Shattered Destiny : Fate

Storm POV 

 I've been looking for Ajax since morning. I've checked all the usual places—the library, June's place, even Lisa's—but he's nowhere to be found. Where else could that guy be? Maybe he's sparring with someone at the auditorium. Yeah, I should check there.

When I got to the auditorium, I finally spotted him. There he is! Finally! But why is he just sitting there, watching people spar? And is he… talking to himself? Ajax, man, what are you even doing? I waved at him to get his attention.

"Hey, dude! Why are you sitting here all alone and talking to yourself?"

Ajax glanced up at me with a sheepish smile. "Ah, was I talking to myself again? Yeah, I was just analyzing their dueling styles and trying to learn a few things for myself."

"And you're reading a book?" I asked, noticing the worn pages in his hand.

"Oh yeah," he said, holding it up. "Sir Rushford gave me this one. It's about spell creation."

"Okay, okay." I plopped down beside him. "Can I sit here for a while?"

"Sure," Ajax said, setting the book down.

How is this guy so open with people? He didn't even hesitate to put his book aside just because I'm here. It's like being around him just… clears my mind. I was going to talk to him about how uneasy I've been feeling lately, but how can I bring it up now? He's too relaxed, and I don't want to ruin the mood.

"Why are you here, though?" Ajax asked, tilting his head. "Do you need my help with something?"

He can even tell I need help… but not this time, Ajax. Not this time.

"Nah, I just wanted to see you," I said with a shrug. "I'm bored, man."

Ajax grinned. "Let's analyze the duels together, then. I think there are four more teams left, so there'll be plenty to keep us entertained."

"Sure, sure," I said. I paused for a moment before blurting out, "But Ajax, is there anyone you like in the academy?"

Ajax's face turned red. "Um… there are some cute girls, like June and Lisa, but I've never actually thought of them in a romantic way. If I had to pick, I'd go with Emy, my childhood friend."

"Really? I thought you liked June," I said, grinning at his embarrassment.

"Yeah, she's cute," he admitted, "but not yet. Maybe one day. What about you?"

"Me? Oooh yeah," I said, my eyes practically sparkling. "There's this girl in West Sacred. She's so pretty."

"What's her name?" Ajax asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I… I've never actually asked her name," I confessed. "She's too pretty for me."

Ajax looked at me in disbelief. "I can tell."

We both burst into laughter, and for a moment, everything just felt… easy.

Before long, the duel we were watching came to an end, and the next pair stepped onto the arena—this time, a royal and a commoner. It quickly became clear that the entire purpose of the duel was for the royal to humiliate the commoner, proving that those of lower birth had no place in Crownshred Academy.

Curious about Ajax's thoughts, I turned to him and asked, "What do you think about the reason behind this duel?"

He exhaled, watching the fighters closely before answering. "Well, there's not much to say. I think both have their own reasons. The commoner is trying to prove he belongs here, while the royal is trying to enforce the belief that commoners are weak and undeserving of a place in the academy."

He continued, his voice steady yet carrying a hint of something deeper. "Everyone is entitled to their opinions. If he believes commoners shouldn't be here, that's fine—it's his belief. But he crosses a line when he tries to force that belief onto others. Hating someone just because they don't mind being around commoners, or looking down on a commoner simply because they exist in the same space as royals… No. That's where I draw the line."

His gaze sharpened slightly. "But aside from that, I don't really care. This isn't something a fight, a duel, or even bloodshed can change. If anything, that would only spread more hatred. Trying to reason with someone who's already set in their ways is pointless—it just means you're as crazy as they are.

Just like my father said, real strength is knowing when to hold your sword and when to put it down. So, I'd rather let them be… unless they cross the line."

I was taken aback. I hadn't expected such an answer from Ajax. Even though what he said was true, there was an underlying coldness in his tone—detached, almost as if he had long accepted that such conflicts would never end.

Unfortunately for the commoner, he lost the duel. But he didn't go down easily—he made the royal work for his victory, which gave me a sense of satisfaction. It always seemed like first-class nobles and royals were arrogant and full of themselves. The good ones were rare.

The next duel was between a first-class noble and a royal, though the reasons behind their battle remained unclear. The fight took a dangerous turn when the royal nearly killed the noble, summoning his powerful sun phoenix—his ultimate skill—and commanding it to attack.

Just as disaster seemed inevitable, the smoke cleared, and the principal was suddenly seen standing beside the noble, a protective barrier around them, shielding them from the phoenix's attack. It all happened so quickly that no one saw the principal arrive, only noticing him once the danger had passed.

As it turned out, the principal had been on his way to the auditorium to watch the duels when he stumbled upon the scene. Without hesitation, he expelled the royal. Furious, the royal shouted, "Do you know who I am? I'm from the Xavian family! You'll regret this!" But the principal paid him no mind, simply instructing the noble to head to the infirmary for treatment before leaving the auditorium.

Meanwhile, Ajax remained seated, watching everything unfold with quiet composure. Despite the incident, the duels continued as if nothing had happened.

Not long after, I felt sleep creeping in. My eyes grew heavy, and before I knew it, I started dozing off. Deciding I'd find a chance to talk to Ajax about my uneasiness soon, I let myself drift into sleep.