Ha... thinking about it gave me a headache. Mages weren't exactly the most agreeable people.
Five minutes passed.
Yes—five full minutes before I could even move. I forced myself up, not because I was fine, but because I didn't want to get beaten again.
And all of this? It was because of one boy.
Arthur Starborn. The center of the fighting arena.
He was currently battling half the class. Alone.
How to describe him? He was handsome. Strangely popular—with the girls, anyway. Half the class couldn't lay a hand on him. That kind of strength… maybe that's why the girls admired him.
Today was my weekly sparring class.
Like always, I got beat to a pulp.
I've trained eighteen hours a day, every day, since last year. I pushed myself like a madman. All that effort—just to stay conscious. That's all it did for me.
I was angry. Furious.
But deep down, I knew... I couldn't do anything about it.
They were born geniuses.
All I could do was stare at the sky.
---
After a while…
"Okay, everyone. The sparring session has ended. Go to your classrooms," Miss Elina said, turning and walking out of the room.
After her, the elite students also left.
I looked at her. She was our homeroom teacher. A very skilled magician.
And most importantly—very beautiful.
But no one dared to have improper thoughts about her. She was the daughter of a Marquess.
"Hey John, come help us. You need to go to the medical room," I heard someone call.
"Sorry, Maxim. Not today. My hand's broken," I said in a sad voice.
"No problem, man. Just take care of yourself," he replied casually.
After a brief chat, I dragged my broken body toward the medical room.
On the way, I passed many students coming from the representative classes. Some lightly injured. Some heavily.
Each class had its own monsters.
We couldn't call them human. What we achieved in a year, they could do in a day.
I reached the medical room. There was a long line.
I waited twenty minutes.
Finally, it was my turn.
I stepped into the room and saw a mature woman with a white coat and glasses. She was treating a student.
She looked up. Not surprised.
"Okay, Mr. John. Here you are again. What did you break this time?" she said.
I could hear the annoyance in her voice.
"It's only the hand this time," I replied, trying to be respectful.
"Is there ever a time you don't break something? How many times have I told you not to join sparring lessons?" she scolded.
"Miss Maria, I'm the son of a Duke. I have to improve myself so I can be of use to my father," I said firmly.
"Okay, okay. Lie down on the bed," she sighed.
I did as told.
She sat beside me and activated her spell. Her body began to glow. Her green hair turned golden, and mystical power surged from her hands, mending my broken bones.
---
A few minutes later…
"All done. Go now," she said coldly.
I got up and left the room.
Dragging my feet, I walked toward the dormitory. I was completely drained.
I needed sleep.
Today's sparring had shattered my mental strength.
How could that monster have so much stamina and willpower?
Of course, I was talking about Arthur Starborn.
There were many like him—geniuses. All on the same level. I didn't know most of them personally. The Academy kept them reserved for competitions and special events.
I was lucky enough to witness the Royal Princess once fight a Three-Star Fire Lizard.
It was breathtaking.
She defeated it in a single move. Just one ice spell, and the beast was frozen solid. She didn't even glance back. That confidence… and that power…
Well, she had to be strong. She was the only princess of the Empire.
Lost in thought, I reached my dorm.
Room 107.
I opened the door, threw myself onto the bed, and instantly fell asleep.
---
The next morning…
Sunlight kissed my face.
I opened my eyes.
'Sunlight? How can there be sunlight in my room?'
I sat up.
I wasn't in my room.
I was in the middle of a street.
In front of me stood the dormitory.
I knocked on the door.
A maid opened it. She didn't say a word. Just unfolded a letter and began to read.
---
[To my son, John Ashborn,
By the authority vested in me as the Head of House Ashborn, bearer of the ducal seal and steward of the Northern Territories, I hereby decree the following:
From this day forth, you are no longer recognized as a rightful heir or member of House Ashborn. Your name shall be struck from our family records, your privileges revoked, and your presence unwelcome within the walls of our estate.
Your actions—or lack thereof—have brought shame upon a name built through generations of honor, strength, and service to the realm. I had hoped you would one day rise to meet the expectations your birth demanded. Instead, you have chosen to walk a path of idleness and failure, unbecoming of the blood you carry.
You are to leave by sunrise. Take nothing that bears the sigil of our house. From here on, your fate is your own. Whether you live or die, rise or fall, it shall no longer be the concern of House Ashborn.
This is not born of hatred, but necessity.
Signed,
Duke Reynard Ashborn
Lord of the Northern Pass, Shield of the Realm]
---
"What the f***... What… But, but why..." I stammered, dumbfounded.
"Young Master, as you can see, here is your luggage. From now on, you're not allowed to stay in the dorm," she said, tossing my bag out the door.
I stood frozen.
Stunned.
Was this really happening?
After all the struggle…
All the hard work…
All gone?
"What… what should I do now?"