Powerless Boy is reborn as Lustful Elf
Chapter 66: Vaelen

Chapter 66: Vaelen

Every head swiveled, benches creaking, as the students turned to pinpoint the source of the outburst.

Alex’s pulse hammered, his hazel eyes darting through the crowd until they landed on the speaker, a figure rising from the back like a storm cloud taking form.

The boy was striking, his very dark hair falling in sleek waves, framing a face that was handsome in its severity, high cheekbones, a square jaw clenched tight, and piercing green eyes that burned with a scowl aimed directly at Alex.

His wine-colored tunic hugged a lean, powerful frame, its fabric richer, more lustrous than the others, embroidered with subtle threads that caught the chandelier light.

His family crest, pinned prominently, gleamed with an almost arrogant brilliance, its intricate design and polished surface outshining every crest Alex had seen, as if it demanded reverence.

The boy’s presence was magnetic, commanding, and unmistakably hostile.

He didn’t flinch under the weight of all those stares.

If anything, he seemed to grow taller beneath them, like he was pulling strength from the attention.

Without hesitating, he stepped forward, the heavy thud of his boots striking the marble floor echoing through the hall, sharp and deliberate.

When he spoke again, his voice cut through the noise like a blade, steady and loud, every word soaked in a kind of raw conviction that dared anyone to doubt him.

"The rules are in place for a reason!" he declared, his green eyes never leaving Alex, sharp and unyielding as emeralds. "They shouldn’t be broken for some sorry newbie who doesn’t belong here!"

The words landed like a slap, each syllable laced with disdain, his square jaw set in a line of righteous fury.

The crowd shifted, a restless energy rippling through them like a wave.

Whispers sparked here and there, quick and sharp, until they swelled into a low, buzzing rumble that filled the space.

People leaned in closer, heads nodding almost unconsciously as his words took hold, sinking into them like seeds ready to grow.

The mood was changing, tilting in his favor, and you could feel it, thick in the air, electric and alive

Alex’s stomach twisted violently, a sick, sharp jolt that almost doubled him over.

For a second, he could barely breathe, and then the anger hit, fast and brutal, tearing through him like wildfire.

It raced through his veins, hot and merciless, setting every nerve on edge.

His hands curled into fists before he even realized it, his whole body thrumming with the urge to move, to do something, anything to shove that burning feeling out of him.

Sorry newbie? The phrase echoed, a taunt that struck at his pride, his confidence bristling under the insult.

He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms, his smirk replaced by a tight grimace. He’d show this guy, Vaelen, or whatever his name was, that he wasn’t some nobody to be dismissed.

His mind flashed to Inolda’s fire, Jusin’s encouragement, and he straightened, ready to fire back, to prove that perfect square jaw could be shut.

But before he could speak, Principal Veyra’s voice cut through the hall, sharp and unyielding as a blade.

"That’s enough, Vaelen!" she commanded, her tone a whipcrack that silenced the murmurs.

Her obsidian eyes locked onto Vaelen, strict and unyielding, her high cheekbones sharp in the chandelier light.

"You will show respect," she continued, her voice resonant, filling every corner of the hall. "The Council has certified Alex’s safety and deemed him fit to join us. You will treat him with acceptance, as they have."

Her words were a decree, but the crowd’s reaction betrayed a shift.

The murmurs flared again, louder, more insistent, a restless undercurrent weaving through the benches.

Heads turned, students exchanging glances, their whispers tinged with doubt, as if Vaelen’s defiance had cracked open a shared unease.

Some leaned forward, their crests glinting as they muttered, their eyes flicking to Alex with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

The air thickened, the hall’s grandeur suddenly oppressive, its starry ceiling pressing down like a judgment.

Alex swallowed hard, his throat dry, the heat of his anger cooling into a stark realization: his days at Starhaven might be far harder than he’d imagined.

The Elaris crest felt heavier now, a fragile shield against a tide turning against him.

Sylra’s hand brushed his, her touch grounding, but her usual grin was tight, her eyes darting nervously.

"They’ll get over it," she whispered, but her voice lacked its earlier spark.

Alex nodded, forcing his smirk back, though it felt brittle, his confidence wobbling under the crowd’s grumbling.

Vaelen stood tall, his scowl unwavering, green eyes boring into Alex like a challenge carved in stone.

The other students’ murmurs grew, a chorus of doubt, "Why him?" "What’s so special?", each word a needle pricking his resolve.

He’d faced scrutiny before, thrived on attention, but this was different, a rejection that stung deeper than he’d expected.

Principal Veyra raised her hand, the gesture final, her obsidian eyes sweeping the hall with a force that quelled the noise.

"Enough," she said, her voice low but piercing, each syllable a command etched in steel. "You are dismissed. Be on your best behavior."

Her gaze lingered on Vaelen, then Alex, a silent warning to both.

The moment the bell rang, the students shot up from their seats, the sharp scrape of benches and chairs echoing through the room.

A low hum of whispers and murmured conversations quickly filled the air as they gathered their things in a rush, feet shuffling, backpacks swinging.

They moved toward the exits in a restless tide, but not without sneaking glances back at Alex.

Some looks were sharp with suspicion, others heavy with curiosity, and a few carried the raw edge of open hostility, like they were just waiting for a reason to say something.

Alex felt every stare like a weight pressing against his skin, but he stayed rooted to the spot, pretending not to notice.

Sylra tugged his arm, her voice bright but strained. "Let’s get outta here," she said, pulling him toward the hall’s towering doors.

Alex followed, his steps heavy, Vaelen’s words, "sorry newbie", looping in his mind, fueling a spark of defiance.