Ezra quietly stood before the entrance of the Royal IQ Chess Club, his calm black eyes studying the building without the slightest change in expression.
The entrance itself reflected the club's prestige.
Elegant black-and-gold banners hung from polished stone pillars, while academy staff and senior members maintained orderly lines for the students waiting outside. The atmosphere carried a quiet sense of discipline that was very different from the lively chaos surrounding the smaller club booths.
Students patiently waited for their turn to enter.
Some discussed famous chess matches.
Others whispered about the club's reputation.
Only a select few students had been allowed to bypass the queue earlier, entering the building directly because of their status.
Ezra simply observed.
He wasn't particularly interested in the game itself.
He was evaluating the club.
Just then...
Someone approached him.
"You're Ezra Ashenlocke... aren't you?"
