The midday light filtered through the tall arched windows of Veyl Academy's west courtyard, where a group of boys lounged beneath the shade of a sprawling silverleaf tree. The air was heavy with summer heat, cicadas droning faintly from the garden hedges.

A gray-haired boy sat at the center of the group, his hair falling into a sharp side fringe that framed his smirking face. Lomwel Matthew—the notorious scion of the Lomwel family. The Lomwels were a name that carried weight, their influence threading through every corner of the academy like invisible chains.

Matthew lazily leaned back, one arm resting across the bench, while his emerald-trimmed uniform jacket hung open like he owned the air itself.

"Anyway, where were we… oh, the mission," Matthew said, glancing at his friends.

One of his henchmen, a wiry boy with a crooked nose, leaned forward eagerly. "Tell us what you did on that mission again, Lomwel-san."

Matthew grinned, eyes narrowing with arrogant satisfaction. "I eradicated those Voidborn pests with my wind affinity. Cut them down like leaves in a storm."

A bald henchman slapped the table in admiration. "As expected of Lomwel-san!"

At just fourteen, Lomwel Matthew already carried himself like a man untouchable. Every word dripped with smug certainty.

…

Meanwhile — back to Khael.

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual midday chaos, clattering trays, laughter, the occasional magical spark from overeager students practicing tricks at the table. Sunlight streamed in through stained-glass panels, scattering faint colored light across the polished floor.

Khael sat with his group—Ceyla Nox, who cradled the rescued dog in her arms, her storm-grey eyes scanning the room like she was daring someone to look twice. Shigeo Motome lounged opposite, posture slouched, a lazy hand idly pushing away a plate. Saya Kurenai sat beside him, braid swinging as she leaned in with a grin.

"Don't force me to eat it," Shigeo muttered, glaring sideways at Saya.

"Oh, come on! It's delicious," Saya countered, holding out a fork toward him.

Across from Khael, Kaen Suro was in his own world, scarfing down food at an alarming pace. Ceyla's brow furrowed as she watched.

"Are you a dog?" she asked flatly.

Kaen blinked, mid-bite. "What?"

"You eat like a wild dog," Ceyla said, tilting her head with mock judgment.

Kaen scowled. "You—!!"

Khael exhaled heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. (They bicker like they've known each other for years…)

Their usual banter was interrupted by a sudden crash—the sound of wood splintering and bodies hitting the floor. Every head in the cafeteria turned as a figure was sent flying through the air, landing hard and skidding across the tiles.

It was Andromeda Ban, coughing blood, with his Echo Beast Junjun bristling protectively beside him.

"How dare you hit—!" a voice snarled from the doorway.

Matthew Lomwel strode into view, his left side showing the damage from a blow. His presence seemed to freeze the air around them.

Andromeda staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his lip. "That's what you get for beating your dog."

Matthew's brow twitched. "Tsk… what nonsense are you talk—" His words stopped short as realization flickered across his face.

"You're talking about that trash?" he said finally, his tone dripping with disdain.

The cafeteria's buzz fractured in an instant. Chairs scraped back. Plates rattled. Dozens of students stood up, craning their necks toward the commotion.

"What's going on?" someone whispered.

"Andromeda Ban?" another voice muttered, almost disbelieving.

"Matthew Lomwel…" The name spread through the room like a ripple.

"Hoh… this is crazy."

All eyes shifted to the tall, gray-haired boy standing in the doorway. Matthew Lomwel didn't just walk, he prowled forward, each step deliberate, as if he owned the ground under his boots. The faint shimmer of Echo energy coiled around him like an invisible crown.

He'd heard every word muttered in the crowd. His lip curled into a sneer.

"Tsk… maggots like you think you can get away!!"

Behind him, a spectral form emerged Harmonae, a duet-like Echo Spirit, two ethereal figures bound in flowing ribbons of light, their voices weaving together in perfect harmony. The sound wasn't loud, but it sank into the bones, feeding Matthew with raw, thrumming strength.

Matthew's aura flared, air currents whipping at his hair and jacket. His affinity sharpened like a blade, power amplified to a dangerous peak.

"Echo Art: Wind Blast!!!"

The magic erupted from his palm like a compressed hurricane, spiraling forward with enough force to rattle the hanging lamps overhead.

Andromeda's eyes narrowed, teeth grit. (Tsk… if it weren't for his spirit, I could've fucked him up…)

The wind roared closer, scattering trays and sending papers into the air.

"Junjun!!" Andromeda barked.

"Arf!"

The dark-furred Echo Beast leapt forward, spectral energy flaring.

"Echo Art: Wind Barrier!!"

A translucent dome of swirling air formed between them, the currents vibrating with strain as they met Matthew's blast. The cafeteria's windows shuddered from the impact.

Then—CRACK.

The barrier splintered like glass under a hammer, shattering as the force of Matthew's amplified strike punched through.

The Wind Barrier burst apart in a scatter of fading motes. The shockwave rippled through the cafeteria, blowing over cups, knocking over chairs, and slamming a loose tray into the far wall and foods got messy like kaen's food.

Khael's coat whipped against his legs from the force as he squinted through the dispersing dust. (Damn… that wasn't just a student-level strike. Harmonae's amplification… it's the real thing.)

Kaen was already halfway out of his seat, flames licking faintly across his forearms.

"My food!! That bastard—!"

Ceyla, still holding the injured dog, stepped forward a half pace, lightning-like static crawling over her fingers. Her jaw was set tight. "If you're trying to pick a fight, Lomwel… you just found one."

Shigeo, seated with his usual slouch, didn't move—though his eyes tracked every step Matthew took. His voice came low and dry. "Complicated world…"

Saya rose beside him, her expression clouded with anger. "Matthew, you're going too far!"

Junjun growled, a deep rumble that vibrated through the air, standing protectively in front of Andromeda who got hit again… got blood from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes locked on Matthew with lethal intent.

Khael exhaled sharply, stepping between Kaen and Ceyla before either could lunge forward.

"Both of you—stand down."

Kaen's flames flared hotter. "Are you serious? After what he just—"

"Stand. Down." Khael's tone cut through the chaos like steel, his gaze not leaving Matthew. (If this escalates now, half the cafeteria will be in the infirmary… and the other half suspended.)

Matthew, smirking, rested his hand casually against his hip as the duet-spirit drifted closer behind him, their harmony still thrumming in the air.

"What? Afraid your little pack can't handle me?"

Andromeda spat to the side, stepping forward. "I'm not done with you, Lomwel."

The tension coiled tighter, like the whole room was just waiting for the first blow to drop.

To be continue