Caelum's gaze hardened.
"Who are you?" he asked.
For a split second, Arven looked genuinely stunned.
Then he burst into laughter.
It was loud and unrestrained, echoing strangely through the surrounding area.
Arven bent slightly at the waist, one hand resting on his knee as he laughed, shoulders shaking.
"Ah… that's on me," he said at last, straightening with a broad grin. "That's entirely my fault."
He gave a small apologetic nod, the gesture casual but oddly sincere.
"My manners slipped. I should have introduced myself earlier."
Arven placed a hand lightly over his chest.
"Director Arven," he said. "Advanced Counselor of Veraunt's Edge. One of the ten Awakener Academies in Aurora. Also the academy your student over there studies at."
The moment the words left his mouth, Caelum's body tensed.
