BACK TO BE THE UNWANTED ONE

Between the mighty Hyperion Empire, the Grand Duchy of the North, and the Dukedom of Asterion stood a place unlike any other in the world—a place that bowed to no emperor, king, or noble house.

It was the most prestigious institution on the continent.

The Orion Academy.

For centuries, the academy had remained independent, protected by ancient laws that even the rulers of the three great nations dared not challenge. Within its walls, bloodlines held no authority. Princes and princesses, dukes and commoners—all entered through the same gates and wore the same uniform.

Inside Orion Academy, there were no nobles.

There were only students.

---

Today marked the beginning of the annual Entrance and Recognition Ceremony.

The Grand Hall overflowed with excitement as thousands of new students, graduating seniors, professors, nobles, merchants, and citizens gathered beneath the academy's crystal chandeliers.

The atmosphere was magnificent. Children from wealthy noble families stood beside talented commoners, all sharing the same anticipation. Rank and status disappeared the moment one stepped into Orion Academy.

The graduating students had spent the last three years dedicating themselves to mastering their chosen disciplines. Through relentless effort, they had become exceptional doctors, archmages, scholars, merchants, and swordsmen. Today, their achievements would finally be recognized before the entire academy.

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Among the graduates, seven students stood above all others.

Out of fifteen finalists, these seven had earned the academy's highest honors—not because of their noble birth, but because of their extraordinary accomplishments and unwavering dedication.

Some had established free hospitals for the poor.

Others had revolutionized magical research, achieved mastery in swordsmanship, advanced academic knowledge, or transformed commerce across the continent.

Their names had already become legends within the academy.

They were:

Luke Dean Asterion — eldest son of Duke Asterion.

Kyra Sein Asterion — daughter of Duke Asterion.

Tristan Henry Chalde — eldest son of Marquis Chalde.

Penelope Violet Chalde — daughter of Marquis Chalde.

Neil Soren Stockholm — son of Marquis Stockholm.

Christina Faith Stockholm — daughter of Marquis Stockholm.

Leo Winchester — nephew of the empire  Archmage bright winchester.

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While applause echoed throughout the Grand Hall, not everyone celebrated.

Among the audience sat three students whose eyes burned with envy.

It was not merely because the seven were receiving the academy's greatest awards.

It was because each of them possessed influence beyond imagination—connections so powerful that even the Emperor himself would hesitate before provoking their families.

They already carved his name into history. Before reaching adulthood, he had led countless campaigns against the Empire's enemies, returning victorious each time. His sword had never known defeat, and wherever his banner appeared, despair followed.

To his allies, he was a hero.

To his enemies...

He was the Angel of Death.

The mere whisper of his name was enough to send seasoned generals into silence and entire armies into panic.

He was Theodore Crest Celestial, the heir to the Grand Duchy of the North and the future head of the House of Silver Celestial.

His father was Alcred Silver Celestial, the Grand Duke of the North, descendant of the legendary Celestial Silver Dragon and the man known across the continent as the King of the Battlefield. It was said that countless enemy armies had surrendered the moment his banner appeared on the horizon.

Yet even more astonishing than his father was the woman who had given birth to him.

She was hailed as the greatest swordswoman of her era, unrivaled in hand-to-hand combat, and the only woman ever to inherit the title of Grand Duchess.

She was the mother of Theodore Crest Celestial...

The greatest swordswoman.

The only Grand Duchess in history.

The woman history condemned as a villain.

The woman every one of them  mourn.

History called her a monster.

They believed she was ruthless.

Heartless.

Unworthy of remembrance.

Yet after her death...

The truth could no longer remain buried.

One by one, those who had hated her would be forced to witness every sacrifice she had made for them.

But by the time they learned the truth...

There was no one left to ask for forgiveness.

Kiara Ashten Hyperion.

None of the students attending today's ceremony knew that the people standing proudly on the stage would one day kneel before the memories of a woman they once misunderstood.

                                      TO BE CONTINUED....