That morning, Cael's classroom felt slightly different. Several students were talking more loudly than usual. Cael sat at his desk, looking over his notes from yesterday's training. Beside him, Evan was busy drawing a Shell design on a sheet of paper. "What do you think? If I make the armor like this, then add something on the back—" "Evan." "Hm?" "You've been drawing that this whole time." Evan looked at his paper. "Yeah." "So when are you going to study?" Evan went silent. "...Later." Cael sighed. Before he could say anything else, the classroom door opened. Their teacher entered. But this time, someone was standing behind him. A girl. She had shoulder-length dark brown hair and wore her uniform neatly. A simple bag hung from one shoulder. She stood calmly beside the teacher. Several students immediately noticed her. The teacher placed his book on the desk. "Before we begin, there's something I'd like to announce." The classroom slowly became quiet. "We have a new student joining us." The teacher turned toward her. "Please introduce yourself." The girl nodded. "My name is Liora Veyn." Her voice was calm. "I'm transferring from Arclight Academy in the western region of Lunaris." Several students began whispering. Evan immediately leaned toward Cael. "Bro." Cael didn't look at him. "What?" "Transfer student." "Yeah." "A girl." Cael finally turned toward him. "So?" Evan stared at him for a few seconds. "...You're really difficult to talk to." Cael turned back toward the front. The teacher pointed toward an empty seat. "Liora, you can sit there." The seat was not far from Cael and Evan. Liora nodded and walked toward it. As she passed Cael's desk, her eyes briefly stopped on the notes lying open in front of him. There were several simple diagrams showing Wind energy flow. "Wind?" Cael nodded. "Yeah." "Nice." Liora then continued to her seat. Cael only glanced at her before returning to his book. --- The lesson began as usual. The teacher reviewed the basics of energy management. After several minutes, he gave the class a short exercise. "Since we have a new student, we'll do a basic training exercise." Several students groaned quietly. "Relax. This isn't a test." The teacher pointed toward the training area at the front of the classroom. "I want each of you to demonstrate basic control of your Affinity." One by one, the students stepped forward. Nothing particularly spectacular happened. Some performed well. Others still struggled. Then it was Liora's turn. She stood in the center of the training area. "Affinity?" the teacher asked. "Water." Liora raised one hand. Water slowly appeared in her palm. Not much. Just a small sphere of water. She then separated it into several thin streams. One. Two. Three. All three moved around one another without colliding. Several students began paying closer attention. Then Liora brought them back together into a single small sphere. The water gently fell into the container provided for the exercise. Not a single drop splashed outside. The teacher nodded. "Good control." Liora returned to her seat. Evan whispered. "She's pretty good." Cael nodded. "Yeah." "Better than us?" Cael thought for a moment. "At control, maybe." Evan looked at him. "You're not jealous?" Cael shook his head. "Why would I be?" Evan went silent. "...Fair point." --- During lunch break, Liora sat alone near the window. She watched the school grounds from there. Cael and Evan were eating when Evan suddenly stood up. "Cael." "Hm?" "Let's invite her over." Cael looked at Liora. "Why?" "She's new." "So?" "You can't just leave her alone." Cael was silent for a moment. Then he picked up his food. They walked toward where Liora was sitting. Evan immediately started the conversation. "You're Liora, right?" Liora looked up. "Yeah." "I'm Evan. This is Cael." Cael nodded. "Hi." "Hi." Evan pointed at an empty seat. "Mind if we join you?" Liora moved slightly to make room. "Sure." They sat together. At first, the conversation was ordinary. Evan did most of the talking. Cael answered occasionally. Liora mostly listened. Until Evan finally asked, "Why did you transfer here?" Liora was silent for a moment. "My parents moved to Lunaris." A simple answer. No mysterious reason. No grand story. Just an ordinary part of life. "Oh." Evan nodded. "So you live here now?" "Yeah." Cael looked at Liora for a moment. "Do you think this academy is different?" Liora looked around. "A little." "What part?" "It's more crowded here." Evan laughed. "That's obvious." For the first time, Liora gave a small smile. Their conversation continued. Nothing special happened. No major event. Just three students beginning to get to know one another. But for Liora, her first day at Lunaris Academy had become a little easier. And for Cael, the small circle around him had begun to change. --- After school, Cael walked alongside Evan. Liora followed a few steps behind them. Evan turned around. "Hey, Liora." Liora quickened her pace. "What?" "We're training again tomorrow, right?" "Yeah." "Then let's train together." Liora looked at Cael. "If Cael is joining?" Cael shrugged. "I don't mind." Liora nodded. "Okay." They continued walking. Above them, the sky over Lunaris began to change color. Cael looked up for a moment. An aerial vehicle passed between the buildings. This time, he wasn't alone while watching it. Evan was still talking. Liora was walking beside them. And without Cael realizing it, his school life had just gained a new part. Nothing big. Not yet. Just a transfer student. But sometimes, big changes begin with something that looks small.

Chapter 9 : The Transfer Student