The days following Selena’s warning were tense. Vax couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing, a storm ready to break at any moment.

True to Selena’s word, Aisha and her noble followers had grown bolder. Their glares were sharper, their whispers louder, and their taunts more pointed. But Vax didn’t react. He couldn’t afford to.

Not until he knew what they were planning.

Scene: The Mysterious Invitation

One evening, Vax returned to his dorm to find a letter slipped under his door. The envelope was made of fine parchment, sealed with a wax crest he didn’t recognize.

Curious and cautious, he broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

*“Vax,

Meet us in the eastern training grounds after dusk. Alone. There’s something you need to see.

—A Friend”*

Vax frowned. It was obviously a trap, but the curiosity gnawed at him. What were they planning?

He considered his options, then decided. If they wanted to draw him out, he would play along—but on his terms.

Scene: Into the Lion’s Den

The eastern training grounds were eerily quiet under the moonlight. Vax arrived just as the last rays of sunlight faded, casting the world in shades of silver and shadow.

He didn’t come unprepared. Hidden beneath his cloak were several spell crystals he’d charged earlier, ready to use if things went south.

“Right on time,” came a familiar voice.

Aisha stepped out from behind a tree, her emerald eyes gleaming with triumph. Behind her stood a group of noble students, all armed and ready.

Vax kept his expression neutral. “What do you want, Aisha?”

“To put you in your place,” she said, her tone icy. “You’ve been a thorn in our side for too long, and it’s time you learned where you really stand.”

She gestured, and one of the nobles stepped forward, holding what looked like a magical artifact—a crystal glowing with an ominous red light.

Vax’s stomach dropped. He recognized the artifact from his studies: a Summoner’s Shard. It was illegal, dangerous, and capable of calling forth creatures from other realms.

“You’re insane,” Vax said, his voice steady despite the growing tension. “You can’t control that thing.”

Aisha smirked. “We don’t need to control it. We just need it to do its job.”

With that, the noble holding the shard activated it. The air crackled with energy, and a dark portal began to form. A low growl echoed from within, growing louder as something massive stepped through.

A creature emerged, its body covered in scales that shimmered like molten lava. Its eyes glowed with fiery malice, and its claws dug into the earth, leaving scorch marks in their wake.

A Hellbeast.

Scene: The Fight Begins

The nobles scattered as the Hellbeast roared, its gaze locking onto Vax.

Aisha’s voice rang out. “Let’s see if you’re as powerful as everyone says, commoner. Or are you all talk?”

Vax didn’t answer. His mind raced as he assessed the situation. The Hellbeast was a B-rank monster, stronger and more dangerous than the one he had faced in the dungeon. But this time, there was no chance of retreat.

The beast lunged, and Vax barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as its claws raked the ground where he’d stood.

He countered with a blast of lightning, aiming for its head. The attack struck true, but the beast barely flinched, shaking off the energy like it was nothing.

“Great,” Vax muttered. “It’s resistant to magic.”

The nobles watched from a safe distance, their expressions a mix of fear and satisfaction. Aisha, however, looked impatient.

“What’s wrong, Vax?” she taunted. “I thought you were supposed to be powerful.”

Vax ignored her, his focus on the Hellbeast. He couldn’t overpower it with brute force, but maybe he didn’t have to.

Scene: A Gamble

As the Hellbeast charged again, Vax reached into his cloak and pulled out one of the spell crystals he had prepared earlier. This one contained a freezing spell, its energy designed to slow and weaken even the toughest foes.

He waited until the last possible moment, then threw the crystal directly at the beast’s feet.

The crystal shattered on impact, releasing a wave of icy energy that spread across the ground and encased the Hellbeast’s legs in solid ice. The creature roared in frustration, struggling against its bonds.

Vax didn’t waste the opportunity. He raised both hands, summoning every ounce of magic he had left, and unleashed a concentrated beam of energy aimed directly at the beast’s head.

The attack struck with devastating force, and this time, the Hellbeast couldn’t withstand it. With a final, ear-splitting roar, the creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.

Scene: The Aftermath

The silence that followed was deafening.

Vax turned to face Aisha and the nobles, his chest heaving with exertion. “Is that enough for you?” he asked, his voice cold.

Aisha’s smirk faltered, and for the first time, there was fear in her eyes.

“You’re a fool, Aisha,” Vax said. “You endangered everyone here just to satisfy your pride. If the principal finds out—”

“He won’t,” Aisha snapped, her voice trembling. “None of this happened. Do you understand?”

She turned and stormed off, her entourage following closely behind.

Vax watched them go, a mix of anger and exhaustion washing over him.

Scene: A Shadowy Ally

As he made his way back to the dorms, Vax felt a familiar presence.

“You handled that well,” Selena said, stepping out from the shadows.

“You knew this would happen,” Vax accused, his tone sharp.

“I suspected,” Selena admitted. “But you didn’t need me. You’re stronger than you think, Vax.”

Her words were meant as encouragement, but they only left Vax with more questions. What did she really want from him?

Selena tilted her head, studying him. “You’re starting to see the truth, aren’t you? This academy isn’t your ally. It’s your enemy.”

Vax didn’t respond, but deep down, he knew she might be right.