The morning sun barely pierced through the cold fog that lingered over Arkwell Academy. Despite the serene appearance, tension brewed beneath the surface. Rumors of a failed "security drill" from the night before had already spread among the students, but no one knew the truth.
Except Harvey.
He stood silently in the back of the assembly hall, his uniform crisp, his expression unreadable. Around him, murmurs fluttered like moths toward flame—harmless, annoying, inevitable.
"Did you hear? Someone broke into the Academy's lower levels last night."
"They say the instructors summoned a secret group to handle it."
"I heard it was a Class F student! Can you imagine?"
Harvey didn't flinch.
At the front of the room, Headmaster Elric adjusted his monocle and cleared his throat. His voice rang out with practiced calm. "Last night, Arkwell Academy's systems detected an unauthorized spell resonance near the dormitory block. It has been investigated and contained. No students were harmed."
Contained.
The bodies had been erased. No traces. No evidence. No justice.
Harvey's gaze flicked toward the upper balcony—where the noble families sat in silence. Among them was Lady Irelia Karsain, the Academy's chief sponsor and one of the twelve ruling magisters of the city. Beside her, her daughter—Celestine Karsain, the golden heir of the Karsain House.
Their eyes met.
She did not flinch.
Most nobles looked down on Class F students. She studied him. Quiet. Unmoving.
Interesting.
"Now then," Headmaster Elric continued, "we will be calling several students for individual inquiries. Purely procedural. If your name is called, please cooperate."
A list of names followed.
Harvey's wasn't on it.
But he already knew what that meant.
---
Later that day, beneath the Academy's west wing – Interrogation Chamber 3
Professor Vahn, head of Magical Ethics, leaned back in his chair across the table from Harvey. The room was soundproofed. Enchanted. Neutral ground.
"So," Vahn began, "there was… interference in the dormitory mana field last night. Records were wiped. Several backup runes burned out. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that?"
Harvey looked at him, calm as ever. "Should I?"
Vahn gave a small smile. "You're not stupid. You've always been… observant."
"I appreciate the compliment."
"Then let me return the favor: don't play dumb. Three individuals entered the Academy using ancient stealth runes. They were never registered. Someone erased their mana traces, but not well enough. You left behind something."
Harvey tilted his head. "And yet here I am. Not in chains. Not expelled. Makes me wonder who you're really protecting."
Vahn didn't respond immediately. But the pressure in the room shifted—his aura flaring for just a second. "You're digging into things above your rank. Class F students don't survive long in the center of storms."
Harvey leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Then I'll climb higher. I've already tasted what's above—and it reeks of fear."
Vahn went still.
"I'll ask this once," he said slowly. "Did you use forbidden-level spells last night?"
"…No," Harvey said.
It was the truth. The spells he used weren't forbidden.
They were unknown.
Custom-built. Unsanctioned. Hidden even from the gods.
Vahn studied him, but couldn't call the bluff. "Very well. Dismissed."
Harvey rose, his coat brushing against the marble floor as he left.
---
Outside the chamber
A pair of students waited by the corridor. One of them was Elin Myra, second-ranked in Class A and daughter of a military high commander. She narrowed her eyes as Harvey walked past.
"Class F doesn't belong in inquiries," she said with deliberate venom.
Harvey paused and looked at her. "Neither do failed spellweavers, but here you are."
Her face went red.
Before she could speak again, another voice cut in.
"That's enough," said Celestine Karsain, stepping from the shadows, arms folded, eyes locked on Harvey. "You're interesting, Harvey Arclight. Too interesting."
He didn't smile.
"Good. I was hoping you'd notice."
---
Back in his dorm room, Harvey locked the door and activated a seal circle beneath his desk.
The system reappeared before him.
> [New Quest Branch Unlocked: Rise of the Spellbreaker – Part I]
Track: Infiltrate Noble Politics – Progress 1%
Reward: Authority Key (Mid-Tier)
He exhaled, gaze cold.
The real war hadn't started yet.
But the nobles were watching now.
And he was ready to show them that not every pawn plays by the board's rules.
---