The academy's main courtyard was crowded.
Students gathered around the entrance to watch a group of newly admitted students.
At their center stood a young man with golden hair and bright blue eyes.
Leon Arclight.
The future hero.
Adrian recognized him immediately.
Leon wore a simple academy uniform, but his posture and expression made him stand out.
Several students approached him.
"Are you the one who defeated the advanced training dummy?"
"I heard your mana capacity is extraordinary."
"Is it true you possess an ancient bloodline?"
Leon smiled politely.
"I still have a lot to learn."
Adrian watched from a distance.
A golden aura flickered briefly around Leon's hand.
The Sunforged Lineage.
Even at this early stage, its power was impressive.
Adrian looked away.
He had no reason to approach Leon.
Unfortunately, someone noticed him.
"Adrian von Valen!"
A tall student with blond hair approached.
Victor Halbrecht.
The son of a wealthy noble family.
In the original novel, Victor had been one of Adrian's companions before eventually becoming an enemy.
"Why are you standing alone?" Victor asked.
Adrian smiled faintly.
"Enjoying the scenery."
Victor laughed.
"Then look over there. That's the famous Leon Arclight."
"I noticed."
"People say he's going to become the strongest student in the academy."
"Perhaps."
Victor narrowed his eyes.
"You don't sound impressed."
"Should I be?"
Before Victor could respond, a bell rang.
The students began moving toward the main hall.
Adrian followed the crowd.
He kept his distance from Leon.
But as he entered the building, he noticed something.
Leon wasn't simply talented.
The people around him were already beginning to gather.
Some wanted friendship.
Others wanted influence.
A few wanted to challenge him.
Adrian understood something important.
The future hero was not merely a person.
He was the center of a changing network of relationships.
If Adrian wanted to survive, he needed to understand that network.
He opened his notebook that evening.
Under Leon's name, he wrote:
Avoid unnecessary conflict. Observe his allies. Never underestimate his growth.
Then he closed the book.