“The difference between failure and strength is often just someone refusing to let you quit.”

The classroom was full of noise. Students chatted, laughed, and swapped notes about the upcoming trip. It felt like the whole room was celebrating. But in the far corner, sitting by the window, Ryu wasn’t smiling. He sat quietly, head low, his thoughts elsewhere.I

n another class across the hall—Class 2-D—someone else mirrored that silence. Aiden sat at his desk like a statue. His head rested on folded arms, his eyes dull, but something behind them felt heavy. He looked lazy, but deep down, his thoughts were restless.

As soon as the final bell rang, Ryu got up and made his way straight to 2-D.

There, as expected, Aiden hadn’t moved an inch.

“Hey,” Ryu called out, stepping into the classroom. “Did you hear? Finals are next week.”

Aiden lifted his head slowly, blinking. “Yeah, I heard. No big deal. Everything’s fine.”

Ryu narrowed his eyes. “Fine? You failed geography and math last time. The teacher literally gave you a ‘special consultation’ because of how bad it was.”

Aiden groaned and rubbed his temples. “Yeah, yeah… I’ll look into it.”

Ryu smacked him on the back. “Nope. Not this time. You’re actually going to study—and I’ll make sure of it!”

Aiden slumped forward. “Ugh… it’s so annoying having friends like you.”

Ryu smirked. “What was that? Sorry, I don’t speak lazy.”

Before Aiden could respond, another voice cut in.

“Still dragging him around, huh?”

A tall student walked over, wearing a smug grin. Daniel. He used to be close with Aiden, but things changed a long time ago.

Daniel crossed his arms. “I almost didn’t recognize you, Aiden. Your dad used to brag about you being a genius. Now look at you—lazy, useless, and weak. How embarrassing.”

Before Aiden could say anything, Ryu stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

“Say what you want, but don’t talk down to him.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “And you are?”

“Someone who doesn’t like arrogant jerks.”

Daniel snorted. “No affinity, no power. Just loud. Typical.”

Ryu grinned. “You’re right. I’ve got no affinity. But I’ve still got enough strength to knock that dumb look off your face.”

Daniel’s smile dropped. “You sure talk big for someone with nothing.”

That’s when Aiden finally spoke. His voice was flat, but clear. “Even if Ryu doesn’t have magic, he’d still beat you in a straight fight. You’d probably pass out if he sneezed too hard.”

Daniel’s face twisted in anger. “You’ve always had that mouth, you know that?” He lunged, throwing a punch at Aiden—but Ryu caught it easily.

“Try harder,” Ryu said, smirking.

A crowd had already gathered. Students whispered, phones came out, and someone had even gone to get a teacher. Soon enough, Combat Instructor Aaron Beck showed up.

“What’s going on here?” he asked.

One of Daniel’s friends piped up, “They’re challenging each other. Let them spar it out, sir!”

Aaron frowned but looked at Aiden. He had seen the boy’s performance in P.E. earlier that week.

“…Fine,” Aaron said. “I’ll allow a sparring match. But there are rules. No full-power attacks. No damage to the school. No serious injuries. First person to touch the ground loses. Got it?”

Both boys nodded and left the classroom for the ground. As they stood there and took their stance--Aaron raised a hand. “Begin!”

Daniel’s hands lit up with bright sparks. Fire affinity.

The crowd gasped. Fire magic was rare. Dangerous.

Daniel smirked. “I’ll give you one chance to back out.”

On the side, Ryu shouted, “If you chicken out now, I’m breaking your bones myself!”

Aiden sighed. “Why am I friends with you again…”

Then Daniel raised his arms, and flames burst out. The heat rushed forward, making the nearby students step back. It looked wild and impressive—but Aiden didn’t even blink.

Aiden simply raised his hand. A small orb of flame appeared in his palm—controlled, steady, and far hotter than Daniel’s. The temperature around them rose sharply. The air shimmered.

Then, just like that, Daniel’s fire vanished. His sparks fizzled out.

He dropped to his knees, struggling to breathe. The pressure of Aiden’s heat was too much. Sweat ran down his face. His legs shook.

Aiden stood calm, his voice low. “This is basic area heat control. You call it a fancy fireball. Maybe you should learn real fire magic before showing off fake ones.”

Aaron folded his arms, watching closely. “Same element, different results,” he muttered.

The crowd stared in silence. Some looked amazed. Others just confused.

For a second, Aiden’s eyes sharpened. If Daniel had been stronger, maybe this would’ve been interesting. But he wasn’t. So Aiden let out a breath and turned away.

