The magical academy's training ground buzzed with the chatter of first-years. Some students were already laughing in small groups, others awkwardly hovering nearby, trying to fit in. Mana flickered here and there, uncontrolled sparks of excitement and nerves.
I stood at the edge of the ground, hands loosely at my sides, watching it all from a distance.
I'd never been particularly social to begin with. From what I remembered of the novel, Azure hadn't been either. And judging by the way people glanced at me before quickly looking away, my quiet presence wasn't exactly inviting conversation.
I exhaled slowly, enduring the noise and counting the minutes until the class would finally begin.
"Hello, young master. Feeling lonely?"
A boy slightly taller than me stopped in front of me. Light gray hair, dark gray eyes. He looked relaxed, almost amused.
"I don't mind it," I replied calmly. "It's better than wasting energy on meaningless talk. This isn't socialising class, after all."
He raised a brow, studying me for a moment before smirking. "Ah. Now it makes sense. That's why you trash-talked the prince, huh?"
I blinked.
"...What?"
"Well," he continued casually, hands slipping into his pockets, "you only speak nicely in the appropriate classes, right?"
I frowned sightly. "I think you're mistaken. First, I don't know any prince here. And second, I haven't spoken to anyone today-let alone insulting them."
His expression shifted, surprise flickering across his face.
"So you really don't know who you bumped into earlier?"
"...I bumped into someone?"
He scoffed. "That was the second prince of our kingdom. Aurelian Maximus Hart."
Oh.
"That explains the reaction," I muttered. Then I looked back at him. "I didn't know. And I apologised properly. There was no trash-talking involved."
He stared at me for a moment, then clicked his tongue.
"Hah. Figures." His gaze sharpened. "Azure Windward, right?"
I nodded.
"Of course," he said mockingly. "Why would the young master of the Windward Estate know anyone beyond his own walls? You've barely stepped outside your manor, haven't you?"
I met his eyes evenly. "Why would I need to?"
His smirk widened. "Watch yourself here. The academy isn't as forgiving as your home."
With that, he turned and walked away.
...That was strange.
For a moment, I wondered if he'd been trying to provoke me-or if he was simply projecting something onto me. My gaze drifted unconciously across the field and landed on the prince.
Aurelian stood surrounded by others, golden hair catching the light. Even from here, his presence felt heavy.
Best to stay away.
As if sensing my gaze, he suddenly looked up. Our eyes met.
My chest tightened. I immeditely turned away, pretending to focus on the ground.
That was when I noticed movement nearby.
The boy from earlier had fallen, sprawled awkwarly on the grass. A few students stopped nearby, laughing.
Oh, he was getting bullied.
"What happened, airhead?" one of them sneered. "Tripped over your own wind?"
"Guess you like dirt better than standing, huh?"
They walked off, still laughing.
I hesitated.
Then I sighed and walked over.
"Looks like karma works fast," I said lightly, extending a hand toward him. "Getting a taste of what you were serving earlier?"
He glared up at me, annoyed. "So now you're mocking me too?"
"No." I smiled faintly. "Just stating the obvious."
He paused, then let out a bitter laugh as he took my hand. "You're right. It was pathetic of me."
I pulled him up. "And you are?"
He dusted himself off, rubbing the back of his neck. "Elior Windmere. Only son of Count Hale Windmere, the wind magic using family."
"Azure Windward," I replied.
"I figured," he said, grinning. "Guess we're even now."
Before I could respond, a voice cut in.
"So you are Azure Windward."
I stiffened.
Turning, I found golden hair and fiery eyes fixed on me.
Aurelian Maximus Hart stood there with his group, gaze unreadable.
...Had my doom arrived already?