Kalem had always preferred to stay out of the spotlight, blending into the background when possible. But after his match with Jhaeros, blending in became a distant dream.
Word of his unconventional fighting style spread like wildfire. By the next day, students in every division were talking about "the guy with three weapons." The awe was mixed with skepticism, and in some cases, outright disdain.
Kalem walked through the academy halls, his spear slung across his back, feeling the weight of stares and whispers following him everywhere.
"Hey, Kalem!" someone called out as he turned a corner.
Kalem stopped, glancing over his shoulder to see a burly student from the Weaponry division. The guy had a thick broadsword strapped to his back and a smug grin plastered on his face.
"I saw your match with Jhaeros yesterday," the student said, stepping closer. "You think you're some kind of hotshot, juggling three weapons like that?"
Kalem sighed, already tired of the conversation. "No, I don't. I just use what works for me."
The student chuckled darkly. "Well, let's see how well it works against me. Tomorrow. Same arena."
"Pass," Kalem replied, walking past the guy.
The student's grin vanished, replaced by a scowl. "What's the matter? Afraid?"
Kalem paused but didn't look back. "Afraid? No. Annoyed? Absolutely."
Ignoring the student's protests, Kalem continued toward his next class.
By lunchtime, the buzz had escalated. Kalem's refusal to accept the challenge was interpreted in various ways. Some thought he was being humble, while others accused him of arrogance.
Lyra caught up with him in the cafeteria, plopping her tray of food down across from him. "So," she began, "I hear you're already making enemies."
Kalem didn't look up from his plate. "Not my fault. They keep challenging me."
"Well, you did kind of show off yesterday," Lyra teased, taking a bite of bread.
Kalem raised an eyebrow. "You mean I fought the way I always fight?"
Lyra shrugged. "Maybe. But now people think you're some prodigy or a showoff. Either way, they want a piece of you."
"Great," Kalem muttered sarcastically, stabbing a piece of meat with his fork.
Lyra leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You should be careful, though. Some of these challenges aren't just for fun. If you keep refusing, it'll look like you're running scared. But if you accept too many, you'll burn out or make the wrong enemies."
Kalem sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Why does everything have to be so complicated?"
"Welcome to Arcathis," Lyra replied with a smirk.
The following days were a whirlwind of challenges. Some students approached Kalem out of genuine curiosity, eager to test their skills against his unusual fighting style. Others, however, had less noble intentions, their challenges laced with condescension and the hope of putting Kalem "in his place."
Kalem accepted a few matches, mostly to appease those who seemed sincere. Each fight drew a larger crowd, and each victory or well-fought draw only fueled the growing attention.
One evening, after a particularly grueling match against a dual-wielding student from the Runecrafting division, Kalem slumped against a wall outside the arena, exhausted. Onyx, his loyal bull, nudged him with its massive head, as if to say, "You need to rest."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Kalem muttered, patting Onyx's snout.
"Rough day?" a voice said from nearby.
Kalem looked up to see Jhaeros leaning against a post, his arms crossed and a faint smirk on his face.
"You could say that," Kalem replied, straightening up.
Jhaeros chuckled, his feline tail flicking lazily behind him. "Welcome to the spotlight, Kalem. You'd better get used to it."
"I didn't ask for this," Kalem grumbled.
"No one ever does," Jhaeros said. "But since you're here, you might as well make the most of it. Besides," he added, his grin widening, "it's kind of fun watching you throw people off with that juggling act of yours."
Kalem couldn't help but laugh, despite his fatigue. "Thanks, I guess."
By the end of the week, Kalem had begun to notice a pattern. The students who challenged him weren't just testing his combat skills—they were trying to read him. They studied his weapons, his movements, and even his decision-making.
It became clear that his unconventional style had made him a target not just for dueling, but for analysis. Some students genuinely admired his creativity, while others saw him as an anomaly to be dissected and understood.
One night, as Kalem sat in his room sketching designs for a new weapon, Lyra burst in, waving a piece of parchment.
"What now?" Kalem asked, barely glancing up.
"You've been officially invited to participate in the end-of-term dueling showcase," Lyra announced, slapping the parchment onto his desk.
Kalem stared at the invitation, the ornate seal of Arcathis Academy staring back at him.
"Guess you really can't avoid the spotlight now," Lyra said with a grin.
Kalem sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Wonderful."