The Hidden Heir At Valaris Academy

Chapter 6: Founders Week

Soft laughter followed.

“He doesn’t even look like he belongs here,” a boy said, eyeing Kael openly.

“Is this some kind of joke?” another added. “Valaris is really doing constant charity admissions now?”

A few students glanced at Kael again, some amused, some dismissive, as if waiting for him to be exposed any second.

“Ms Voss, seriously,” one boy said, leaning back in his chair. “You’re telling us that guy is one of us?”

Kael stood quietly near the aisle, hands at his sides, gaze steady. The mocking words washed over him without a visible reaction.

Elara’s smile faded. She raised one hand. The room quieted,

“Enough,” she said calmly.

Her eyes moved across the class, sharp now, no trace of amusement left. “Kael Danaru is officially enrolled in this class. His admission has been approved at the highest level.” She paused then said,

“That is all you need to know.”

Some students frowned. Others exchanged uneasy looks.

“But—” someone started.

Elara’s gaze snapped toward the voice. The student immediately sank back into his seat.

“If anyone has a problem with who studies here,” Elara continued evenly, “you’re welcome to take it up with the academy board. Until then—”

Her eyes flicked briefly toward Kael, then back to the room.

“Treat him as you would any other classmate.”

Kael finally moved, stepping past the row where he’d been blocked earlier. This time, no one stopped him.

Near the wall, close to the window, he noticed an empty seat. The desk was clean, untouched. Without rushing, he walked toward it.

The room stayed silent as he moved.

He placed his backpack gently on the floor, pulled the chair back, and sat down.

Elara turned back to the class and clapped her hands lightly to get their attention.

“Alright, everyone,” she said in a clear, calm voice. “Please start making your preparations.”

She glanced around the room, making sure she had their focus.

“The Valaris Founders’ Week begins in just twenty minutes,” she continued. “Make sure you have everything you need and that you’re ready to move when instructed.”

Students began to stir at once. Chairs shifted, bags were opened, and quiet conversations started again.

Elara gave the room one last look, then added gently but firmly, “Let’s behave properly. This week is important.”

Kael remained seated by the wall, watching quietly as the class came back to life around him. He lifted his eyes from his desk and looked toward the front of the room.

Elara was standing near the door.

For a brief moment, their eyes met. Without saying a word, she gave him a small signal, just a slight tilt of her head toward the hallway.

Kael understood. He nodded once in reply. Quietly, he stood up, careful not to draw attention and stepped out of his seat.

As the other students busied themselves with their preparations, Kael walked toward the door. Elara had already stepped outside.

He followed her out into the corridor, the door closing softly behind him.

Outside in the quiet corridor, Elara turned to face him.

“Kael,” she said gently, “there are only a few minutes left before the Valaris Founders’ Week begins.”

Kael looked at her, calm as always.

“What’s that about?” he asked simply.

Elara paused for a moment, studying him.

Then she began to explain.

“Valaris Founders’ Week is a seven-day institutional event held once every academic year. Officially, it exists to honor the academy’s founding benefactors, showcase excellence, leadership, and heritage. It also connects students to legacy, responsibility, and vision.” She said

“Why is it important?” Kael asked

“In Valeris, your family name matters, your financial backing matters, your connections matter, so Founders’ Week is the one time every year when all of that is openly displayed since there are new admits, but wrapped in formality so it doesn’t look vulgar.

Kael nodded slowly, taking in her words.

“Alright, Ms. Elara,” he said gently. “So I don’t have to be present, right? I can just stay in the classroom?”

Elara shook her head.

“No,” she replied firmly. “You will be present. That was the principal’s instruction.”

Kael hesitated for a moment, then spoke honestly.

“Uhm… I don’t have any family backing, riches, or anything like what you mentioned, so—”

“According to the principal, no one is left out,” Elara said, cutting him off calmly.

There was a short pause.

“Alright,” Kael replied. He didn’t argue further or complain.

He simply turned around and walked back toward the classroom.

As Kael stepped back into the classroom, he stopped suddenly stunned.

The seat by the wall, his seat, was no longer the same. His backpack was on the floor, opened.

A few personal items were scattered around it, some pushed aside, others lying carelessly on the ground. A few students stood nearby, laughing softly as they tossed things out as if they meant nothing.

Kael quickly rushed forward.

One of the boys had already pulled something out of the bag. It was a ring, plain, simple, with no shine at all.

He laughed loudly.

“What kind of boring ring is this?” he said.

Without care, he tossed it onto the floor.

The ring made a small sound as it hit the ground.

Then the boy bent down again and reached into the bag. This time, he pulled out a dark bank card. It looked different, custom-made, blackish, with the name Danaru written on it.

The boy raised his eyebrow and laughed even harder.

“This guy even has a bank card,” he said. “For what?”

He looked at it closely and scoffed. “This looks fake. Everything about him is fake. How much money can he even have?”

He threw the card onto the floor too, that was when Kael moved.

He rushed forward, pushed the boy aside and grabbed his bag back. He held it close to his chest, breathing fast, his eyes sharp now.

“How dare you throw my things out?” He asked

The boys burst into laughter.

Kael picked up the ring from the floor and held it gently.

He remembered his grandfather’s words clearly.

“This ring may look simple,” his grandfather had told him, “but it is very valuable. Any high antique store would buy it for several thousands of dollars. Never treat it carelessly.”

Kael brushed off the dust and slipped the ring carefully into his pocket.

Next, he picked up the dark bank card.

This one too reminded him of his grandfather.

“There is money on this card,” the old man had said. “Use it to buy whatever you need to fit in, and when it finishes I'll send another one.”

Kael placed the card into his pocket as well.

Slowly, he knelt down and picked up the rest of his things: his notebook, his papers, the small items that mattered to him. One by one, he put them back into his bag neatly.

When he stood up, he noticed everyone watching him. The class was quiet now.

He looked around at their faces. Without a word, he walked back to his seat by the wall, sat down calmly, and placed his old backpack beside him.

About twenty minutes later, a soft chime rang through the academy.

Then a clear voice came from the speakers.

"Attention students. The Valaris Founders' Week is now starting. All students are to proceed to the main hall immediately."

The classroom went quiet for a second, then the door opened.

Elara Voss walked in.

"Alright everyone," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Please stand up and move to the main hall.