The midday sun bathed the academy square in warm golden light, its rays glinting against the stone-paved plaza. Cadets came and went in pairs or small groups, some talking loudly about the quarantine being lifted, others darting to nearby shops and restaurants with energy pent-up from the past week.
At the center of the bustle, two figures drew every eye.
Lux, with his silver hair catching the sunlight like molten starlight, walked with an easy confidence. His silver eyes sparkled as if reflecting the brightness of the day itself. His casual clothes—light cotton shirt, pale trousers, and a loosely fitted jacket—seemed tailored to his gentle aura. His every step exuded openness, and every smile he offered to passing cadets was met with quick waves or shy blushes.
