But just as he rounded a corner, he was stopped by the sound of footsteps behind him. Aeren turned, his eyes narrowing slightly. Kaelen, accompanied by two of his closest companions, had appeared, blocking his path.

"You," Kaelen said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I thought you were just another commoner, barely worth my attention. But you managed to take the top spot... No matter, I’ll make sure you know your place."

One of Kaelen's companions sneered. "You don't belong here with us," the young man said, drawing his sword with a flick of his wrist. "I can’t stand looking at you."

Aeren stood still, his gaze cold as ice. "Is this what it’s come to? You’re going to try and fight me over a title?" His voice was calm, almost as if he were discussing the weather.

Kaelen smirked, taking a step forward. "You seem to think you're special because you managed to impress the judges, but in the end, we all know you're nothing compared to someone like me."

Without warning, Kaelen raised his hand, channeling fire magic. A blast of searing heat shot toward Aeren, but he was ready. In a blur of motion, Aeren raised his hand, countering with a wave of water magic. The two elements collided with a hiss, steam billowing into the air, and the blast was dissipated.

"You think you’re the only one who can control fire?" Aeren asked, his voice unwavering. "I don’t need to stoop to your level."

Kaelen's face twisted in anger as he prepared for another strike, but Aeren wasn’t finished. With a flick of his wrist, Aeren summoned both fire and water in a single, perfect fusion. The temperature dropped sharply, and steam erupted from the magic he conjured, disorienting Kaelen and his companions for just a moment.

Before they could react, Aeren moved. In a blur, he was behind them, effortlessly dodging their attacks, and his hand shot out. With a twist of magic, he froze their weapons in place, rendering them useless.

"Is this the best you’ve got?" Aeren asked, his voice cold and mocking. "I thought you’d be more of a challenge."

Kaelen and his companions stood there, stunned, unable to move their weapons. Their faces were flushed with rage and humiliation. They had underestimated him—Aeren had not only countered their attacks but had done so in such a way that they couldn’t even retaliate.

"Don’t forget your place," Aeren continued, his tone now dangerous. "I didn’t come here to play your games. If you want to challenge me, then bring something worth my time."

Without another word, Aeren turned and walked away, his steps echoing in the corridor. He didn’t look back, leaving Kaelen and his companions to stew in their frustration and embarrassment.

As he entered his room, Aeren couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The rivalry had begun, but it wouldn’t end so easily for Kaelen. The academy was full of challenges, but Aeren had already proven that he was not to be underestimated.

He closed the door behind him, locking it with a calm breath. Aeren’s path was clear. He had come here to rise above the others, and no one—least of all Kaelen—would stop him.

As Aeren sat in his room, reflecting on the events of the day, a loud bang reverberated through the door, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps rushing toward him. Before he could even react, a sharp voice echoed through the door.

"Aeren! Open this door now!" Kaelen’s voice was laced with anger and arrogance. "You think you can humiliate me in front of everyone and just walk away? I’m the Prince, and you’ll regret this!"

Aeren’s eyes narrowed, his calm demeanor unwavering. He could already sense the tension in the air, and he knew Kaelen wouldn’t let this go easily. A small smirk tugged at his lips, but he didn’t move. He wasn’t one to react out of haste.

But before he could do anything, the door suddenly burst open, and Kaelen stormed into the room, followed closely by his two companions. The prince’s fury was palpable, and his eyes burned with contempt. "I’ll make you pay for this, Aeren. You’ll learn that no one humiliated me and got away with it," Kaelen snarled, his hand raised in a threatening gesture.

Aeren stood calmly, his posture relaxed but alert. "If you're here to challenge me again, then come on," he said in an even tone, barely a flicker of emotion crossing his face. He had no interest in this petty confrontation, but he would make sure Kaelen understood his place.

Kaelen, filled with pride and the arrogance that came with his royal bloodline, sneered. "You’re nothing but a lowborn peasant. I don’t care what kind of tricks you pulled earlier. I will make you regret ever crossing me."

At that moment, one of the instructors stepped into the room, his eyes locked on Kaelen. "Prince Kaelen, that’s enough. You will leave this room immediately," the instructor said firmly, his voice unwavering.

But Kaelen only scoffed at the teacher. His hand shot out, and a burst of magic flared, pushing the instructor back. "You, a mere teacher, dare tell me what to do?" Kaelen’s voice was filled with authority, his aura of royalty forcing the instructor to pause. "I am the Prince of Valcrest! You will not tell me what to do. If you interfere again, you’ll regret it."

The instructor, clearly surprised by Kaelen’s outburst, hesitated. Kaelen’s magic crackled with power, a visible display of his royal lineage. The room seemed to shrink under the oppressive force of Kaelen’s fury. He knew that Kaelen, despite being a student, held the power of his title—and he was ready to use it.

The teacher’s expression hardened. "I don’t care if you are a prince," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "You are not above the rules of this academy. If you continue this, there will be consequences."

Kaelen’s eyes gleamed with disdain as he turned toward the instructor. "Consequences? You think you can do anything to me? You can’t touch me, teacher. I’ll have you thrown out of here in an instant."

The instructor was momentarily stunned, but his silence spoke volumes. He knew better than to challenge the prince outright, especially in front of others, but he wasn’t about to back down. "You may be royal, but your actions here will not go unnoticed," the instructor said, his voice steady but with a hint of caution. "We are all bound by the same rules. Don’t forget that."

Kaelen, seething with rage, shot one last glare at Aeren before turning and storming out of the room. "This isn’t over," he muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with venom. "I will make sure you regret this, Aeren."

As the door slammed shut, Aeren stood still, not even flinching at the prince’s threat. He had known this would happen. Kaelen’s pride and arrogance were as glaring as his lack of self-control.

The instructor, though clearly shaken by the exchange, gave Aeren a brief nod. "You handled that well. Just… be careful. Prince Kaelen is not someone to be underestimated."

Aeren nodded. "I’m aware," he replied coolly. "But if he wants a challenge, he will get one."

As the instructor left, Aeren allowed himself a small sigh. The academy had barely begun, and already, it seemed that the real challenges were just beginning. But this was nothing he couldn’t handle. After all, he had faced far worse in his past.