2025-03-29 02:24:38The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of Cain's dorm room, casting a soft golden glow over the modest space.
The room was small but functional: a single bed pushed against the wall, a wooden desk cluttered with textbooks and parchment, and a wardrobe that creaked when opened. On the nightstand sat a half-empty glass of water and a crumpled piece of paper, yesterday's failed attempt at a to do list. Cain groaned as he stretched, his limbs heavy with sleep. He blinked at the ceiling, the events of the past few days still feeling like a bizarre dream. The entrance exam, the instructor's accidental defeat, the strange system messages, it all felt like a feverish hallucination. But no, he was here, at the prestigious Eldoria Academy, living the life of a background character. Or so he thought. "Alright," Cain muttered to himself, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "No more weird dreams, no more overpowered nonsense. Today, I officially begin my side character arc. Just a normal, unremarkable school life. That's all I want." He swung his legs over the side of the bed and reached for his uniform, neatly folded on the chair. As he dressed, his mind wandered to the strange system messages he'd been receiving. Reluctantly, he opened his System Status. [Overlord Awakening: 5%] [Title: The Rising Tyrant] [New Passive: Silent Dominance – Your aura naturally commands respect. Even without trying, others will see you as an authority figure.] Cain stared at the screen, his brow furrowing. "…What kind of useless ability is this?" he muttered. "Silent Dominance? I don't even want to dominate anyone. I just want to blend in!, a normal school life!" He sighed and closed the status window, deciding to ignore it for now. After all, what harm could a passive ability do? It wasn't like he was actively trying to intimidate anyone. He grabbed his bag and headed out the door, determined to have a completely normal day. The Combat Theory lecture hall was a grand, circular room with tiered seating that descended toward a central podium. Sunlight streamed through tall stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished wooden floor. Students filed in, their chatter filling the air as they took their seats. Cain, ever the background character, chose a seat in the very back row, near the corner. It was the perfect spot to remain unnoticed or so he thought. He slouched in his chair, pulling out a notebook and pen, ready to take notes like any ordinary student. The instructor, Professor Aldrich, entered the room. He was a tall, imposing figure with a neatly trimmed beard and piercing blue eyes. His presence commanded attention, and the room fell silent as he stepped up to the podium. "Good morning, students," he began, his voice deep and resonant. "Today, we'll be discussing real combat experience. Can anyone describe what it's like to fight an opponent far stronger than you?" The class fell silent, the students exchanging nervous glances. Cain, still groggy from his morning haze, muttered under his breath without thinking. "If they're too strong, just fake confidence. A real warrior always acts like they're in control." The words slipped out before he could stop them, and the entire class turned to look at him. Cain froze, his pen hovering over his notebook. Professor Aldrich's sharp gaze locked onto him. "…An interesting philosophy, Mr. Ashford," the professor said, his tone thoughtful. "Are you saying that presence alone can alter the flow of battle?" Cain blinked, his mind racing. He hadn't meant to say that out loud. It was just something he'd heard in a movie once. "Uhh… I guess?" he stammered, hoping the professor would move on. But Professor Aldrich nodded approvingly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Spoken like a true strategist. Presence is everything in battle. You've clearly had experience." Cain's eyes widened in panic. "Wait, no, I was just making stuff up!" he protested, but his words were drowned out by the murmurs of the other students. Selene, sitting a few rows behind him, watched intently, her violet eyes gleaming with admiration. "He's testing us," she whispered to herself. "Playing the fool while teaching subtle lessons… as expected of my Lord." Cain sank lower in his seat, his face burning with embarrassment. This was not how he'd planned to start his day. After the embarrassing lecture, Cain made his way to the cafeteria, his stomach growling. The academy's cafeteria was a bustling hub of activity, with students lining up for food and chatting at long wooden tables. The smell of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filled the air, making Cain's mouth water. He grabbed a tray and joined the line, his mind still replaying the awkward moment in class. As he reached for a roll of bread, a voice called out behind him. "You. Ashford." Cain turned to see a tall, blond student standing a few feet away. The boy had the look of a classic noble, sharp features, piercing green eyes, and an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. He wore a pristine uniform with a silver crest pinned to his chest, marking him as a member of one of the academy's elite families. "Damien von Estria," the boy introduced himself, his tone cool and measured. "You took down an instructor during the exam, right? Fight me." Cain's heart skipped a beat. This was exactly the kind of attention he'd been trying to avoid. "Oh no. This is bad," he thought, panic rising. "I can't keep winning, or I'll attract more attention!" He forced a nervous smile and shook his head. "Nah, I'm good. I don't like unnecessary fights." Damien's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Cain thought he'd made a mistake. But then, to his surprise, Damien stepped back and placed a hand over his heart, his expression softening. "To refuse combat, despite your overwhelming strength… That is true confidence. I see. You only fight when absolutely necessary." Cain stared at him, utterly baffled. "…Huh?" Damien gave a small, respectful nod. "A man of restraint. I respect that." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Cain standing there with his tray of food, completely dumbfounded. [Future Rival Acquired: Damien von Estria. He believes you are a combat genius in disguise.] Cain sighed and muttered under his breath. "This school is insane." That night, as the academy grounds fell silent under the cover of darkness, a secret meeting took place in a hidden chamber beneath the school. The room was dimly lit by flickering torches, casting long shadows on the stone walls. Five figures stood in a circle, their faces obscured by hooded cloaks. "The Awakening has begun," one of them said, their voice low and gravelly. "If he regains his memories, we are all doomed." Another figure nodded, their gloved hands clenched into fists. "We must find a way to eliminate him… before it's too late." A third figure, a woman with a sharp, calculating gaze, stepped forward. "Patience. We cannot act rashly. The academy is too well-guarded. We must bide our time and strike when the moment is right." The others murmured in agreement, their eyes gleaming with determination. Meanwhile, in his dorm room, Cain was fast asleep, his face buried in his pillow. He dreamed of the cafeteria's delicious food, completely unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
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