Chapter 89: Chapter 89 : Curiosity

[ Alicia’s POV ]

The sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the Student Council Room, painting golden streaks on the marble floor.

Alicia von Crestvale, president of the student council, sat elegantly behind a polished mahogany desk, her quill dancing over parchment. But her usual laser-sharp focus was nowhere to be found.

Her mind, instead, was shackled to the events of three weeks ago—the duel that still echoed in the minds of students across the academy. The duel with him.

Alex Dragonheart.

No matter how much she tried to redirect her thoughts, they kept circling back. With a sigh, Alicia leaned back in her chair, folding her arms as her eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

And more than that—because of how it all began.

—

She had first heard about him from her brother, who never praised someone highly without a reason. Amidst the countless faces of fresh cadets—some excited, some terrified, most forgettable—one figure stood quietly in the center, his gaze unwavering.

Alex Dragonheart.

Her curiosity was mild at first. The only reason she even looked twice was because her brother, Alden, had mentioned him beforehand.

Alden didn’t often praise someone highly. So Alicia watched.

And then Alex did something insane.

He won the title of Apex—rising above a million cadets. No noble blood, no backing, no legacy. Just skill.

And then came his speech at the orientation.

Arrogant. Bold. Unapologetic.

As a noble herself, it should’ve annoyed her—but instead, it made her smile faintly.

’He had guts.’

That curiosity deepened into something stronger when Evelyn Williams—Ethan’s sister, the third-year Apex—took notice.

Her eyes locked onto Alex for only a moment before she said, “That guy… he has potential.”

Alicia’s head turned sharply toward Evelyn.

’What?’

Evelyn never complimented anyone, no matter how strong that person was.

Alicia knew better than anyone—Evelyn was no ordinary student. Her influence stretched far beyond the academy walls. Even the elders of major houses treated her with cautious respect.

If she acknowledged Alex… that wasn’t something to be ignored.

Alicia’s curiosity exploded.

She began her investigation that same day.

What she found was… confusing.

He was just a commoner.

Living in a broken-down house on the outskirts of the Avaloria capital. No wealth. No reputation.

Just a little sister, suffering from Abyss Corruption—a terminal condition with no known cure.

And yet…

Just four months ago, Alex had been a Novice (Low) rank—barely above unawakened. The absolute bottom of the hierarchy.

He scraped by doing whatever he could. Manual labor. Gambling. Underground errands. Even low-tier underworld work.

But now?

Advanced (Low).

In four months.

Four.

It was ridiculous.

Even she and Alden—hailed as the brightest stars of their generation—had taken years to break into the Advanced realm.

Even Ethan, a monster in his own right, wasn’t that fast.

Only Evelyn had reached that stage in six months—and that was considered legendary.

So how?

How did a commoner, with no background, climb faster than prodigies born and bred for greatness?

The only logical answer?

’He must’ve signed a dark contract.’

’A demonic human.’

It was the only explanation that made sense.

But Alicia never acted on mere suspicion. She needed confirmation.

So she went to the only man who could give her that.

Headmaster Aldric Verlane.

She stepped into his office, ready to lay out her doubts.

But before she could say a word, Aldric looked up from his parchments and calmly said:

“He is not a demonic human.”

Alicia froze.

’He knew.’

’He knew I was investigating him.’

’How? No—why?’

She adjusted her stance and changed her question.

“Then… what is he?”

Aldric leaned back, staring at her with those deep, tired eyes.

“Even I don’t know that,” he said. “But he’s not one of them. Of that, I am certain.”

Relief washed over her—but it didn’t satisfy her curiosity.

’Then what is he?’

It only made her more curious.

—

When one of the second-year students dropped from the duel due to a mission, Alicia saw her chance.

She approached Professor Alistar, calm and composed as ever, and offered herself as a substitute.

She had already told him who she wanted to fight.

Alex Dragonheart. The first-year cadet.

Alistar raised a brow, but didn’t object. In fact, he looked intrigued.

Everything fell into place perfectly.

—

After every match concluded, the last duel of the day arrived.

Alex stepped onto the field.

She watched him closely as the arena quieted.

Then the duel began.

Alex fought with every skill he had. His techniques were not that refined, but surprisingly vast for a commoner. He moved with calculation, using every ounce of his mana with precision.

Even she had to admit—he used his skills with remarkable efficiency. There were some loopholes, sure, but the potential… it was breathtaking.

But more than that…

His arsenal of skills.

He had many. High-level ones. Rare types. Ones that should’ve required monster cores from powerful beasts and forbidden zones.

Even her brother Alden—with all their family’s wealth—didn’t have that many.

And yet Alex, a commoner, not only possessed them—but used them with shocking precision.

There were flaws. Gaps in execution. Slight inefficiencies.

But overall?

He used them better than most nobles.

’How the hell does a commoner fight like that?’

Then came his sword art.

