When they were done with the tour and got to the cafeteria, they spotted Celeste, Seraphina, and Damian at a table waving them forward.
"What would you guys like to eat?" Seraphina asked brightly.
On the table were different dishes, most of which looked like pastries and leavened breads stuffed with things.
Despite all the new and exciting sights he had experienced since he came to Calden, Aeon wasn't looking forward to human food—especially when he looked at the assortment of food on the table that reeked of low-grade ingredients.
"I don't feel like eating," Amarie said.
"Are you sure?" Seraphina asked. "You'll need the energy for the rest of your classes. Trust me," she insisted.
Amarie's gaze lingered briefly on a dish on the table, and a barely noticeable wrinkle formed on her nose.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Amarie replied adamantly. "I just don't have any appetite."
Seraphina turned to Isolde and Aeon.
"How about you guys?"
Aeon let out an awkward chuckle.
"No... I think I'm okay."
Isolde shook her head in rejection.
Seraphina was flabbergasted.
"No, I insist," she said firmly, hands on her hips as if daring them to refuse.
"W... We're fine, really," Amarie responded.
"No, you're not," Seraphina said, dragging Amarie towards the serving line. "Trust me, you'll thank me later."
Amarie laughed lightly along the way.
"Well, come on," Seraphina said, looking back towards Isolde. "The food's not going to serve itself."
"You too," she added, pointing at Aeon.
Aeon raised his brows, sharing a look with Isolde, but followed anyway.
When the food came, it wasn't as bad as he expected it to be.
The mix of spices was a new experience to his tongue.
He didn't hate it.
Not one bit.
***
While he ate, Aeon noticed a change in his surroundings.
Distant chatter became hushed, and a slight tension spread around the room in anticipation.
He wasn't the only one who noticed it either.
Beside him, the back-and-forth banter between Seraphina and Cecilia had paused.
He traced their gaze to a boy striding towards them in quiet confidence that almost seemed arrogant. A step behind him were four other boys who followed his every step like goons.
"Julian..."
The boy locked eyes with Julian and muttered the name through gritted teeth.
Julian sighed.
"Cassian."
Cassian held up a hand, signaling for Julian to stop.
"I haven't come for you," Cassian said.
'Then why did you call his name?' Aeon thought sourly.
Cassian turned to Isolde, a faint blush lighting up his face.
"I'm Cassian Livingston," Cassian introduced himself, standing a little taller, as if the name was supposed to mean something.
"Why don't you ditch this lot and come with me instead?"
Aeon thought of disfiguring his smug face with a fist, but instead counted to three and exhaled.
'1... 2... 3.'
"Despite how it might appear, the academy can be a really harsh place. Who best to give its grand tour than someone who understands it best?" Cassian continued, flashing a mocking grin towards Julian as he finished.
Isolde didn't respond.
In fact, she wasn't even looking his way.
"Leave," she quietly said in a cold, dry tone.
Cassian frowned.
"Look, I'm doing this for your own good. The academy is a really dangerous place, and no leniency will be afforded you even if you're new... or elves." Cassian swept his gaze from Amarie to Aeon.
"The worst mistake you can make right now is associating yourself with someone that's already enemies with half the school."
Julian's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Aeon studied Cassian's posture, the way his lackeys shadowed him like hounds. 'Empty bravado,' Aeon thought. 'But even empty wolves can still bite.'
No one responded.
Cassian stood awkwardly for a few seconds before finally turning on his heel, but not before leaving a few more words:
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
***
"He's right, you know," Celeste said after Cassian was finally far enough away.
"We've had some... misunderstandings with a lot of people."
Julian's shoulders dropped.
"Sorry..." he muttered quietly.
Celeste smiled. "It's not your fault."
"Yeah!" Cecilia chimed.
Damian, from the side, let out a dissatisfied groan. His face was the picture of annoyance.
Seraphina pressed her lips together in a crooked smile.
"Things like that are going to happen often if you're around us," Celeste continued, looking towards Isolde.
Isolde nodded.
"I don't mind," she replied, her voice calm and her face unreadable.
***
When they finally left the cafeteria, they still had fifteen minutes before the next class started.
While they walked, Celeste tilted her head towards Isolde.
"So what electives do you have in mind? Maybe I can help you come to a decision."
Isolde silently pondered.
"So far I've decided to go for Arcane Theory and Tactics & Strategy."
Celeste nodded.
"Good choices. You're allowed a minimum of three electives and a maximum of four. All you have to do is schedule your courses so they don't clash with each other.
"Also, it'll help if you schedule light courses in the morning and straining courses in the evening."
Amarie looked at Celeste, thankful for the advice.
"As for your last option—or other two options—if you're not interested in herbs or gadgets, I'd say go for Beast Studies. It teaches not just about magical beasts and their defenses but also teaches wilderness survival. Or go for Elemental Studies. It teaches specialized utility of your chosen elements."
Isolde nodded.
Aeon was familiar with the courses. They had had similar lessons back in Eryndor. The only subject that managed to pique his interest was Elemental Studies. He wondered if the humans had a different view on Space and Time manipulation.
For if there was any avenue humans excelled more than elves in, it would be there.
***
After their first day at school, Isolde and Aeon gathered in Amarie's room, trading stories of how things had gone.
"Did you notice that guy in class?" Amarie asked.
"The handsome one?" Isolde replied with a raised brow.
Aeon made a face.
"Yeah, he was handsome," Amarie admitted with dreamy eyes. "But that's just in human standards," she added quickly after.
"He's handsome even by elven standards," Isolde countered.
Aeon coughed.
"Handsome? Really?" he muttered.
Amarie giggled.
"No, I meant the one that smelled."
"I noticed," Aeon replied
Isolde nodded.
"I mean, humans normally smell, but that's just the same way a beast smells—just less foul. But him..."
Amarie wrinkled her nose. "He smelled... like something... dead."
Aeon leaned back, recalling the moment.
A shadow crossed his face. 'that smell… it wasn't natural.'