The academy was abuzz with whispers before Vax even made it out of the dungeon. The news spread faster than wildfire: the F-rank commoner had taken down a B-rank monster single-handedly.

By the time Vax returned to his dormitory, he could feel the weight of countless eyes on him. Some stared with awe, others with suspicion, and many with barely concealed resentment. But Vax ignored them all, keeping his head down as he pushed through the crowd.

He hadn’t asked for this attention.

He just wanted to survive.

Inside his small dorm room, Vax let out a long breath and sank onto his bed. The events of the day played over in his mind—the fear in his classmates' eyes, the way Aisha’s voice had faltered when she demanded answers, the sheer power he had unleashed without meaning to.

He raised his hands, turning them over as if searching for something invisible. The golden runes had disappeared, but he could still feel the magic thrumming beneath his skin. It was a part of him, a force he had spent years hiding.

A knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts.

“Come in,” he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.

The door creaked open to reveal the last person he expected: the academy’s principal.

Scene: A Secret Meeting

The principal was a tall, imposing man with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce straight through Vax. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him, and gestured for Vax to sit.

“You’ve caused quite a stir today,” the principal said, his voice calm but firm.

Vax didn’t know how to respond, so he simply nodded.

The principal took a seat across from him, folding his hands neatly on the desk. “Tell me, Vax. Do you know what you are?”

The question caught Vax off guard. “I’m… I’m just a student. A commoner trying to make it through this academy.”

The principal’s eyes narrowed. “A commoner doesn’t take down a B-rank monster with magic that rivals the greatest sorcerers of our age. A commoner doesn’t carry the aura of a hero.”

At the word hero, Vax’s breath hitched. He had always wondered about his power, about the strange runes that appeared on his skin, about the way magic seemed to come so easily to him. But the idea that it could be connected to the ancient hero—the one who had defeated the Demon Lord generations ago—felt impossible.

“I don’t understand,” Vax admitted.

“You will,” the principal said. “But for now, you must be careful. There are those who would see your power as a threat. Nobles who would do anything to protect their status. Enemies who would seek to control you—or destroy you.”

Vax felt a chill run down his spine. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because you’ll need guidance,” the principal said. “And because the path ahead of you will not be easy.”

Scene: A Friend’s Support

Later that night, another knock came at Vax’s door. This time, it was a familiar face—Alisa Fancher, his childhood friend.

“Alisa,” Vax said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard what happened,” she said, stepping inside. Her expression was a mixture of worry and pride. “Vax, you took down a B-rank monster. That’s… incredible.”

“It doesn’t feel incredible,” Vax muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Everyone’s either terrified of me or furious. Aisha looked like she wanted to throw me into the dungeon herself.”

Alisa chuckled softly. “Well, she’s always been full of herself. Don’t let her get to you.”

Her presence was a balm for Vax’s nerves. They talked for hours, reminiscing about their simpler days in the village, before magic and ranks and expectations had complicated everything.

“You’re not alone in this, Vax,” Alisa said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever happens, I’ve got your back.”

For the first time that day, Vax allowed himself to smile.