The school grounds bustled with its usual midday rhythm. Students crowded around benches and shaded trees, their chatter mingling with the clatter of utensils and the rustle of food containers.
The air smelled faintly of grilled meats from the academy kitchens, a mouthwatering backdrop for a long-awaited lunch break.
At one of the larger picnic tables sat Aranea's group, gathered in their usual noisy mix. Today, however, the new additions, Aerin and Auron, sat among them, their white and black hair making them stand out even more than their personalities.
The twins had only been in classes for a short while, but they were catching on quickly. Professors had already assigned them extra homework to cover the weeks they missed, and although the workload seemed daunting, the two handled it with a strange ease.
Zann and Elenea had been guiding them through Invicta's notes and assignments, while the others lent a hand when they could.
