Chapter 85: Familiar Strangers
During his first week at the Elyndra Grand Academy, Velren barely—no, he hadn’t bothered—to befriend his peers. Maybe it was because he still hadn’t found the time, or maybe it was because he didn’t see the need to. Either way, he kept to himself. Names and faces blurred together in a sea of unfamiliarity, and whatever idle chatter passed between classmates were barely registered in his mind.
But even he knew the name of the student who was now stepping into the arena.
Alistair von Rhaegis.
The red-haired noble who, as fate would have it, was also in his class. And while Velren had ignored most of the academy’s social landscape, Alistair had left an undeniable impression—not just on him, but on the entire first-year cohort.
How could he not? He had placed first during the practical evaluation exam after all.
And that alone was enough to set him apart.
Even in a school full of promising talents, Alistair had stood at the top. His presence commanded attention, not just because of his noble lineage but because of what he could do. And now, here he was, stepping into the arena under the roaring cheers of a foreign city.
And yet, as Velren watched Alistair step forward, another thought crept into his mind.
’What the hell is that guy doing here?’
Before he could dwell on it, a voice—almost as if in sync with his own thoughts—spoke aloud:
"So that guy is here all along..."