And it wasn’t just skill. It was artistry.

The sword danced in his hand—not like a tool, but like an extension of himself. Not some clumsy, brute-force style, but a beautiful, flowing rhythm.

Even more surprising?

Resonance.

A technique through which one can use their elemental affinity to its full potential. A technique most warriors only grasped at Advanced (High) rank.

Only prodigies like Ethan and Alden had used it until now.

But Alex—a freshly advanced fighter—was using it like he had been born with it.

Only one word came to her mind in that moment.

’Beautiful.’

She didn’t say it, of course.

Instead, she beat him. Thoroughly.

Because he didn’t even realize his own talent.

Letting someone like him win could easily go to his head.

She made sure it didn’t.

But then something unexpected happened.

Alex stood up and said he wanted to end the duel.

Just like that.

Alicia narrowed her eyes.

’He lacks motivation.’

’That’s his flaw. Not his talent. Not his skills.’

So she decided to push him.

She brought up his sister.

That was a low blow—and she knew it.

Alex’s eyes darkened instantly. His entire posture changed.

Anger flared.

She could feel it.

He lashed out—furious she had investigated him. She didn’t deny it.

But then she made him an offer.

Help.

A deal.

A way to save his sister.

That got him.

His aura flared again—but this time not with anger.

With focus.

And in that moment…

She saw it.

The real Alex Dragonheart.

And for the first time…

’He’s… exciting.’

He had used a sword technique in the final moments of their duel—one Alicia had never seen before.

It overwhelmed her, slicing through her guard with such precision that it landed a clean strike. Just a single blow… but one that shattered her expectations of him.

——–

The memory faded as she leaned back in her chair, letting out a heavy sigh. In the entire third year, there was no one aside from Evelyn who could truly match her in combat. And yet, Alex Dragonheart had not only pushed her… he had surprised her.

A whisper tickled her ear, breaking the silence.

“He looked so cool and dashing while fighting you, didn’t he?”

Alicia blinked, caught off guard by the sudden voice. Without thinking, she replied softly, “Yeah… he kind of did.”

And then it hit her.

’What did I just say?’

A flush of heat crept up her cheeks as she whipped her head toward the source of the voice.

Standing there, giggling like she had just discovered the academy’s greatest secret, was none other than Ophelia Sinclair. “So you were thinking about him, weren’t you, Prez?”

Alicia shot to her feet, flustered. “I-I was not!”

Ophelia burst into laughter, clutching her sides. “Alright, alright! No need to explode. I was just joking… kind of.”

Crossing her arms, Alicia huffed. “Don’t make those kinds of jokes again.”

“Okay, okay,” Ophelia said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “Anyway, the work list you asked me to prepare? It’s ready. Don’t worry.”

Alicia nodded. “Good.”

But Ophelia wasn’t finished. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she added, “Oh, and… I heard he just woke up today.”

Alicia looked up, expression shifting.

“Shouldn’t you go pay him a visit? After all, he only ended up in that condition because you pushed him. You should at least take some responsibility.”

A thoughtful silence followed. Then—

“That idiot… he didn’t even listen when I warned him about the backlash. I told him he was harming his own body.”

Ophelia chuckled. “You’re right, though. He should’ve listened. But, honestly? He looked so cool when he pushed through anyway. If I hadn’t already given my heart to my one and only true love, Ethan, I might’ve fallen for him.”

Alicia rolled her eyes. “You say that as if you haven’t proposed to Ethan ten times already.”

“And rejected all ten times, tragically,” Ophelia sighed dramatically. “But this is about you. It was the first time I saw you take an interest in someone. And you’ve turned down more marriage proposals from high-ranking nobles than I can count.”

“Cut the nonsense,” Alicia muttered. “That wasn’t the reason I was interested in him.”

“Oh? Then what was it?” Ophelia tilted her head innocently. “Don’t tell me it’s a secret?”

Alicia paused, caught between irritation and embarrassment. She couldn’t exactly tell her about Alex’s background… or that raw, terrifying talent he possessed.

So she simply said, “…You don’t need to know that.”

Ophelia smirked. “That means yes.”

Alicia sighed, brushing past her.

’Maybe I do owe him a visit. After all, I was the one who pushed him past his limits and he has to take risks.’

With a final glance over her shoulder, she handed all her remaining paperwork to Ophelia—the ever-capable vice president—and left the student council room.

Ignoring her complaints.

Swapping out her formal uniform for something more casual, she made her way toward the medical wing of the academy.

When she finally arrived, the door to his room slid open with a soft hiss.

And there he was.

Alex Dragonheart.

Lying on the hospital bed, partially upright, completely unaware of her presence.

He was talking—to himself?

Or… was it something else?

Alicia tilted her head.

’Was he lonely? Is that why he’s talking to himself…?’

He hadn’t even noticed she was there.

——-

A/N:-

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