Chapter 87: Amelia's Situation
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The sun hung lazily above the academy grounds, casting long beams of light across the stone-paved courtyard. Students were moving between classes, the usual mix of chatter, footsteps, and laughter filling the air. It was the kind of afternoon that looked ordinary from the outside, but beneath the surface, tensions always brewed.
Arios walked across the courtyard, his hands shoved loosely in his pockets as he followed Lucy and Liza toward the training wing. His pace was unhurried as Lucy was talking about the cooking competition from yesterday, her tone still defensive.
"I don't care what anyone says, that grilled fish didn't deserve first place. Our dish had flavor and balance," she muttered, clutching her book against her chest.
Liza yawned, her hand resting lazily behind her head. "Still salty about losing? It's over, Lucy. You'll just embarrass yourself if you keep whining about it."
