We passed through the security gate and stepped onto the main street of the upper district.
The night air was cool, but the city was still alive. Mana lamps glowed softly along the wide streets, lighting up shops, tall buildings, and apartments. The academy city was clean and bright — nothing like the dark, dirty alleys of the underworld.
Julian walked beside us, head down, his oversized shirt dragging around his legs. He kept staring at the glowing signs and tall towers. He had spent his whole life in dark cages and filthy streets. To him, this clean, bright city must have looked like another world.
"Stop stretching your neck," I said softly, nudging him forward. "You'll trip over your shirt."
"Ugh! I'm not looking at anything," he muttered back, though his eyes were practically darting in every direction.
