The corridor leading to the practical training ground was narrower than Ryan think. Perhaps because he had never come from this direction before. Perhaps because the crowds filled every corner, bodies pressed against each other, murmurs rising like the drone of bees before a storm.
Edan was beside him, trying to see beyond the heads in front of him.
he asked.
"Why all these people?"
Ryan did not answer.
There were new students. Not new to the academy, but new to this class. They were different from the others – in their stance, in their gaze, in the way they touched their swords as a constant reminder that they were armed. They wore dark blue robes like everyone else, but the fabric was finer, the embroidery more precise, the badges on their chests gleaming as if freshly polished.
They were nobles. Not from upper years, but from Ryan's same year. Yet they were different. They knew each other, communicated in small signals – a fleeting glance, a slight nod, a smile that didn't part the lips.
They were a separate herd, not mixing with others.
A group surrounded a girl.
Ryan did not see her face at first. She was surrounded by students like a star surrounded by its dust. They laughed, talked, looked at her as if looking at something precious.
Then one of them moved, and the gap opened.
He saw her.
Her hair – dark brown, long, falling over her shoulders like silk on a cold night. Her eyes – dark honey, gleaming with the confidence of one who holds power. Her posture – straight, like a soldier's, yet with something of pretense.
He recognized her.
Lyana.
He had not expected to see her here. She had been at the opening ceremony, sitting in the front rows among the noble children. She was the daughter the king– she was a princess. She was the girl he had held at sword point on a dark night in "The Back," when he was angry, when he wasn't thinking,
'Damn, is she the same age as me?'
When he first saw her, he avoided her, thinking he would never see her again because there were thousands of students in this academy, so he thought he wouldn't cross paths with her.
But She was here. In the Combat Strategies class. In the practical session.
She wore the uniform like everyone else, but the robe was slightly better, the embroidery slightly finer.With the royal family crest
She was talking to a girl beside her – Mara. Her maid. Her friend. She was smiling, as if nothing had happened.
She raised her eyes.
Their eyes met.
She stopped talking. Froze for a moment. The shock was faint, but it was there. They were far apart, but the distance was not enough to hide recognition.
She opened her mouth. Almost called out.
Then Professor Darius entered.
The sound of the door opening violently was enough to disperse the crowd. Students scattered, and Ryan disappeared in the chaos, his face hidden, he himself hidden.
Mara moved closer to Lyana.
Mara whispered.
"What's wrong?Did you see something?"
Lyana looked to where Ryan had been. He was not there. He had disappeared among the bodies, the shoulders, the murmurs.
she said.
"Nothing,I thought I saw... someone."
"Who".
She did not answer. How could she explain? How could she say: "I saw the boy who held a sword to my neck in The Back"? How could she say: "The boy who froze the floor and turned the guards into statues"? How could she say: "The boy who shot an ice arrow toward my shoulder"?
She was not sure. Perhaps she was imagining things. The crowd was large, the lights dim, the students many. Anyone could look like anyone else in this light.
Professor Darius stood before them. He did not introduce himself. Everyone knew him.
"Today, we have new students in this class. Some of you are nobles, some are commoners. No difference here. Everyone will fight."
His words were sharp, as if trying to cut any attempt at distinction.
"Now, I will divide you into groups. Five people per group. Random division. No objections."
He raised his staff. Struck the ground. A cloud of grey light rose from beneath his feet, forming names on a transparent board before him.
He read the names in a monotonous voice.
"Group one: Kayan Dal, Lin Fer, Celine Wood, Mara Shield and Ryan Darvin."
Upon hearing Darvin's name, Lyana repeated it in a whisper:
"Darvin?"