The incident during the inter-class trial had changed something at Asteria. Not the academy itself. The classes continued, the training grounds were still being used, and students still complained about early lessons and difficult exercises. But the way people looked at Kael had changed. The rumors had not disappeared. They had simply become different. “I heard Veyron saved his entire team.” “I heard he figured out what was wrong with the training field before the professors did.” “He was actually pretty calm.” “Apparently, he isn't as arrogant as people thought.” Noah was enjoying every second of it. He walked beside Kael through the corridor, holding a book under one arm while imitating the voices of various students. “‘Apparently, he's less cold than he looks.’” Kael glanced at him. “That one is false.” Noah laughed. “You're really going to deny that?” “Yes.” Lysandra, walking on Kael's other side, smiled. “I think you're proving their point.” Kael sighed quietly. “I regret helping anyone.” “You say that every time,” Noah replied. “And yet you keep helping us.” “That is the unfortunate part.” They reached their classroom just as the bell rang. The lesson that day focused on tactical formations. The professor drew several positions on the board before turning toward the students. “Imagine your unit is surrounded. You have one experienced fighter, three average fighters, and one person capable of seeing the entire battlefield from a higher position. Who should command?” Several hands rose. The professor pointed toward Kael. “Veyron?” Kael looked at the formation for a moment. “The person who can see the whole field.” “Why?” “Because being the strongest fighter doesn't make someone the best commander. A commander needs to understand what everyone else can see, not just what he can do himself.” The professor nodded. “Exactly.” A few students exchanged glances. After what had happened during the trial, Kael's answer didn't surprise them. He had watched the entire situation before acting. He hadn't simply rushed into the fight. When class ended, Kael gathered his things and headed toward the corridor. “Veyron.” He stopped. Adrian Falken was standing a few steps away. The young noble approached, hands in his pockets. “Your reputation changed quickly.” Kael raised an eyebrow. “It'll change again tomorrow.” Adrian gave a small smile. “Probably.” They walked together for a few moments. “I prefer it this way,” Adrian continued. “Which way?” “People talking about what they actually saw.” Kael glanced at him. Adrian shrugged. “Rumors are useful, sometimes. But they usually tell you more about the person spreading them than the person they're about.” Kael considered that. “You pay attention.” “I try.” There was a brief silence. Then Adrian looked toward him. “Yesterday, you watched our team for quite a while before intervening.” “You didn't know how the others fought.” “So you were analyzing us.” “I needed to know what you could do.” Adrian nodded. “And do you analyze everyone before trusting them?” “Usually.” That answer earned a quiet laugh. “That's reassuring.” “It wasn't meant to be.” “I know.” They continued walking. After a moment, Adrian's expression became more serious. “And the Black Ravens?” Kael looked at him. “What about them?” “They reacted immediately when the training field malfunctioned. Especially Darius.” Kael remained silent. Adrian continued carefully. “You knew exactly how he would react.” “We've known each other for a long time.” “Childhood?” “Yes.” Adrian nodded. That explained some things. The way Darius could approach Kael without hesitation. The way Kael never seemed bothered when Darius touched his shoulder or spoke to him differently from everyone else. There was something between them that Adrian didn't quite understand. But he wasn't going to pretend he did. “Should I expect more problems like yesterday if I'm around you?” Kael's expression became slightly more serious. “I don't know.” Adrian waited. “There are things I don't understand myself,” Kael continued. “And I can't tell you more.” For a moment, Adrian said nothing. Then he simply nodded. “Fair enough.” Kael looked at him, slightly surprised. “You're not going to ask?” “You just told me you can't answer.” Adrian shrugged. “So asking again would be pointless.” Something about that answer made Kael relax. “Good.” “Was that a compliment?” “No.” “Right.” They reached the end of the corridor. Adrian turned toward another classroom. “See you later, Veyron.” “Kael.” Adrian stopped. Kael looked at him. “If we're going to keep working together, you can call me Kael.” Adrian smiled. “Then see you later, Kael.” He walked away. Kael watched him for a second before continuing. --- Noah and Lysandra were waiting near the stairs. Noah immediately noticed Adrian leaving. “You talked to him.” “Yes.” “You actually answered his questions?” “Some of them.” Lysandra smiled. “That sounds like progress.” Kael gave her a look. “Don't make it sound dramatic.” “It is dramatic,” Noah said. “You barely answer my questions.” “You ask too many.” “I ask important questions.” “You asked me this morning whether I thought bread tasted better toasted or not.” “That was extremely important.” Lysandra laughed. Kael shook his head. They headed toward the dining hall together. For once, the academy felt almost normal. No strange messages. No hidden passages. No ancient mechanisms. Just students talking, laughing, arguing about training results and complaining about homework. Kael almost preferred it that way. At lunch, someone from Team Seven approached their table. It was one of the students who had been with them during the failed training exercise. She stopped beside Kael, looking slightly nervous. “Veyron?” Kael looked up. “Yes?” “I wanted to thank you.” He frowned slightly. “For what?” “For protecting the team when the barriers failed.” Kael shook his head. “You would've done the same.” She smiled. “Maybe.” Then she returned to her friends. Noah watched her leave. “You're getting popular.” “I'd rather not.” “Too late.” Lysandra smiled. “He didn't even try.” “That makes it worse,” Noah said. Kael sighed. Across the dining hall, Adrian happened to look toward them. Their eyes met briefly. Adrian raised one hand in a small wave. Kael returned it. Nothing more. But it was enough. --- By the end of the day, Kael's reputation had shifted again. Not completely. Some students still whispered. Some were still curious about the Black Ravens. Some still wondered about the strange aura they had seen weeks earlier. But now there was something else mixed into those conversations. Respect. Not because Kael had asked for it. Not because of his family name. Not because of the knights standing behind him. They had seen him during the trial. They had seen what he could do when things went wrong. And, for the first time, they were beginning to form their own opinions. Kael didn't know how long that would last. At Asteria, things rarely stayed simple for long. But for now, he let himself enjoy the quiet. Sometimes, that was enough.

A Different Reputation