Chapter 13: The First Class
Noah walked through the marble halls of Class 1’s academic wing, his steps quiet and unhurried. In his hand, he flipped open his bronze pocket watch.
8:55 a.m.
Five minutes early.
He snapped it shut and slipped it into his coat as he reached the classroom door.
It was already crowded.
The lecture hall descended in a semi-circle of rows, each seat arranged with clean desks and unobstructed views of the front platform. At the bottom stood a large chalkboard and a polished wooden desk—empty for now. The morning sunlight poured in from the high windows, casting warm light across the backs of students still settling in.
Noah scanned the room. Most seats were filled.
Except one.
Roughly in the middle row, near the center, sat a girl with bright green hair streaked with yellow. She looked calm, composed, but distant—hands folded neatly on the desk.
There was a free seat beside her.
Noah made his way down the steps and stopped next to her row.