The lecture ended abruptly. Professor Dorne had apparently made a habit of leaving questions unanswered in the room, only to move on to another topic without warning. An effective method, it forced his students to think for themselves instead of having him tell them everything.
Corin leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. The last two sessions had raised more questions than they had answered. But one thing was clear: they were now entering a realm of knowledge that even some nobles could not take for granted.
But that could wait. He had other plans now.
He left the lecture hall with brisk steps and made his way to the disciplinary committee. Cearen had shown him where it was yesterday, but he had hardly seen his friend since dawn. Perhaps he was already busy with other committee duties.
Corin did not take the direct route.
Instead, he took a deliberate detour via the training facility. It wasn't a big deal, he didn't stay long. But he made an appearance, looked around, kept eye contact with a few nobles who were training there. His intention was clear: he wanted to stay in their minds. If he wanted to go through with his plan, he couldn't be forgotten.
He would soon have a duel. At least if everything went according to plan. Most of the time they did in fact not.
When he finally stood in front of the Disciplinary Committee building, he examined it briefly. It was smaller than expected, but not insignificant. No teachers, only students ran it. That was crucial.
He entered the building and was greeted directly by a student at the reception desk.
Her expression changed slightly when she saw him. Not shock, but surprise. Perhaps it was his clothes, no crests, no signs of a noble house. Or maybe it was because she wondered what a newcomer was doing here.
"Can I help you?" she asked with professional reserve.
"I'm looking for Serena Cantara," Corin replied directly.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow.
Serena seemed important. He had seen it in her posture, in the way Cearen spoke to her. The student in front of him hesitated briefly.
"Wait here."
She disappeared into the back of the building. Corin crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
Now let's see what happens.
It didn't take long.
Corin was surprised at how quickly he was taken to another room. No long waits, no unnecessary standing around, as if Serena had already guessed that he was coming.
The door closed quietly behind him and his gaze fell on the young woman at the window.
Serena Cantara.
She wasn't dressed in the usual school uniform. Instead, she was wearing a white turtleneck sweater that emphasized her slim silhouette, combined with an elegant black skirt. A simple but striking choice.
Corin could well imagine that many of the male students let their eyes linger on her. But he was less impressed. He was used to being surrounded by an even more breathtaking presence thanks to Viviana. Nevertheless, he had to admit that Serena had a distinctive aura of her own.
"Sit down," she said calmly, gesturing slightly to the chair in front of her desk.
Corin settled down, his gaze resting on her.
"Would you like something to drink?"
The question came casually, but her gaze continued to rest intently on him. She studied him as if she was already trying to figure out his intentions before he even spoke them.
Corin leaned forward slightly. "Tea would be good."
A small emotion passed her lips, a hint of satisfaction or perhaps amusement. She reached for a pot on the table and poured him a cup. The scent of herbal tea caught his nose.
She wanted to know what he wanted.
Serena's gaze rested on him for a long time. Corin took a sip of tea, letting the warmth flow through him, but even that didn't seem to be enough to ease the tension in the room.
"How can I help you, Mr. Denoir?" Serena finally asked, her voice professional but with a hint of impatience.
Corin smirked slightly and put his cup down.
"Please, stay with Corin. We've already introduced ourselves."
Serena raised an eyebrow as if considering whether to comply with this request, but apparently decided against going into it further.
"I wasn't expecting you so soon."
Corin let her words run through his head.
'Not so soon?'
He tilted his head slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Serena crossed her arms.
"Students who aren't supported by a family often get into trouble. It's our job to avoid these conflicts. However, it usually takes time for these conflicts to develop."
She paused briefly before adding with a slight smile:
"The academy is neutral."
Neutral. A pleasant thought, if it was the truth. Corin knew that nobility and influence cast their shadows over every institution, even one that claimed to be neutral. But that was not the issue now.
"I'm here because I want to know about the rankings."
Serena showed no surprise, but her gaze narrowed slightly.
"The list hasn't been officially published yet. Why are you interested in it?"
"I want to know the rank of Aldric Vealmont."
That surprised her. It was only a small moment, a barely noticeable hesitation before she replied,
"Is there a problem with this student?"
Corin leaned back and relaxed.
"Not yet."
Serena scrutinized him for a moment, as if trying to figure out if he was telling the truth or just trying to lead her astray. Then she slowly turned to her desk, pulled a folder out of one of the compartments and began to leaf through it.
"The rankings at the end of the past school year are never completely accurate..."
Her eyes slid over the lines.
"But it's safe to say that he's in the top fifty of the academy."
Corin took the information calmly, but inwardly he was already thinking about it. In the top fifty, then. That made him a worthy opponent.
Serena closed the folder and looked at him again.
"So, are you happy with the answer?"
Corin took his time responding before he finally said,
"Let's just say it gives me some direction."
Serena's smile was cool.
"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, Corin."
He returned her gaze.
"I hope so, too."
He had the first piece of information. Now he just had to plan the next step.
Serena's eyebrow raised slightly, but otherwise she showed no emotion.
"An official duel?"
Corin showed no reaction.
"I don't know anything"
She let that run through her mind for a moment before snorting softly.
"You just enrolled here, you have hardly any allies and you want to challenge Aldric Vealmont of all people? Brave, Denoir."
"Brave or foolish, only time will tell. I have no intention of challenging him personally."
Serena shook her head almost imperceptibly, then leafed through the folder again as if she could find an answer. Finally, she put it aside and leaned lightly on the desk.
"I wouldn't recommend that either. If you challenge him, it won't be a simple duel. Aldric is one of the influential ones, the ones who defend their position. If you win, you will gain more than just his attention."
Serena eyed him again, this time longer, more intensely. Then she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.
"Are you sure you're ready?"
Corin returned her gaze calmly.
"It's out of my hands either way. However, I would advise you to keep the stadium free for tomorrow afternoon."
A tense silence hung in the air for a moment, then Serena took a deep breath and reached for a new sheet of paper.
"Then let me make it official."
"That would be very helpful."
As she began to write, Corin wondered if Aldric already knew of his intentions. Soon it wouldn't matter, because once the duel was announced, his name would be on everyone's lips.