The Great Hall of the Academy was a sea of white and gold. Usually, the "Dregs" from the F-Rank classes were forced to stand at the very back, behind the stone pillars where they could barely see the stage. But today was different. Today, the front row was reserved for the boy who had "tripped" his way into saving the world.
Cassian sat in a chair made of polished oak and blue velvet. It was far too comfortable for a man who just wanted to be invisible. To his left sat Princess Seraphina, her golden armor glowing under the enchanted chandeliers. To his right was Raiden, who was staring at the stage with a mix of pride and confusion.
"You look like you're going to a funeral, Cassian," Seraphina whispered, not turning her head.
"I am," Cassian muttered back, his eyes half-closed. "The funeral of my afternoon nap."
The chatter in the hall died down as Headmaster Magnus stepped onto the podium. He was an old man with a beard that reached his belt and eyes that seemed to see through stone. He didn't just have mana; he was mana. The air around him vibrated with power.
"Students! Teachers! Citizens of the Empire!" Magnus's voice boomed, amplified by wind magic. "We gathered here to celebrate a victory. For years, we have taught you that power is measured in mana-density and spell-circles. We taught you that the S-Ranks are the shields of our nation."
He paused, his gaze landing directly on Cassian.
"But yesterday, the void showed us that even the smallest pebble can stop a landslide. Cassian Valerius, a student with no mana, did what our finest instructors could not. He threw himself into the mouth of the beast and silenced it."
The hall exploded into applause. Hundreds of students stood up, cheering. Even some of the S-Ranks, moved by the story of the "Sacrifice," clapped their hands.
"Cassian Valerius," Magnus called out, his voice cutting through the noise. "Please, step forward. The Academy has a gift for its savior."
Cassian felt a heavy weight in his stomach. This was exactly what he wanted to avoid. If he went up there, his face would be etched into the memory of every spy and noble in the city.
He stood up slowly, his movements clumsy and tired. He walked up the marble steps, stumbling once on purpose to remind everyone he was still a "Dud."
As he reached the podium, Magnus placed a heavy, cold hand on his shoulder. It wasn't a friendly touch. Cassian felt a thin needle of mana probe his skin, searching for a secret, looking for the "Void-Paths" he had worked so hard to hide.
"Search all you want, old man," Cassian thought, letting his body go limp and "empty." "There's nothing here but a sleepy student."
"For your bravery," Magnus announced, holding up a shimmering silver medal, "the Academy awards you the Mark of the Guardian. From this day forward, Cassian Valerius is no longer an F-Rank student. He is granted the rank of Honorary Elite. He will attend classes in the High Tower, eat at the Golden Table, and have access to the Private Library."
A shockwave of silence hit the room. The F-Ranks stopped cheering. The S-Ranks looked outraged. To be an "Honorary Elite" meant Cassian was now equal to the Princess herself in status.
"I... I don't think I'm smart enough for the High Tower, sir," Cassian said, his voice cracking perfectly. "I barely passed my history test."
"Nonsense," Magnus smiled, but his eyes remained cold. "A hero belongs in the light, Cassian. We wouldn't want you hiding in the dark, would we?"
After the ceremony, as the crowd began to leave, Cassian found himself surrounded by people trying to shake his hand. He pushed through them, acting overwhelmed, until he reached the shadows of the side hallway.
A hand reached out and pulled him behind a tapestry.
"You're in trouble," Lyra Thorne whispered. She was pale, her fingers clutching her tuning fork so hard her knuckles were white.
"I know," Cassian sighed, leaning against the wall. "He moved me to the High Tower. He wants to watch me every second of the day."
"It's worse than that," Lyra said, leaning in close. "My uncle, Master Thorne, was in the meeting after the ceremony. Magnus didn't give you that rank to reward you. He gave it to you so he could legally use the Truth-Seer stones on you during 'Elite Training'."
Cassian's eyes narrowed. The Truth-Seer stones were ancient artifacts that could force a person to show their true power. If he was forced into a high-level duel, he wouldn't be able to "trip" his way out of it.
"He suspects something," Lyra continued. "He's been looking at your family records. He's asking questions about why a Valerius would have zero mana. He thinks you're a 'Vessel'."
"Let him think," Cassian said, his voice dropping into that cold, steady hum. "The High Tower has better food anyway. If he wants a show, I'll give him one. But tell your Guild to start moving those supplies into the sub-basement tonight. If Magnus is watching the Tower, he won't be watching the floor."
Lyra looked at him, realizing that even with the Headmaster of the world's greatest Academy hunting him, Cassian didn't look afraid. He just looked annoyed that he had to move his bed.
"Go, Lyra," Cassian said, stepping back into the light. "The Hero has to go have dinner with a Princess. It's a very difficult life."