The testing center was a madhouse. Students pushed and shoved, eager to get registered, some yelling over each other, others already forming squads.
Calvin didn’t care. He was trying to bulldoze his way through the crowd, dragging Kael behind him like a ragdoll.
That’s when it happened—he accidentally bumped into someone.
A tall, broad-shouldered cadet spun around, eyes narrowing with disgust. His voice was sharp, entitled, and loud enough to make people around them go quiet.
"You? Here? This isn’t a kennel for strays."
He shifted his gaze to Kael and sneered.
"And you. Pathetic. You think you belong here? Touching what’s meant for pure bloodlines like us? I should have you both scrubbing walls."
Kael felt his stomach twist, but before he could say anything, Calvin stepped forward.
"Look, whatever’s between you and me—fine. But leave him out of it. Who I make friends with is none of your business."
The noble’s face twisted in rage.
"I should kill you for what you did. I’m Trollin Drake, son of Rank-3 Officer Favius Drake. I could—"
"Do nothing," Calvin interrupted flatly. "You and I both know you can’t touch us within Academy grounds."
Trollin clenched his fists. His voice cracked with fury.
"You little—after what you did to me—!"
He raised his hand and swung.
Calvin flinched, bracing for impact. But nothing came.
He opened his eyes—and froze.
Kael was standing in front of him, holding Trollin’s arm with one hand, unmoving. Trollin let out a squeal of pain, trying to yank away, but Kael’s grip was iron.
Calvin stared.
Kael’s eyes were calm. Dead serious.
"I have no clue how this idiot wormed his way in… but I’m not letting anyone hurt him."
Then he shoved Trollin back.
Trollin stumbled, caught by his lackeys. His face flushed red with rage.
"You… you dared touch me?! You lowlifes should bow to me! I’ll kill both of you in the team match. Count your last breaths."
And with that, he stormed off into the crowd.
Kael exhaled slowly. Calvin, still a little stunned, gave him a crooked smile.
"Well... that escalated."
They reached the registration booth together. Kael sighed.
"Great. Now no one’s going to want to team with us."
Calvin grinned.
"Think again."
He pointed to a group of cadets nearby—mostly commoners, people from the lower districts. They were smiling, impressed.
Soon, their squad was registered: four members, all outcasts in one way or another.
As they walked toward the training arena, Kael couldn’t help but ask:
"Okay… but why does Trollin hate you more than me?"
Calvin scratched his head.
"Huh? Nah, he’s just... angry in general."
Rio, one of their new teammates, chimed in.
"No offense, I just joined... but it really seemed like he wanted to murder you more than any of us."
Calvin winced.
"Okay, okay. Fine. I might have done something bad."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"I’m going to regret asking this, but... what did you do?"
Calvin coughed.
"So... back at the institute, before we came here—we were in the same class. I had a crush on his sister."
Kael blinked. Rio leaned forward.
"...And?"
"Well, he found out. Beat me black and blue with his friends. Her dad pulled her out of school."
Kael nodded slowly.
"Okay, that’s... harsh. But that can’t be all."
Calvin hesitated.
"Right. Well. As revenge, I... may have flirted with his girlfriend."
Kael stared. Rio gasped.
"You did what?!"
"Stole her from him, technically. She dumped him. For me."
Kael buried his face in his hands.
"You flirted with his sister, then stole his girlfriend?! WHY?!"
"Oh, and his sister still likes me," Calvin added casually. "Even more now that I dumped the girlfriend."
Kael looked at Rio. Then at their other teammate.
"Is it too late to change teams?" he asked, half-smiling, half-crying.
Calvin wrapped an arm around him, grinning ear to ear.
"Yup. Too late. You’re mine now, buddy."
"NOOOOOOO…" Kael groaned. "My peaceful life…"