Chapter 67: Wait behind
The classroom door swung shut behind Alex, the faint hum of Starhaven Academy’s bustling halls fading as he stepped into a smaller, sunlit space.
The high windows stretched nearly to the ceiling, flooding the room with warm, golden light that pooled across the rows of polished wooden desks.
The wood gleamed under the sunlight, rich and dark, and if you looked closely, you could see faint patterns carved into the surface, delicate elven runes that shimmered with a soft, otherworldly glow.
They pulsed gently, like the desks themselves were breathing, giving the whole room a feeling of quiet magic woven into every corner.
The air carried a crisp scent of parchment and herbs, a stark contrast to the charged tension of the assembly hall.
Alex’s green tunic felt snug, the Elaris crest glinting on his chest, his blonde hair catching the light as he scanned the room.
The students were already in their seats when he stepped in, a sea of uniforms and shimmering crests catching the light like little sparks.
Conversations faded into a low murmur, then slipped into silence altogether, as heads turned and eyes locked onto him.
There was a kind of charged stillness in the air, the kind that made the tiny, involuntary sounds, the scrape of a chair, the soft rustle of fabric, seem painfully loud
His confidence flared, but Vaelen’s "sorry newbie" taunt still stung, a splinter in his mind.
At the front stood the teacher, and Alex’s breath caught, his eyes widening before he quickly masked his reaction.