The Hidden Heir At Valaris Academy

Chapter 9: Founders Week II

Another smiled and said, “Do you even know what Founders’ Week is about?”

A girl brushed her hair back and spoke proudly. “My family sponsors a whole wing in this academy.”

Another boy added, “Mine owns companies all over the city.”

They laughed softly, looking down at Kael.

“And you?” one of them asked mockingly. “What do you have?”

Brian straightened up and spoke before Kael could say anything.

“Hey, guys,” he said calmly, “there’s no need for all these, he hasn’t even said anything yet.”

One of the guys stepped forward immediately. It was Victor. He gave a short laugh, then shoved Brian lightly on the shoulder.

“Huh?” Victor said. “So what? You’re his spokesperson now?”

The room went quiet for a moment. Victor smirked. “Oh right… I almost forgot.”

He looked Brian up and down. “You’re poor too,” he said plainly. “So of course you’d stand up for your fellow poor man.”

A few quiet laughs followed.

Brian clenched his jaw but didn’t push back. He steadied himself and stayed where he was.

Kael looked up at Brian for a second, then he slowly stood.

“Who says I’m interested in standing?” he asked.

The room grew quiet.

“I don’t even see the importance of all this to me,” he continued gently. “How does it add value to me?”

They stared at him.

“Did I write a letter begging to be selected?” Kael asked. “Did I ask anyone to choose me?”

No one answered.

Kael looked at Victor, then at the others.

“If you think this is something only for showing money and family names,” he said calmly, “then you can keep it.”

The smiles on their faces slowly faded. Brian looked at Kael, surprised.

Victor’s face hardened.

“How dare you talk back?” he snapped. “You should watch your mouth.”

He leaned closer, his voice low and cold. “Don’t worry, I’ll deal with you later.”

Kael didn’t react.

The others exchanged looks, then turned away one by one. With quiet scoffs and shaken heads, they began to disperse, returning to their seats or gathering their things.

Soon after, the bell sounded softly through the building, students began moving again.

Level One–A filed out of the room and headed back to the main hall. This time, the hall felt different. The noise was lower, more focused. Everyone seemed serious now.

When Kael and the others entered, he noticed something.

There was another group of students already there.

They stood together on the other side of the hall, dressed neatly, talking quietly among themselves. Their posture showed confidence. This was another class, one that would be competing against Kael’s class.

The stage lights brightened. Both classes were guided to their places, facing the front. 

Just then, a staff member stepped forward and spoke into the microphone.

“Level One–A,” she called out. “Please come inside.”

The class stood up and moved as one, walking toward the front of the hall. Murmurs followed them, eyes watching closely.

When they reached the front rows, the staff member raised her hand again.

“Those who are standing,” she said clearly, “kindly come forward to the stage.”

Ariana moved first, calm and confident. Victor followed, then the others. One by one, they stepped up onto the stage.

Kael hesitated for a brief moment.

Then he walked forward as well.

As he stepped onto the stage with them, whispers spread through the hall again, some curious, some mocking, some unsure.

Level One–A was now fully in view.

Elara walked into the hall a moment later.

She moved calmly to the front row and took a seat, her posture straight, her eyes focused on the stage. She said nothing, but she was watching closely.

On the other side of the stage, the five members from the other class were already standing.

They faced Level One–A.

At first, their eyes moved over Lena and the others, measuring them quietly. Then their gazes shifted.

They landed on Kael. A few of them exchanged looks. One of the guys let out a small laugh.

“Is that one of them?” he whispered to his group.

Another shook his head slightly.

“They’re bringing anyone now,” he said under his breath.

A girl from the group glanced at Kael’s plain clothes and smirked.

“Interesting choice,” she murmured.

Soft laughter passed among them.

Kael stood still at the end of his line, his face calm, 

From her seat, Elara watched the exchange closely.

Just then, attendants walked onto the stage.

Each of the ten students—five from Level One–A and five from the other class—was handed a clear glass cup. The glasses were simple but heavy, 

A bottle was brought forward next, It was old, dark, and carefully handled. The attendant poured slowly into each glass. The liquid was deep red, rich in color.

A low murmur moved through the hall. One of the guys from the other group leaned forward slightly, his eyes widening.

“Is that… Château Montclair 1978?” he said, surprised.

Another nodded quickly. “That wine is crazy expensive.”

A few of them smiled proudly, lifting their glasses a little, already acting impressed.

Kael looked at the glass in his hand quietly.

He didn’t react. 

Victor lifted his glass slightly, a confident smile on his face.

“My family has one of these,” Victor Hale said. “It’s rare. Very rare. You don’t usually find bottles this old still sealed.”

Lena nodded in agreement.

“Yes. My mom keeps one too,” she said calmly. “She once told me a bottle like this goes for over twenty thousand dollars now.”

Mark chuckled lightly.

“It’s not something you drink casually,” he added. “It’s more of a collector’s wine.”

Naomi smiled and said, “Only people who really understand wine would even keep something like this.”

The others joined in.

They talked about the year it was made, how it was stored, how expensive it had become over time. Some spoke confidently, others exaggerated a little, but everyone seemed eager to show what they knew

A few students in the hall whispered in admiration.

Then the attendant stepped toward Kael. He poured the wine into Kael’s glass last but Kael didn’t react, he didn’t lift the glass, he didn’t smile and he didn’t look impressed.

He simply held it calmly, his expression unchanged. 

The attendant paused and looked at him, curious.

“What about you, young man?” he asked politely.

“Do you know anything about Château Montclair 1978?”

The hall fell silent, every eye turned to Kael. Even Victor stopped smiling.