Aaron stepped in. “That’s enough. Aiden wins. Clearly.”

The crowd broke into whispers.

Daniel scrambled to his feet and stormed off, fists clenched in frustration, followed by his silent lackeys.

Ryu walked over to Aiden, grinning. “Okay, what the heck was that red flame thing? That wasn’t basic.”

Aiden shrugged. “Just a normal technique.”

Ryu blinked. “You roasted him like a chicken.”

Aiden sighed. “This day’s been a pain already…”

Ryu smacked his back again. “Still, you were awesome. Even if you want to stay lazy, I’m gonna drag you toward the spotlight, whether you like it or not.”

Aiden rolled his eyes. “You’re a weird person.”

“And tomorrow,” Ryu said with a wink, “you’ll be a school legend.”

Aiden groaned. “Great. Just what I needed.”

The Next Day followed with Aiden’s popularity got up through the roof. Everyone was talking about the match. At lunch, Ryu showed up with an excited look.

“I made a study group. Me, Karl, Ren… and we’ll be studying at your place.”

Aiden froze. “Why… my room?”

He lowered his head in defeat.

Ryu smirked. “Relax. If others would want to join, we’re switching to the city library.”

Aiden repeated, "My room!!!"

Sitting nearby, Alina and Lena overheard.

Alina leaned in. “Can we join too?”

Ryu shrugged. “Sure. More the merrier.”

He glanced towards Aiden, his head was still down but he clearly smirked.

And so, the plan was set. 3 PM at the city library.

Later That Day they all headed to the library. It was quiet and warm, sunlight falling through the tall windows. Shelves lined the walls, and the long wooden tables were mostly empty.

It was supposed to be a study session. Supposed to.

Lena sat next to Ren, but her eyes were more focused on him than her book.

Alina nudged her. “Hey Ren, Lena’s stuck on this problem. Help her out.”

Lena blushed. “I-I’m fine…”

Alina ignored her. “She wouldn’t want to fail, right?”

Ren shrugged. “Alright.”

At the far end, Ryu and Karl were deep in a math battle.

“Summarizing notes helps a lot,” Ryu explained.

Karl rolled his eyes. “You and your notes again. I just cram.”

“Which is why you barely pass.”

Karl groaned.

Meanwhile, Aiden stared at his math book. He had tried. He really had. But now, he looked like a dying plant.

“Who invented math, anyway?” he muttered.

Karl peeked over. “You good?”

“No. My brain’s on fire.”

“Keep going,” Ryu said without looking.

Aiden stood dramatically. “I’m out.”

And he left.

The table went quiet for a second.

Karl chuckled. “Can’t blame him.”

Ryu shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

On the other side, Lena and Ren were still working—well, kind of. Ryu and Karl kept going through problems. Alina jumped between them, helping here and there. Then, music came up.

“Still listening to that band?” Alina asked Karl.

“You bet. Their new songs are amazing.”

The studying slowly turned into chatting.

Then Aiden returned.

He moved slowly, holding a cup of black coffee. He sat down without a word and took a long sip.

Ryu raised an eyebrow. “Addicted?”

Aiden replied, “Says the guy who lives on caffeine.”

The girls looked confused.

“He means coffee,” Ryu clarified.

Alina and Lena laughed. “What in the world is this affirmation!”

Aiden opened his math book again. Everyone was studying, so maybe…

He stared at it.

Then gently placed it over his face.

“…Nope. Motivation gone.”

“You good?” Ryu asked.

“My brain just short-circuited.”

Everyone laughed—even Ren cracked a smile.

Alina suddenly checked the time and gasped. “It’s past nine!”

“We’re so dead!” Lena added.

They all jumped up, grabbed their things, and rushed out. The girls ran first, worried about their parents yelling at them and they left.

After that day, the group kept meeting. Sometimes to study. Sometimes just to talk. Lena actually focused. Alina and Karl bonded over music. Ren helped where he could. Aiden still acted lazy, but at least he showed up.

They weren’t just classmates anymore.

They were friends.

The night before the exam day arrived, Aiden layed on his bed, asleep in the middle of the day. A book sat beside him, untouched.

On the other side of campus, Ryu sat at his desk, surrounded by notes. His eyes were tired, but he kept pushing. He had to be ready.

Eventually, sleep caught up with him. His head dropped onto his desk. Papers scattered.

The next morning,  school was in chaos.

The big day had arrived. Exam week.

Their biggest challenge yet had almost caught up.

Chapter End