A/N (Above is what Ryn looks like in his uniform^^)

  Ring! Ring! Ring!

  The sound of the first bell echoed through the air, which means our first css of the day has ended. I sighed, leaning ba my seat, students rushing out of the . Another day not standing out – just how I liked it.

  This is just another routine day, for Ryn Ashford.

  "Ry's get going!" Lilli's cheerful voice broke through the noise of the students leaving the . I turn from my seat to see her standihe door waiting for me, her golden fox ears twitg impatiently. "Are you ing or what? We are going to be te!"

  Lilli, the ever-excitable fox girl. Her fluffy tail swayed as she smiled, and her energy was iious. She thrived on attention from me. I normally preferred to fade into the background, and have no friends but she was different.

  "Yeah, yeah, I'm ing" I gave a half-hearted smile as I walked out of the with her.

  Standing beside Lilli was Alex, my roommate. Tall, sharped-eyes, always smirking. He knew way more about me than anyone else in this world which was a bad thing. "You looked thrilled, as usual." Alex teased we started walking toward the practice field.

  "Oh, you know just trying to get through the day" I muttered

  "You always say that, though! You're like the stro one in our css Ryn!" "You could show off just a little". Alex replied giving me a side gnce while we walked. "One of these day's I'll get you to stop hiding if that's just for one css".

  Hide it? More like trying to not cause a se. I'd learhat in my past life.

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  As we made our way toward the field, Alex leaned in slightly l his voice. "Hey, isn't that your brother"?

  I gnced up. Sure enough their was Aric, my older brother, walking around in his gleaming armor. Just Great...

  His distant gaze swept over me for a moment, cold and sharp before turning away, ag like I did. How childish.

  Same old Aric. Always finding something to hate me for.

  "Yep, that's him" I muttered, unbothered by his presence. I could feel his envy even from here. He always had a chip on his shoulder when it came to me. Not because I'd done anything wrong but because what I could do. I wasn't just a knight in training like him. I ellbde, capable of wielding both magid a bde — something he cked.

  "You know, it's odd for him to watch you during practice", Lilli added as her ears drooped down.

  "It doesn't bother me any", I replied brushing Aric's presence aside. Let him watch.

  Lilli's ears perked up. "Your brother is still annoying as ever"

  "Right?" I said simply.

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  We reached the open practice field, where dummies lined up in the distance, which waited for us to unleash our spells on them. I kept my focus forward, pushing aside Aric's gaze.

  I could just get through this and not stand out. But seeing Aric pissed... would be so amusing.

  Suddenly, Professor Redwood appeared, g his hands to gather attention from everyone. "Alright, css! Today, we'll be practig some bigger spells that's why I have us outside today. Everyone line up, and remember trol is key."

  trht.

  Thanks, teach for the reminder. I thought. I took my p the lineup, keeping my attention toward the dummies. Alright today's goal is simple hit the dummy, and don't blow it up. Just like any other day.

  As it became my turn I felt it again – Aric's eyes watg me like a viper looking at its prey.

  As I uhed my silver sword, I could feel the magic building up inside of me coiling like a spring ready to be released. Normally, I would hold back to avoid attention. But today... today, I was feeling like doing something different.

  What if I just try a little harder than normal?

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  I don't o go all out, just enough to make Aric twitch. I could feel his envy simmering under his fa?ade, and to be ho a part of me just wao see him angry.

  I aimed at the closest dummy ahe fire spell fly. The burst of magic shot from my sword and a rge fire ball appeared. I expected it to hit the arget, but instead, it went through the dummy and veered off, smashing into the farthest most difficult dummy with an explosion that sent debris flying across the field.

  Ah crap...

  The entire css went silent.

  Lilli's eyes widened, her tail flig iement. "Ryn! That was so cool! You totally destroyed it!"

  Alex chuckled. "I guess you decided to stop holding back for today, huh?"

  I shrugged, keeping my expressioral.

  But inside, I could feel the ripple of satisfa. I hadn't meant to show off–well, maybe a little—but the look on Aric's face was worth it. Aric was standing there, fist ched, his jaw tight with barely tained rage. He didn't say or do anything he just tio stare at me.

  That's right, Aric. Drown in your envy.

  Professor Redwood, who was oblivious to the tension cpped his hands. "Ah excellent work, Ryn! Incredible power, but your trol cks look at your sword." "However, you're setting a fine example for the other kids today."

  As I gnced down at my hands the silver sword I was using was broken in half.

  I could almost feel Aric's posure snapping. He didn't stick around to listen much longer. Without a word, he turned around and stormed away his metal boots king as he marched.

  Guess that did the trick.

  Lilli and Alex were still full of excitement, but I stayed silent, I wasn't trying to stand out anymore.

  "Alright, everyo's tinue!" Professor Redwood called out. "Ryn, great job today".

  I nodded and took a step back, blending into with the css once more. If all goes acc to pn Aric should challenge me to a duel today siook a bit of his pride.