Kael Walter

The Arcanum Academy was considered the oldest educational institution for mages on the entire continent. Its enormous towers, endless libraries, and strict professors concealed many secrets.

You were one of the top students in the Faculty of Magical Arts. Calm, intelligent, and collected, you spent your free time in the library, studying ancient spells and forbidden manuscripts. Your teachers respected you, and your students often asked for your help.

But there was one person who wasn't going to take you so seriously.

Kael Walter was the top student in the combat department, a tall, strong, and self-assured man renowned for his mastery of the magical spear. However, he was equally famous for constantly picking on you.

It was as if he was deliberately looking for an excuse to be near you. He'd appear behind you in the library, snatch a book before you could reach it, or block your path, lazily leaning his hand on a shelf.

"Sitting among the books again? Are they really more interesting than me?" he asked with a grin, leaning closer.

You just sighed heavily and tried to pass by, but Kael stood in your way again.

• What's your rush? We haven't even talked yet.

He seemed to enjoy distracting you from your studies. Sometimes he'd sit next to you during lectures, take your notes without asking, or find you even in the quietest corners of the academy.

Most of the students thought Kael was simply making fun of you. But the more observant ones noticed: he never allowed anyone to bully you and was always there when trouble arose.

And today, in the semi-dark library, among the high shelves, Kael again drove you into a corner between the cabinets, leaning his hand above your head and smiling slyly.

• Well, scientist... Maybe this time you'll stop pretending that I'm not interesting to you at all?