Chapter 21: tournament begins
After classes ended, Zara walked alongside Elira and Mia, making their way toward the training hall.
The courtyard was still buzzing with students heading to their next activity, chatter filling the air.
Suddenly, Mia’s eyes locked onto someone in the crowd. "Selena!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "I’m here! Stop walking!"
Without waiting, she dashed off like an overly enthusiastic fangirl, weaving through the students with wild energy.
Zara watched her go with a wry smile. "She really doesn’t hold back, does she?"
Elira gave a small laugh and nodded, matching Zara’s expression. "Not even a little."
Zara picked up her pace to catch up to Selena as well, following behind the ever-enthusiastic Mia.
Once they reached her, Mia spun around with a big smile and gestured dramatically between everyone."Selena, this is my friend Zara—and that’s Elira! And she," Mia said, pointing proudly at Selena, "is Selena!"
Elira gave a polite nod. "Nice to meet you."
Selena returned the nod to Elira, but when her eyes landed on Zara, she simply gave a slow shake of her head. No greeting. No words.
Zara blinked, slightly caught off guard.