The atmosphere broke. Murmurs rippled amongst the crowd.
"A noble, Kowtow before a commoner. A clown. Is he crazy?"
"Maybe one of those Eldritch beasts he fought in the Orientation garden must have eaten his brain."
Soren could hear the remarks, but he still kept a straight, almost 'I have been wronged' kind of face.
Li, on the other hand, looked at him with restrained fury.
One of the cadets behind stepped forward. A girl. She was tall and toned, with brown hair in a bob cut hairstyle.
She slammed her fists together.
Boom.
"Boss, Li. Let me teach this commoner punk a lesson."
But before Li could speak, Soren was faster.
"Didn't Goldsworth tell you?"
Soren shrugged. "We made a bet. If I learned the First Form before reaching the academy, he'd kowtow three times."
Soren's eyes gave a dangerous, cocky glint.
"In front of the academy."
As expected, the whispers increased. "Really, did they have such a bet?"
