The academy’s grand library was a sanctuary of silence, its towering shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting colored hues across the marble floor. Caden sat alone at a desk near the back of the library, his head bent over a book on elemental theory. 
Yet, despite the peaceful surroundings, his mind was far from calm.
The aftermath of Darren’s challenge still echoed in his thoughts. He had turned it down—made a statement that he wouldn’t be goaded into senseless fights—but it hadn’t silenced the murmurs in the academy. If anything, it had stirred the pot even more.
*Caden Vernhart—too afraid to fight. Caden Vernhart—weak after all.*
He closed the book with a frustrated sigh, pushing it away. The decision had felt right at the moment, but now, doubt gnawed at him. What if turning down the duel had been a mistake? What if, instead of proving his strength by not fighting, he had cemented his place as an easy target?
A voice interrupted his thoughts, light but firm. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
Caden looked up to see Lira standing at the edge of the aisle, her green eyes studying him curiously. She stepped closer, her footsteps soft on the stone floor.
“Am I not allowed to study in peace?” Caden replied, though his attempt at sarcasm lacked its usual bite.
Lira tilted her head, sliding into the seat across from him. “You just don’t seem like the type to hole up in the library after what happened yesterday.”
“I needed some time to think,” Caden admitted, leaning back in his chair. “Everyone’s still talking about it.”
“They’ll keep talking,” Lira said, her voice steady. “But what matters is what you do next.”
Caden frowned. “I thought not fighting was the right decision.”
“It was,” she agreed, leaning forward. “But turning down a fight isn’t the same as avoiding everything.”
Caden blinked, her words sinking in. He hadn’t considered that. Was he running away by hiding in the library? By distancing himself from the very people he had come here to stand beside?
Lira’s eyes softened as she watched the conflict play out on his face. “Look, I get it. You’ve got all this pressure on you—your family name, your talent, all of it. But none of that matters if you don’t let people see who you really are.”
“And who is that?” Caden asked, a trace of bitterness in his voice. “The son of a duke trying to be more than just a name? The boy who ran away from a fight because he didn’t want to play the game?”
Lira reached across the table, placing a hand on his arm. “You’re more than that. But you have to show them. You’re not weak, Caden. You’re just… scared.”
Caden’s breath caught in his throat. The word hung in the air between them, raw and honest. Scared? Was that what it was?
He clenched his fists, feeling the sting of her truth. Yes, he had been scared. Scared of falling short, of being exactly what everyone thought he was—weak. Scared of the expectations that clung to him like chains.
“I don’t know how to change that,” Caden admitted, his voice low. “Every time I try, it feels like I’m just sinking deeper.”
Lira’s grip on his arm tightened, her expression fierce. “Then stop thinking about what you *should* be and just be yourself. Stop trying to live up to anyone’s expectations, including your own.”
Caden stared at her, a strange mixture of gratitude and frustration bubbling inside him. How could she make it sound so simple? How could she look at him with such certainty, as if she saw something in him that he couldn’t even see in himself?
Before he could respond, the quiet of the library was interrupted by the creak of the heavy wooden door swinging open. Both Caden and Lira turned toward the entrance, where Finn strode in, his long coat sweeping the floor behind him. His usual calm expression was clouded with urgency.
“Caden,” Finn called, his tone brisk. “We need to talk.”
Lira’s hand slipped away from Caden’s arm as he rose from his chair, his brow furrowed. “What’s going on?”
“Just come with me,” Finn said, his voice leaving little room for argument.
Caden exchanged a glance with Lira before nodding, following Finn out of the library and into the dimly lit corridor. As they walked, Finn’s pace quickened, his usual composed demeanor replaced by an edge of tension that set Caden on alert.
“What’s this about?” Caden asked again, his voice tinged with impatience.
Finn slowed, glancing over his shoulder. “It’s about Darren.”
Caden’s stomach twisted at the mention of the name. “What about him?”
“He’s challenged you again,” Finn said grimly. “But this time, he didn’t come to you directly. He’s been spreading rumors all morning—saying that you’re afraid to face him. That the ‘duke’s son’ hides behind his family name.”
Caden stopped in his tracks, a surge of anger flashing through him. So Darren wasn’t done. He had refused the duel yesterday, but Darren had found another way to make his life difficult. 
“That coward,” Caden muttered under his breath.
Finn turned to face him fully, his expression serious. “I know you don’t want to fight him, but this isn’t going to stop unless you do something.”
