Monday felt like any other day.
Lauran and Henry still acted like strangers in front of everyone else, but after History class, they ended up walking together, quietly discussing the project their teacher had assigned.
A few paces behind them, Arron walked alone. His eyes wandered to the banyan tree in the courtyard — where Luke, his senior, stood leaning casually against the trunk.
Arron hesitated.
Luke noticed him and gave a faint smile, then began walking toward the northeast corridor, motioning for him to follow.
Arron's chest felt tight. For the first time… someone, besides my parents, didn't call me a monster, he thought.
Luke led him to a quiet, arched hallway near the far side of the academy.
"So," Luke began as they walked, "I heard what happened. You met the director, didn't you?"
Arron nodded slowly, unsure how much to say.
Luke glanced at him and smirked faintly.
"Don't look so nervous. The director has a soft spot for Alex. He's his brother-in-law, and they were good friends. And… well… Austrasia was known for its mage-warriors. It's a shame it fell. Ostasia's on the brink too. All of it — greed tearing everything apart. It hurts to watch. Lady Luna, protect us…"
His expression softened then, and he stopped at the base of a spiral staircase.
"Hey — I have a research group. We're not official because we're short on members, but… we can help you. Would you like to join?"
Arron blinked. "You… want me to join?"
Luke smiled and shrugged.
"Of course. Come on. I'll show you the tower we use."
The tower was old but cozy, with warm light spilling from the windows.
"This is it," Luke said, pushing open the heavy wooden door. "Our group's little corner of the world."
Luke led Arron through a quiet, ivy-covered archway tucked at the edge of the northeast corridor.
"This way," Luke said over his shoulder, his voice low but warm. "Our group's meeting place is in one of the old towers. Nobody really comes here unless they have business — which works in our favor."
The tower loomed ahead of them, its stone walls weathered and spotted with moss. A narrow wooden door at the base creaked as Luke pushed it open.
Inside, a winding spiral staircase stretched upward into shadows, the air cool and faintly scented with old books and chalk dust.
"Sorry," Luke said with a faint grin as they started up the stairs, "there's no lift. We're on the third floor — a little climb builds character."
The steps were slightly uneven, worn from centuries of students running up and down them, and Arron had to keep a hand on the railing as they climbed.
The first floor was dim and empty, with only a few shelves and forgotten chairs pushed against the walls.
The second floor was warmer, lined with closed classroom doors and old notice boards. Faint voices and footsteps echoed somewhere beyond.
Finally, they reached the third floor landing — where the air was brighter and smelled faintly of tea and parchment.
Luke stopped in front of a polished wooden door with a brass plaque shaped like a crescent moon. He rapped twice and then pushed it open.
The sight made Arron pause.
The room beyond was surprisingly cozy — nothing like the cold, formal academy halls. Sunlight streamed through tall arched windows, pooling across a long wooden table scattered with papers, books, and strange glowing stones. Cushions and mismatched chairs were arranged around the room, and a faint magical hum filled the air.
On one wall hung a sprawling chalkboard covered in scribbles and diagrams. On another, a tapestry depicting constellations. Shelves of books, a kettle steaming faintly in the corner — it all felt… alive.
Luke glanced back at him, smiling faintly at his expression.
"Not bad, huh? Told you it was worth the climb."
Inside, Lauran sat cross-legged on a low couch near the window, scribbling something in a notebook. Henry leaned lazily against the sill, thumbing through a book. And Kaya sat at the center table, methodically organizing stacks of notes.
Luke stepped inside and raised his voice.
"Alright, everyone — new member incoming! Meet Bolt Zleare!"
Lauran glanced up, her eyes narrowing slightly but saying nothing.
Henry lifted his head just enough to give a lazy two-fingerwave.
And at the center table sat Kaya — the blue-brown-haired student Arron vaguely recognized — who stood and gave a warm nod.
The warm, cluttered little common room seemed to hum even louder as Arron stepped fully inside, feeling the weight of his loneliness slowly start to lift.
"Ah, so you're Bolt," Kaya said. "We've heard a lot about you. Luke couldn't stop talking."
Arron flushed faintly.
Kaya continued matter-of-factly:
"Don't worry. You're in the right place. Some of us already know about Austrasians — tall, pointed ears, sparkling eyes. The royal family's eyes were said to shine like jewels. My grandmother's portrait has them too — emerald green."
He stepped closer, examining Arron thoughtfully.
"We should hide yours properly. Would you like lenses? Lean wears them — here."
Lauran had already produced a small box of colored lenses and held it out.
"Pick whatever color you like best," she said, her tone unexpectedly gentle.
Before Arron could reach for it, Henry suddenly appeared behind him with a pair of scissors.
"Hold still," Henry said, smirking. "Let me give you a proper haircut — you can't keep hiding behind those bangs forever."
He snipped skillfully, letting the hair fall away until Arron's sharp features — and eyes — were fully visible.
Lauran, leaning closer now, tilted her head and murmured:
"Wow… your ears are incredible. May I…?"
Her fingers hovered near his ears before Kaya, sighing, gently pulled her back.
"Forgive her," Kaya muttered. "She's our group's resident theologist. Likes to touch rare things."
Lauran rolled her eyes but drifted to her usual corner, pulling a Harry Potter book from the shelf.
"Don't mind her," Kaya said dryly. "But don't try to actually cast spells from those books. Humans write them for fun — fiction. Still… they're comforting. It's their way of connecting to something bigger."
He settled into his seat, flipping open a chemistry book.
"Now — test time?"
Luke nodded.
"Yeah. Professor's been hinting at a surprise balancing test soon."
Kaya groaned.
"Figures. I've been revising organic chemistry all morning — it's torture. How do humans even memorize all of this? Meeting a real human would be fascinating… and also horrifying."
Everyone chuckled and began gathering their notes and textbooks, settling into a quiet rhythm of study.
Arron sat at the table, feeling… lighter.
For the first time, surrounded by this odd little group, he didn't feel like a monster.
He felt like he belonged.
At the edge of the room, Lauran stared at her hands, lost in thought.
He's here. My big brothers… I won't let them go through that kind of pain again. I'll protect you — your little sister will protect you this time.
Her eyes hardened with resolve — then she shot upright and exclaimed:
"Hey! I want to study chemistry too! Those oxidation numbers are tricky!"
She limped over to the study table, sliding into a chair beside Arron with a determined grin.
The room buzzed with quiet chatter, the sound of pages turning, pencils scratching.
And for once, the academy didn't feel so lonely.