The classroom remained unnaturally quiet.
Students pretended to write, to listen, to care about the instructor's words—but everyone's thoughts were still tangled around what had just happened.
The Princess of House Avalith. In their class. Sitting beside Noven, of all people.
No one understood it.
And Noven? He hadn't moved.
He kept staring out the window, one hand supporting his chin, red eyes distant—uncaring, unbothered.
But the Princess, Elaris Nyx Avalith, had not looked away from him since she sat down.
Mr. Elgrave's hands trembled slightly as he flipped open the arcane projector scroll. A pale bluish light spread across the blackboard as glyphs and diagrams flickered into existence. He tried to steady his voice. It wavered anyway.
"Ahem… T-Today, we'll be covering… foundational arcane theory. More specifically, the interaction between aura and mana, and how it relates to combat-class enhancement and support techniques."
The scroll shimmered with rotating diagrams of humanoid figures—transparent silhouettes with glowing cores centered around their chest, head, hands, and stomach.
"The system we use," he continued, swallowing hard, "is a refined interpretation of traditional spiritual systems, codified into what's known as the Six Veins of Energy Expression. Or as you all probably know it: The Path of Manifested Will."
A student from the middle row raised a hand, voice snarky. "You mean aura, right?"
"Yes," Elgrave nodded quickly. "Aura is one of the six core expressions. Let me explain."
He clicked his pointer, and the diagram split into six distinct energy patterns. Colored lines spread like rivers through the body: blue for mana, red for aura, green for vital current, purple for intent, gold for resonance, and white for willcraft.
"First—mana. Think of it like fuel. The raw magical energy harvested from your surroundings or from within, depending on bloodline capacity and affinity. It powers your spells."
He tapped the next stream.
"Aura is the outward manifestation of one's soul state. It responds to emotion, conviction, and intent. In combat, it can enhance physical ability, reinforce durability, and suppress enemies."
The diagram shifted again. The red aura flared, surrounding the figure like a cloak of flame.
"In advanced forms, aura can manifest differently depending on the user's personality and training—raging flame, calm mist, sharp wind, dense gravity. No two users have exactly the same aura expression."
The class murmured with interest.
Except for the back row.
Elaris hadn't blinked once.
Noven hadn't looked away from the clouds.
And yet… his red eyes flicked—barely—when the professor mentioned soul state.
A glint. A microscopic spark of awareness.
Elgrave continued, eager now that a few students seemed engaged.
"Next—vital current. Your body's life force. Most often used for healing, fortification, or tracking the strength of others. Dangerous to tamper with, and often targeted by forbidden techniques."
A student shivered in the front row.
He pointed to the fourth stream.
"Intent. Not to be confused with aura. Intent is focus-driven—an anchor of will that controls the flow of aura. Think of it like the difference between a blade and a hand holding that blade. It gives shape to power."
He clicked again.
"Then comes resonance. A rare trait. It allows the user to harmonize their aura with others—either in battle formations, bloodline techniques, or arcane amplification rituals. Only a handful of students per generation can develop this."
And finally—
"Willcraft. The rarest of all. It bypasses most external magic theory and focuses purely on spiritual transmutation. Those who master it are… let's say, above the rest of us. Usually."
He glanced nervously at Elaris.
She didn't react.
Someone raised a hand.
"What category does bloodline ability fall under?"
"A combination," Elgrave said, nodding. "Most bloodline abilities operate on a mix of aura, mana, and intent—though some are resonance-based, and a few… well, are just bizarre."
A few chuckles.
Then a student asked the question everyone was too shy to say out loud:
"So… which category is Noven in?"
Everyone froze.
Even Elgrave paused, awkward.
Noven, still gazing at the clouds, said nothing.
A few heads turned toward him, as if he might offer some sarcastic reply.
He didn't.
Just blinked once.
The teacher coughed. "It's… not appropriate to speculate. Students may disclose their affinities after certification testing. And while Class D students usually score lowest in aura sensitivity—"
"I have a question," said a voice from the back.
Everyone turned.
Elaris.
The Princess had spoken.
Her voice was calm. Like snow falling across a silent forest.
Elgrave's throat caught. "Y-Yes, Princess Avalith?"
She didn't look at him.
She was still looking at Noven.
"If aura is the soul's outward expression… then what does it mean when someone has none visible at all? No pressure. No presence. No intent."
The class blinked.
A few glanced at Noven, who still hadn't moved.
Elgrave hesitated. "In… some rare cases, that can mean the person is spiritually disconnected. Perhaps damaged. In others… it could mean their control is so refined that they compress their aura completely."
"Which is more likely?" she asked softly.
The teacher paled.
"…The first."
A long pause.
Elaris nodded once.
Then leaned slightly back in her chair, finally breaking eye contact with Noven—for a second.
But her expression didn't change.
Neither did his.
As the lecture continued, the tension remained in the air like a charged stormcloud. Students were still sneaking glances. At her. At him. Wondering what was happening.
Noven finally blinked again.
The sky had shifted.
The clouds above were thickening—shadows forming strange shapes in the early light. He exhaled slowly through his nose and leaned forward, finally giving the impression of listening.
Just as Elgrave said something important.
"Next week," the teacher said, "each student will undergo aura resonance mapping and combat-class placement. We'll divide you based on your dominant category."
More murmuring.
Someone asked, "Will there be sparring again?"
The teacher gave a weak smile. "Yes. In fact, I believe we have a mandatory combat simulation tomorrow. In the grand hall. You'll be grouped randomly."
Another groan from the students.
Then came the whisper again:
"I hope I get paired with the princess."
"Please let me be with Elaris."
"No, man, I hope I fight Noven. Gotta see if he's actually trash or hiding something."
A beat passed.
Then came a quiet voice.
"…What if he's both?"
The bell rang shortly after.
Students scrambled to leave, energy bursting out now that the spell of tension had worn off. Bags were slung over shoulders, chairs squealed against tile, conversations exploded in every corner.
Except the back.
Where Elaris still sat.
Still quiet.
Still watching.
And Noven… still hadn't looked at her.
But just before he stood to leave—
She leaned in, ever so slightly.
And whispered, barely audible over the chaos:
"Your aura doesn't flicker. It waits."
Noven froze mid-stand.
His red eyes narrowed slightly—but he said nothing.
Didn't turn.
Didn't respond.
He just walked out.
Elaris sat back again, and for the first time since she entered, a very faint smirk ghosted across her lips.
No one noticed.
Except one person.
Alyss Renwyn.
Leaning against the wall across the hallway with her arms crossed.
Watching the princess watch the boy who'd fought her like a ghost in the ring.
Her thoughts?
What the hell is going on with you, Noven?