Anomaly of Fate

Another day had passed, leaving only two days until the upcoming Practical Evaluation. In his usual corner spot, Velren idly spun his pen between his fingers. The classroom was still filled with chatter, no doubt centered around the impending exam.

Unfortunately, due to Kael's position, he was not allowed to disclose any details about the evaluation. Velren had been no exception to that rule. Back then, Kael had apologized deeply for his inability to help, but Velren had merely shrugged it off, telling him that it didn't matter. If anything, he would have hated it more if Kael got into trouble just for leaking the exam's details.

Still, a little bit of information would've been helpful.

Now that it was his second day in the academy, Velren took the time to observe the class he was in. He had already begun to assess the situation, atmosphere, and key figures of Class 1-C, which consisted of twenty students.

For instance, there was the golden-haired boy sitting near the center of the classroom, surrounded by a small group of students. Leopold, as he introduced himself the day before, was what one would call the 'class spirit.' His easygoing attitude and social skills made him stand out. On the first day, he had taken the initiative to introduce himself to nearly everyone in the class, including Velren. Moving from desk to desk, he had chatted effortlessly with strangers, making it seem as if they had all been long-time friends.

Then, there was another boy with his own little group. A striking red-haired student who stood out among them. His refined posture, the way he carried himself, and the manner in which his peers deferred to him—it was clear that he had noble lineage. Even his uniform appeared to be in pristine condition, subtly embroidered with high-quality thread, a detail that, while minor, spoke volumes to those who paid attention. Velren wasn't entirely sure which noble house he belonged to. Not that he knew of one in the first place, but he was willing to bet the boy came from one of the more prominent families.

And then, there was another person who caught his attention.

Velren glanced to the side, landing his eyes on a girl sitting alone. She had striking silver hair that cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting against her dark uniform. Her features were delicate, almost ethereal, the kind of beauty that would naturally draw attention. Yet, despite this, she remained by herself. Like him, she was one of the few people in Class 1-C who had never bothered to socialize or engage in idle chatter.

That fact alone surprised Velren. With her appearance, he would have thought that at least a few people would approach her. And yet, no one did.

What intrigued him more was her seating choice. She sat near the corner, not too far from him, but not too close either. It was as if she had deliberately chosen this spot, as if she had claimed this section of the room for those who preferred solitude.

...Wait. Or was it his fault for assuming that?