The day continued, but something in the air had changed.
The five girls—Elara, Lyra, Seris, Mira, and Nyx—had gathered near a corner of the courtyard, ostensibly chatting, though their eyes kept drifting toward the classroom where the silver-haired instructor had just dismissed the students for a short break.
"…Did you see that?" Lyra whispered, barely audible.
Elara, ever calm, tilted her head slightly. "I did. The way she looked at him… it wasn't like she looks at any other student."
Seris, quiet as ever, leaned in just enough to be heard by the others. "It's not curiosity. She knows him."
Mira's usual playful smile faltered. "…Knows him? How could she? He's… he's just a new student."
Nyx, arms crossed, frowned. "…No. That wasn't it. She's aware of something deeper. Something hidden."
Lyra snorted softly. "…Hidden? You mean like how he looks like he's weak but isn't?"
Seris shook her head. "…It's more than that. It's like… she senses the same thing we do. Only stronger. She doesn't need to see him fight—she feels him. The same ancient energy that lingers around him, that… primordial stirring."
Elara's eyes narrowed slightly. "…So she's been paying attention all along."
Mira tilted her head. "…Wait, you mean she's aware he's hiding power?"
Nyx's expression hardened. "…Not just hiding. Controlling. Suppressing something enormous."
Lyra's grin returned, though cautious this time. "…So she's not just impressed… she's watching him. Closely. Maybe… even intrigued."
Elara glanced down at her hands, then back up at the distant classroom. "…She's not the type to be distracted. If she's focused on him like that… it's serious."
Seris finally added, her voice quiet but firm. "…The teacher knows something about Aiden that none of us do. And whatever it is, it changes everything."
A long pause followed.
Mira's voice was almost a whisper. "…Do you think she… respects him?"
Nyx shook her head. "…Respect doesn't even cover it. She's aware that he's… different. Equal in some way. Maybe even a challenge."
Lyra smirked. "…Equal, huh? That'd explain why she's smiling at him, even when everyone else thinks he's weak."
Elara's gaze remained fixed on the classroom. "…If she's already aware of him, that means she's been watching him, studying him, judging him… and deciding he's worth her attention."
Seris nodded slowly. "…Which means we should keep our eyes open too. But whatever we notice… it's nothing compared to what she sees."
Another pause fell over the group, heavier this time.
Mira finally said, softly, "…I get the feeling… he's going to change everything here. Not just for us, but for her too."
Nyx's eyes darkened slightly. "…And she knows it."
Lyra leaned back, smirking faintly. "…Well… this just got interesting."
Elara remained silent, her expression unreadable. But in her mind, she noted something important: the silver-haired teacher wasn't just a distant observer anymore. She had chosen to watch him.
And if she had chosen… that meant Aiden was no longer invisible to anyone with the skill—or the awareness—to notice.
The five girls exchanged glances, each feeling the unspoken truth: Aiden wasn't just the new student.
He was something far bigger than anyone had realized.
And the teacher—whose power and understanding far exceeded theirs—had already noticed