The uniform felt strange on his body.
Holden walked through the courtyard in his new black-and-silver clothes. They felt much different than his old freshman clothes. The material was lighter, tougher, clearly designed for actual combat rather than basic training. A small silver crest was pinned on his chest, marking him as one of Instructor Vespera's personal disciples.
He tugged at the collar, trying to get used to it.
The reaction from the upperclassmen was immediate. Students who'd never looked at him twice before were suddenly nodding in respect. A group of third years stepped aside to let him pass through a narrow walkway. One of them even muttered a quiet greeting.
"Disciple Voss."
Holden nodded back, keeping his expression neutral. The sudden respect felt weird. Yesterday he was just some talented freshman. Today the uniform alone had changed how people treated him.
He spotted them near the eastern fountain.
