The classroom was nearly empty.
Most students had already gone home, leaving behind only scattered papers and the fading sounds of footsteps in the hallway.
Lucien remained at his desk.
For the third time, he reviewed the debate outline.
And for the third time, he found himself thinking about the same thing.
"Nobody will remember it."
Aria's words echoed in his mind.
He didn't like admitting it.
But she had exposed a weakness nobody else had noticed.
Or perhaps nobody else had been willing to point out.
A quiet sound interrupted his thoughts.
The classroom door opened.
Lucien looked up.
Aria Vale stepped inside.
For a second, both of them seemed surprised.
"I thought everyone had left," Aria said.
"So did I."
Silence followed.
Not awkward.
Just unexpected.
Aria glanced toward the papers covering his desk.
"Still working?"
Lucien looked at the notes.
"Still fixing."
A faint smile touched Aria's lips.
"That's a better answer."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
Aria walked closer.
"People who think they're finished stop improving."
She glanced at the debate outline.
"You don't seem like that type."
Lucien studied her quietly.
"You've known me for less than a semester."
"Sometimes that's enough."
Her answer came immediately.
For some reason, Lucien couldn't argue with it.
The evening sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, casting long shadows across the desks.
The room felt strangely peaceful.
A rare feeling.
Especially lately.
Aria pulled out a chair and sat down.
Lucien looked surprised.
"You don't have anywhere else to be?"
She shrugged.
"Not right now."
Another brief silence.
Then Aria pointed toward one section of the proposal.
"This part."
Lucien leaned forward.
"What about it?"
"It's technically correct."
He frowned.
"But?"
Aria met his gaze.
"It doesn't sound like you."
For the first time all day—
Lucien looked genuinely confused.
"What does that mean?"
Aria tapped the page lightly.
"This sounds like something anyone could write."
Her eyes remained fixed on the document.
"But the reason people follow you isn't because you're 'anyone.'"
Lucien stared at her.
The words hit harder than expected.
Not because they were praise.
Because they were honest.
Aria wasn't trying to impress him.
She was simply saying what she believed.
And somehow—
That mattered more.
A small laugh escaped Lucien.
Rare.
Unexpected.
Aria blinked.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Lucien closed the notebook.
"It's just been a while since someone spoke to me like that."
For a moment, Aria looked thoughtful.
Then she smiled.
A real smile.
"Maybe people spend too much time agreeing with you."
Lucien shook his head.
For once—
He didn't disagree.
Outside, the sky was beginning to darken.
The debate was approaching.
The pressure was growing.
The competition was becoming more intense every day.
Yet for a brief moment—
None of that mattered.
Because sitting across from him was someone who wasn't interested in his reputation.
Or his position.
Or his influence.
Only the truth.
And for the first time in a long while—
Lucien found himself looking forward to their next conversation.