NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Against Authority
Chapter 26: "Against Authority, change begins"
The morning air was still, carrying with it the muted tension left in the aftermath. The courtyard, bathed in soft amber light, held a silence that felt heavier than words. The guards stationed along the edges shifted uneasily, their fingers twitching near their weapons. Their eyes lingered on Thrain, not with the usual disdain or indifference given to the youngest prince, but with a mix of caution and awe.
Word of what had just occurred spread faster than wildfire. Thrain, the supposed weakling, had controlled Hitel's flames, flames laced with mana and unleashed in pyrope mode. That wasn't a feat achieved by rookies or those newly awakened. It was a mastery usually reserved for seasoned warriors, perhaps even legends. And Thrain had done it without breaking a sweat.
Yet, the guards stood frozen, uncertain. They had heard the tales, seen glimpses of Thrain's growing strength, but witnessing it firsthand was another matter entirely. It wasn't just fear holding them back it was also the presence of Cormac. The larger prince, with his imposing figure, had subtly signaled them to stand down. A look, a twitch of his hand, was all it took to remind them of their place.
This wasn't their fight to interrupt. Royal quarrels were messy, often laced with power struggles they had no business being a part of. Cormac knew this, and though he had his own ambitions, he wasn't about to let things spiral further. Princes clashed all the time. This was just another bout... or so it seemed.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances but stayed rooted, their breaths steady and their blades untouched. They watched as Thrain stood tall amidst the tension, the weight of their unspoken respect slowly settling on his shoulders.
Thrain turned sharply and began walking away, his steps deliberate and unhurried. To everyone watching, the sight was striking, he carried himself with a confidence that bordered on regal, as if the air around him bent to his will. No words were spoken, yet the respect he had just claimed was palpable. It was as if he had transformed into someone else entirely, someone untouchable.
Cormac watched his younger brother stride away, a flicker of something unspoken in his gaze. "All that without anger driving him," he thought, replaying the scene in his mind. Thrain had rejected the traditional teachings, fire fueled by fury and raw power, choosing instead a calm, controlled approach. "Maybe he's right about breath."
The guards silently parted as Thrain passed, their eyes briefly meeting his before they looked away, unable to hold his gaze for long. The tension lingered, but none dared to stop him. Thrain didn't care for their approval, nor for the weight of their stares. He had already decided to leave the mess behind.
His destination was clear, the academy. It wasn't a place he wanted to go, but it was where he needed to be. His father, the King, had made it an order, and while Thrain bristled at the thought of obedience, he knew he needed this. Daelan's words echoed in his mind, urging him to grow stronger.
But it wasn't just strength driving him forward. Thrain had something far greater in mind. The academy was a cornerstone of the kingdom's rigid system, a system that had failed so many, himself included. He intended to change it, not for revenge, but for everyone caught in its suffocating grasp.
He exhaled slowly as he walked, each step heavy with purpose. "To change the system," he thought. "I'll start where it all begins."
…
As Thrain made his way to the academy, he spotted a familiar figure leaning casually against a tree by the road. Lynx. It hadn't been long since they'd met, but their bond had formed quickly, forged in the fires of shared battles and a few close calls. Thrain couldn't help but think back to one of those moments, when Lynx's relentless courage had played a part in awakening his Pyrope mode.
Lynx was fast. Incredibly fast. Everyone knew him for it, and Thrain once believed no one could rival him in sheer speed. That was, until Daelan came into the picture. Still, Lynx's agility was no joke, and his sharp instincts made him a formidable ally.
"There you go again," Lynx called out, a crooked grin spreading across his face as Thrain approached. "Causing a problem, making a scene. You know, people are starting to think you're some kind of trouble magnet."
Thrain smirked faintly. "And yet, you're always around when the trouble starts. Makes me wonder if it's really me."
Lynx let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Fair enough. But seriously, what happened back there? Rumors are already flying, and it's not even noon."
"Fuck whatever the rumors say. Let's just get to the academy," Thrain muttered, brushing it off as he walked past Lynx.
Unlike everyone else, Thrain never felt hatred, fear, or any ill intent from Lynx. It was strange, almost as if the universe itself had recognized his loneliness and decided to drop someone in his path. Someone who didn't look at him with disdain or suspicion. The thought lingered for a moment. The universe had also brought him the Bijins, after all. He smirked inwardly at the irony.
Lynx shrugged, falling into step beside him. "Well, whatever. I don't care what the rumors say. People always twist shit when it comes to you anyway."
Thrain glanced at him briefly. That casual indifference was something he appreciated about Lynx, he didn't overthink things or push for answers. Still, a part of Thrain was curious about Lynx, about his past, his speed, and the reason he stuck around. But now wasn't the time.
For now, school awaited. Or at least, what passed for school in a place like this.
…
As Thrain and Lynx approached the gates, they swung open with a slow creak, revealing a courtyard bustling with activity. The air was alive with energy, but the sharp eyes of the students quickly noticed the pair arriving late. Whispers spread like wildfire, and the two of them could feel the weight of countless stares. Normally, tardiness would have been met with harsh punishment—a public beating, maybe worse—but things were different now.
Lynx was a valuable student, his speed and skill making him a favorite among the instructors. And Thrain? Well, he was the newly awakened prince. But even his title couldn't save him from the glaring gaze of Ralkor, the instructor of the beginner class. Ralkor had stormed out as if he'd been waiting for this moment. His disdain for Thrain was palpable, his mana practically radiating hostility. Thrain could sense it even before he stepped into view.
"This school doesn't tolerate partiality," Ralkor declared, his voice sharp and cutting through the courtyard like a whip. "The prince or not, he needs to be punished."
Nearby, the guards and instructors whispered among themselves, hesitant. One leaned toward Gunther, another instructor, trying to keep his voice low. "How exactly do you punish a prince? Besides, didn't you hear? He sent Prince Hitel to the herbalist just this morning."
Thrain's sensitive ears caught the exaggerated remark, and he rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Damn, the rumors just keep getting worse," he muttered under his breath.
Gunther, standing tall and smug, sneered at the situation. He had no love for Thrain, seeing him as a threat to the established order. "I think we should settle this with a duel," Gunther suggested, loud enough for all to hear. "It's only fair. Teach him a lesson he won't forget."
"But who would fight him?" another instructor asked nervously. "He's no ordinary student. He already beat Stephan. Are you suggesting we pit him against the elites? If he wins, he automatically rises through the ranks."
Gunther's sneer deepened. His hatred for Thrain ran so deep he didn't care about fairness or rules. He wanted to crush the boy, to keep him from climbing any higher. "No need for the elites," he said smugly. "I'll fight him m
yself. Let's see if he's really as strong as the rumors say."