Caden’s mind raced, the anger giving way to a rising sense of helplessness. Darren was baiting him, forcing his hand. But Finn was right—if he didn’t confront this, it would only grow worse.
“Fine,” Caden said, his voice tight. “I’ll fight him.”
Finn blinked in surprise, but Lira’s voice cut through the air before he could respond. “No.”
Both boys turned to see her standing at the end of the corridor, arms crossed, her face set in a hard frown.
“You don’t need to fight him, Caden,” Lira insisted, walking toward them. “Darren is just looking for a reason to bring you down to his level. If you fight, he wins.”
Caden’s frustration flared. “Then what am I supposed to do? He’s not going to stop.”
“Then find a different way,” she urged, stepping closer. “You’re better than this.”
Caden shook his head, his emotions in turmoil. He didn’t want to fight Darren, but what choice did he have? His heart was pounding, torn between Lira’s reasoning and the primal need to defend himself.
Finn looked between them, his expression conflicted. “Caden, I think Lira’s right. But if you don’t face Darren head-on, the rumors will keep spreading.”
The silence stretched out between them, tension hanging in the air like a storm about to break. Caden’s mind whirled as he tried to find a solution that didn’t end with fists or spells. He had spent years feeling like an outsider in his own home, and now, the academy felt no different. No matter what he did, it seemed like the world was determined to box him in.
But Lira’s words from earlier came back to him, echoing in his mind. *You don’t have to stay in that box.*
Suddenly, an idea formed. It was risky—perhaps even foolish—but if it worked, it could change everything.
“I’ll face him,” Caden said quietly, his decision firm.
Lira’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What? No, Caden, you can’t—”
“But I won’t fight him,” Caden continued, his gaze steady as he met hers. “Not with magic. Not with fists.”
Finn and Lira both stared at him, confusion written across their faces.
“Then how?” Finn asked, his voice cautious.
Caden’s lips curled into a small, determined smile. “I’ll challenge him to a duel of wits.”
Finn’s eyes narrowed. “A duel of wits?”
Caden nodded. “If Darren wants to prove he’s stronger, let him try to outthink me. We’ll settle this with strategy, not brute force.”
Lira’s expression softened, a slow smile spreading across her face. “That’s brilliant.”
Finn still looked skeptical, but after a moment, he nodded. “It’s unconventional, but it might work. Darren’s never been the sharpest when it comes to strategy.”
Caden’s heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins. This was his chance—not just to defend himself, but to show everyone that he was more than just the youngest son of a duke. He could carve out his own path, on his own terms.
“Where is Darren now?” Caden asked, his voice resolute.
Finn glanced toward the courtyard. “He’s waiting. The rumors have already drawn a crowd.”
Caden took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. “Then let’s settle this.”
As they made their way toward the courtyard, Caden’s mind raced with possibilities. He didn’t know how Darren would react to the challenge, but he knew one thing for certain—this wasn’t just about winning or losing anymore. This was about proving that he could stand on his own.
When they arrived, the crowd had already gathered, students murmuring excitedly as they spotted Caden approaching. Darren stood at the center, his expression smug and confident, flanked by a group of Ventus students.
“Well, well
, look who decided to show up,” Darren sneered, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
Caden stopped a few feet away, meeting Darren’s gaze with a calm that surprised even himself. “I’m not here to fight you, Darren.”
The crowd stirred, whispers spreading like wildfire.
Darren’s brow furrowed, confusion flashing across his face. “Then why are you here?”
“I’m here to challenge you to something else,” Caden said, his voice loud and clear. “A duel of wits.”
The courtyard fell into stunned silence. Darren blinked, clearly caught off guard. “A… what?”
Caden smiled, his confidence growing. “You heard me. You want to prove you’re better than me? Fine. Let’s see who can outthink the other.”
Darren’s confusion quickly gave way to anger, his face flushing red. “What kind of coward’s game is this?”
“It’s not cowardice,” Caden replied evenly. “It’s strategy. You think you can beat me with strength? Prove you’re more than just muscles.”
The crowd watched with bated breath, waiting for Darren’s response.
For a moment, Darren hesitated, his pride warring with his uncertainty. But then, with a snarl, he stepped forward, pointing a finger at Caden.
“Fine,” Darren growled. “I’ll play your little game. But when I win, you’ll fight me. No more tricks.”
Caden met his gaze, unflinching. “Deal.”
As they began to prepare for the unconventional duel, Caden felt the weight of the academy’s eyes on him, the pressure mounting with every passing second. But this time, he wasn’t afraid.
This time, he was ready to show them who he really was.